Philip Rogers

Check w/your nearest National Guard unit. They usually have the equipment. Their site says they have 141 armories in AL, so there should be one nearby. pr

I'd fight the competency issue, unless it doesn't matter to you. Your letters should take care of it. pr

Yes, you can be 100% for PTSD and competent. I am and have been for 21 yrs, next month. They usually worry about the vet drinking, drugging or gambling their benefits away, which is why they do the incompetency thing. If there's no history or current problems w/that it shouldn't happen. pr

It would be an open claim, provided the VA received the appeal. pr

jhilly - if you don't have a complete copy of your c-file you need to get one. You need to check the status of the '04 appeal, to see if the VA actually received it. Ignore your DAV rep - seems lazy to me. As for the denial, for failure to attend the C&P, if in fact you did have a C&P exam then you may have a CUE, which makes your DAV reps info wrong. You need to get a copy of your c-file and let us know what you find. Then we can direct you better. pr

You can receive both DIC, from VA, as a widow/widower, for a service connected death and SSDI, from SS. There is no offset. I doubt you can receive SSI and DIC, because SSI is income based and DIC would be more than SSI. You may want to research the difference between SSI and SSDI, because I won't go into it here. Sorry but I feel you need to do some research yourself. pr

Why would you turn down SSDI? You can collect both DIC, from VA, and SSDI, from SS. pr

Berta's correct, always check their figures. They do make mistakes. When I won my claim the retro was off a whole yr. Fortunately I caught it, sent them a NOD about the amount and within a couple of weeks received a check for over $17k. pr

Pete - I wish I could find & marry a young Vietnamese woman, just so they'd end up paying DIC to those we fought, for yrs, after I'm gone, just for screwing w/me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I could do it I would!!!!!!!!!!!! pr

I'd have gone to the VARO administrator and bitched, showing the example and in addition would send a complaint to the secretary, also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, no excuse for that!!!!!!!!! jmo pr

John - I think my BVA traveling hearing was in '94 and I don't think the decision, a remand, was made until '96 or '97, which was then denied, by RO, and back to BVA where I won retro to '89, in '99. Hang in there!!! Just outlive the process!! pr

No offense but why would you think it's okay for us disabled vets to subsidize the VA and their party schedule. I know some are for vets but they are taking money from "us." Ya know VA employees get paid a higher mileage rate and are paid the mileage they submit, w/no deductible, while we are paid a discounted zip code to zip code rate. I think we've already given enough when we served and wrote a blank check that said we've give up our lives, if necessary. Oh yeah, yes, there's no deductible on C&P exams. jmo pr

Everyone pays the deductible, except if you're on pension and it's a hardship but that must be pre-approved. The deductible is only taken on the 1st three round trips in any given month. It's my understanding that it goes into a fund administered by the VARO director that he/she can use for parties, BBQ's, or whatever the director deems appropriate. pr

Technically, they're right. Cane should be on the opposite side that the injury/disability is on. I have less pain when I follow their instructions, but that's me. pr

Should you get rated 100% or TDIU you should be P&T, due to your age, when and if they are awarded. Rather than request an increase, any way to file a CUE or appeal the original 30% award??? pr

30% + 30% would equal 51%, which is rounded down to 50%. pr

hedgey - go ahead and apply for SSDI using the day after the last day you worked as the date of "disability onset." You will probably have to appeal to the ALJ level but you should win. They'll probably deny initially, due to lack of quarters in last 5 yrs, which is why you'll need to go to the ALJ level. pr

If I recall correctly in order for the VA to terminate TDIU the claimant must have one yr of proven employment. I think that's in the CFR's. You could also give it a try. You might not make the 6 wks. Personally, I think you're safe. Just be sure to report the income in your annual VA report. jmo pr

You should apply for TDIU again, using your Voc Rehab denial as evidence. I had the same thing and it is excellent evidence of your TDIU. pr

There is no minimum mileage, one must travel, to receive travel pay. The 50 mile thing may have come from rumor based on the old mileage rate of $.11 per mile, which would make a 50 mile trip pay $5.50 and then they deduct the $6.00 deductable. They're paying $.415 per mile now so it's worth pursuing. Your entitled to mileage for travel to and from any VA paid medical care. pr

You could get P&T, depending on how long you've had PTSD, your current age or how long your claim has been active but it is usually unusual to get P&T, unless you're currently 55yo or older. pr

As long as you attend classes regularly you shouldn't. Remember they'll pay for tutoring, so you shouldn't fail. Keep your counselor posted as to your progress, just to be sure. pr quote name='Joe01' date='Mar 7 2010, 12:54 AM' post='192321'] Just worried. Sorry, yall know how PTSD is, I'm always worring about everything. Anyways, Just want to know if I have to pay the Va money back for college tution or monthly allowance if I fail any of my classes or even if i fail all of them? Hope not. I just don't know if I'll b able to suceed In School specially with my PTSD symptoms an focus, memory, cncentration issues ..... Again, would I have to pay back if I fail?

Hey carla, ya forgot the link! ;-) pr

Thanks, John!!! I wasn't sure which was the 5yr and which was the 10yr. I know the 20yr, as I'm there! ;-) pr

jbasser - isn't SC protected after 5 yrs, except for fraud??? Or is it 10 yrs? pr