VA filed IU - What does it mean?

W

winz

PEB Forum Regular Member
My dear husband has been rated 30% for PTSD and a variety of other small percentages for other physical issues all of which equal 60% by VA terms and all of which are service connected. We've been waiting on the traveling board to hear his case regarding the PTSD. He has been unable to work due to his conditions since June of 09. We got a notice from the VA claims office that they have filed IU on his behalf due to exams conducted at the VA that indicated he is unable to work.

My question is, how unusual is it for the VA to choose to file IU on your behalf? We hadn't filed yet because he hadn't reached the 70% total mark yet. We were shocked to discover that the VA has chosen to go ahead and file it for him.

Just to clarify, it was NOT his service officer that filed. The VA regional office claims department filed on his behalf. Has this happened to any of you before and what was the outcome? What are your thoughts?

Update: I forgot to add that he has been approved for SSDI since January of this year.
 
Part of the VA's statutory duty to assist is to consider all legal theories that may result in the award of benefits. So, this consideration of IU is what they should do. It is hard to give any thoughts on likelihood (i.e., a percentage/chance of them making an award). But, I would tend to think it is a good thing they decided to consider the IU claim on their own.

Best of luck!
 
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