Philip Rogers

I suggest you schedule a viewing of your c-file, go there, if possible, find the document and request a copy. They will make the copy while you wait. All dealings w/the VA should be written. "If it can't be read it wasn't said!" You can request it by mail but their response could take up to a yr or more. If it's a document from your doctor, he will have a copy in your records. jmo pr

Congrats and if you need to, appeal the date, for an EED. If you had a hearing exam in September 2013, that could be the reason or it could be a typo. jmo pr

GP - I just don't understand people. Generally they take a simple charge, run, and end up w/multiple charges, caused when they run and endanger other civilians, in the process. Hey dumbasses, ya can't outrun Motorola!!! Here a cop's life is ruined, thru stupidity and a guy dies over child support. According to Geraldo (who I have no use for) they'll never get him for murder but could get him to do 30yrs for manslaughter. What a waste!! And then this latest beating, w/a news helicopter flying overhead, where the 10 sheriffs got suspended - have they lost their minds?? Didn't they learn anything from the Rodney King incident!!! I know there's a lot of good cops out there and they have to deal with the dregs of society but it seems more and more are losing it. I think the cameras are a good idea,too. Most of society doesn't realize that you are being filmed wherever you go. Okay . . enough! Stay well and stay safe! pr

I don't know, one man's stressor can be another's almost everyday event. It would depend on the person. I do think being at the other end of a loaded gun could be stressful to some, me included. I do think the VA would probably deny it on the onset of the claim but it could be won, on appeal. jmo pr

GP picked up on the same thing I did. Did you state "able" when you meant "unable?" pr

You may want to post this as a separate post. jmo pr

I would file the claim and seek continuing treatment. I've been in PTSD vets groups since about 1994 and it has helped me, greatly. Also, it helps to have a "paper trail" w/your claim. The VA feels if your don't have continuity of treatment, then you must be cured. Many win their claims and then stop their treatment, only to find out down the road, that the VA is trying to reduce them. Most medications are meant to be taken for about 90 days, not forever like the VA prescribes them. In my 26yrs, w/diagnosed PTSD, I've taken meds twice for about 3 months, each time. I do take trazodone to help me sleep, these days, tho. pr

I'm not sure if they'll go retro but it may be possible. Generally, they use the date that you apply for the dependents benefits. You may have lost that money but I'd try for it. Your wife should be eligible from the date the first child was born. I don't understand why you haven't filed for SS dependents payments before now but it is what it is. At least, you're doing it now!. Personally, if you care about your health, I would keep the Medicare. VA care is mediocre at best. jmo pr

I'd file a claim for an SMC "s" award, w/an EED to 2002, based on your inability to leave your home (agoraphobia) and a claim for P&T, now. No reason to wait. jmo pr

Yup, but it doesn't look like he'd be able to enjoy pizza. I think he'd much rather have his health back. And the worst part is the VA(and the Gov't) doesn't care!!! The taxpayers just end up picking up the bill. jmo pr

Dustin2100 - I've adjusted the SSDI, plus spouse and children which came up to $21,600 + $39,217 = $60,817, tax free, which is about $71,155 of a taxable income. Still a survivable income @ $1,169 a wk, tax free, or about $29 an hr. Based on that income it's about $34 an hour, for a 40hr wk, if taxable. Who knows, you could qualify for a housebound SMC "s" award of about $350, a month, also,if your PTSD makes it impossible for you to leave your home/area, except for medical appointments. The key there is whether you can leave your home to go to work 5 days/40hrs a wk. I haven't seen this video "Ground Operations," yet, but it may offer you some insight. http://groundoperations.net/It's about going from combat to farming. I do know that I found making baskets(I'm rated 100% for PTSD for 26yrs, this month)) to be very relaxing and I could have probably made $100-$200 a wk making and selling them. There's always something you can do as a "hobby" that can earn extra money. Buying stuff at flea markets/yard/garage/moving sales and reselling it on ebay or craigslist. Car detailing, running errands for the elderly, making and selling bird houses. We had a local guy that handmade nightstands and laundry stands out of wood, to supplement his SSDI, a little. He'd do 3-4 a month, making about $100 on each. Just sayin . . . pr

Sweet!!!!!!!!!! Make sure you wait 48-72 hrs before making any major purchases, especially, like a car or something. The retro will be gone before you know it, if you're not careful. jmo pr

Manchester VA has been a problem for yrs. I believe it is no longer a VA hospital but does still see vets in their so-called ER. I'd never go there, again. Their Veterans Service Center(VSC) is worse. My original appeal started there (until I switched to VT) and was denied for about five yrs. The VSC manager retired, around the mid nineties, and went to work for one of the service orgs, where he was able to win all the claims, because he'd been denying them, for yrs. pr

It may be old but if one or two vets just find out about it, it's well worth posting. Ranger11bv should be commended on his posts, not chastised for the age of the content!!! jmo pr

ArNG11 - There is no SSDI retirement. SSDI is a disability insurance/income that you've paid into by working. SSI is Supplemental Security Income and is for people w/o enough work credits for SSDI but are disabled. It's kinda like welfare. SSR is social security retirement and requires the claimant to be a minimum of 62yo to receive a reduced retirement rate. SSDI pays the full retirement rate, now, you would receive at the currently full retirement age of 66yo. pr

I think you can get up to 40% on a knee. pr

I believe they would use the VA math/combined ratings table. So 20% for hip, 20% for knee and 20% would add up to about 50%. I did this in my head so I could be off. pr

Hi Dustin - I understand you wanting to work but sometimes life has a way of getting in the way of our plans/goals. If your family is also interested in the homesteading/farming, it could be good for all of you. You'd get to spend some great times w/your children and spouse. If you receive TDIU or a 100% rating, plus SSDI, plus an SSDI dependents allowance you would be receiving roughly $77k a yr, tax free, which would be roughly the equivalent of $93k of taxable income. I based this on married, w/a spouse and 2 children. Your SSDI would be based on your military service which I guess to equal about $1600 a month. Your spouse would receive about $800 a month and each child about $400 a month. That would allow you to garden/farm and have time w/the family. The fact that you're mechanical is a great plus!! You can still make plans for maybe doing something different in the future. I don't know if you've noted how much veggies will be going up, in the near future but growing your own sure would help! Here's a couple of links to what I did after Vietnam: http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/moving-to-the-country-zmaz76jaztak.aspx I was paid $60 for the article in 1976. http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/install-a-skylight-zm0z92zros.aspx I was paid $45 for this article around 1978 but they never ran it until 1992. It may take you a few yrs to get P&T, but once you have that your family will have insurance and college benefits, including your spouse. jmo pr

Yup, NK is correct! pr

I would appeal that 20% rating! jmo pr

I'd ask them to CUE themselves, as it may be faster than the 2yr NOD processing time. jmo pr

BS244 - I believe you should be rated 50%, just for OSA, if you use CPAP or BPAP. pr

They'll only rate you on the one PTSD, no matter how many stressors you've had you only get one mental health award. The latter remark usually means they've sent you a letter about developing your claim, which could be they've, just now, sent you the required VCAA letter. Can't think of any other reason, right now. pr

That regulation is not new and probably dates back to WWII or maybe just the 1950's or so. There are a whole slew of chronic illnesses. What do you mean by chronic injuries?? For example, do you mean you continually injured the knee you injured in the military?? pr

They are supposed to issue one within about 30-60 days but rarely do. It's all part of the backlog. Did ya ever notice that VA employees never miss their break time!!! Private industries work thru it, when needed, but never Federal employees, except maybe the Marshal Service. jmo pr