Philip Rogers

ok. pr

usdart - thanks! 2/35 Arty, huh. Somewhere, way back, many yrs ago, I helped another 2/35 Arty vet, w/his claim. At the time, I was making a trip to the National Archives, for myself, and located some records, he needed, for a claim. I think he was w/them 69-70, not sure. I don't even remember his name. Somewhere, I have a book, that was authored by one of the archivists, at the National Archives, about 15yrs ago, that lists every VN units locations and when. I think it's at my home, in NC. I'll be headed down there, soon, for about 2-3 wks, and will locate it, then and get back to you - so stick around Hadit.com for a month or so, so I can maybe help ya. Thanks! pr

Please give me the name of the unit you were in?? To "me" - "almost daily incoming" is not constant fire. FYI: con·stant /ˈkɒnstənt/ Show Spelled [kon-stuhnt] Show IPA adjective 1. not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable: All conditions during the three experiments were constant. 2. continuing without pause or letup; unceasing: constant noise. 3. regularly recurrent; continual; persistent: He found it impossible to work with constant interruption. 4. faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc.: a constant lover. 5. steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute. Just saying. I wish you well! pr

In a way it was meant to hurt or at least make you think. No one and I mean 'no one' was under "constant fire." It irritates me when I hear a grunt say I really had it bad, "we were in the shit 24/7." No one was in it 24/7. For many, it was like being a cop/LEO or firefighter or EMT - - 90-95% boring or routine and 5-10 pure scared shit hell. We did Search & Destroys, which were very routine, most of the time. From your post I feel you were Arty and at various firebases or in a line company that routinely secured firebases. Firebases often received H&I fire, from the enemy, but not constant fire. A couple of points I will help with, though. 11 o'clock at night would have been referred to as 2300 hrs (a red flag went up on that statement). A VN service medal/ribbon is not a combat award but is an "I was there, also" award. Being on an operation, such as Rock Crusher can count as a stressor. The VA likes to downplay operational awards, as routine, but being mortared or rocketed can be a stressor for the average citizen. I believe the University of TX has many reports online you can research. You can also contact the National Archives, in College Park, MD, for info on events for you stressor(s). You really only need one stressor. Sorry to be so hard on you but . . . pr

Sorry, I don't give key words to help fabricate a stressor letter. The best thing to do is just tell the truth. That should be fairly easy for someone who "spent the entire year out in the Field under constant fire." You should be able to describe almost any day and that should suffice. jmo pr

On the combined ratings table 38 CFR 4.25 80 + 70 = 94 +10 = 95 which rounds up to 100%. The table is what counts! http://cfr.vlex.com/vid/4-25-combined-ratings-table-19774341 pr

It's well worth the money! You may even want to pickup a supplemental plan. jmo pr

My feeling is "if you have valid claims you should submit them." The VA may/can look at your current ratings and re-evaluate at anytime. Anytime a new claim is submitted they could look at currently awarded claims and either increase or propose to reduce them. The choice is yours. Generally, I don't think they will unless you could have improved. jmo pr

If you have multiple trips, in one month, you can submit them on the travel forms, once a month, by mail. No waiting in line. jmo pr

No, they make direct deposits these days and I generally receive my payment within 10-14 days. pr

This is from Bergmann & Moore. Check out the YouTube Link. pr http://www.vetlawyers.com/va-transforming-claims-processing/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BergmannMoore+%28Bergmann+%26+Moore%29

I do foresee them trying to cut TDIU, for those at retirement age. I believe they already have a study committee/team working on it. VA Comp is supposed to help supplement the income of those on Comp, to make up for their loss of earnings but it doesn't take into consideration their loss of retirement benefits. jmo pr

An IMO will always help, especially if you have no continuity of care since leaving the military. pr

It may be possible depending on what they determined your award date to be. If they awarded back to 2003, you can submit the bills to them for the 10 yrs and they may pay. They may initially deny it but you could win, if you appeal, appeal & appeal. jmo pr

Yup, all of those! pr

During the 1st 10 yrs, you must die of something SC, to receive DIC, and after ten yrs you can die of anything and she'll receive DIC. pr

I'm not sure what that means for Obama care. I don't think Obama knows, either. ;-) I do know ChampVA is free and becomes the secondary payor, at age 65, when Medicare kicks in. pr

There is always a point. 100% P&T isn't really permanent until you've held that rating for 20 yrs. Also there are the SMC awards, which are over and above the 100%, and can mean additional monies! Until you've been 100% P&T for 10 yrs, your spouse, if you have one, isn't protected if you die from something non-service connected. Also, if your spouse hasn't used his/her Chap 35 benefit, within the first 10 yr period, I believe she gets an additional 10 yr period, if you die of something SC. It's up to you! I believe that if your service caused it, they should pay for it. jmo pr

Thanks, everyone! He's a very happy camper. Dreaming of returning to FL or somewhere w/palm trees and coconuts. We couldn't get him to apply sooner, because he was afraid the VA wouldn't hire him permanently. They apparently have a 3 yr probation period, or so he stated. I was surprised his claim moved that fast but he did have all the evidence he needed. As an employee his claim had to be farmed out elsewhere, so nothing shady goes on. We told him he should bring pizza, on him, to our next group! pr

My VA group counselor, who we've been trying to get to file a claim for 5 yrs, finally filed an FDC about 3-4 months ago. Today he brought in his award letter. 100%, w/P&T, for IHD, retro to a yr before he filed his claim. He'd had by-pass surgery and a few stents about 7-8 yrs ago and 2 more stents about six months ago and has been w/the VA just over 5 yrs. His claim was farmed out to Nashville, TN. He announced he's retiring the end of Feb. We've advised him to file for SSDI, Monday. A couple of questions, tho. Can he receive SSDI and his VA retirement, at the same time without some kind of offset?? Should he just retire from the VA or should he apply for a medical disability?? He has 5 yrs, at the VA, plus credit for his military time which gives him about 11yrs. He received about $45k retro. I hate training new counselors! pr

Civilian doctors are hired to do disability exams for SSDI. That's just the way it is. Any reason they shouldn't?? It's a nice part-time opportunity for retired physicians/psychologists, to earn some extra money. jmo pr

Could you have been considered "disabled" back in 1992? I would re-apply, for SSDI, using 1992 as the disability onset date or some time during the five yr period, between 1992 and 1997. If you were found to be disabled then, they could award you SSDI retro to now or even 2001. It's worth the try. jmo pr

iceturkee - when was your denial?? What's your age now? How long ago was the SSDI denial?? What is your work history?? When did you last work, full time?? Don't worry too much about a reduction now, until you get the Letter of intent to reduce. In the meantime submit the form for last yr. pr

iceturkee - you stated you don't get SSDI because you don't have enough work credits?? If that's the case you need to use the day after you last worked as your date of "disability onset," and appeal that decision. Claimants are routinely denied because they wait over 5 yrs before applying for SSDI, making them ineligible because of a lack of credits. Also, how do you know you are being reduced??? You wrote: "i find out today quite by accident they have removed it." pr

I would file for an increase, now. If you're not working I would request TDIU. jmo pr