Philip Rogers

Mark - it looks like USMC5811 posted the links to answer your question(s). Thanks, USMC5811. Remember, Mark, one need not be involved in the "war" itself but does meet the requirement by having wartime service. pr

Not to scare you and I do wish you well but maybe you should check on real "medical" care? Just sayin' . . . Stay and be well! pr

I agree w/Markin Texas, that it's possible there is another vet w/the same name and they are confusing the two. jmo pr

John - would you mind post a link or sending me a link to your case?? I know my last case(2003), at the court, took about 2 yrs and this one is a further appeal of that claim. So I am now at 9 yrs at the court. Thanks, pr

John - You can go to the court's site and view the dockets progress. Mine started about 4 months ago and altho I have received nothing from my atty, I see about 10-12 entries. At present my atty's saying there's records missing and the VA has requested an extension to respond. It's fairly well detailed, as you can read each motion/filing. pr

No, they don't touch your dependents SS. I agree w/carlie as to slowing down your claim process. jmo pr

rpowell01 - most of those LTD policies require that you apply for SSDI and they will help you win. Once they win, they usually reduce your benefit to a very small amout, like $50 a month, but it's usually for the balance of your life and is in addition to your SSDI. You should also check and see if you have any disability waivers on current any loans, life insurance, student loans, etc.. I had a waiver on a whole Life Ins policy and haven't paid a premium since 1971. Congrats!! pr

Just to clarify it, a claim filed 5/10/12, if won, will start receiving comp on 6/1/12, with the first actual payment being made as of 7/1/12, for the month of June. So if you got notified today, you would receive June and July's payment, now and August's payment would be on 9/1/12. pr

Nothing surprises me these days!!! A person, nowadays, should assume they are being recorded from the moment they leave their home. jmo pr

Yup, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Samo-samo . . . different day! pr

I'd get an attorney. pr

What everyone has posted is correct. According to your numbers you should get an SMC "s" award. I'd wait before spending the money or doing a little happy dance, tho, cuz you never know w/the VA. jmo pr

It may depend on your age. If you're 32yo, less likely, if you're 55yo, more likely. I don't think the C&P will hold much weight but you can never tell w/the VA. jmo pr

Why they awarded it w/o an exam may depend on you age? At 65yo all wartime vets are considered disabled for pension. pr

Chinavet - I would pursue it as a CUE. The VA had the duty to get those SSI records and if they couldn't should've notified you so you could get them. Remember you can't win if you don't try! doogie - they lied, they do keep old records. Contact SSA and request to view your file at their office. pr

He absolutely can get veterans benefits for anything that is related to his good periods of service and could be eligible for a VA pension, provided he served in a period of war, which I believe would be VN, until mid seventies. He need not have served in the actual war, just wartime service. pr

He can definitely get benefits based on his good service period(s). pr

Venturing a "guess" I'm thinking an earlier claim was found and was now awarded but w/a later ED, than the original claim date. Just my thoughts. pr

I agree w/bronco and add that any claim not pursued, by you, is an automatic win for the VA! Two yrs of an SMC "s" award is around $8k, plus or minus. I'd chase the award, if it were my claim. In fact, my claim, if won now, totals $50k+ and is well worth my pursuing and I'd be nuts to give it up! Just sayin' . . . pr

Yes, you can, provided your fall/injuries were caused by your service-connected(SC) syncope. pr

I agree w/everyone here, you should file and I would do it now. Be sure to list anything wrong during your exit physical, even if they say you may have to remain a few extra days. Failing to do so could cost you a lot of money, over your lifetime. The PA sounds like he gave you a pretty good guess. jmo pr

Guess you're like me, these days, I'll climb as high as I can go, as long as I still have one foot "firmly" on the ground. Balance isn't as good as it was. ;-) pr

Geez, Pete, at those prices, I might crawl up on the roof, myself, and add a whole bunch of extra nails, just to be sure it didn't happen again!!! jmo ;-) pr

I agree w/Berta and it may be possible that you could have a still open claim, depending on how/when they made their original decision and how/if they notified you. You'll need to chack out the "due process" of their action(s). jmo pr

Bob - to my knowledge, the VA doesn't charge a flat rate but rather charges by the page. It used to be 25 cents a page, plus maybe an hourly rate. I don't know the current rate. You can probably call your RO to find out but they would need to count the pages to let you know, which they are not likely to do, while you're on the phone. I sent the request and they told me how much and since my file is about 5-6 volumes, offered that if I wanted to come in and do the copying, they would waive the fee. You could request an updated copy, from the date of your last request, for free. pr