Question:

Dear Jim, I've been receiving TDIU for the last 7 years. I have not worked at all and to summarize my situation, I'm tired of being retired. I want to provide a better life for my family.

My rating is 90%, I have to use a catheter on myself 6-10 times a day:  if I don't,  it will damage my kidneys. I lost my ability to urinate during a VA back surgery 5 years ago. In September of last year, I woke up one morning with left-back and leg pain like I've never experienced in my life. A few weeks later I started to urinate myself. I have not to this day put in a claim for it since I am already receiving TDIU. When I lost the ability to urinate years ago,  it was devastating to me but I kept a mostly positive outlook on it due to it being permanent. What could I do about it? I couldn't wish it into existence, so I drove on. To be honest I wish it could just be one way or the other. But as of now, I have to use absorbent pads, etc and have to pay very close attention to the incontinence one way or the other.

Shame to say it's has gotten to me as of late. These years I've been down I always dreamed of returning to work. I've studied network technologies relentlessly intending to return to work and provide better. I find it very frustrating that there is such a lack of information about returning to work after TDIU. A few days ago I was offered a remote tech position working from my home. I don't think this would qualify as a sheltered environment. I absolutely will never try and game the VA system, I have not accepted the position as of now. These positions are rare and the unicorn of the tech industry. So the situation is that I have difficult disabilities to deal with that have shown to be getting worse over the years. My wife is a teacher for a rural elementary school and doesn't get paid much at all. She and my children are covered through Champva. I've dreamed of returning to work for so long now. I've had 5 back surgeries plus corrective procedures on my spine that is just rotting away. So basically I have no clue where to start without risking everything. Please help

Jim's Reply:

You have a lot going on. I think employment is the least of your problems but I'd encourage you to try and see what may be available for you. If you can locate and secure gainful employment we can address a return to work then. Until then there's work to do.

You have health and claims issues that need to be addressed. It doesn't sound like your surgery went well. Losing the ability to control your bladder isn't something that should happen and I think you need to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer. I usually refer to these folks and I hope you'll contact them

I think you should apply for the Special Monthly Compensation [SMC], explained here and that begins with applying for A & A here

Once you've accomplished getting your ratings in order, then you could evaluate a return to work. Good luck.