Philip Rogers

I don't feel the need for one. I've done best, by myself, these past 24 yrs. The choice is yours but I've found most to be a useless waste by breathing our air. I'm sure there are a few, that are good but you never know what you're getting and there's no scoreboard on them. "jmo" pr

Sounds great!!! pr

I suggest you don't pay any attention to eBennies, unless you want something to piss and moan about. jmo pr

You want that bilateral cervical radiculopathy rated because you can get additional compensation. 100% + 60% equals an "s" award, currently about $350 a month additional to the 100% comp. As for the rest I don't know. Welcome! pr

If it happened while you were in the service and was treated while you were in the service it "is" service connected. I don't see the need to connect it to dioxin. It should be a slam dunk. Sounds like they are screwing w/you. jmo pr

FYI - I believe diaries are considered true in the eyes of the court and in fact may even be better than eye witness testimony. pr

You might want to try a Vet Center. The VA will almost always blame drugs or alcohol for your problems. Then when you won't follow their recommendations they mark you off as "non-compliant." You end up dying and they win by getting rid of their liability. I'd contact a Vet Center near you or if not near you they often contract w/local shrinks for your care. jmo Make sure you claim any alcohol use/abuse "on them" as secondary to your PTSD. I'm service connected for alcoholism. pr

50% maybe 70%, if this was this a C&P. pr

John - if there is/was a military base they probably used AO. jmo pr

I'd file for TDIU. jmo pr

The SS info is probably verifying your working income. And yes, they do farm claims out to less busy RO's. pr

That's odd. Sounds like they forgot something. I'd call the 800 number and ask what they have as your current rating and the amount of your last check. pr

Are you sure you didn't have just one more time like "sympathy sex" after you had separated or divorced, that could be yours??? All she needed to do is name you as the father on the birth certificate, when the child was born and it's your's. Some states allow that. You may need a DNA test to disprove fatherhood. I'd seriously look into that. You can check w/SSDI and see if they're paying for a child and for her. If they're paying for a child, chances are they're paying her also. Just sayin . . . pr

As to the bank account, she would need your signature or have fraudulently signed your name. I'd go to that bank, straighten that out and close that account and take any money in it and give it to my lawyer. You should contact a lawyer, also, now. If she's had a baby, she could have named you the father and in some states that's enough. You need to get that straightened out, now also. She could be receiving SS dependents pay against your acct for her and the child. You can check w/SS on that. As for what you're hearing, it's all rumor. You need facts. I wouldn't believe your "friend," at least until it's verified. jmo pr

Okay, sounds like you're safe. As long as you did the right thing you should be okay. If they come asking for the money back, you should request a waiver. They may still leave you at 100% & P&T, ya never know w/them. jmo pr

If I read this correctly, you were receiving TDIU, from 2009, and went back to work in 2011 (while still collecting TDIU?), I'd be worried about working and collecting TDIU. If that's what happened, I'd be concerned the VA would find out and declare a fraud, take away all your bennies, put you in jail and have you pay them back. If that's the case, "I'd" contact the VA and voluntarily get it corrected, NOW, before something happens. I hope for your sake I misread this post. Please correct or ignore me if that's the case. P&T can be taken away at anytime. I doubt they'll reduce the 100% or the P&T but I'd worry about the "fraud" of collecting TDIU and working. They love to prosecute and make examples of vets who they consider abuse the system. If they do that they could stop all benefits, due to the fraud. Sorry I cant offer anything more positive. jmo I'd contact a criminal defense attorney ASAP. pr

It's up to you. I think 20% is enough. You have all the support you need and it sounds like he'll just write a few letters. jmo pr

He either lied or doesn't know anything about VA law. A NOD must be filed within one yr of the decision. A CUE can be filed anytime after the decision is final, hence the one yr, meaning the one yr has passed, then you can file the CUE. A CUE can be filed up until the date the claimant dies, no matter how long it's been since the decision, as long as a yr has passed and the decision is final. pr

She should but the death certificate should state that the heart attack and heart disease were the cause of your death. Funny how we need to support after we die. It should be a two way street. jmo pr

That medical opinion does nothing for you, and is actually denying service connection. jmo pr

It depends on when you were awarded the 50%. It sounds like you were lowballed and should have been rated 70% w/tdiu or 100%. If it's been over a yr since your award then I'd apply for an increase. If not I'd file a notice of disagreement (NOD), jmo pr

I don't understand what you are asking. pr

Appeals can take 18 months to 10 yrs. Mine started in 4/89 and I won 100% retro in 9/99. It was well worth the battle. I only wish I knew I had something wrong w/me many yrs earlier. I kept winning something along the way, which kinda helped me fight the fight. pr

Maybe w/all that you have going on they think you're probably depressed and are checking that?? pr

I believe if they charge 30%, then they can't accept the 20% from the VA and the VA won't withhold it and pay them directly. If they accept the 20%, from the VA, then they aren't allowed to bill you the balance. I believe it's like doctors accepting assignment on medicare. jmo pr