Philip Rogers

Unf**king real!!! The VA pisses me off so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!! pr

No, you should file a claim, now, before the 1st of November, or you'll lose one month of benefits when you win. pr

You sound like you've got your game on. The only other suggestion I have is that you purchase the Veterans Benefits Manual (VBM). It's the only guide you'll ever need for dealing w/VA claims. The new 2013 edition is due out any day, now. http://www.lexisnexis.com/store/catalog/booktemplate/productdetail.jsp?pageName=relatedProducts&prodId=12734 It's a little pricey but well worth every penny (about $150 paperback) pr

I could be wrong but your question puzzles me. If she's your friends's spouse, she shouldn't be receiving DIC. If you misspoke and she's your late friend's widow, she will probably just need her DIC award letter. I believe a widow loses DIC, when she remarries, except after a certain age, when she's allowed to continue to collect it, in spite of the remarriage. It would be crazy for a widow to remarry, due to the loss of benefits. jmo pr

Do you get a statement around the 1st of the year or so, stating your disability rating, whether you are considered permanent, how much you get per month, etc.? I forget the name of the statement but it's used to get tax exemptions. You should be able to generate one online, at ebenefits. Also, Berta is correct, in that you may already be P&T. Peggy should be able to tell you that at 1-800-Call-Peggy or whatever the VA's 1-800 number is. I'd surely pursue it. jmo pr

What a shock this was to me, this morning! I had the privilege of meeting Mike and his wife a couple of times, for lunch, during my travels. He'll certainly be missed. Flip (aka pr)

Good on you!!! pr

It's hard to say. The VA tends to minimize your rating(s). I would get an atty to help you, w/your Med Boarding, so you don't get cheated. I wouldn't trust anyone from the military legal system representing me, as they work for the service. W/all those things wrong I would be sure to get at least 50% or more for retirement. jmo pr

I would appeal this yrs award stating that you should be getting 2 awards. You may just win and if not be sure to apply for two for next yrs. jmo pr

asknod - I believe the court has ruled that attending medical appointments does not in itself rule out being housebound, so the VA cannot use that argument. I hope you are appealing. pr

Carlie - was it caught by the BVA or the RO? Mine's at the BVA awaiting a decision(after 2 trips to the CAVC) and I'm hoping for, but not expecting, the same. If caught at the BVA, who was your judge? pr

I wouldn't fly anyway. The military doesn't have the best crash rate, in my opinion. pr

Good on you, girl!!! I'm soooo happy for ya. Nice b-day present! pr

I don't know what you're asking but I would file an appeal, as you should win. jmo But you will need evidence of your sheltered workshop theory. pr

I've found that when the raters go on vacation we get more higher awards, or at least it seems that way. I would think that this is good cuz there's no one there to screw w/the troops. jmo pr

If B&B took your case, that should be a win or they wouldn't have taken it. Winning SSDI would help your VA claim and vice-versa. jmo pr

The link didn't work for me. pr

It's been posted here many times "don't believe anything on ebennies." Your stuff will come when it comes. Sorry I can't give you better news. jmo pr

I would. pr

They received my latest claim, on 9/30/2013 and I received my 38 USC 5103 Notice today, from my RO, in White River Jct, VT. So I would say someone is doing something. My new claim is for an increase and an "s" award. pr

To answer your question, the VA must rate any condition/disability that they find. They generally do this by rating any additional conditions as NSC. If they don't rate those conditions those conditions/claims remain open and would probably not be a CUE, as they remain open claims. pr

Get re-married. ;-) One of the moderators, or whatever they're called, will probably answer shortly. pr

I just had another travel payment deposited in my acct, today, that I mailed in, also. pr

I believe it's best to go w/o a VSO. Most I have found do nothing and in fact actually screw you. Everything you need can be found online, if you are halfway intelligent. Oops, forgot, you're a Marine! (just kidding!!) It just takes time. jmo pr Sorry the Army was full, when you went in, and you had to settle for second best! ;-) Hope you don't mind a little inter-service ball busting.

I had a travel pay deposit in my account, Monday, for travel, on 9/27/2013, that I had mailed in. pr