I "m a litlte cross up in my claims in May 2009 i was awarded 20% DDD OF LUMBAR SPINE WITH radicu from a remand. In June i file FOR increased rating for my 20% rated, service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radicupathy, also same reason i receive SSDI . Also in June was told to file claim for my SC 0% Bi-lateral pes planus to get my
rating up to file IU. HAD C&P IN July in Sept RO told me to file 21-8940 could possible be 100%
or IU. If i rated at 0% pes-planus and they told me to file for iu would my ddd be included in decision or will it just me my feet. I RECEIVE ssdi for degenerated disk disease of lumbar spine.
Is all of your current sc disibilities included in IU CLAIMS OR just a certain one. hope u understand
what i tring to say. Thanks all

I added some thoughts that may help you,
Hope that you get what you need and deserve,
All the best to ya,
Cowgirl'up2009!

Thanks cowgirl it did help a lot
In June i file FOR increased rating for my 20% rated, service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radicupathy,
What was the result of that claim? did you get a increase?) this claim is on appeals and waiting for hearing date whether dro or traditional way

Also in June was told to file claim for my SC 0% Bi-lateral pes planus to get my
rating up to file IU. HAD C&P IN July
(Did you get an increase yet for pes planus?)
No waiting to be rated at RO FOR increase or IU THIS the claim was told to file IU



(sounds like your RO is confident if advising you to file for iu)
CONFUSE ME when i call 800# your claim for pes-planus & IU IS WAITING TO BE RATED
nothing about ddd of the back, so thats why i ask will it be included with IU AND NOT
JUST THE FEET alone

If you requested increase for pes planus and ddd at the same time its likely both would be addressed in the decision.)
they were done at same time but different claims IU FOR DDD &INCREASE OR IU for feet

They will rate on all of your disabilities that are SC but the TDIU is the same rate as 100% comp.It will probably be based on the DDD but the pes planeus will also be on the rating sheet.

Make sure they know of the SSA award and have gotten the SSA records. That is excellent evidence for TDIU.

Old Joe, in order to qualify for IU, The ve has to increase your SC disabilities to meet the criteria.
One disability must be 60 percent for a single disability.
For multiple disabilities, one must be 40 and the total or combination must be 70 percent.

That is what must take place.

J

Berta thanks again ,they do have SSA award maybe 10 times but when i call to check status
of claim she said claim for pes-planus and IU waiting to be rated and NOTHING about DDD
so I was wondering will DDD be included. Thanks again You said it will and I can sleep tonight
I Hope

old joe,
Look over your SSA award real good.
If there are disabilities listed in your SSA grant, that are not
disabilities that are service connected, VA will pounce on those
as being the disabilities that have made you unemployable.

jmho,
carlie

Carlie,
I look, its only DDD of the lumbar spine with radcupathy and that only, same as sc20%

If SSA benefits were granted due solely to SC'd disabilities
that is good evidence for an IU claim.
jmho,
carlie

If you have chronic pain I would file a claim for chronic pain disorder. This might include depression. This could help get your claim up to the 60-70% range. Anybody who has severe back pain to the point they can't work is probably not all that happy. Do you take narcotic pain meds? The side effects of these drugs are somewhat disabling in themselves. Side effects of medication are also part of the disability picture. Get a referral to the pain clinic and a VA shrink. I bet you have sleep problems since that goes with chronic pain. This is one way to expand your claim when the VA gives you a low ball rating for a disability that has taken away your ability to work. They don't look at the whole picture unless you shove it in their face. They just see a 20% back disability. If you get your feet SC'ed you could try to get some other joint problems sc'ed since flat feet often lead to back, knee and hip problems. You want to look for secondary condtions to the SC problems. I got SC'ed for DMII. This lead to a secondary SC for PN and CAD. Those in themselves are worth a 80% rating.

I do take 2 narcotic pain medicine,and very little sleep and I HAV a appointment
11-11-09 at pain clinic and VA shrink. Maybe i will get a decision soon and hope for the best.

thanks for the info Oldjoe