Philip Rogers

I certainly think they'll consider his statement more credible, than say my statement, but they may still try to verify. pr

You've already been paid the 100% rate so as pete992 stated, no retro pay, no credit. pr

Welcome Sheila!!! Looks like you have you hands full. I see the remand as a good thing. It will help your claim if you're having that much problem w/those issues. A couple of things I suggest - apply for TDIU, an extra-schedular rating if necessary, if you can't work. The reason I say extra-schedular is sometimes the VA will state that you are receiving the max allowed for those conditions, which is true but the extra-schedular rating get you around that. I'd also ask for SMC 'k' award, if you're not receiving it already. I hope you're receiving your supplies thru the VA but if not you should be. If you are receiving your supplies thru the VA you should request a printout for the past yrs documenting your useage and submit it as evidence. Good luck! pr

Could you please post your BVA docket number from the 2/09 remand, so we have more info?? Thanks! pr

Like john said but you need to appeal the TDIU denial and request an "extra-schedular rating" based on 38 CFR 4.16b. Also request a correction on the sinusitis. pr

Just a reminder . . . any severence taken will extend the time period for receiving VA comp. VA requires a "payback" of any severence before you get VA bennies. So while the up front cash may look good bear in mind that it may be many yrs before you'll see any VA compensation bennies. pr

Congrats!!!! Everytime someone wins I do a little "happy dance," as much as my old arthritic body will allow!!!!! It's kinda like an "old snoopy" dance. I'm doing it now!!! If the VA had given me what I deserved,, in the beginning I wouldn't be here. Every win is a win for me. Go VA, Go VA!!! pr

Yeah but that's your choice. I've been telling you for a bazillion years to go for SSDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never mind the retro award. Your choice!!! Duh!!! pr

Congrats!!!! I'm sure this will make tbird happy for all her hard work in providing this site. pr

If you go to the charts, at the VA site, they show the amount paid for your level of SMC and the basic comp rate is included in that rate. The SMC rate shown is not added to the basic rate. pr

Yes, submit it now. Just copies, not originals. Protect the originals, w/your life, if necessary. Why would you withhold favorable or probative evidence?? pr

This looks like a decision, by the court, which remands the case back to the BVA, for a correction. In other words the BVA screwed up and is being told to correct it. It's basically a win. jmo pr

Yup, it means you're P&T. Have the spouse apply for the ChampVA. pr

john - I hope a bus boy didn't give it!! ;-) pr

I think your lawyer may be right. As I see it, an extra-schedular rating is just a rating that is outside the parameters of the rating schedule, for a particular disability. jmo pr

You can still file for those other mileage payments, you missed, and if denied just appeal. pr

So sad!!! The Gov't still doesn't give a sh*t about it's military personnel, so how can you expect them to care about their veterans? just sayin' pr

When you live f a r a w a y from the VARO. I'm over a 100 miles from my RO and collect roughly $80-$90 a trip. Although the travel is good I avoid the trip. jmo pr

Yes and yes. The veteran need only meet one (1) requirement of the 100% criteria to qualify for a 100% rating. Obviously, the more criteria, he/she meets, the easier it is to get the VA to rate 100%. Don't count on the VA to voluntarily look for anything. pr

This is standard procedure for the VA. As Sharon stated, you should appeal, based on the mailing receipt you have. Don't lose it and only submit a photocopy of the original, to protect it. Lock it in your vault. You'll win!!! The VA should have your mailing envelope, with the postmark on it, in your c-file. Personally, I wouldn't use an VSO because they could turn it in late and then you're screwed. jmo pr

SSDI is exactly the same amount you would get if you remained working until full retirement age, based on what you had paid into the SS system, at the time you became disabled. The only reason it could be higher at full retirement age is because you continued to work, thereby paying more into the system. You can retire early and then later apply for SSDI. Should you win, you will have to pay back any regular retirement that was paid for that period of disability. The advantage is that your SSDI rate will be higher than the reduced retirement rate you took at age 62 and should remain so once you reach the full retirement age of 65 or 66, depending on which applies to you. Your spouse should receive the higher rate, also. pr

I agree w/carlie but they also allow delivery time. They generally allow 3-5 days, from the date of the letter, for delivery. However I wouldn't cut it that close. jmo pr

BDD???? pr

Pesonally, I think you're nuts to get shots at the supermarket or the pharmacy. What happens if an emergency happens?? Dial 911!!! Right - just another way for them to make an easy buck and to get rid of old supplies of the vaccines. Nope, not for me!!! Why would you let a technician do an invasive procedure on you??? Too many things can go wrong. jmo pr

I don't know, John, $2k+, a month, ain't that bad, especially if the mortgage is paid off. That's figuring $1400 for DIC and another $750 in SS. jmo pr