Advise regarding increase in rating for PTSD

[bronxdevil]

Good Morning Hadit members, I have been reading the forum for a while now and would like to thank all the members for helping out with the many questions and concerns veterans have when it comes to disability claims,  I recently put in a claim for an increase in my PTSD rating on 03/14/18 (Currently rated 80% combined - 70% PTSD, 10% tinnitus, 10% lower back, 10% GERD) due to the severity of my PTSD symptoms and how it is keeping me from maintaining substantial gainful employment. I left my job on 03/12/18 and was put on FMLA leave by my employer, on the FMLA form filled out by my VA psychiatrist it states that my condition is ongoing and that I am unable to work due to my symptoms, My employer requested a return date was needed for the FMLA leave to be approved and my psychiatrist wrote a second letter stating I will return to work on 06/15/18 pending improvement in my mental health condition. I completed a C & P exam on 04/20/18, checked ebenefits the following day and the status to my claim was updated to preparation for decision. On 04/23/18 I receive a call from the VA regional office from the VSR or rater working on my claim, she asked me if I am going to return back to work and I tell her no because I cant due to my PTSD, she tells me that my C & P results do not meet a 100% increase but that she will grant me individual unemployability as soon as I submit VA-form 21-8940. I filled out and submitted the form yesterday and my claims status has been updated to pending decision approval with an estimated completion date of 04/19/18 - 05/05/18. Im fairly surprised by how fast my claim has moved and hope that every other veteran is experiencing the same quickness with their claims, I was more surprised by the phone call from the regional office, at this point it sounds like I will be granted a 100% IU or TDIU rating but I'm still skeptical until I received my letter, I receive my bachelors in psychology in 2016 while enrolled in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program and earn over the SGA level but my symptoms for PTSD have gotten more severe causing me to not be able to work. I appreciate anyones input and thank you for taking time to read my post.

[Guest L]

@bronxdevil - My claim too was quick. I too received a call from my RO - actually about 3 moving my appeal along in 2016, and a grant of IU. - I believe in some instance they are getting "better" - choking on that word.... or cautiously optimistic... but I concur with Vetquest 

[broncovet]

"Delaying" filing for SSDI or VA benefits is an "expensive" idea.  I know because I made the same mistake.  

If your SSDI is 1500 per month, then it costs you about 50 dollars for each day you delay filing.  

You should decide how many 50 dollars you can throw away, for me, its zero.  

[Guest L]

Respectfully submit:  If you do not file for SSDI- then at retirement age you can take your full entitlement later you gaining $.

I have given the example of mine in other posts.

My SS was estimated to be at 2500-2750  at age 66.6, but on SSDI - I get $1800.

Create an account on SSA.gov and see what your individual demographics are....

[bronxdevil]

Update - Still waiting, on Ebenefits my claim status is: pending decision approval, has not changed in 3 weeks and has gone past the estimated completion date, (originally it was 05/05/18 than a few days later it changed to 05/06/18), in the  mean while I had my therapist complete a PTSD DBQ, she checked off  - Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood and wrote in the remarks section " Due to the exacerbation of the intensity and severity of veteran's symptoms, it is my opinion that he is currently and for the foreseeable future, unable to maintain sustained gainful employment." She signed it and I submitted it via benefits on 04/26/18, before the estimated completion date. 

[Gastone]

If in fact the IU is Awarded due to your PTSD, a Total & Permanent should not be expected. Considering your Employment History and Educational Achievements, I could see a possible IU Denial Based on your probable ability to do  "some sort of Sedentary work" that would provide you with Earned Income above the SGI/SGO figure of $12,440 for Vets under 65, $11,440 over 65.

What was the Effective Date for your original PTSD Award? Have you ever heard of the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Dept Counciler's "DENIAL LETTER?"

[bronxdevil]

Gastone - My original award date is 06/10 for PTSD, I've used chapter 31 to received a bachelors in 2016, not sure if at this point I should go back to receive a denial letter or if they would give me one considering. The C and P exam and the DBQ my VA psychiatrist filled state I'm unable to return to work due to PTSD, permanent or not I would be happy to receive IU since I am not working and if I can get better in the near future I would gladly go back to work,  even if granted IU I won't be making anything near what my salary was. 

Edited May 16, 2018 by bronxdevil
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