Loose Cannon

Great news...for those who live in Michigan. Here in NC, they will exempt the first $45,000 providing an application is filed with the state by the last day of the current tax year. So...when the VA takes 2 years (or longer) to complete a claim, THEN they backdate the award, NC disabled vets get screwed. When I wrote my tax revenue office a letter asking that they return any taxes I overpaid for 2011 & 2012 they told me they couldn't under the current state law. I wrote to Senator Kay Hagen and informed her, one of her office workers told me to write to my state representative to get the law changed. LOL...Just another reason why the VA backlog hurts us and must get fixed.

Yeah...I really thought this would be a simple one for the VA to move on quickly...boy was I wrong! In fact, this week the earliest completion date has been pushed back to June 2014. That's according to eBenefits so I'll take it with a grain of salt. Just have to wait I suppose but I will move forward and submit her SSD application in the mean time. Many thanks to GlassRose...the www.ssdfacts.com website is full of great info so I will definitely educate myself prior to submitting! You all have been so nice with your suggestions & comments...keep 'em coming!

Congrats!...Proof that good things happen to good people.

Terrific advice...I am greatfull to all of you!

Sounds like good advice...thanks! Should we expect either the VA and/or the SSA to schedule an exam for her (similar to a C&P exam) as part of the process? She has solid paperwork documenting the Autism diagnosis but that was several years ago. I submitted everything I had to the VA when the claim was filed (doc visits, school records, statements, etc.) I mean...can't imagine anyone thinking that autism cures itself as time goes on?? Just trying to get all our ducks in line.

Thanks for the replies...Good to know that this is "normal" for claims like this. I was going to wait until this is approved and use the VA 's deciscion as further evidence when submitting her Soc Security claim. I have always taken care of her needs (financially, etc.) and until age 18 she was covered medically by TriCare. My bad for not seeking SSA benefits sooner but I have had my own health issues to deal with. Huge weight off my shoulders after my VA claim was approved...now the focus is on my stepdaughter. She was diagnosed at a young age with autism, did not graduate HS, and has doctor reports & tests done that should prove favorable I hope.

Not sure why but ebennies lists a dependency claim I submitted in Aug 2013 as a compensation claim with a forecasted completion date window of Jan-Apr 2014. Is this normal?? I am aware that if approved, I may receive "back compensation pay" but that isn't the motivating factor. I am trying to get my 26 year old stepdaughter who has autism approved so she can be eligible for health care under CHAMPVA. I filed a claim to have the VA designate her a "helpless child" which is what is needed. She has NEVER worked and relies on her mother and me for daily care, etc. Hopefully, they will approve it soon. Then, we will file for Social Security benefits for her. Any advice?

Sorry for this being a "late entry" but I was racking my brain trying to remember my login info. Without the kind help from a member of the Veterans Network who contacted Tbird, this posting would not be possible. I will forever be thankful to all of you who replied to my questions as I was assembling my VA compensation request. You are truly my brothers & sisters forever! In a nutshell, here's the good news: I applied to the Veteran's Administration for a disability rating in February 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 Feb 2011. I also was granted SSDI after going back and forth with those folks for close to a year. All this has been possible after reading the great info posted by people like you on HadIt.com To those of you still waiting...Please don't ever give up. The whole process has been a roller coaster ride full of emotions but you are not going through it alone. Should you ever need good, solid advice or just a place to "vent" then continue to visit this site. I'll never be able to repay everyone but you will always be in my thoughts & prayers...Semper Fi!

Yeah, I agree with all the responses thus far to your questions. My claim has been in the review of evidence stage since Dec 12, 2011. Ebenefits is great in theory but...too much depends on the updates the RO puts in. It has been my experience that the info on the website is not very accurate or updated often enough by the RO. Until the VA holds someone's feet to the fire about making timely updates as cases move from stage to stage, the status shown should be taken with a grain of salt. I don't want to be pessimistic or get you down- just the way the system is right now. Some things you can do to monitor your claim is: 1. Check ebenefits for any updates 2. Check ebenefits Letter Generator. Sometimes vets have seen AB8 letters showing a new rating before hearing anything from the VA...could be a good sign that a decision package is in the works. 3. Check your bank account for deposits. 4. Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 for status update. Don't be surprised if the person isn't able to help much! 5. Send an IRIS message for a status update. Request an email update and print it for your records. 6. Find something to occupy your time. That's the BEST advice I've ever gotton so I'm passing it along. It is way too stressful to worry daily over this process. It is what it is and I totally understand the frustration and feelings of helplessness you are experiencing... Best of luck to you and hope things end up well. Prepare a good honest case with as much evidence as you can, verify that the VA has received the evidence, and put it in a higher power's hands. LC

Great news...Congrats! To answer your question about locating Social Security Disability info, this may help: Hadit has a great deal of info from vets going through the process...Scroll down in the Forums and under the "Extras" header click on "Social Security Disability Questions". Also...I found another website very useful for picking up good info: Veterans Benefits Network. Here's a link below... http://vets.yuku.com/forums/69/Vet-Social-Security-Issues-SSDI-SSI Good Luck and hope this can help you out. Going through the process myself...takes a lot of patience and determination to keep trying as it is in many ways similar to dealing with the VA. LC

Great news...Congratulations bluehen! Glad to hear your long wait is over. Best wishes for your future health. I have friends & family members who suffer from MS so my prayers are with you. Hope you can enjoy what rightfully is coming to you...$$$!!! LC

Great news...Congratulations! Hope things can improve for you and I'm sure this will help. Seek out therapy for the PTSD...down this road myself so I understand what you're going through. Best wishes for you going forward. LC

Chuck, So are you saying it would be better to hold onto this and submit it only if my TDIU request is denied? I'm so "on the fence" as what to do. My C&P exam is VERY favorable to my TDIU so maybe that will be the deciding factor. Still...I would regret it if I didn't notify the VA and their decision goes against awarding me TDIU. LC

Thanks Basser. That's what I'm leaning towards. I've waited this long so might as well give 'em everything I have to enable them to render a favorable TDIU decision...Good advice LC

Hello All, Thanks for viewing my post. Here's my situation...Spoke with the DDS today and it appears they have decided in my favor. She's sending the papers to the local field office and expects me to get "official notification" by early next week. That's amazing news but I think I'll hold off on any celebrating until I actually see it in writing. My claim with the VA is for an increased rating for PTSD, an initial rating for TBI, and an initial claim for TDIU. Ebenefits shows it in the "Review of Evidence" phase where its been since December 12, 2011. All my C&P exams and evidence is showing as received and I have nothing to add - just waiting for a decision. I have seen others post about sending SSDI decisions to the VA for evidence and that makes a lot of sense. But...will/could this slow down my claim at this point? I have compiled what I believe is a very good case but as I've seen, the VA does things in mysterious ways more often than not. Should I send this in or maybe wait. If I wait, I could always submit this in a later appeal...but honestly, I'd rather lay all my cards out now than risk waiting several months or even years later! Curious to hear your views...Best wishes to everyone. Loose Cannon

I think the new "levels of claim status" is a step in the right direction, however it is completely useless when the person looking at the claim fails to provide an update whenever the claim moves to a new level. It is understandable that the person responsible may be too busy with other job responsibilities to do this for each claim- my solution would be to use a bar code system whereby this person would simply scan a code identifying the claim as it passes to a new level. The wait is inevitable...the lack of knowing where exactly your claim stands can totally be prevented. Much stress could be avoided, less frustrating calls to the 1-800 number, and more faith in the VA Claims process could be a result...Hope the VA is listening. Loose Cannon (claim listed as "Review of Evidence" since December 12, 2011 and hasn't moved once according to eBenefits)

I know just how you feel as I just passed the 300 day mark for my VA Comp case. It can be unbearable at times but somehow we manage the strength to keep fighting. Trying to enjoy the holidays can be hard with so many issues in the hands of others that impacts our ability to pay bills and move on with our lives. I try to tell myself that although there are days filled with frustration, there also are many more positive days ahead. Try to stay busy and don't let your case consume all your energy. Any time you feel like learning from other's experiences, log on to HadIt and explore the valuable info so many have posted. Stay positive...Hang tough...the rest will take care of itself! LC

Hi Berta, The 4 C&P exams were done for my compensation claim I submitted in Feb 2011 to the VA. I requested an increased rating for PTSD, a new claim for service-connected TBI, and TDIU. Lately, things appear to be moving at a decent speed (by VA standards) as my claim is now listed on eBenefits as "Review of Evidence" so hope to hear a positive outcome soon. I have way too much evidence and positive doctor's reports for even the VA to ignore...But still holding my breath because you never know how they will interpret my evidence. The SSDI case is really baffling...same evidence and yesterday the DDS suggested that I may need to attend ANOTHER medical exam by their docs. I just had all these extensive C&P exams done in September so why would I need to go repeat them again...I feel this is a delay tactic on their part and that I have already submitted enough valid info/documentation and medical opinions to warrant a favorable decision according to their "blue book" requirements. I spoke with the DDS yesterday and told them that's how I felt. Their response was that the DDS supervisor would meet again today to discuss/review my 4 CP exams that I sent them and they will call me later today to inform me of what transpired...Once again, holding my breath but in no way will I give up. Any advice or opinion?? Thanks again for listening to my never ending saga. LC

Hello All, Trying to get SSDI approved has been a bigger NIGHTMARE than dealing with the VA. I'll skip the long story and try to keep this as short as possible. After having my Reconsideration Appeal denied in 8 working days I called and spoke to the woman in charge of my case at DDS and told her that I was not afforded enough time to send her my "new evidence" . The new evidence consisted of FOUR C&P exams that I had to move heaven and earth to obtain since they were done by QTC. Anyways...these reports are SOLID evidence and state all the necessary medical reasons why I am unable to work. After speaking with her she told me to send her the Doctor reports which I did on November 9th. She said she would review the reports and if there was enough to warrant re-calling my case (maintained at my local Social Sec Field Office) she would speak with her supervisor and they would do that. I was advised to file my appeal for an ALJ Hearing within 60 days of my denial letter and I have done so, thus preserving my rights. I have called her on 3 separate occasions and she is dragging her feet to put it nicely. Last time I reached her was on December 1st and she said the reports have been on her desk since November 16th and she still hasn't looked at them yet...I am furious!! Today I actually bypassed her and spoke with her supervisor who has no clue as to why there has been a delay. She says she will speak with my case worker who will be in the office tomorrow to discuss it. I explained that I have been patiently waiting on this woman to act since Nov 16th and that I'd appreciate a follow-up call tomorrow. Bottom line: I need to keep a roof over my head and pay my bills- I cannot afford to stand by and wait while someone who obviously is either too busy of just doesn't give a damn warms a seat in some office hoping I'll go away. Well I'm NOT going away...Has anyone out there ever had any success at having their case "re-called" like she claims can be done?? Any idea how long this process takes?? Got to be quicker than waiting 6-12 more months for an ALJ hearing, right? No, I'm not interested in a lawyer...I've got all the evidence I need. Just need the chance to have someone to view it at DDS. LC

I have no idea how the rating board sequence of events works...now I do and I guess that makes sense! Thank you Gulfvet!

Hello All, Today marks 300 days since I filed my Compensation Claim for: 1. PTSD (increase) 2. TBI (new) 3. Individual Unemployability (new) Just checked on the eBenefits site and it has my current status as "REVIEW OF EVIDENCE" so I'm very much hoping this will all come to a favorable outcome soon so I can relax a bit. I do have one question...If my total service-connected disabilities are rated to be 100%, what will happen to my claim for IU? Will they just disregard it since I would already be at the 100% level? I made sure to file for it when I submitted my original claim but after reviewing all the C&P results and other evidence I was able to submit, there is a chance I may get to the "magic number". Anyone been in a similar situation as my "hypothetical scenario" feel free to chime in...Thanks in advance. LC

Always great to hear when someone gets good news...Congratulations, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! LC

Great news turkey. Enjoy your well earned new benefits!! LC

Hang in there! I can TOTALLY relate to what you're experiencing. I know it doesn't help your situation any but I share your feelings about what I perceive to be a total lack of compassion for former service members by civilians "warming a seat" in some office building doing a half-ass job with no sense of urgency. They have no clue as to how we are struggling with our disabilities as a result of military service...It's a damn shame. The best thing you can do is what you are doing by attending all your therapy sessions and get in the resident program you wrote about. I am doing the same things you are in the hope I can understand how to "live and cope" with my PTSD issues - It 'aint easy! Just got to tell yourself there will be good days and bad days and try not to dwell on the bad too long. Again, that's easier said than done. I have been fighting my ass off trying to get SSDI and I'm dealing with a woman who let a copy of my C&P report sit on her desk since November 9th. Every time I call to check she always gives me an excuse such as a long weekend due to Veterans Day or Thanksgiving or her supervisor was out of the office. I'm so sick of the lack of urgency! I felt like asking her if she realized that she was getting the long Veterans Day weekend because of people like us but I bit my tongue and played nice. Sorry...getting of track here. You have to keep fighting for what you think is in your best interest and the best interest of your family. One day at a time and someday maybe we both can see the light at the end of this long tunnel. Anyways...that was my attempt to cheer you up some. If nothing else, know you're not alone. Keep your head up and keep with this website. I wish you a Happy Holiday with as little stress as possible...Take Care! LC

Congrats!! Proof that with a positive attitude and knowledge anything is possible. Safe travels and enjoy your cruise to the max...HAPPY NEW YEAR! LC