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ArNG11
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Posts posted by ArNG11
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5 minutes ago, Buck52 said:
Its unfortunately that some people feel this way about veterans but there's more people who do not feel this way they those that do.
my tax office was actually happy to give the property tax exemption and Thanked me for my service.
It has to be the personality Character & moral of the person you talk with.
jmo
Agreed. I have met some of those folks since I met the requirements for IU. More positives than negative experiences when not dealing with the VA comp side of the house.
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Buck I never knew that either. They sure don't broadcast the information here in OK. But the VA does send a nice letter advising you to check with your local state and city governments for all of the bennies. All states don't have the same benefits, you have check in with the State office.
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The hard date for stopped work is date the VA will look at for IU. I agree with Meddac, file now. The 21-4192 for you can send to OPM personnel. Don't use the base address, use the business address where they conduct official transactions. You should have that information.
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1 hour ago, wablackwell said:
It is a requirement that I apply for SSDI when I file for Federal disability Retirement (OPM rules). I guess I have a lot of claims to do.
yes you do. I had to do similar. File for SSDI when you file for OPM disability. Whether you get approved by SS doesn't matter, you shouldn't as you still work, that is the letter you need to provide OPM as proof for filing, you don't have to be approved for SSDI just have to have an application in. When you stop working that is the hard date you will use. The day you stop working, go into the SSA office again and file for SSDI. It is confusing but, that is the process.
- TALON II FE and flores97
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You know haven't really though of it that way. Denying due process and obstruction of justice laws come to mind, I agree with you though. Gov entities always waving the big stick, reminds me of a political cartoon with Uncle Sam waving it around. Or maybe it was President Marshall or Roosevelt????
I had my SSA exam just under an hour ago and the Doc, excuse me, the Phd, she honed in on the whole disability picture which I have to say at least appears to be favorable. TD IU was mentioned and she wanted the VA records indicating that.
The funny thing was how big her eyes got when she asked about my spine and hand problems, of course, the psych eval is what the purpose of the exam was for though. Just interesting, and I thought it pertinent.
Always bring records for those evals, the records come in handy, almost every time. Unemployability issues are hard to argue when you bring evidence and records.
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Heh that could work in essence. Just be tactful. Keep them in line but do it professionally. As long as you have documented proof and evidence to back your claim up, JMO now, you are on the right track.
Good luck. Never give up.
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Bronco that is the way I worded the statement. " I am claiming that all my service connected disabilities prevent my ability in substantial gainful employment"
In my claims I did have three docs opine that my service connected issues play a significant part in my unemployability. I made sure to keep my work injuries separate from the VA as I did not want any confusion on the VA's part for what I was stating and asking to be considered.
Reminds me of a Star Wars reference by Admiral Akbar " It's a trap!" Veterans are not medical or vocational experts. Leave that to the docs and voc specialists. So if claiming IU and/or asked which disabilities state all service connected disabilities that affect your employment or unemployment. JMO
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I wanted to update this topic as it seems I have been not keeping up with the information. I'd wish that I received my decision letter, however, I have not received any communication from the VA other than a monetary one.
From Ebennies and, mind you yes I hate to even rely on that, however, the program gives some insight. From the looks of it my Mental rating is what went up to a single 70% rating. I won another claim for service connection and received a 10 % rating for a C-Spine issue. I also won on my appeal for the knees from the NOD. The VA granted 10% both knees back to my original claim date. From this information I made a logical guess that it was the mental rating that pushed it over. The kicker with that, in my scrambled brain, is that the rating code changed from Adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood, to Major Depressive disorder with anxiety, to what it is now PTSD,MDD. I still have not received my decision letter so it is difficult to give more details that the above.
Oh one other sign, I received a letter the just recently stating that my claims file is being certified to the BVA. When I receive the decision letter, that should give a more insight on how things were done. I will further update the forum once I get that in my hands.
Heh it is a good sign so far. Fight folks fight "fight till your last breath".
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Heh there is nothing to fear as long as your honest. Always CYA, but always be honest. If you can't work and it is because of your disabilities (service connected) then that is an important fact to hone in on. There are many factors that are looked at such as age, disabilities, training, experience and so forth. One to also look at is the medications that you are on, those can play a part as well. There is a lot of info in the forums about IU and TD IU, it would be worth a look and was very helpful when I was looking for information. JMO
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Seems to be a trendy quarter for that. The VA has been stalling on providing records request more so than normal. Time frame on getting information even after multiple request have been ignored. Shouldn't take more than 20 duty for requested information. I asked for a record on a specific date, specific exam and still NADA, ZIP, ZILCH.
I agree with you totally on the direct attempt to stall on information that is vital to your claims.
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I have to say B&M are a bit picky with taking claims and representing, however, the firm does have many successes. I knocked on their door a few times. I went with another well known and he did not turn out to be of any serious gain in my claims. I did the research and evidence organization, however, he didn't give my arguments much attention. He wanted me to settle in a few areas that I knew were possible to win if I pursued. Go figure. Maybe I'm just lucky, however, there is the other possibility.
Good communications, same game plan, and loyalty to the claim, case, and client, play a huge part in your success rate. JMO
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Andy I feel for you in the short term memory loss and short term retention. Apnea, medication, psychological problems can all affect this.
I have noticed that in the last few years it has been getting significantly worse for myself, folks try to calm me down and state the it is stress, or my mid life crisis, or meds, rather I quite disagree. Now with medications it does get worse, that is understandable of course but that doesn't solve anything or put me at ease in any way. Hang in there my friend. Try cognitive behavior exercises, do manual entry of names and numbers, do activities that engage certain parts of the brain, it does help.
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Hang in there bud. With having multiple doc's assessments of your inability to work you should be golden. Evidence is what is important. A Voc rehab denial would constitute great evidence for an IU application as stated above. Look into your state's benefits and local city's benefits, they are some that can get you by. Good luck
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Man this crap sucks. Even with all the news, injuries and blatant wrong doing, accountability seems to escape the evil doer's.
I often wonder who has more of the blame, the evil doers or the higher ranking officials who decide there "was no major harm to anyone, (anyone other than the Veterans and his dependents).
Blah. There's documentation for everything so holding folks accountable should be a no brainer correct? Training records, signatures for obtaining and documenting records, sign offs ect., etc.
Clear and unmistakable errors in processing claims, without recourse, without consequences for decisions made?
Not that I'm advocating scapegoats or harsh punishments, but are public lashings still illegal? Just curious?
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With my experiences, I have never gone or been to the vocational office. I cancelled my appointment at the voc rehab office when I was laid up at the hospital with ITP. Called and cancelled the appointment several months went by and I later I was approved for a years of training. However, this last claim submission got me IU without a voc rehab blessing. My situation is a little different because I am retired through DOD but it shows it is possible to do without a voc rehab assessment.
However, in stating the above, Buck is right on the money. Showing you made the attempt for retraining or rehab is solid evidence. Having a doc stating the your injuries, rather, service connected injuries and illness hinder or prevent work is a nice slap in the face to help your case for IU.
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Andy, I don't know about the VA, when I had my done I had to go to my private doctor, the OKC VAMC would not entertain an EMG, my provider would not hear of it unless I had an updated MRI. Which I did just on the private side. Their machine was malfunctioning and go on the fritz toward the last few thousand revolutions. VAMC mRI is quite different than the one I got from a private doc.
Neuro exams can be somewhat complicated, but that is not any reason for the VA to give you the run around. I hate to even ask but have you tried the fee based route or the supposed choice option, or ask for a outside referral? Other than going to a private Dr., it will be difficult to get the VAMC in gear, not impossible, just difficult.
I had to wait about 30 days or so on the private side from the date of the request, but it got done.
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54 minutes ago, Vync said:
Excellent comment.
I assume they set certain performance targets to justify the bonuses. The intent is that the employee will work harder to meet the goal, but it also fosters the desire to cut corners to push claims through. The end result is what most of us have experienced with our claims.
Those are the results which need to be looked at.
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It'a funny video and most who have a sense of humor can laugh at this, I did. However, it frightens me that even with this much publicity little has been done to correct the many problems that the VA system has. These problems while present shouldn't just be addressed when campaigns and elections are going on. Time for action. "You can talk the talk, but are you willing to walk the walk and do what needs to be done".
It gets tiring, even a person who knows little about the in's and out's of the VA Medical system and VA Compensation system can see what possible solutions there are, however, those possible solutions are never implemented correctly.
Enough talk already leaders and politicians it is time for action. Results are what show progress, not silly empty promises.
In any case Good Morning all, had a bowl of nice homemade warm oatmeal. Really hit the spot.
- Prettypantha and rwskitch
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Should I file or should I wait?
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
I would sanitize this letter but the letter can be used as positive evidence. Mind you the strength of the letter will be much higher coming from a mental health professional, preferably one who is familiar with you health records. The Doc who writes the letter has to state he has reviewed your military records and gives the medical nexus required that the condition was related to your military service. Very important!
JMO