Iowa Veteran Gets TDIU After 18 Years of Claims

One success story evolved over almost two decades thanks to the hard work of veteran service officers (VSOs) with Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 776 in Scott County, Iowa. The chapter has long supported the national organization’s VSO program and still has six VSOs working cases. 

Chapter 776 member Lyle Peterson first filed a claim with Ed Gaudet for PTSD, ulcerative colitis and other issues in January 2005. He was approved at 10% service connection (SC) for PTSD in July 2006, and that increased to 30% in 2014. Chapter VSOs later helped Peterson file claims for hearing loss (denied) and tinnitus (approved in 2018).

In 2019, Peterson filed a supplemental appeal for his ulcerative colitis, but was denied, then approved at 0%. After getting nowhere with the help of private counsel, Peterson asked VVA VSO Clark Barnes to help on another appeal. With Barnes’ representation, Peterson was awarded SC for his ulcerative colitis at 10%. 

In March 2022, the chapter helped Peterson file a claim for Parkinson’s Disease due to Agent Orange Exposure. The claim was approved in September 2022 at 100%, giving Peterson a combined VA rating of 80%.

In March 2023, chapter VSOs filed a total disability/individual unemployability (TDIU) claim on Peterson’s behalf. The veteran was approved for increases to his ratings for PTSD (50%), ulcerative colitis (30%) and Parkinson’s (50%), giving him a 100% permanent and total disability rating. He received more than $16,000 in back pay and now receives $3952.51 monthly.

Contact a VVA Veteran Service Officer to assist with your claim in states that have a benefits program here, or search for a VSO from another organization through the VA’s website in states where we do not. Enter your ZIP code or city and state, and you’ll see which VSOs serve your area.