Philip Rogers

If he died on Active Duty (AD), within recent yrs, the current death gratuity is as follows: Death Gratuity . A lump sum gratuitous payment made by the Air Force to eligible beneficiaries of a member who dies on AD, ADT, or IDT, or full-time National Guard duty. Its purpose is to help the survivors in their readjustment and to aid them in meeting immediate expenses incurred. The death gratuity payment is $12,420, and is non-taxable. For those whose death is as a result of hostile actions and occurred in a designated combat operation or combat zone or while training for combat or performing hazardous duty, the payment is $100,000. The death gratuity payment is made to survivors of the deceased in this order: The member's lawful surviving spouse. Payment delivered by the CAR assigned to the reporting or assistance base, within 24 hours of the member's death, unless the surviving spouse desires other arrangements. If there is no spouse, to the child or children of the member, regardless of age or marital status, in equal shares (state laws guide payment to minor children). Payment for minor children is made by DFAS-DE/FJPC within 30 days after they have received the required claim form and supporting documentation. If none of the above, to the parents, or brothers and/or sisters, or any combination as designated by the deceased member. Payment delivered by the CAR assigned to the reporting or assistance base, within 24 hours of the member's death, unless the NOK desires other arrangements. The death gratuity is not paid to any other person when there are no survivors as listed above. A will is not a legal designation for death gratuity since such payment is not an allowance or a debt due the member and cannot be part of the member's estate. The claim form required to apply for this benefit is DD Form 397, Claim Certification and Voucher for Death Gratuity Payment. If not the above, there is a burial allowance of, I believe, $2,000, that she can apply for at any time. pr

I haven't seen or heard anything on it. pr

Just a suggestion but I always ask for a discount, either veteran's, military or senior's. Dunkin Donuts gives 10% for seniors. Remember nothing ventured/nothing gained. All they can say is yes or no. pr

Omg-Sue, you should have requested the vet discount, as it would've been 10% ($32.90) versus the $10 display model discount. I'd take my receipt back to the store Mgr and request a credit and if he/she denies I'd threaten to return, stating that Lowe's has a similiar model and will give me the 10% vet discount. The nice thing is that Lowe's and Home Depot are always near each other and hate for you to go to the competition. BTW, I always get the military/vets discount on the sale item(s) also. jmo pr

Generally, retro comes first, either just before the decision or just after. pr

mrphilly1 - never, ever, let it go!!!

tbird - nothing happened for me. no movie, nothing. pr

Yes, it is possible. jmo pr

I'm guessing 30%-50%,but probably 30%. jmo pr

Please reread your post and post it again with the correct abbreviations. I can't make heads or tails of what you're asking. SCD? SC? ID? Another 10% added to 80% will probably keep you at 80%. pr

I agree w/Carlie. If you feel you should be rated more request an increase. pr

Okay, thanks Larry!! My idea was just to be one step ahead of them but as you said it may confuse them. I hope you enjoyed a Happy Hanukkah! pr

LarryJ - wouldn't emptyshell be wise to request that an extra-schedular rating be considered because, as I understand it, the VA won't consider the extra-schedular rating unless it's specifically requested by the claimant?? Just asking . . . because I would've recommended he follow it up w/a letter requesting extra-schedular, should they deny the TDIU. pr

He should be medically retired w/30% or more, which should bring Tricare for life and some money. Be careful of any type of buy out as you will have to repay it before getting any VA money. 100% from VA would pay $3082 a month tax free and would be P&T, thus paying college for wife and kids, plus ChampVA medical insurance for wife, plus children until finished college. He'd probably be eligible for SSDI, w/benefits for wife and children, also. pr

They should give him a medical discharge but probably won't. I feel VA will rate him at 50% but should rate him at 70% w/TDIU - 100%. A GAF of 50% or lower should be 100%. He could probably win TDIU or 100% but would need to survive on whatever the VA gives him for probably 3-5 yrs. jmo pr

Mileage is pd when traveling for a SC condition, no matter what your SC percentage is. If you were there for your NSC back they shouldn't have pd. Either the doc marked the wrong box or you're sc for your back. Either way, good on you!!! pr

Maybe a mileage check?? Did you travel 53 miles round trip to the VA?? pr

I believe GE has a settlement account. I think they settled w/my Mom. pr

It shouldn't affect it at all. Should you be found to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) then you would need to apply for SC, for OSA, as secondary to PTSD. If awarded it would increase your combined ratings and the monthly amount you receive. pr

Try "Dear Sirs," I've used it in all my claims. pr

J - have you filed claims against the private companies, besides the Navy?? There's a lot of money out there. Probably won't increase your lifespan but could make the fishing better. pr

Berta - any idea how they'll handle claims where the vet was hospitalized for a heart attack. in a VA hospital, the VA inserted stents and the vet never claimed SC?? I believe anytime a vet is hospitalized, in a VA hospital, it is considered a claim. I have a few vets that are in this situation. Thanks!! pr

Thank you, all, for your responses! They are certainly appreciated. I should be able to SC it, secondary to PTSD, but will probably need to incur the expense of an IMO. It will be worth it because then I'll qualify for the SMC "s" payments. I know it'll take some getting used to but I'm really gung ho about it. I just wonder how it's effected my body all this time. I know I asked for a sleep study, on a whim, after my VA group counselor was advised he had it, and never thinking I would have it. I had a confirmation when I was hospitalized a couple of weeks ago and they found my oxygen sats down to 82%, at night. Thanks again, all who responded and to all who take their valuable time to help others, here, at Hadit!!! pr

Decided I better start my own link, rather than hi-jack cooters, on sleep apnea (SA). Anyway, last night I went back to VA contracted sleep study program, for more study and CPAP pressure settings and mask fittings. My doc advised me I had 59 apnea episodes in my first sleep study. I guess I'm considered a fairly serious case, w/59 episodes. What a time we had trying to find a mask. I know it'll take some time to get used to the machine, when I finally get one. In the mean time I'll need to research PTSD and SA. I'm sure I can get an IMO that'll SC it. I'm just wondering how long I've had it. In reviewing the symptoms, I see I've had many of them for yrs and am just wondering if they're related? Hypertension, memory loss, increased heart beat, weight gain, trouble concentrating, tiredness, diabetes, frequent nocturnal urination???? Damn, I'm falling apart!!! Anyone know how they rate SA?? Thanks! pr

All I know is that in 6 hrs I had 59 instances of apnea or poor breathing. And all this time I just thought my plumbing was going bad and I needed to pee, too frequently. We'll see what happens. pr