Iu Opinions?

[asheth007]

This is my first post

I have service connected inflammatory myopathy and other conditions. A breakdown is:

Combined service connected disability rating - 80%

Inflammatory myopathy all extremities rated analogous to fibromyalgia. - 40%
Right Shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy and AC joint osteoarthritis (dominant) - 20%
Thoracic spine degenerative disc disease - 10%
Sleep Apnea - 50%

My struggle is that in my mind I want to work but in reality I just don't think I can. I am 34 but function as if I am 80 difficulty doing simple things. My Narsum has on there C&P exam indicates severly impacts on all activities of daily living except personal hygiene. I am just 4 months from my last day of active duty.

Based on all of this anyone's opinion is welcomed is IU something I should file for? My friend who is 100% combined rating says that I shouldn't because it closes a door and I should work to get to 100% by adding more claims, but my condition is different than hers and it really limits me. I just fear finality I guess. If I file for IU can I still put in additional claims? I haven't been to mental health yet but my first visit is the 21st of this month. I am no doctor but I have a feeling I have some depression because of my condition and how it has and does affect me. So I was wondering if that does happen and I do get other diagnoses that I can file would I still be able to?

If I do decide to file for IU should I file myself or use the DVA? Also I am not sure who my DVA is and is a DVA the same as a VSO? I filed a claim and was approved and it was using a DVA (for sleep apnea) but I'm confused.

[Berta]

Are you anticipating a medical discharge?

If so, try to seek a PEBLO on the base .Then again PEBLOs are hard to find (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer..and you already have the NARSUM.

"My Narsum has on there C&P exam indicates severly impacts on all activities of daily living except personal hygiene. I am just 4 months from my last day of active duty."

DONT lose this paperwork. It will be good evidence for TDIU.

Since you did well with the DAV (if you mean DAV by DVA) for the sleep apnea, I think you should contact them again for the TDIU claim.

"I am no doctor but I have a feeling I have some depression because of my condition and how it has and does affect me"" That is a very reasonable feeling and I think you should file for the depression.But if I were you would wait for a concrete diagnosis on that.

Was any of your service incountry OEF?

Reason I ask is that if so so ,it might be possible that you have PTSD,manifested by depression but I would think the other disabilities you have ( particularly the analogous fibro one), would give anyone depression.

The comp for SC of any MH is the same amount and they only compensate one MH disability.

The PTSD criteria is in our PTSD forum here.

Thank you for your service!

[asheth007]

Thanks you for your reply Berta, I might have been a bit confusing I have already been medically discharged my last day of active duty was in June and I am 4 months into the VA system now. I am still learning so something have me confused despite my reading.

[john999]

If you can't work file for TDIU. If you are 34 you also want to file for SSDI. Once you get these things that is usually the end of the line. If your physial condition is permanent and is going to keep you from working this is the best direction I see for you. The idea of trying to get to 100% one disability rating at a time will take years if ever. Like Berta says you want to see what kind of discharge the military gives you. You and your family won't be living high on the hog on TDIU but you will be living.

John

[asheth007]

Thank you I have started my SSDI claim actually months ago and I'm at the 2nd reconsideration stage.

I actually went got my IU paperwork today. If I am understanding I can still put in claims

[asheth007]

From visit today the doctor said he felt that my depression, insomnia, and irratibility are secondary to my inflammatory myopathy. They perscribed me setraline anti-depressant and ambien. I have some followups coming too. I actually am glad I went it was my first time having a MH appointment and I felt better after being able to talk to someone.

[Berta]

Was this a VA doctor or non VA?

If non VA, would the doctor be willing to prepare an IMO for you?

Some IMOs are very costly but some have minimal fees.

The IMO criteria that VA is familiar with (and that an IMO doc needs to follow) is here in our IMO forum.

If you can get documentation from that doctor, it might possibly help with this,if you send it to the SSDI person working on your SSA reconsideration.:

"Thank you I have started my SSDI claim actually months ago and I'm at the 2nd reconsideration stage."

I hope that goes OK for you. Many people dont file for SSDI reconsiderations and just accept SSA denials.

My husband's successful SSDI reconsideration request many years ago helped with the VA's proper rating of his PTSD (100% 1997) as well as his 1151 stroke.(100% 2012)

"Thank you I have started my SSDI claim actually months ago and I'm at the 2nd reconsideration stage."

Was this doctor who supported the secondary issues a psychiatrist? Was he/she the one who prescribed the meds?

"it was my first time having a MH appointment and I felt better after being able to talk to someone."

Good, it is always good to read something like that.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Berta