Philip Rogers

I'd continue to pursue the PTSD claim, as you have the evidence you need and there is no evidence about the bipolar. You should contact the National Personnel Records Center, in St Louis, MO, about your complete service records and be sure to include a request for all medical records. Hospital records are usually kept separately from your service records. http://www.archives.gov/veterans/ pr

This claim is going to take a while, as I feel you have a potential claim date back to your first VA hospitalization. pr

You can visit the VARO and look at the c-file, with a VA employee overseeing the event. They need to schedule the time, as an employee must witness, to be sure you don't remove or add any info. You can point out errors and respond to them, preferably in writing, to get them corrected. If you request a free copy of your c-file, the VA has about 30 days to provide it but, as you know, they violate this all the time. You may want to view your c-file, prior to requesting a copy, just to be sure nothing is "accidently" misplaced/removed. The veteran will probably need to sign a waiver allowing the spouse to view the file, w/him/her. pr

That "Summary of Benefits" letter should suffice. That letter is delivered by the VA for state purposes. I would deliver it to your tax office and have them date/sign that they received it. You may want to mail a certified copy also, just in case. Remember all correspondence should be written, otherwise it "never happened." jmo pr

The VA travel office normally reduces travel pay by $3 one way or $6 round trip, and that money goes into a "discretionary" fund, run by the Medical center Director. That money is allegedly used to put on BBQ's and other parties for vets & employees, over the year. I believe that is what you are referring to. pr

To the best of my knowledge the VA is required to follow that procedure, which gives the claimant a chance to avoid the reduction. They cannot skip it. She has about 30 days, from the date of the proposed reduction, to request a hearing and the VA cannot reduce until after the hearing. Go get 'em!!! pr

Venturing a guess, I'd say 50/50. jmo pr

Can't we all just get along! pr

You can write them stating that you want to withdraw the claim and you want it done without prejudice, thus allowing you to refile using the same evidence. I don't recommend doing this. You can still re-enlist. jmo pr

Yes, absolutely. jmo pr

I kinda doubt it, as to be rated for a hearing loss by VA standards, you need to be practically deaf. I have worse hearing than that and don't meet their ratings. jmo pr

http://www.ehow.com/list_6871894_tax-benefits-minnesota-veterans.html pr

Maybe "medical records ordered?" jmo pr

My guess would be forever. But seriously, there is no way to guess accuritely, based on the current backlog. Just try to be patient in knowing your day will come, e v e n t u a l l y!!! jmo pr

She can't win if she doesn't apply. She should be able to win, if she has the probative evidence. jmo pr

It may or may not. I can't see that it would hurt, at this point. Even if it slowed it down, you wouldn't know it. jmo pr

No one knows. jmo pr

Aristotle - you do not need to meet the requirements of 38 CFR 4.16(a.) to receive TDIU. Please read 38 CFR 4.16(b.). The only requirement that must be met is that your SC condition keeps you from working. Good luck! pr

I'd guess a 2-3 yrs. They're supposed expedite the cases but never do. I had a remand that went back to the AMC (black hole in space) and took about 2 yrs for them to deny again and then I appealed it back to the CAVC, w/a new lawyer. So mine is now remanded again and I have 9 yrs since it first left the AMC, in '03, and is now back w/them the second time. My last atty was paid by the EAJA two months ago. jmo pr

If you're not working, due to your SC disabilities, you should apply for TDIU, yesterday, or at least tomorrow. jmo pr

maset22 - I've had PTSD since VN but never knew it until '89. It never goes away but it can improve. I'm about 55 miles SE of Fayetteville, NC, and would love to meet sometime "soon" for coffee or lunch, if you're up to it?? My treat. I head back up to VT around the beginning of May, so if you're interested, let me know. pr (aka: Flip)

Yes. They will offer him Medicare at the 2 yr point and at the current date but he must decide which date to start his Medicare. If he decides the 2 yr date they will deduct the accumulated premiums probably from his retro. If he has no medical claims to be reimbursed, he is better off taking the current date, to start his Medicare. jmo pr

You get one copy for free. You can get copies free of anything that is since your last request. You can get another complete copy for the cost of copying(around 25 cents a page) plus, usually, an hourly rate for the copy person doing the job. If the file is extensive they may offer to allow you to come in and do the copying, at no charge. They offered that option to me. pr

It means that's the date you became disabled for SSDI. SSDI doesn't pay for the first 5 months. Payments should start around September 2009. As jbasser stated because it's over 2 yrs you're eligible for Medicare. pr

As Chuck stated, "absolutely," provided you have evidence that equates to a higher rating. You should review the rating requirements, for a higher rating, under your VA diagnostic codes and see what they equal. If the evidence is there, go for it. If not you have a yr to get some more probative evidence. The VA is known for lowballing. pr