Hollis

Thanks to all who has replied to my post. I worked for the Government at Ft Benning Fire Department , I was the Chief Fire Inspector. At age 57 and having more than 20 years in, I was retired, this is a Government rule. And since being a government employee I did not pay into SS.I also went to work for a Government contractor for about 2 years, which did not go to well and I quit working all together. But before I went to work for the Government, I was employed at an other Fire department, which I did pay into the system. I also worked many part time jobs and paid into the system, so I have enough credits and as of now I am drawing SS. not much since the Government also hit me with what they call the WIND FALL TAX, meaning they take back about 45% of what I should be getting. I became disable thru the VA, way after I was mandatory retired. My rating are 70% PTSD. 60% HEART , 20% HEARING and 10% TINNITUS, which give me 90% thru the VA. This why I filed for SSD. So, am I wrong to file for SSD? Already on Medicare THANKS

Hi Hamslice, not applying for SSDI just SSD . I know NOW that SSDI is income base. I was hoping to get SS disability in hoping it would help me to get 100% disability from the VA

well here is an up date. I went and spoke with a gentleman , who began to question why I put in for SSD. He also told me since I have not worked in 5 years I don't qualify for SSD. I told him there was a lot of people in the waiting room that I bet most haven't in 10 years. I told him I wanted an appointment with someone higher than someone sitting in front of a monitor all day. Well today in the mail I got what I asked for. an appointment, but there was a lot questions that needs to answered first. That not a problem I have most of all they asked me. Mt appointment is July 28, 2014. I will follow up with another up date from that date and meeting.

Thanks Notorious Kelly for you advise, so it seem I file for the wrong one. I need SSDI. I WILL DO THAT ASAP.

Hello friends and VETS, I AM RATED AT 90% disability, HEART, PTSD, HEARING LOSS, TINNIUS . I applied for SSD when I was 70% and was denied. I was told I made to much money. I did not know or realized they count your VA disability compensation. I was under assumption if you was disability you would quality. I asked how could I make so much money and drive a 98,4 door Saturn and there are so many Cadillac's, Lincolns and large SUV in the parking lot that do qualify. NO REPLY from the male behind the window. I was dismissed. Can anyone give me correct information on this. I am 90% should I re-apply for SSD? THANKS IN ADVANCE

whoami, just ready to appeal their decision if it's not in your favor. Good luck and keep us posted on your health and the rating

I think since she has/was reading your file, she had a very good idea of your problem, and felt no reason to drag you thru the ordeal again. I had a C&P a few months back and it was also very short.I was worried that this was not going to go in my favor. But it did, my heart disability went from 10% to 60% and my PTSD went from 50% to 70%, but my hearing went from 50% to 20%. I don't know how that happen. I have been thinking I need to appeal that. I guess I will in the near future, like next week. So hang in there, it could be in your favor. You just have to sit back and wait, but be getting ready to file an appeal if you have to.

congrats to you. A long hard fight, it was worth it.

WELL that just confirmed my thoughts of the VA. any good lawyers I could/should contact within 100 miles of Columbus Ga>

well speaking of a CUE , I file 2 years ago and have been denied, then they asked for more evidence. I always file as fast as the VA ask for anything. Well today I went to my VSO guy and as he was looking it up, he had a strange look on his face. Then he said, there is a big blank space in the file between date--- and date ____. Then he said it does look like someone may had deleted something from your file. Then he suggested I contact my congressman and file a complaint thru his office. I will do that next week. But has anyone every had this kind of a report. My next step is a good lawyer, any suggestions on that.

Glad to be back on here, been away for awhile Like some on here, I to asked for help from one of my congressman who sit on the VA board for help. I got a call and the lady in his office said they did not get involved with VA business, but would look into it. I asked if I need to bring or send in copies of my CUE, she said no the VA would provide that info. So like others on here just a waste of time, They useless as **** on a bore hog. My last visit to my VSO said it was stamped received, but gathering dust on someone desk. However, I will not give up, never have and never will. I will make a drop in visit and then see the response I get letter. But first I need to get my rating back up on my hearing that was lowered from 40 to 20 % from my last C&P from a QTC contractor.

I agree how they did conveniently lower my hearing, but once I get the brown package I will appeal that decision. Also I did notice that had 10% for my heart that I did not know about, and that along it should have bumped it up to 80%

I have heard that, that is why I am going back and re-apply. The last time the jerk said I made to much money , there fore I did not qualify for SSD. Do you are anyone on here know if your annual salary is measure against you being qualified?

rpowell0l, I did apply for TDIU and I was denied. I still have not gotten anything in the mail telling me anything about the up grade. I will appeal that and my hearing decrease. And I was advised I need to file for ED also. I under stand that is not ratable but falls under SMC.I really don't know, I will wait and see how that goes. On another note I am going back and re file for SSD next week.

sorry to hear that AmicusBrief, don't give up

Hi John, I have not had a heart attack, but I had a 95% blockage and a 40% blockage. The 95% was open up with a stent. The 40 % will more likely get a stent in April when I got see my private cardiologist. I think I am going to get a nuclear stress test that I had last time the blockage was found. I did not know I had the 10% for my heart till I got the report on my up grade. I also thought it would be 80% with the added 10%, but I have been paid for 70% I will have my VSO look into this and see what he thinks. I was puzzle also on the down grade on my hearing, how could it get better? Once again thank for all the veterans who are helping other vets out.

I got a print out from the VSO yesterday that shows that my claim was finalized and he printed it out. I have mention it before that I did not have much faith in the QTC that did the P&C back in Jan. Well the audiologist was where I had faith in, but that was wrong to do. The following is my old rating and my new rating. OLD RATING NEW RATING PTSD = 50% PTSD = 70% HEARING= 40% HEARING = 20% TINNITUS = 10% TINNITUS = 10% HEART = 10% HEART = 70% 70% 90% I did not know I had a 10% rating on my heart until yesterday. That came up on the print out. THE SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY CALCULATOR IS SHOWING THE OLD AT 75.7. I thought if it was over 75 it would rounded up to 80%. Does any one have any comments on what I should do next? Thanks,

Thomasc I first applied for SSD back last year. The young jerk was adamant that I made to much money and never did look at my disability. Yes I feel sure if I was on SSD that would have helped me get TU or P&T. I plan on going back next week and reapply and not take no from a young jerk pushing buttons on a screen. BTW since I am retired civil service, the Govt. take about 45% of my SS that they never put a dine toward it as a Windfall Tax

Killemall that I don't know, I will have to go back and look at my hearing test that got me the 50% and then compare it to the last one that got it downgraded. I am not on SSD, but, I am planning on going back and see if now I can get SSD with the new rating.

Morning vets, just to add my 2 cents in here. I got a call yesterday form the VA verifying some things and was told I would be happy with my new rating. Today I went down to the VSO and ask David to pull up my file claim, sure enough there was an up grade, and a denial also. I lost some on my hearing rating, was 40% plus 10% for tinnitus now 20% plus 10% tinnitus, PTSD went from 50% to 70% and my CHD went to 60 % right off the bat, so I am now rated at 90%. I was denied IU, they are saying that I am able to do some type of employment. Even if I kept my 50% on my hearing it would only get me to 94.6, still not quite enough to throw me over the 95 to get the 100% rating. I was told to file for SMC for ED which I will next week after the brown package come in. ANY comments or suggestions?

I just wish I was smart enough to comment. IT JUST DAMN WRONG and the veterans keep on suffering

I had 5 the first part of Jan. All was by a GP Dr. this on my heart, hypertension. The one on my PTSD was a Psychologist. But they both seem to reading and asking questions, like it was scripted. the only test that I thought was fair was my hearing test. My question is how are we suppose to treated right they don't give us a Dr. who specialize in the field you are seeking help. How could a GP evaluate your heart if they aren't a BOARD CERTIFIED Cardiologist . I agree with NAVY O4

well I also look into e bennies offend, maybe daily. My claim has moved to decision review. My completion date has moved also, 2-14 to 5-14 So I am looking to see if anything moves this month, if maybe the next month till it c.ompleted. It has only been a year in the system

I hope not, I only shop at Lowes

if the VA would follow by example by the Admin on here they would better off