Question:
I am 90% regular schedular and have an IU claim that was recently remanded to the regional board for review and consideration because the regional board failed to look at my most recent employment status when deciding the case originally. Who knows how it will ultimately be decided but I hope it is favorable and they grant IU plus P&T status.
My question is that I have some additional conditions that my VA doctor has completed DBQs for and I am wondering if I should file those now or wait for the IU decision which could be a couple more years given it has been 5 already with my IU claim. My other conditions are Migraines and MDD which should both be rated at 50% plus it looks like my blood pressure condition is eligible for a rating but I haven't asked my doc for a DBQ on that yet. All of this is because I want to make sure taht if I kick the bucket my wife and kids get benefits and I know that you need 100% P&T for at least 10 years and knowing my luck I will get the IU P&T but then the other will come in and that will make the IU moot and they will kick out the P&T. Any thoughts on all of this?
Jim's Reply:
It sounds as if you are appealing a denial for the TDIU benefit. If you're appealing something as important as a denial for TDIU, you should have a veterans law attorney representing you. From what you've told me your approach to your benefits is scattered and you really need some professional guidance. I usually advise that while we have an active claim or appeal in progress that we don't file other claims since that slows the whole thing down. But you have so much going on that it's not possible for me to determine just what is happening...talk with a lawyer.