michael09070

Michael09070 This is great news! Long time coming but you got it. Now be sure to keep up with your follow-up medical appointments, and don't forget to check out those extra perks, like DEA ed benefits, free life insurance, etc. And also don't forget to check on what your new state benefits are too. NICE!

Congratulations!

If you are not getting SSDI, you should apply for it. It has been awhile and I did not read through all your post. Just wanted to let you know you can get both. Every little bit will help.

Congratulations!   Dont forget to help hadit to help others, like yourself, in the future.  This site does not run for free, and frankly, its a burden (financial) on Tbird to keep it going.  

Also, dont forget your additional benefits.  Vets tend to "blow through" their retro, and in a few short months wonder where it went.  So, get the rest of your benefits also, such as free 10,000 (waiver of premiums) life insurance.  

Also, you should now be eligible for reduced or eliminated property taxes in most states.  I save about 800 per year on taxes (66.00 per month), but many Vets save much much more in property taxes than that.  I live in a very modest home which cost just 72,000.  I know Vets who have 10 times that in their home.  

While paying off ones home is a good thing for retro, I deliberately did not pay off my home.  (With an interest rate of under 4%, it did not make sense).  Instead, I have purchased bitcoin and other cryptos to provide a scholarship for my grandchildren (I have been blessed with 9 grandchildren. )

Ok.  You are "assuming" VA.gov is reliable, and this is "far from assured".  Very far.  Many times, including my own, I thought it was going to be "much much longer" and my BVA came through much much faster..once it "gets" to the BVA.  

The problem in the past is that VARO "sat" on our claims for about 3 to 4 years before they were ever sent to BVA. 

1. For example, it took an "average" of 2 years or so for the VARO just to certify the claim to the BVA.  (which should have taken 2 hours).  

2.  Also, they VARO took a year to do a required SOC, and more if you submitted new evidence and they did a SSOC.  

3.  Even worse, the VSO would often "prepare a brief".  Ok, that sounds good.  NOT SO FAST.  My DAV national VSO told me, when ebenefits says "with VSO" that did not mean the claim took longer, because the BVA claim was "already docketed" so it was waiting before the board while VSO takes a year to prepare a brief.  So, I called the BVA.  NOT TRUE!   My claim was "not docketed" at the BVA so the VSO "preparing a brief" delayed it another year.  

     If my math is correct this totals 4 years where VARO sits on the claim.  This is the purpose of the AMA (formerly known as RAMP).  No SOC, and NO certifying to board.  And, this time it took my VSO under six weeks to prepare a brief.  

    Dont take my word for it tho:  Read the BVA chairmans report yourself, and find the average claim times there:

https://www.bva.va.gov/Chairman_Annual_Rpts.asp

    Make no mistake.  The board makes it crystal clear the REGIONAL OFFICE is the source of about 80 percent of Vets claim delays.  

thank you

does anyone know how reliable e benifits is on ininial ratings. they have me at 30% fot my multiple sclerosis but nothing on the other 4 granted  secondary issues. i pray my paperwork next week says different. any hope