Philip Rogers

Can you post your 2012 PTSD decision, for us here. Block out any personal info. I'll be looking for errors, they may have made. My feeling is you should've appealed that decision and requested a higher PTSD rating. The VA often lowballs claimants. They started me at 30% which I appealed until I was rated 100%, retro to day one. pr

You need to be on SSDI for two yrs or be 65 yo, to receive Medicare coverage. SS pays based on your earnings over your lifetime and the last 10 yrs you worked. Some people only receive $300 a month, so $937 isn't the minimum. Just sayin'. pr

Why request an increase? Why not file a NOD with their latest decision! An increase request causes a new claim date. Just sayin' . . . pr

If you owe a lot, I would file Chap 7. Unfortunately, I had to file in 2002. I filed Chap 7. Attorneys require payment prior to the discharge hearing. You can file pro se, ie: representing yourself. My credit rating these days is about 720 and climbing. Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 yrs, not 7 yrs. My credit report has recovered. I have all the major credit cards, now, which I pay in full each month. jmo VA is protected, except that some judge may order any child support owed be collected. pr

Sure, he can request it. The DRO is a senior position and therefore the DRO may have retired by then, depending on how long it's been. If they are requesting a review and a proposed reduction, I generally file a claim for increase or if the claimant is 100% or TDIU, I file for P&T. To me the best defense is to attack!! Remember, if the claimant has been w/o improvement for 5yrs or more, the VA is supposed to consider P&T. jmo pr

Gastone - you don't need to be service connected, for hearing loss, to receive hearing aids, from the VA. Also the VA will replace hearing aids once the warranty expires. One of my vets just had his dog eat his and they replaced them, at no cost. Glasses should be replaced every year, by the VA. I use Medicare to pay for my exams, when I get private exams. I also get glasses and exams from the VA. pr

You should have been awarded HB in 2008. go for it!!! pr

Maybe. It'll depend on why they gave you SMC/HB, in August 2013. They may have erred by not giving you SMC/HB back in 2008. pr

If you are 55yo (or older), or you've had your condition for five yrs or more, w/o improvement, the VA is supposed to consider you P&T, period. pr

You can also get rated either TDIU or 100%, if your IBS interferes w/your ability to work. I've helped 2 vets get TDIU for IBS. pr

I recommend that you purchase the Veterans Benefits Manual (VBM), every yr, starting now. At 100% rating, or about $30k a yr, you can well afford it! You'll have a lifelong relationship w/the VA, so it's a worthwhile investment. You can find the answers there. jmo pr

IME = exam - IMO = opinion - both usually by a doctor you are paying for and hopefully favorable to you. C&P is the exam the VA does. pr

You should have all base MWR privileges. You'll need the DoD ID (brown card) and a base pass for your vehicle. pr

Technically, no, if you are 100% scheduler, the issue of TDIU is moot. The VA won't adjudicate a claim, for TDIU, if a claimant is a 100% and vice versa. I'm thinking they may be receiving HB or A&A, with an SMC "s" award. jmo pr

I wouldn't use any of them!!! jmo pr

Could it be a travel pay check? For a C&P exam or something? Check your account Monday. pr

It's the 1st. However, the banks and credit unions receive the payments a few days earlier. Some will post to your account prior to the 1st, while others use the money interest free until the 1st. pr

I think there could be . . . but . . . s/he needs to get a copy of their c-file, as soon as possible, to verify that errors were actually made. jmo pr

I hope you're appealing it. PTSD is not something a "reasonable person" might have thought s/he had. Insurance companies routinely deny claims knowing claimants rarely appeal their decisions. jmo pr

Like Berta said, I think you're covered. I'd go after them. On the other side, you are much better off not working at a paper mill. jmo pr

I recommend everyone purchase the VBM. $150 isn't that much, considering what college students pay for books. Life ain't cheap these days! Perhaps if you'd had the book for his claim, before, his denial may have been an award. Just sayin' . . . I like Berta purchase a new edition each year. pr

When did you get back from Iraq?? You will need to connect it to your military service. You should contact "your roommate" and have him/her give you an notarized affidavit, stating that he/she heard/observed you snoring and witnessed you complaining of chest pain, in the morning, when you roomed together in Iraq. jmo pr

I believe the DVA stopped requiring those forms either last year or the year before. pr

Email sent, this morning. Let's see what happens! pr