Philip Rogers

Welcome home and welcome here. Just file a claim for an increase, stating that your conditions have worsened and you can add those things that were not rated then, as secondary. Since you are already SC there is no need for you to provide any evidence, unless you have something you think should be added. pr

Not unless you tell him. One should have nothing to do w/the other, anyway. Unless it's a worker comp claim? pr

I don't worry about sh*t like that. Whatever happens, happens, and we have no control over it. Best to find a hobby, so ya don't have to think about that kinda stuff. jmo pr

It's going to depend on where you die(state) and whether they are shipping cremains or your embalmed body, in a casket. I'd suggest a direct cremation, with no funeral service, as it's the cheapest. If you have next of kin, they may be responsible for the costs but if not, the city or state may be responsible. Years ago I was able to get the city to take care of my late father's expenses. WE had been estranged for years and he had nothing. Flying a body to another state can be costly. Best to contact a funeral director in your area, for answers. A 100%er, friend, died three yrs ago, had a local service, cremated, and military burial service and the VA paid $300 and the cost was about $6k, to his widow. A complete ripoff!!! You can donate your body to a medical school for cadaver use. My Mom did that. If the school is in the state, where you die, they take care of transport costs, cremate the body, after a yrs use and send the cremains to the next of kin, all at no cost to the family. The family also receives a nice letter thanking them for the donation. pr

Your goal should be to show them your worst day. If they ask how you are and you say "fine or good" they will be deaf to anything else you say. They watch you from the minute they see you until even "after" you leave their office. I caught my examiner watching me after I'd left. She tried to get me to use the back stairway, as it was supposedly shorter, on my back and TDIU exam. pr

Anything that will help your claim should be sent. I think a Worker comp claim would be detrimental to your case. Do you get SSI or SSDI?? jmo pr

You don't say when your service was, so we have no idea how hard it will be to service-connect (SC) your problems. The important part is to SC it, not how much you get. jmo pr

You should get a retro check for the tinnitus, back to 98. pr

We need the actual amount(s) paid to figure out why there's a difference. pr

Send in a completed form 180 requesting a updated DD-214, called a DD-215 to your service. You can find the info at the NPRC's website. pr

If it says April 16, 1998, they should already be paying from May 1, 1998. Check your bank account. pr

I believe any illness that appears within one yr of discharge is considered Service Connected. (especially if you had no discharge physical) pr

I believe you should get it. If they deny . . . appeal, appeal, appeal. Did I say appeal ! ! ! pr

I doubt they'll consider TDIU as you are already rated 100%, even if just temporary. I've seen temporary go on for yrs & yrs. I'd request P&T and at the same time, maybe, an increase in your PTSD rating. jmo pr

Assuming the Veterans ALJ has the documents you mention, I believe your chances are good . . . but knowing the VA, who knows what they'll do. pr

For those who can't afford the VBM, I suggest contacting your local library and if they don't have it, they can request it from your state library. If you have a law library nearby, they probably carry it also. I use it all the time and refer to it often. I would venture to say that if you don't win, using the VBM, you probably never had a valid claim, in the first place. jmo pr

File the claim. pr

I agree w/what NavyWife stated! The same w/Bergmann & Moore. pr

Yup, they won't generally make you P&T, unless you request it. If you've had the diagnosis for five yrs or more, without improvement, or are 55yo or older or there's one more thing I can't think of right now (brain cramp), you should request P&T, by simply writing a letter that you are requesting P&T and quote which of the above fit your situation. jmo pr

Good point, georgiapapa, I missed that! A 100% rating for PTSD, includes the inability to work. If he continues to work he could lose his 100% rating. A rating isn't really permanent until you reach the 20yr mark. usdart should quit work immediately or risk losing his VA 100% rating. pr

Berta - I doubt the vet reps will ever get trained properly, as the VA likes it that way. A late friend had a VSO have him sign a statement that he agreed w/his 50% award for PTSD. It cost him yrs of retro I could have gotten him. pr

I recommend what Berta stated. Chances are the IMO will cost about $5k or more but I think you'll be able to win. Chances are he never had COPD and the VA is probably in some way responsible for his death. Too bad there wasn't an autopsy but it is what it is. His blood labs will tell a lot. You might try contacting one of the lawyers that have ads here, on Hadit.com, prior to getting an IMO. It could save you the cost of a IMO (jmo). For your Mom, it'll mean an additional roughly $1250 a month, (and maybe an additional $300 monthly), plus ChampVA medical insurance. pr

Your regular retirement age is probably 66 or 67, depending on your age now. You can take early retirement and you will receive about 70% of what your full retirement payment would be. You can also apply for SSDI, at the same time, and when you win you will be upgraded to your full rate, with back pay adjusted, just as tho you worked until your full retirement age. The decision is yours. I would take retirement now. You should have no problem getting SSDI awarded shortly and in the mean time, you'll have your regular SS checks coming in. SSDI is paid until you reach retirement age and then they switch accounts. (same amount, different accounts) SS and SSDI are based on how much you earned the 10 yrs before you stopped working and you are paid based on the highest 5 yr income average. pr

No, it is not replaced free. Both Berta and myself purchase a new one every year. A small price to pay to know your enemy!!! If you have a claim (any claim), with the VA, you can't afford not to own it, unless you can get your local library to carry it for you (and others). It sounds like a lot but one month of a 10% award just about covers it. jmo pr

Carlie's correct. In fact, your attorney should be sending you copies of anything they submit to the VA and anything they receive from the VA. They should also be giving you a monthly update as to hours worked (& costs) on your claim. pr