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Boxer

Seaman
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About Boxer

Previous Fields

  • Service Connected Disability
    60%
  • Branch of Service
    Marines
  • Hobby
    Computer's

Boxer's Achievements

  1. Caregiverjc do you have a service rep? Is someone handling your husbands claim? Helping you file this stuff? From what you've written it sounds like your going this alone. You guys really need someone to help you, check out these web pages then give one of these service organizations a call: Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. (VVA) Service Officer Program at https://benefitsforum.org/Rep.aspx Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Service Officers Program (Click on your location) http://www.dav.org/v.../NSOffices.aspx Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Service Officer Program at http://www.vfw.org/NVS/ The American Legion Service Officer Program at http://www.legion.or...artmentofficers Army Times published this article Saturday Jul 10, 2010: VA to loosen rules to get PTSD benefits. It reads in part: "Veterans diagnosed with PTSD by a VA health care professional or by someone under contract with VA no longer would have to provide proof that they had been part of a traumatic event in order to be approved for benefits. Their statements that they had experienced fear, helplessness or horror from an event in the military will be enough to make them eligible for benefits, senior VA officials said Friday." Read it all at http://www.armytimes..._rules_071010w/ I also pulled up some links you might want to look into. VVA's GUIDE on PTSD at http://www.11thcavna...in/vvaguide.htm VA's Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Compensation and Pension Examinations at http://www.avapl.org...20final%206.pdf Vietnam Veterans Of America at: http://www.vva.org/what_is_ptsd.html Self-Help Educational Packet at http://www.berkshire...ility_ptsd.html How to Prove your Claim for Veterans Disability due to Service-Connected PTSD at: http://www.attiglawf...laims-and-ptsd/ How to get VA compensation for PTSD at: http://www.veteransd...mpensation.html The VA's National Center For PTSD at http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ Berta, the doctors opinion and all related materials would be in his C-File, which presents a bit of a problem: they will only release it to him or his accredited representative and he is housebound. I don't believe the wife would qualify. They need a representative to handle this, post haste. I'm curious did you guys have a power of attorney or handle it yourselves? You seem pretty well versed in VA speak, and a good example of what a disable vet needs; a strong advocate willing to take on the VA.
  2. thanks Bigred122, here is some more info on it: What is VA Pension for veterans? This pension is based on the theory that the veteran served their country during a time of war and the country that they helped will now serve them by supplementing their income. Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or, if under 65, who are permanently and totally disabled. Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. These are benefits that are paid in addition to the basic pension rate. Generally, you may be eligible if: you were discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable, AND you served at least 90 days of active military service 1 day of which was during a war time period. If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally you must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty (There are exceptions to this rule), AND your countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law (The yearly limit on income is set by Congress), AND you are age 65 or older, OR, you are permanently and totally disabled, not due to your own willful misconduct Find out more at: http://www.vba.va.go...sion/vetpen.htm Income limits are set yearly by Congress. In 2011, it is $11,830 per year if there is no spouse or dependents, higher if there is. One is allowed to take various deductions to one’s gross income in order to meet the requirement. If the income is still too high, this then reduces the amount of the pension but does not necessarily eliminate it. There are also net worth requirements but the home is not counted as well as certain other assets. Often times, the Veteran may have "too much" income or too high a net worth to qualify but yet the costs of assisted living or the nursing home is impoverishing the veteran, his surviving spouse, or his children who are contributing. In these situations, asset transfer strategies may be employed in order to qualify. Unlike Medi-Caid, there is no look back period, so transfers can take place the day before application is made. Sometimes these transfers are made directly to the children and sometimes to a specially designed Trust. There is a dollar-for-dollar offset between the amount of the pension paid and the veteran’s household income, including retirement pension and Social Security benefits. However, there are certain types of expenses that can be deducted from the veteran’s countable income, such as unreimbursed medical expenses. Find out more at: http://www.aboutlivingtrusts.com/VA/NonServiceConnectedDisability.htm#Requirements & Characteristics More Info: http://www.education...64.104_vet.html http://www.avvo.com/...ce-sliced-bread Program Contact Information You can complete the application online at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/ Follow the prompts for a new user - and create an account (this is e-benefits)
  3. Were you aware that he can receive non service connected catastrophic disability from the VA on the basis of his having served one day in a period of war, just for applying for it? I think they are paying at the 60% level with no dependents which is about $ 967.00 a month. My brother in law (another Marine ) come down with multiple myaloma, didn't know where to turn so they called me. We got got the paperwork together and filed the claim, he was dead within a year but damm it he died with his VA benefits.
  4. Carlie, John999 and Dolphin25 I'm kind of wondering why, instead of this talk of contacting a lawyer you don't call your service organization, you do have a power of attorney don't you? The DAV has represented me for the last 13 years, for free. I'm not trying to sell their services but I started this without a clue and now I'm pretty well versed in VA speak. (and I'm 60%) I have a claim in Washington, that, if not resolved to my satisfaction will go to the Court Of Appeals and they will represent me there too. In Fort Snelling up here all the service organizations are located in the same building as the Saint Paul Regional Office, hell they eat lunch together. That's the kinda representation I want, not only to know what I need to be successful in my claim but as to know the people who make the decisions on a local level.
  5. I would recommend making an appointment with your regular VA doctor. Tell him your depressed and anxious over your hearing loss and it seems to be getting worse, he will put in a consult to Audiology, up here in Minneapolis everything goes through your primary doctor, don't make difference what it is unless your bleeding to death, then they tell you to call 911. And for gods sake don't tell him you've tried on your own to make an appointment - that would just muddy the dark and mysterious VA waters.
  6. Hearing loss is paid at 10% no matter how profound the loss, I'm totally deaf on one side and cant hear out the other and I get paid at the 10% rate, but even if you are rated at 0% put in for tinnitus because it's now a presumed condition. Hey jvretiredvet pain in the a** to read them tables huh?
  7. Dolphin25 I'm going to put in my 2 cents worth, I just found this website today and from what I've read it's the VA we all know and love. First the C&P examiners words are the Holy Grail at the VA, nothing else and I mean nothing else matters as much as his findings and with a 100% rating you've dealt with them before. That the DRO appeared unsympathetic is really of no consequence because the C&P exam provided a qualified medical opinion that you have increased disability. Thats what (Increase) and (New) are about. After a C&P exam that supports your claim (and this one did), the next step for the RO is to determine the level of disability and assign a rating, it's complex and it takes time. I'm not clear what your question is because: 1) The regional office has to make a determination before you can appeal it 2) The reason you had another exam is so the RO can issue a decision BASED on the most current C&P.
  8. Carlie I go to the Minneapolis VA and there is no such thing as Priority Groups anymore, I'm 60% and waited 4 months for back surgery, not because there's that many disabled vets up here that need surgery it's just first come first served, it's the same way at the Saint Cloud MN. VA... been that way for years.
  9. slough52 If it is at all possible get Social Security Disability first, if you get VA disability first it counts dollar for dollar against SSDI. If your VA income is now greater than something like $659 or whatever their paying for SSDI, you will get deigned because of the income guidelines. If you have enough work credits you can apply for your regular Social Security benefits though.
  10. usmcgirl it's been my experience that the DRO only considers evidence that is physically attached to the claim itself, a word of caution to others who might read this, get the records yourself and attach them to you claim! The DRO's read a lot of C-Files yours is one of many, they WILL NOT dig through a mountain of sh** The best way to get them information you want considered is to write a "Statement In Support Of Claim" (VA form 21-4138) attach any records you have and hand deliver it to your Regional Office. It is really too early in the claims process the get excited about what evidence they will consider, you did your part now the VA has to do theirs. Yes it's a frustrating process, If they do not grant your claim outright that's OK because theres a long road ahead. First a denial letter, then you file a NOD (Notice of Disagreement) then you get a "Statement Of The Case" thats what you really want because it explains the rational for their decision, then you file another "Statement In Support Of Claim" requesting a "De Novo Review" and a personal hearing because you want this decided at the local level, then go prepared to present your case, if it goes to the BVA it will be years before it ever comes up. You must of had a C&P get a copy of it, then pick it a part, I had a claim go to Washington and get remanded because my Statement In Support Of Claim made a fool out of the VA doctor. (I got a 50% rating out of it on reexamination) If theres evidence refuting his assessment point it out it in your statement, make sure to reference any evidence they overlooked. Keep at it and good luck.
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