Loose Cannon

Looking for advice...I have a statement in support of a claim that I want to upload to ebennies but I need to sign the form prior to uploading it. Not sure how to do this or if it's better to just mail it to my RO via "snail mail". I used the VA's "fillable form" and all is good 'till I got to the signiture block. I have it saved as a PDF on my computer. I do have MS Office on the computer...just not sure what course to take next? Anyone have any good or bad experiences uploading documents? I'd welcome any suggestions. Thanks! LC

Much information on this sad topic but thanks to everyone for your posts...Hopefully, this is a diagnosis that many of us will never have to deal with!! I spent most of my early USMC career in nearby New River Air Station...Semper Fi LC

I have thought about revoking my POA with the DAV. 1) Extremely hard to get in touch with. Never returned my calls. 2) The woman who answers the phone at the DAV in Winston-Salem, NC was very rude to put it mildly...acted like she couldn't be bothered with my issues. 3) They actually changed the guy who was assisting me and never told me of any change. 4) After I finally won my claim they never contacted me to tell me of the news. 5) Never heard a damn thing from the DAV throughout the ENTIRE process after filing. What a shame that I am a Life Member and once they got my $$ in dues, the only time I hear from them is if they ask for a donation! I don't mean to speak badly about an organization that appears to do great things for vets but my experience with them as my VSO has been a poor one. There are good ones out there...just wouldn't recommend the DAV. Thinking of switching to the MOPH but reluctant to switch in middle of an active claim. Hell, I may use the letter above just to fire them and go at it representing myself.

UPDATE: I was able to finally get in touch over the phone with my local SS office. Long story short...The lady was very helpful, answering questions, typing in some info, and checking with others there. I told her my stepdaughter's situation and that I had difficulty and confusion when I attempted filling out the SSI Application they had sent. She scheduled someone from SS to call us on Dec 13th to take the application over the phone, vice actually coming in to their office. I mentioned that we were also requesting the possibility of her receiving behefits based on my earnings (Disabled Adult Child program) which she noted in the computer. She said to address that with the person who will be calling. So...in the meantime, I will copy all medical & school records that bolster her case and send them to SS. By the way, she was declined SSDI benefits but that was to be expected as she has never had a job and never "paid into the system." The woman on the phone says that is normal but not to be discouraged as she still can eligible for other SS benefits (SSI, SNAP, etc.) Thanks to all for making me better informed...Keep your experiences & ideas coming...You've been so kind!

I had a similar experience to jfarr...The Doc was very thorough and it was obvious she cared which was refreshing. Other exams I've taken for other physical conditions were horrible so I wish you good luck. Seems too often to be a "roll of the dice" but it is VITAL to your claim that you don't miss the appointment.

Don't forget to apply to your branch of service for CRSC (Combat Related Special Compensation)!! They will determine if any of your VA compensable disabilities are "combat related" and pay you more $$ in addition to what you may receive from the VA and SSDI. Good luck and congrats! LC

IMHO...I can understand having people take C&P exams in order to re-evaluate their current condition for improvement, but...If those in charge are serious about eliminating the backlog, wouldn't it be smart to focus the time and money on that?? Put a 1-2 year moratorium (sorry if misspelled) on wasting assets in this way and focus on things that HELP veterans. Perhaps I am biased but it seems like the workload is not being prioritized...Hey, it's not a perfect world but those are just some thoughts!

Very helpful brochure...Awaiting a call back from SSA sometime today. Hoping she can qualify to receive benefits based on my earnings...Feeling somewhat better now. Just got to stick with it.

I guess it seems trivial when I look around and see how many of my fellow vets are still waiting for claim decisions that seem to drag on for months...or years. I consider myself very fortunate to be where I'm at now as opposed to a couple years ago. I'm glad to get your input on this issue and will let the VA process run its course. It still is unacceptable to take 2 years for a dependency issue but that goes to the heart of the matter that is...reducing the VA claims backlog.

Many thanks for the info...It all seems encouraging to read but can be overwhelming at the same time . Since it's past 3pm and the local SS office is closed, I will try tomorrow to schedule an appointment and see what options they can offer. I intend on being completely honest with them and will bring all our paperwork with us. Proving that I was her main source of support is an easy one...Just want to do what's best for her and her/our future. You have definitely given me some things to research and ask them about when I go in... Have a nice Thanksgiving and thanks again !!

Dealing with the VA can be a very frustrating thing. I'm so sorry to hear of your experience thus far. If I were in your shoes, I'd contact my congress rep...you seem to have tried everything else at this point. What a shame but...stay persistant! LC

Thanks so much for your great info!...Yes, I am receiving SSDI. This all seems quite complicated so let me ask this: My ultimate objective is to get my stepdaughter healthcare. As I stated earlier, she is 25 yrs old. In order for her to be eligible for CHAMPVA, she has to be deemed what they call a "Helpless Child". So...In Aug 2013, I submitted the "claim" / dependency request to the VA. Yesterday I applied online for Social Security benefits for her. My understanding is that she will be eligible for SSI and not SSDI since she was never, ever employed. Is this correct? Also, the Soc Security website says I must schedule her an appointment and come in to complete an application for SSI as they don't take them online. I will contact my local SS office to make an appointment. I really hope they will be able to answer our questions and point me on the right path. Again, getting her health insurance is #1...any monthly income she can get sure would help but that is priority #2. Hoping they will tell us what would be most beneficial.

My guess is 70% but you should be eligible for TDIU, therefore you would be paid at the 100% level. Good Luck brother and keep fighting and never give up. There will be better days ahead for you. Get (or stay) in counseling with the VA as there are some good doctors out there able to help. If nothing else, you will be creating a paper trail you might need someday down the road. LC

Excellent!!...New visitors are 'gonna love it.

Today I took your advice to heart...I submitted my autistic stepdaughter's paperwork to Social Security for benefits SHE is eligible for...What a relief to have finally done this. It wasn't too bad since all the compiling of dates, doctors, diagnosis had already been accomplished when submitting her "helpless child" request to the VA. Ebenefits now says it may be completed in July 2014...yippie! (sarcasm)...11 months for a dependency request is ridiculous. Let's see if Social Security can complete it within the 120 days it says is average.

Thanks for all the nice comments. ...I wish everyone a very safe & enjoyable Thanksgiving. Never forget those who are still in harm's way protecting our way of life and all who have sacrificed so much. LC

Here's a good read...check it out... http://www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/DAV_PTSDBrochure-2.pdf

So sorry to hear of your situation. This is becoming way too common and makes me sad each time I hear stories like yours. Although I can't make things better, please know that I am grateful for your husband's service to our Country. A lot of good advice has been given to you so please come back and visit the Hadit.com forum often. Try not to get overwelmed...easier said then done, I know. Consider your family a part of our family...Wishing you much good luck in the future and we are always here even if you need to vent.

Basser- When you say contact your reps do you mean our local politicians or our claim service reps (DAV, MOPH, AM LEG, etc.)?? I am a bit confused on how to move forward myself. Thanks!

I'm about a 3 hour drive from my VARO but I will gladly make the drive if it gives me piece of mind. In this day and age, I hope the VA strongly considers putting a system in place similar to what banks do when you deposit a check over the internet...an email is generated with a picture image of the check confirming its' acceptance. Perhaps since they already allow this for other supporting documents for claims then it too can be displayed on eBenefits...just an idea! Just hope the people who work on the Obama Care website don't get transferred to work on the eBenefits site...Can you imagine the mess we'd have?? LOL!!

Carlie - Up to the age of 18, my stepdaughter has always had medical coverage since I was on active duty under TRICARE Prime. She is 25 years old now and my wife and I want to get her health insurance that we can afford. Until I retired from active duty in 2004, I had absolutely no knowledge of how the "civilian healthcare" system worked and as you can see, we are still learning! Looking back, I should have requested "exceptional family member" status but did not for fear it could hurt my USMC career...sounds ignorant of me but at the time that was the mentality. Bad on me so cast stones if you must. I should've acted sooner. Financially we struggled some...but no more or less then any other active duty family. I always looked at SSA benefits as for the elderly or poor and to be honest, I never realized she could be entitled to benefits for being autistic, etc. - THAT is why she isn't currently getting SSA benefits. We held to the belief/hope that she would be employable and function on her own as a young woman. But she is 25 now and there has been no improvement to the social skills and maturity needed for meaningful employment. The only reason I was waiting for the VA's decision regarding my dependency claim was that I believed it would be a favorable decision and thus, more "proof/evidence" for the SSA to look at when deciding an application for SSA benefits. Remember...I saw how difficult a fight it was for me to finally win my SSDI claim with the SSA so I wasn't going to start another claim without having all the evidence I could get. Hope that makes sense and answers your questions. Please know I greatly respect and welcome any advice you may provide, especially since you have a grandchild who's autistic too.

bobz- In my humble opinion, using eBenefits to check claim status is similar to pulling the handle on a slot machine...You never know what it will display! I just log on, check what it says, and try to move on...yet it keeps pulling me back again and again...LOL Been waiting since early 2012 for Winston Salem, NC to complete my "retired pay adjustment" and I've seen my dependency claim go from claim received to under review back to claim received...weirdness!

Does anyone know for sure if the yearly TDIU letter the VA sends regarding employment shows up as "authorization review" in the Completed Claims section of eBenefits after they receive it? Sending them in certified mail w/return receipt is great in theory but how does one REALLY know if they have processed it? Heard way too many instances of fellow vets having their TDIU stopped because the VA says form wasn't received. In some cases, it has taken several months to get it re-started resulting in financial hardship...just sayin'

I agree with Philip...each state is different. I don't mean to sound ungrateful 'cause every little bit sure helps. But look at the big picture...We are given this benefit because we served the United States and all states should be the SAME. NC could care less when the VA deemed you P&T, even if it goes back years ago. Here, the state will not credit any tax overpaid and only discount the tax year starting with the date you filed the exclusion with them...Doing the math, this "rule" ended up costing me over $1,000. Sound " military friendly" to you??? There's still some fight in this retired Marine so I will be sending a copy of the Michigan law to my local lawmakers asking that they enact similar legislation. If it falls on deaf ears...there's always the voting booth to show my displeasure!

Here's the letter I sent: After honorably serving my Country for 20 years with several combat deployments, I applied to the Veteran's Administration for a disability rating on February 17, 2011. As it has been highly publicized, the VA has struggled to complete disability evaluations in a timely manner with so many service members returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. My case took 538 days. On July 27, 2012 the VA completed their evaluation and granted me a 100% permanent and total disability rating for my service-connected injuries, effective as of February 2011. In accordance with the Disabled Veteran Property Tax Homestead Exclusion (Article 12, NC General Statute 105-277.1c), I submitted my application for property tax relief along with the VA's certification on Form NCDVA-9 for tax year 2013 on April 11th. I am well aware that under normal circumstances, tax relief applications need to be submitted to your office on the last day of the current tax year. I am requesting you consider the facts of my situation as stated in this letter, accept my applications for tax years 2011 and 2012, and return any property taxes I have overpaid. Since I was determined by the VA to be permanently and totally disabled during this time I feel my request for special consideration from your office is warranted and is the legal and moral thing to do. It is my belief that I should not be penalized due to a backlog at the VA that ultimately prevented me from submitting my tax exclusion requests in a timely manner. Please contact me if you need additional documentation or have any questions pertaining to my request. I look forward to a favorable decision and appreciate any action you may take on my behalf. Their response was a big fat NO.