u/Original_Pack_1570

I’ve seen a lot of people ask what kind of evidence actually helps at the reconsideration stage, so I wanted to share what I submitted and where my case stands right now.

Full Timeline So Far

**Initial Application**

• April 30, 2025 – Filed initial SSDI application
• June 26, 2025 – Non-medical review completed
• April 9, 2026 – Medical review completed
• April 13, 2026 – Denied at initial level

**Reconsideration**

• April 13, 2026 – Filed reconsideration the same day
• April 15, 2026 – Non-medical review completed
• May 20, 2026 – Medical review completed, moved to **Step 4** (final non-medical review)

From filing reconsideration to finishing the medical review took about 5 weeks. I have the VA TDIU P&T priority flag and an active congressional inquiry on the file.

What I Submitted for Reconsideration

Here’s what I added after the initial denial:

• **Mental RFC + Treating Source Letter** from my psychologist dated April 2026, with marked limitations checked in concentration, social interaction, and adaptation.
• **Full VA Medical Records** (285-page packet) with recent treatment notes.
• **VA TDIU Award Letter** and supporting documents.
• **Amended Onset Date Statement** (Form SSA-795) changing my onset to January 16, 2025 (the date I was terminated from my last job).
• Recent ER records from April 2026.

I made sure everything was clearly labeled when I uploaded it so the examiner could easily find the most important pieces.

Please pray for me.

Hey there, Thought Id share my timeline because Im deep in the SSDI process right now and Im at the most stressed out Ive been through this whole thing.

Im 51 and a TDIU 100% P&T vet. Back in 1993 I went through an event while I was in the service. I buried it for years and worked for a long time. I've been in treatment most of my life. I was able to manage it for a long time. Now I'm trying to just manage paying the bills. Take a shower. Get out of my room.

Starting around May 2022 a trigger from the past hit me hard. My PTSD and depression got a lot worse. I tried hard to keep working anyway. Stuck it out as long as I could, made some changes thinking it would help, and even tried some freelance after I got fired in January 2025. I just couldn't sustain any of it anymore. Concentration is shot, hypervigilance, panic attacks, low motivation, cant handle stress.

Heres my exact timeline so far:

**Initial Application**

• Filed online: April 30, 2025
• Non-medical review: June 26, 2025
• Medical review completed and sent for final review: April 9, 2026
• Final review completed: April 13, 2026
• Denied: April 13, 2026

**Reconsideration (Appeal)**

• Filed online appeal: April 13, 2026
• Non-medical review: April 15, 2026
• Now in Step 3: DDS requested medical records (still waiting)

Step 4??? Hopefully soon!

I just sent in more evidence including a Mental RFC from my psychologist and all my VA records, including all evidence related to my event from 30+ years ago, including investigation notes, and medical records from the event.

Also on my original denial, they put my onset date to May 2022 when the trigger happened. I assumed they would just use the same date that the VA accepted because that made more sense. I know it's a lot of backpay, but I chose to amend my onset date to January 2025. The same date the VA picked. I'm hoping that this will help increase my odds of approval at reconsideration.

Anyone else been through reconsideration with mental health claims with TDIU? How long did yours take once it hit Step 3? Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading.