smc a&a

[jboyd]

va letter denying my claim...this is what the letter says.... you indicated that you require regular aid and attendance of another due to your service connected charcot marie tooth diease type II of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. although the evidence shows you require assistance in the regular activites of daily living.you do not meet the scheduler requirements to entitlement to this benefit. in addition,your service connected disabilities are currently on appeal....   i have a iu nod dro that is 698 days old now in flroida..not worked sense 1991 and been on s.s.  sense 1994 the va has this also......i am 80% cmt(pn) camp lejeune water hazard.....i filed a nod dro to keep the date..is there anything else i can do besides wait?????/

[broncovet]

Yes, there are lots of things.  Get REady for war with VA:

1.  Order your Cfile.  Read it.  See if you meet the caluza elements, and if you dont know what they are, learn them.  That info is here.  

2.  Follow up.  Check ebenefits to make sure VA hasnt "lost" or "closed" your claim.  They love that.  Both result in "lowering the backlog" according to VA.  

3.  Keep a close on on your VSO.  

4.  Read stuff VA sends you, make sure YOU are in compliance with their requests.  

5.  Be persistant.  

[Gastone]

JB, see attached pertaining to Vet Direct Care Program. Nothing to do with your SMC Quest, but might be of some assistance.   Semper Fi

VA 2017 Vet Direct Home Care Program.pdf

[FormerMember]

If you are seeking SMC L for A&A for the CMT,  VA will require a positive 21-2680 from a doctor If you do not have an IMO.  Speaking of which, I do hope you've collected all your military records from the NPRC.  Your claims file might have them in it but that is not always the case. I had one where the STRs were about three years behind a Vet's filing in 1970 and didn't show up until we went looking for them when we filed in 2015. Bingo. §3.156(c) and a mega retro check.  To play VA poker, you need to see all the cards. Best of luck, sir.

P.S. Didn't anyone notice the water tasted funny  at Camp LeJeune? 

Edited August 6, 2017 by asknod

[SupermanCannedy]

While you are working on getting those claims to be awarded, look into the Veteran-Directed Home & Community Based Service (VD-HCBS) program Gastone recommended because it is a HUGE HELP!  

Severely injured veterans are able to hire family and friends to provide for their personal care needs and/or provide support to their caregivers. Your VAMC doctors and nurses will do assessments to determine your eligibility (my vet's were all done over the phone) and a local governing agency (often the Area Agency on Aging) will send out a case worker to assess your level of need.

The agency will create a budget and authorize spending to buy goods and services based on needs assessment for a severely disabled veteran to live safely at home. Note, that they 20% is taken out to cover their costs for services such as employee background checks, taxes, and payroll. It is worth it though, to not have to figure those things out. 

I don't qualify for the VA Caregiver program because my vet is pre 9/11, so when this program came out and I was able to hire assistant caregivers, it was a huge relief! (on his behalf...I am my vet's representative because his TBI has severely effected his cognitive abilities.)  I encourage you to contact your local VA medical center and ask if they are participating in this program. Not all do yet, but the number is growing all the time. 

 

Keep Moving Forward!! 

 

[FormerMember]

I do the Perry Mason work. I can't be everywhere at once. It took me 28 years to learn how to beat the pukes. Your mission is to disseminate the benefits.

[Gastone]

AK, as to the Camp LeJeune water. At least in 68, there was apparently no suspicious odor or taste to the water.

I recently queried a friends wife that lived on base while he completed his OCS. Neither she nor my wife, who visited her (summer of 68) for 2 weeks, recall any notable taste or odor problems with the LeJeune water.

Semper Fi