tdiu VA Disabled Vet 80% Combined Rating

[murpman42]

Hi, I am new here, I recently was awarded 70% for mental health issues which is secondary to my service connected disabilities and was previously rated at 40%, now combined rating of 80%.

Each of the my service connected disabilities total 40% - 10% each. I won't detail them out, no need.

Since I was medically discharged from the Army rated at 10% in 2005, I have had 7 jobs and have more and more issues with each one since I started them.

My longest job I have had was my first job out of the Army and it was working for my father-in-law, who retired after 5 years working from him. I had issues there, like I quit and went back to work for him twice because of communication problems and other issues dealing with him treating me like a child.

I have difficulty remembering things due to meds and it causes a great deal of issues at work meetings where I have to ask several times to repeat what was said either during the meeting or after the meeting. The other issue i have is being able to be attentive enough to be wary of what is going on since I do not sleep very well due to sleep apnea and I am in the process of filing a claim for that now.

Can I claim TDIU in regards to my disability ratings, I am 40% service connected disabilities with an additional 70% secondary mental health rating, combined rating at 80%?

Why do some vets call it IU and some call it TDIU? Is this the same thing?

Last question - when does a vet qualify for an id card with medical coverage for dependents? If I was granted TDIU at 100% would I be granted medical coverage for my dependents?

[Berta]

But you do have to be unemployed or employed for wages at or below the poverty level (GPA) to even be considered for TDIU.

(or employed in a "sheltered workshop")---it is within 38 CFR 4.16.

If your present employer is covered by the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) they should be able to accommodate you by maybe allowing you to tape the meetings...if they know of your disabilities.

Edited January 19, 2017 by Berta

[allansc2005]

Berta,

Is your TDIU paid from the time you became unemployed, or from the time you initially filed for TDIU?

In addition to my CUE, I was awarded Permanent TDIU, by the way.

 

 

[Guest L]

murpman; My recent award of IU P & T (October 2016)  started from the date RO granted my award. - I had been receiving SSDI 3 years prior, just for a reference. 

[allansc2005]

L/murpman42,

I forgot to mention that my IU P&T was awarded by a review officer. My original claim was filed back in 2008, and was denied at that time.

So IF I'm correct, I should receive compensation from 2008.

 

 

[murpman42]

Berta,

Thanks, my current employer wouldn't even reimburse me for my keyboard with wrist support that I purchased, and I provided supporting VA disability rating and documentation needed. I have been working since August 2016, which is my 7 job since I have been out of the Army with Medical Service Connected in 2005.

Taping is not an option at my company since we cover patient PHI some times on the meeting. 

If I were to stop working due to my own or if I was let go, could I file for TDIU based on my current disabilities?

The regulation is confusing. I am combined rating of 80%, 10% for four disabilities - 10% each, then a 70% rating that is secondary to one of my 10% disabilities.

The 70% is not primary only secondary. I was also told that if I was granted TDIU it doesn't mean that I will get 100%, I could get lower rating, is that true?

I am also going in for 2nd round of sleep apnea testing within 3 weeks and if they diagnose that I have sleep apnea and put me on cpap machine then the rating could be 50% for that pushing me to around 90%. 

At that point I think I will file for TDIU, due to my service connected disabilities and my chances would increase. 

[allansc2005]

murpman42, it doesn't matter that the 70% is secondary; your combined rating, along with the one rating of 70% is enough for TDIU.

I'll let Berta step in on the other issues.