Philip Rogers

Yes, John but receiving 100% schedular opens the door for A&A or housebound, as an inferred issue. TDIU does not. pr

Ricky, you stated "In a very simlar post you stated you were afraid you would lose the 100 percent U/I award. The only way that would happen would be if you commited fraud to obtain it or your husband was now working." You may have overlooked that the VA can call a CUE on itself and propose a reduction. They still need to follow proper procedure but they can effect a reduction w/o either fraud or working being involved. jmo pr

Tammy, we need more exact info. It sounds like you've received a letter of proposed reduction and if so you have a short time to respond, 30 days, I believe, and you must not miss this date. Your last post didn't display. Please publish what was said exactly. What they intend to do? When? Why? Have they CUE'd themselves? At present he has no statuatory protection, with only 3-4 yrs of TDIU rating, but procedurally they can be stopped. Awaiting more info. pr

I believe it should bring you up to 70%. 50%+30%=65%, which is rounded up to 70%. pr

And here I thought that was the uniform of the San Francisco Transit Authority (bus drivers). Just kidding!! Trops in the services were tropical worsted(sp). Best uniform ever made! Damned if the ladies didn't like it! At least "we" thought so. lol jmo pr

Received an e-mail from Mike Harris that under the "Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996," there is a discount to Federal Employees Past and Present on cellphone service." He called and got 15%. I did a little checking online and since we worked for the Feds, when in the military, we may be entitled to a discount. Each carrier's discount is different. For those with a DoD ID there should be no problem. I believe Verizon gives 23%, others less. Google "Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Discount to Federal Employees Past and Present." This should probably be posted elsewhere but I wanted to be sure it was read by as many as possible. pr

Lady Chance - what were your dates of service? Discharge date? If you've been dischrged within the past year you may not need a nexus. jmo pr

You get one free copy and any updates from the previous free request is free. Any additional copies, after the free copy are usually 10-15 cents a page. pr

John, a Pathfinder badge is just proof of successful completion of the Pathfinder training, not combat. pr

Jim, you should be okay, "if" your attorney specializes in SSDI cases. If it's for PTSD the atty should have mental disorder interrogatories and mental residual functional capacity assessments, from your providers, as evidence, to present to the ALJ. Just an observation but if you've ever had a PTSD C&P, eye contact is very important and is always mentioned in the exam report. The more eye contact one has the "less sick" they are. Eye contact displays confidence. Just act as you normally are and you should be okay. Never use an atty that doesn't have SSDI experience. I did and lost my first ALJ hearing. Cost me 3 yrs benefits. jmo pr

I'm fairly sure the campaigns were just a certain period of time. The campaign may have run from 6/67 - 8/68 and was for all units serving in VN. So anyone in VN or the waters off shore, during that period, qualified and was awarded the VSM, for that campaign. Each star represents an additional award/campaign. As far as I know there is no 'little bar' with stars. Actual combat had nothing to do with the VSM awards or the campaigns. pr

Don, Mike's a great guy!!! He's still tirelessly helping vets but as you know has moved on from here, at Hadit. Couple of years back we had lunch together, in his hometown. I'm thinking when they award it to a ship all on that ship, at that time, get the award?? Sounds logical to me. pr

RockyA1911, I wasn't able to open your link - don't have the software but I did a search and this link shows it being awarded to ships. http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinf...ombataction.htm Additionally, here's a link to the USS Wisconsin's awards and it lists the CAR. http://www.usswisconsin.org/Ship's%20A...39;s_awards.htm

Mine is flagged and everytime I change or request info I'm asked if I work or used to work for the VA ( which I never have) - then I'm told that only a supervisor can access my file. I contacted my VSC manager and she says it's not flagged. I checked 2 days later and it's still flagged. pr

I'm not familiar with Navy regs but I don't believe the awarding of a CAR to a boat counts the same as an individual CAR award. You might want to locate the citation for that award cuz it might hold important info that could meet the criteria. You might check over at the Riverine Assn site. http://www.mrfa.org/ Mike Harris has a lot of info, there. pr

Sorry to get everyone wound up! These are just "my" thoughts. I hope you all don't really believe that Congress or the American people care about vets. If they did we wouldn't be living the way we're forced to live, with an outdated Comp schedule and a health care system with very poor funding. jmo pr

I would think you could get, from the AF, the aircraft tail numbers of all aircraft outfitted w/the AO spraying equipment and then the flight logs from those aircraft that flew operation Ranch Hand, which should show where they took off and landed. I'm sure someone out there has that info, just like the huge resources the VN helicopter pilots assn has developed. Had an AF vet, in a group some years back, swear AO was used, in base perimeters, in England. He stated "he often wondered why no foliage grew in the perimeter wire areas." jmo pr

Kudos Rick! Big guy hug. Someday, I'm gonna get to meet you. jmo pr

John, I'd worry more about changes taking place when we reach 65yo. I foresee them trying to cut the receipt of both SSDI and VA Comp, together. I think they'll try to take one away, they'll try to do away w/65yo's getting TDIU because at 65 or 66 you'll be retired and therefore not in the job market. These are just my thoughts but I'm gearing myself for the cut in income should it happen, just in case. pr

Based on your age, I think they will try to deny you, however if your atty's any good he'll win at the ALJ level. SSD uses vocational rehab specialists to show that you can work. A couple of favorites are cashier at mini-mart, laundry sorter and security screen monitor. With the PTSD and disc problems you should win but you may have to go to the ALJ level. I'd also try to get the PTSD increased w/the VA, w/a 40GAF. jmo pr

Remember you have the right to "refuse" any therapy. I certainly wouldn't allow it on myself. I know a vet who had it and hasn't been right since. jmo pr

Allan - you don't want a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Generally, once diagnosed, it's 2-3 yrs until death and it's not fun to live with. There is no cure. You might want to check with a private physician to do an asbestos screening. pr

You'll also have relatives and "supposed friends" wanting a loan orfor you to give them money. They think you're the bank and get p*ssed when you won't. jmo pr

You probably have PTSD and they've just missed diagnosed you. If I recall correctly, acute stress disorder becomes PTSD after a period of time, if not resolved within a specific time period. jmo pr

Billyboy, no problem. It's just that "to me" it's highly unlikely. Since you've had it since service, are there any records? What do your SMR's show? Discharge physical? Are you sure Dr's are dead? Could they have transferred their records to another practice? How about local hospital outpatient and lab records? Statements from loved ones and family? Just some thoughts.