[Smc L, R, Or S?]

NORAD, sorry for trampling over the issue you posted to start this thread.

No problem, Carlie. This whole thread has been quite enlightening to me.

UPDATE: I filed for SMC in May 2013. In July, I got a letter from VA telling me that they had received my application for PENSION. Sure enough, EBenefits shows that I now had a claim opened for pension--something that I didn't request, and of which I'm not elgible.

I visited my DAV office and voiced my concerns. They told me that I had to speak to the VA regarding this, so I waited an extra 30 minutes to speak with a VA rep.

Of course, the VA rep told me that they couldn't help me, and that I needed to speak with DAV (again).

OK, enough of this crap. I went back to the DAV, and said I needed to speak with a VSO. The receptionist tried to blow me off again, but I interrupted her, and told her that It appeared that my claim had been misapplied, and the DAV had to fix it. She begrudgingly told me to wait for the VSO.

The VSO admitted that "an error had been made," and assured me that it would be fixed post-haste. By the time I got home, EBenefits showed that the PENSION claim was closed out, and a COMPENSATION claim was created with the correct creation date.

The moral of the story seems to be in harmony with some of the comments on this thread: the Veteran needs to do his own research and understand the process. Were it not for this forum, I wouldn't have noticed the discrepancy, and my claim would've probably been denied (after languishing around for months and months). I had to spot the error, and force the VSO to correct it. Lesson learned.

[Smc L, R, Or S?]

OK, Bronco, time for me to show my ignorance: What's a CUE?

Derek

[Hello From South Carolina]

Hi, David!

I'm also new to the forum, and living in Columbia, SC. Look forward to getting to know you.

Derek

[Newbie From South Carolina]

Hi,

I'm a 1-term veteran who served in the Air Force during the 70's (the majority of my time, I served in NORAD, ergo my handle). I'm 100% T &P for kidney failure requiring dialysis, and 10% for hypertension.

When my kidneys failed in 2010, the company that I worked for called me while I was still in the ICU and told me that I was being terminated. Fortunately, I was able to get Social Security disability started within 6 months. Then, in 2011, a Disabled Veteran neighbor insisted that I apply for VA disability. I applied in December of 2011. At the time, I didn't think that I'd qualify for more than 20% from VA. I was shocked to find 8 months later that I qualified for 100%!

A lot of people are surprised that I got my case through the system in just 8 months. I filed my own case, as I hadn't even heard of VSOs like the DAV or AMVETS. I used the same strategy that I used when filing for Social Security: my VA application package only had 7 pages added to it. I submitted only the various blood tests that showed that I had kidney failure; and I had a statement from my kidney doctor showing that my kidney failure was caused by hypertension. I also had a copy of my USAF medical records that showed that I didn't have hypertension when I joined the Air Force, but that I had hypertension when I got out. When I went in for my T&P, the MD asked me a couple of questions. After less than 5 minutes, he closed my file, and told me to go home and wait for my check from the VA.

I'd recommend to any newbies out there who are about to file for VA disability that you take the approach that I did: thoroughly research VA regulations before filing anything; find out what evidence is required to prove that you have a specific service-connected disability, and give them this evidence--and nothing else. I can't guarantee that this will work for everyone; I just know it worked for me. This was true for both Social Security and the VA.

I look forward to getting to know everybody on this forum.

[Smc L, R, Or S?]

You are to file for SMC S and SMC L. L is the rate for aid and attendance.

File it now and get your Doc to write a statement that your wife is administering the Fluid bags with your infusion.

She is a very strong woman for doing this. My mother lifted the baxter boxes for my father whe he was on Home dialysis. He did his at night though.

Good luck and hang in there.

J

Thanks, J. I've already got a statement from my doctor stating that my wife is assisting me with my dialysis treatments.

Congress has recently approved funds for those taking care of disabled veterans. This is different from aid & attendance. This is for a caregiver. Call 1-877-222-8387 these folks are the individuals that are running the program. call, and they will assist you with the application procedures.

I have helped a few spouses obtain this benefit from them. it's a great benefit and one that's surely overdue to those assisting our wounded veterans.

Has this become available for veterans who served before 9/11/2001? I served during the 70's.

[Smc L, R, Or S?]

I'm 100% T&P for kidney failure requiring dialysis, and 10% hypertension. I currently perform dialysis at home. This involves 4 dialysis treatments each day. I won't live very long if I don't receive these treatments.

Although my wife wasn't officially trained on this method of dialysis, I wouldn't be able to do these treatments by myself. First of all, I'm unable to lift more than 10 pounds. Therefore, my wife has to lift heavy boxes of dialysis solution, and load bags of solution onto my machine. She records my blood pressure and weight prior to and after each treatment. She also helps me prepare and administer my injectable medications. Additionally, she drives me to my numerous medical appointments.

Since all of the above has to happen several times throughout the day, my wife no longer works. I therefore spoke with a DAV SO regarding special monthly compensation. He gave me an Aid and Attendance form, which my kidney doctor filled out. When I turned in the filled form, I asked the VSO which form of SMC I could expect to receive. He said that I would surely never get anything more than S.

I disagree. As the above shows, my wife does a heck of a lot more than pour me lemonade. I wouldn't be able to perform dialysis 4 times each day by myself; therefore, her aid and attendance is essential for my continued life.

Which form of SMC would my current circumstances warrant? L, R or S? IMO, it appears that I'm definitely qualified for SMC L. However, I've seen a couple of instances where people similar to me have gotten R. Thanks in advance for any advice. This is a ridiculously complicated topic, and it shouldn't be.