Cherie33

Ms. Berta, I know you are so right.. David sent me an email this morning asking for a contact number, so I responded with my home and cell number. He then responded and said that he had forwarded my info to the Director of Compensation services and that someone will be calling me to help me with that issue soon. A couple of hours later, I received a call from a Mr.G. Johnson from Washington, DC. he said that he would be contacting the VA personally and then will follow up with me in about a week to make sure this issue has been resolved. So, we shall see.. I have never had any trouble with being paid my retro benefits (at least to my knowledge). So, I thought this was kind of petty, although I want my benefits plus the benefits for my family in which I earned! They really need to have better training sessions with the people who answer at the #800, its just all messed up. They aren't on the same page, they just cant be, or we wouldn't receive so many different attitudes and explanations for the same issue. But hey, what do they care, as my hubby says, they sit behind their desk all day being the gate keepers and not doing their jobs. If a veteran calls and you can't answer their question, don't just feed them a line of BS, go and find someone who can answer their question. And dummy me, I thought that the #800 was the VA.. Until s the lady I spoke to said, Oh they have at least 10 days to respond and I send them another note, letting them know that i am waiting on their response. Really, lady? duhhhhh..... Anyway, Im waiting.. Its their move now.. Cherie33

Ms. Berta, I know you are so right.. David sent me an email this morning asking for a contact number, so I responded with my home and cell number. He then responded and said that he had forwarded my info to the Director of Compensation services and that someone will be calling me to help me with that issue soon. A couple of hours later, I received a call from a Mr.G. Johnson from Washington, DC. he said that he would be contacting the VA personally and then will follow up with me in about a week to make sure this issue has been resolved. So, we shall see.. I have never had any trouble with being paid my retro benefits (at least to my knowledge). So, I thought this was kind of petty, although I want my benefits plus the benefits for my family in which I earned! They really need to have better training sessions with the people who answer at the #800, its just all messed up. They aren't on the same page, they just cant be, or we wouldn't receive so many different attitudes and explanations for the same issue. But hey, what do they care, as my hubby says, they sit behind their desk all day being the gate keepers and not doing their jobs. If a veteran calls and you can't answer their question, don't just feed them a line of BS, go and find someone who can answer their question. And dummy me, I thought that the #800 was the VA.. Until s the lady I spoke to said, Oh they have at least 10 days to respond and I send them another note, letting them know that i am waiting on their response. Really, lady? duhhhhh..... Anyway, Im waiting.. Its their move now.. Cherie33

Ok, so I sent an email to Ms. Allison Hickey, the Under Secretary as suggested by Berta, and her response was that she will have someone call me directly to explain everything. She also cc: David McLenachen and the Office of the Under Secretary. So, I'll be waiting on a phone call. Cherie33

This morning I received an email from "David McLenachen" who was referred by Allison Hickey, and he said that he would have someone look into this for me and call me, and then he asked for my phone number. I noticed that he also copied (2) other people, who are "Elaine Craig" and "Marie Gregory". So, lets wait and see what happens..

Ok, so I sent an email to Ms. Allison Hickey, the Under Secretary as suggested by Berta, and her response was that she will have someone call me directly to explain everything. She also cc: David McLenachen and the Office of the Under Secretary. So, I'll be waiting on a phone call. Cherie33

Berta, Thank you so much for your input, I most certainly will email the under secretary. It made absolutely no sense to me. Why say that the aid and attendance is established as well as the allowance with an effective date, and the say (as the person I spoke to on the 800# said) oh you are receiving the maximum benefit so it doesn't change. I said yes I am receiving the maximum 100% benefit for a disabled veteran plus a dependent. Aid and Attendance is an additional SMC and if you red the VA rate table, it has a figure that you add to your current award for a spouse that has A & A. She then says she wasn't lying and wasn't going to sit on the phone and argue I said argue, maybe you should get your facts straight before you try to converse with me.... Really ticked-me off. Especially after I've been told different things every time I have called about this issue. Cherie33

Im so frustrated right now... Ok, a few weeks back, I received an award letter stating the exact following: Dear Mrs. Worthen, We made a decision regarding your entitlement to VA benefits. This letter tells you what we decided. It gives the evidence used and reasons for our decision. We have also included information about what to do if you disagree with our decision and who to contact if you have questions or need assistance. Your current benefit payment will continue unchanged. What We Decided We made the following decision(s) regarding your claimed issue(s): Dependency of your parent " " is not established. The parental income exceeds the dependency income limits. Aid and Attendance for Spouse Sept. 18, 2014 (Effective Date) * Entitlement to additional benefits based on the need for aid and attendance is established. * Entitlement to aid and attendance allowance for "Spouse Name" is established effective Sept. 18, 2014 - the date you filed your claim. Ok, so I've called the 800# a couple times and each time I have received a different explanation as to what this all means. The last phone call I was told that I was receiving the MAX benefit amount and that I wont get anything additional. I told her that cant be true, it just doesn't make any sense. Anyway, I spoke to someone else about 2 weeks ago and he submitted and inquiry too iris, and told me it would take 7 business days to hear back, today she told me 10 days...someone else told me that, it appears that the VA has not addressed the addtl award amount however it has in my file that they are suppose to pay the addl for my aid and Attendance spouse, and that's why he sent the inquiry in the first place. Has anyone ever dealt with this kind of situation? I'm not sure what to do. Its been 10 days and I haven't heard anything from the VA. Thank you, Cherie33

Pete53, I totally agree. It is so difficult to receive anything that we deserve. I mean, really! We served our country and did what we were suppose to do, then, while in the care of the U.S. Government, we got sick injured and/or aggravated.. They are suppose to make sure that we and our families are taken care of.. Cherie33

Hey Pete53, I'm so sorry to hear that. When I put in the claim for A&A for my hubby, I really wasn't sure what exactly they were looking for. I figured that since, he has had a liver transplant, now suffering from kidney failure and has dialysis done at home 6 days a week, has severe heart disease, malnutrition because of a really bad colon infection, and is blind in one eye and almost blind in the other, that I may have a small chance of being awarded A&A for him. I really didn't know what to think. But I'm sure once you submit your appeal they will see that your wife truly needs the A&A... Stay positive.. Cherie33

Ok, so for those who are interested, I called the VA today and found out that, I will indeed receive the increase, the letter was saying that my current disability compensation would not change, however I will receive the allowance for my spouse who has been approved for aid and attendance, which is considered a SMC (Special monthly compensation)... Cherie33

Hello Fellow veterans, It's been such a long time since I posted here. I come to you with a question. I sent in a claim for A&A for my spouse. I received a letter today that states: Your current benefit payment will continue unchanged. What We Decided Aid & Attendance for Spouse - Effective Sept. 18, 2014 ~ Entitlement to additional benefits based on the need for aid & attendance is established. ~ Entitlement to aid and attendance allowance for "My Spouse Name" is established effective Sept. 18, 2014 - the date you filed your claim. So, I'm confused, will I receive additional monetary benefits or not and is there any additional benefits for a spouse that has been approved for aid and attendance? Thank you, Cherie33

Hey Philip, What form would I need in order to file for Aid & Attendance for him? Cherie33

Thanks, yall! But he has SSD and Medicare. I meant to ask if there were any VA benefits that I could apply for him? Cherie33

Hi Everyone, Its been some time since I've posted here and its been a long road. Currently my husband is Blind in one eye and losing his vision in the other, he is also on dialysis for Kidney Failure and in need of a Liver and Kidney transplant. My question is, Are there any benefits that I can apply for through the VA? He is also receiving ChampVA.... Thank you in advance: Cherie33

WOW! After 14 months, the VA finally awarded P & T in addition to my 70% IU! So, now I can be eligible for all kinds of benefits. I think. No future exams scheduled! Thank you Hadit.com for being there for me through it all! Cherie33