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ArNG11
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Posts posted by ArNG11
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Should you and could you I would say yes you can qualify with what you have above, however, most times mental ratings like those above are not permanent.
Are you still not working?, do you feel the ratings are not correct, can you or do you have the evidence to prove other wise? I would get some decision information first and a copy of your medical records/c file. After that I you could invest in an IME/IMO to counter the rating decision or send overlooked evidence of a more serious disability picture and file the NOD before your 1 year appeal period is up. You need the medical evidence to justify a higher rating backed up by a medical experts opinion as to the severity of your condition, along with the relationship to service. That would be a good start.
Do you have a sanitized copy of the decision that you could post without personal identifiable information on it, that you could post? That would help a great deal for folks to give suggestions.
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On May 15, 2016 at 9:51 AM, fiveman1 said:
It is truly heartbreaking to hear so many stories of poor treatment at VA facilities. My experiences with the Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, and Wyoming, MI, and Sandusky, OH VAMCs have always been exemplary. I always recommend VA health care to fellow vets, and I hold these caring professionals in the highest regard.
I apologize if this offends those of you with bad experiences, and I truly hope the agency's "transformation" efforts succeed in improving all our lives.
I agree, even as much as I have been wronged by VAMC, there have been positive experiences, I just wish that the good experiences was the SOP. I dare say Veterans care might very well be at par with the private industry if it were full of good folks.
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Lets see on mine the psych eval was on April 4th and by April 26th I received the SSDI denial.
oh forgot to state I applied Aug of 2015.
- MPsgt and TALON II FE
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I understand your folks frustrations, as I have been, still am, and probably will be, in the same boat. You have to really prioritize and choose your battles, your strategies,and your countermeasures. However most importantly though is knowing when to step out, this process is very consuming, the process takes a lot out of you. Anyone on this forum can attest to that fact. I am not discouraging anyone from fighting for what they are rightfully entitled to by no means, however, be careful not to let the process define and erode the strong caring individual that you are. If you let that happen, what have you gained, even more importantly what have you lost?
Frankly I am guilty of this myself, I'm stubborn and I like the fight. Something about truth and justice those are examples of terms come to mind. Sometimes in the fight I have become so engrossed and invested in it, that I loose bearing on what is really important, things like friends, family, loved ones, enjoying the life that I still have and realizing what I have left can and should be fulfilling.
I thought I should share this. For the topic, yes I agree with the advice on to counter the BS the VA comp side has pulled. An IMO can surely rectify this. However, you have to base your offensive attack on the weaknesses of the examiners conclusions. Your evidence and IMO will do the job nicely. Your attack will be based on the statements used in the C&P exam itself. You need that in order to succeed. Until you have this information, relax, breathe, and get your bearings. Service connection was the goal. You got this. Piece of cake, do it by the numbers and press on.
I will go now, but please consider the above. JMO
- flores97, Andyman73 and silverdollar22
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Silent Uproar check your PM.
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Nope. I just kept my federal blue cross and shield. I am not permanent and total. It has been 3 months or so and I still have not received my last decision which won me IU.
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If you leave the federal system I would look into retiring medically. For 100% based on PTSD, working probably and will cause problems for you in more ways than one.
I believe with the advanced sick leave, you must pay the amount in lump sum, but I would call the personnel office in that one. Better safe than sorry.
When I left federal service my sick leave balance was negative and I also had a unpaid TSP loan out. The week I left I just had them take it out of what I had left in my TSP. Check on this as it has tax and other ramifications.
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Same to you my friend. All I know is to fight. knowing when to stop that is another story.
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Jerry this is a fairly old thread. Post a new topic, so that more eyes can see your questions.
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1 hour ago, rootbeer22 said:
ArNG11:
I'm currently looking at all of the options due to my injuries as well. How many years did you work under FERS before you took the disability retirement? Is there any kind of time limit it... do you need a certain number of years to take a disability retirements? Is that any advantage of talking the disability Fers retirements instead of the regular retirements? I currently have 10 years of FERS, and am now 55 and was thinking about retiring at 62, but am not sure if that is smart or not? Was recently diagnosis with TBI and my general medical condition is declining as I age with all of my injuries...
Mine is a combination of a few however, basically I have 3.5 years Active Duty Air Force, 10 years Army Guard service,10 years FERS, and roughly 1.5 years active Army Guard.
For medical retirement under FERS no, you do have to have 5 years good service, having 10 under your belt you are more than fine. We are actually in the same boat with our FERS service, you will have an easier time than I did being 55. (no offense on age my friend)
There are few things that can complicate the process, such as maybe having a TSP loan that is unpaid, relatively the whole thing is not that terrible as long as you are given and have the correct information. The TSP loan thing, just has to be paid before you can withdraw it, however, there a ways to help with that such as rolling it over into a different type of retirement account if need be.
I didn't have that in my case, Workers Comp stuff was involved, that complicated things some more.
I can give you what info you need from what I know and experienced, just PM me.
SSD will come into play as well, but all you need for that is just to have an application in, doesn't have to be approved or decided, just have to show you applied. If you submit while working it is an automatic denial for SSD, and with that you can go on with the FERS retirement process.
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1 hour ago, rootbeer22 said:
ARNG11:
Also, I pulled up the Social Security Windfall Provisions Law on the SS website that was given and it says clearly that it "does not" affect those employees under the Government FERS Retirement System because they did pay into Social Security Fund from the start. I do know there are some special provisions for federal employees that try to retire early but am not sure if it would affect someone on SSDI?
Thats good to know, as the information is like pulling teeth from people. I'm not on SSDI right now. I just received my denial letter from SS stating that they do not consider me disabled. I have not given them the last VA decisions as the Evidence Intake Center is who takes care of the FOIA requests.
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I am kind of in the same boat. I'm only 41 and I retired medically from my FERS DOD job. There are some catches and pitfalls between the OPM side and SS side. Your VA benefits can't be used against you in a sense. I know depending on the order of approval it gets really confusing.
Personally I am in agreement. A person should be able to double dip. Everyone who was employed by military, government, or civilian system pays in. On the military side and on SS side. If you put in to both, then why cant you received both benefits, you worked for the benefits, so they are your benefits. If you have enough work credits then there shouldn't be any issues and whether you are receiving other benefits from other government entities is irrelevant.
I received 90% TD IU back to last August of 2015. That is the month that I stopped working and was approved for federal retirement. I applied for SSD because it was required as part of the process to retire under OPM/FERS.
From what I have read and understand your FERS retirement is reduced by 100% of any SS benefits you received during the first year, after the first year only 60% of your FERS is reduced if receiving and you get approved for SSD. It is a booger any which way you go about explaining this process and a booger and a half to get through all the red tape. Some have made it through the process the first and second go. Myself this is the fourth time denied by SSD. Although the VA and FERS concurs with my status SSD does not. Different laws and different regulations make the process extremely difficult to say the least.
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Steve, I agree with Pete on this one as my situation was similar in some respects. I tried hanging in there until the last with my profession and well I should have stopped when the MDs first stated I should. That was back in 2013, I didn't retire until 2015. I understand.
Pete is correct with the IU/TDIU statement. Until you are not working, you will not receive what you are seeking. My effective date for IU was the day I retired, when it was all said and done, the VA used that date as start of unemployability and rated accordingly.
The VA should have included the 21-8940. When I hit 70% that form was included in my decision packet, however, you may not have been given the form with your paperwork. In my claim when I hit 80% & 90%, the form was included.
All situations are unique though.
Good luck and best wishes.
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Im with others on the above, service connection is the goal here, you can appeal the rest as necessary with the evidence you have if need be. Service connection would be a no brainer here but the VA is what it is. Your evidence and nexus are your bread and butter and it looks like you have that.
At least that is what I can ascertain. Heh although most on here are here to help, try to block out personal identifiable information just for your privacy and security.
Hang in there friend, stay in treatment, keep taking meds as prescribed, things will get better, you will see. Good luck and take care.
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I would quote the letter but the essence was " congratulations, the disability division has reviewed your application and your application has been approved."
The letter describes the process and gives a couple of warnings and reminders about the tax implications. The forgiven debt will count as income and suggests to talk to a tax professional about the implications.
The fact that I stayed in contact with my lender and informed them on my status was a great help I believe. When you qualify for this benefit, by all means take advantage of the opportunity.
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10 minutes ago, flores97 said:
ArNG11, Congratulations on the great news!! If you don't mind, could you give a brief review of how to apply for having student loans forgiven, my ex husband is also a veteran, and just discovered he has diabetes as well. He is stressing over how he will repay his loans, any advice at all would be appreciated, and don't give up on the SSDI, I just received my second denial as well and filed appeal online. Thanks in advance!
The process is different in some aspects for different lenders, however, below is how my process was done. Once I received the IU rating, I got that together with my federal retirement (medically retired) and sent the permanent rating on my hands to my lender. discussed my status. Once I notified the lender, Nelnet in my case, they suspended my payments, I was paying until recently. The process started and if I am correct took about 90 days total. I had two communications from the lender in the interim. Once to acknowledge they received the Loan forgiveness application and the other was to inform me that they had received all the necessary information. Of course the last was the notification of discharge. The letter stated it could take some to time to process but all should be completed within 120 days.
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Thanks Tex
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I just wanted to post this as I think it counts as some good news. I received a letter from my lender stating that my student loans have been forgiven. I should receive a discharge statement here within 4 to 6 weeks. Although I received a letter from SS on my denial for qualifying for benefits, this student loan news has put a smile on my face. Onward and forward I shall go.
- Palma114, TexasMarine and flores97
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Using distilled water and following the cleaning instructions for the most part should keep it working top notch. The filter is very important. I have tried the washable filters with one company but it did not fair as well as the regular whitish ones.
I take my nose piece apart an even get between the second layer pillow.
The water tank has a detachable plastic layer that helps when cleaning.
One thing I will give credit to the VAMC when they were proving parts they did send me quality expendables.
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yes! Pete I agree completely.
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Social Security disability
in Social Security Disability Questions
Posted · Edited by ArNG11
I got denied right off the bat. Just because the VA states your unemployable doesn't mean that SSA has to or is going to follow suit. They denied me the second time as well. I'm in agreement with MPsgt the SSDI you paid into, if you're disabled by more than one agency the other should follow suit, however, different rules different ball game. I find that unfortunate.