The dental part is huge for me. I need a lot of dental work, most of which medicaid doesn't cover and that worry is now gone. Doesn't help my dental obsessions, at least not yet. I get a free license plate for my car that never expires. If I were rich enough to buy a home, I can qualify for property tax exemption. It is crazy how many things open up at 100%. Although I would give it all up without thought to have a working brain and be able to work.

I have been 80%(50% MH, 50% headaches, 20% seizures and a few 0%) since 1999. I started out 60% in 1996. I was expecting my MH rating to increase to 70% and get unemployable. That is what I asked for. Getting more than that really hit me hard, mostly negatively.

In government-speak, permanent has a slightly different meaning. Yeah, it could change, but they won't likely ever come looking for me and I certainly won't be filing any new claims. They never asked for a new exam between 99 and last January a few months after I submitted TDIU papers. I think this rating is them being done with me. I am so fortunate to have been on active duty when all of this started. If it had to happen, there is no better time for it. For all its faults, the VA has been excellent to me, except for one sadistic therapist.

I have a Veteran Service Officer through the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She looked over my record, said I was a near-certain TDIU and filled out(incorrectly, several times that I had to clean up) the forms and submitted them. I kept in contact with her during the process and she talked me off the edge of the cliff a few times. I need to get a hold of her Monday, I have a million questions for her.

It is definitely worth having one, as long as they are competent. The VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Vets all have them and it is totally free. Although, now I feel obligated to at least join the VFW as a thank you.