tdiu I Spoke To My Dav Rep Today

[Cherie33]

Hi All,

I spoke with DAV representative today and he told me that the VA Appeals process awarded me an increase from 10% IBS to 30% IBS.

I told him that I haven't worked in almost 4 years and I have unable to work because of my service connected disabilities. He suggested that I file for TDIU (which a few of you suggested it too) However, I'm not sure of where to start.

Do you all think that I could actually be granted TDIU? I was going to school through the Vocah Rehab program, but my disabilities aggarvated me so bad until I had to quit. My Vocah Rehab counseler mentioned Independent Living Services. Need some guidance here. Before I file for TDIU I want to make sure that I have all evidence needed. What should I submit with it?

Thanks,

Cherie33

[john999]

Cherie

I don't like what the doctor says about your schizoid disorder being independent of the depression. If the newer dissorder is independent the doctor seems to be saying it is not related to the service connected depression. Is he saying the psychotic process just developed out of thin air and is not related to the chronic depression?? Maybe in the minds of VA doctors all the mental disorders are cookie cutouts that exist independently in the same brain but most psychiatrists would not say that. You want an opinion that your schizo-affective disorder is just the progression of the depression and not some new disease that just exploded out of nowhere and has made you unemployable.

However, the primary does say you are probably unemployable so that is an inferred claim for IU. I hope the VA does not try and say the schizo-affective disorder is not service connected, and that your IU is not service connected as well. They will sometimes try this route. They did on me when I got 70% because I had a chronic pain disorder that was not SC at the time but now is SC. You know the VA will screen your records with a microscope to find a reason to deny a benefit or retro date.

[john999]

Cherie

I don't like what the doctor says about your schizoid disorder being independent of the depression. If the newer dissorder is independent the doctor seems to be saying it is not related to the service connected depression. Is he saying the psychotic process just developed out of thin air and is not related to the chronic depression?? Maybe in the minds of VA doctors all the mental disorders are cookie cutouts that exist independently in the same brain but most psychiatrists would not say that. You want an opinion that your schizo-affective disorder is just the progression of the depression and not some new disease that just exploded out of nowhere and has made you unemployable.

However, the primary does say you are probably unemployable so that is an inferred claim for IU. I hope the VA does not try and say the schizo-affective disorder is not service connected, and that your IU is not service connected as well. They will sometimes try this route. They did on me when I got 70% because I had a chronic pain disorder that was not SC at the time but now is SC. You know the VA will screen your records with a microscope to find a reason to deny a benefit or retro date.

[Berta]

I would file for both TDIU and SSA-

Yesterday!

[Cherie33]

Cherie

I don't like what the doctor says about your schizoid disorder being independent of the depression. If the newer dissorder is independent the doctor seems to be saying it is not related to the service connected depression. Is he saying the psychotic process just developed out of thin air and is not related to the chronic depression?? Maybe in the minds of VA doctors all the mental disorders are cookie cutouts that exist independently in the same brain but most psychiatrists would not say that. You want an opinion that your schizo-affective disorder is just the progression of the depression and not some new disease that just exploded out of nowhere and has made you unemployable.

However, the primary does say you are probably unemployable so that is an inferred claim for IU. I hope the VA does not try and say the schizo-affective disorder is not service connected, and that your IU is not service connected as well. They will sometimes try this route. They did on me when I got 70% because I had a chronic pain disorder that was not SC at the time but now is SC. You know the VA will screen your records with a microscope to find a reason to deny a benefit or retro date.

Ok I See...However my Major Drepressive disorder with Psychotic features is 50%. Should I speak to my Psych dr. to get an understanding of the schizo-affective disorder being independent. Because I see what you are saying..But also, wouldn't the VA have pointed that out when they changed their decision from decreasing my benefits from 50% to 30% based on the statement from my dr?

Cherie33

[john999]

Cherie

It would be good if the doctor would say that the schizo-affective disorder was the result to the depressive disorder and was also service connected. I can't see that it would not be SC so maybe the VA has already taken this into account. I would file for IU as Berta says. If you have the 70% rating file for the IU and let the chips fall where they may. Once you get IU you will have it and the only thing the VA will want to know is have you gone back to work.

[Cherie33]

Cherie

It would be good if the doctor would say that the schizo-affective disorder was the result to the depressive disorder and was also service connected. I can't see that it would not be SC so maybe the VA has already taken this into account. I would file for IU as Berta says. If you have the 70% rating file for the IU and let the chips fall where they may. Once you get IU you will have it and the only thing the VA will want to know is have you gone back to work.

Hey John999,

Thanks, that sounds like a plan to me.

Cherie33