Navy04

I just had l3/l4/l5 surgery a few months ago. I too am suffering worse then before the surgery. My friends tried to talk me out of it, but I was so tired of the Pain, and allergic to pain meds. Well it did not work and now I need a complete fusion. I am so sorry that you are in alot of pain. I submitted a claim in October and the VA granted me Temporary 100%. I am currently rated at only 20% for the back, but was granted 20% and 10% for Nerve damage and numbness to both legs. You should always put in for an increase if a SC disability has gotten worse. I dont know why, but the VA does not like to give high %s for the back, even when we have surgery. Good luck and please keep us posted. God Bless!!

They dont make your spouse do anything, but they will attend training to receive a Certificate. Then after that the Caregiver Coordinator assigned to you, will call atleast every 3 months and make yearly visits minimum to your house. The first year if approved, the Nurse will come to your home every three months, and usually find out a week or so before they come. The VA will ask that the Spouse continues to attend required training, or random meetings with other caregivers along with your Nurse which provides training to the spouse on how to handle and take care of the Vet. Also to get on the higher levels of the program, the Vet can not work, and they ask that the Caregiver not work. My wife works just a few hours a week to get out of the house. At that time my brother or father come over. I am 35 and have not worked since I was 32. I also have not driven since then either. I have had 12 surgeries since 2011 with more to come, not to include the PTSD and TBI from OIF/OEF. This is a very good program for the few select that meet the criteria. Also it is a very stressful program as well. If it was easy, every Post 911 Vet would be on this program. DC and the VA created the Caregiver as I was told due to previous Wars 1 out of 10 Vets were considered to be considerably Disabled and since 911 that number has increased to 3 out of 10. So VA created this program to fill the Void. I really think that with A&A being so hard to get approved these days, that the VA needed this program to get the Appeals and Denials down. This program is like any other Govt deal, I feel that at any minute this program could be shut down or run out of money. I just try to be grateful for now, and put up with the Govt controlling me thru the program. Nothing comes without sacrifice, I guess. As long as you guys or any other Post 911 Vet has Severe Mental or Physical Issues and do not work, I dont see why you would not get approved for the Caregiver. My VA MH Docs actually put me in for the program. Hope you guys have a good Christmas.

MF6, sorry for what you are going thru bud. Did you serve in Combat, OIF or OEF? What is your stressor for PTSD? Unfortunately I have tried to help quite a few Veterans who tried to get their Discharge changed from General or Other then honorable to Honorable Discharge. I never had 1 that actually went thru, although most of the Vets were in more trouble during their time while Active, then they admitted to me. It really does take alot for the Govt to issue bad Discharges. I have a good friend who is a big wig at the DIA in DC. He tells me that alot of Research and explaining at the end of the Year, when DC gets the final numbers of how many Vets get in trouble while active, or bad Discharges. If you failed 1 or multiple Drug Tests, that is Automatic for General or Other then Honorable Discharge. I hated that I had to kick Vets out that worked for me while we were in OIF/OEF, cause we had weekly random drug tests there. I could not believe, the longer we were there, the more Vets tested Positive. Very hard for me to deal with that but I was the NCO, so I had too. Im sure you are a very good person, as most Vets are but I dont know exactly what you are seeking. Can you please elaborate more on your special circumstances. Good luck my friend, and God Bless

All evidence helps, just remember that it is still up to the VA and Raters to decide whether or not to accept the evidence. The SSDI people tend to lean more towards Vets as most are proud of their jobs. The VA is a total different animal on the other hand. Both VA and SSA guide lines and claims process can be Stressful, but in my case I found the exams not so bad thru the SSA. Either way always good to hear the great news. Good luck and enjoy the holidays.

JFREI, Grant News Bud. As stated above you get your SSDI every month which is based on your points that you built up working all these years. If you have minors they get a check as well until they are 21 if they go to college full time and you pay atleast 50% or more to take care of them. You will get Medicare after 2 years which the SSA will take out like a hundred something a month for that coverage. As stated above under age 55 you will be reviewed, usually at the 3 yr marks. I just went thru this a few months ago. Other then that the SSDI does not come with alot like VA benefits, but everything helps. Also like the other Vets informed you, keep seeking treatment for you disabilities. The SSA can send you random letters requesting that you send them your yearly medical treatment records for that year, to show that you continue to be disabled. Good luck my friend, and God Bless!! What a great early Christmas Present.

As Buck said just make sure you have everything you could ever think of, that will help support your claim. Horizontal, is right on the path as well. Just sucks that 1 simple person behind a computer ultimately controls us Vets. Dont know if that crap will ever change. Nice to see all of us Support each other so well on Hadit.

That's all u need bud. Do not get dressed to fancy. Plain clothes, no cologne. Don't look the doctor too much n the eyes. Good luck and God Bless

Welcome aboard Brian, and hope it works out for you. This process is very stressful, but good that your PCP helped get it going by filling out the form. Good luck and God Bless

As long as the C&P Doc puts in the right info that is accurate, and will help you down the road sounds fine to me. Good luck

Yes I went thru this last year for a Heart Dr and Psych Review. I had to wait just a few weeks for both exams to open up. 1 exam went well, other was horrible exam with a Civilian Psych Doc that said PTSD was not a real condition. The VA over rode him and kept my 70% PTSD. To be honest I have been treated alot better with my Civilian C&Ps. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Welcome aboard and glad you made it thru your exam. As far as you claim, I have had multiple C&P exams where I went it for one condition, and the VA granted the claim either as a Different Condition or a new condition as secondary. Adjustment Disorder is a very common Diagnoses granted to Vets, especially when the C&Ps are done by Civilian Psych Docs. For now, I would not worry too much until you see what the outcome is. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

In the last 2 years, I was made Permanent Retired by the Navy, 100% Permanent with VA in 2016, and SSDI review 2017, so believe me I know about this stressful crap the Govt puts us thru. Good luck

Sorry to hear of your issues bud. I have not driven since 2014, I am currently 35. People just dont realize when you live in the Country like us, we have to have some form or transportation. As stated above alot of the medications Vets take cause Severe Drowzy and sleepiness. Also if you are that far off bud, then I would just put in for an increase along with your Dr notes and the medical evidence so the VA does not give you the runaround. Again sorry, and I truly wish you the best. God Bless

Sorry to hear of it bud. Yes, it is normal. I am 100% P&T and VA pays my wife on the Highest TIer to be my Full Time Caregiver. I was granted SSDI in 2014 at age 32 in 7 weeks, which is very fast for Texas. Back then I had to do the Mental and Physical exams which I think are just as Nerve Wrecking as C&P exams. Well back in June was my 3 yr mark and I was giving the Long form as well. I printed out everything, along with my current Brain Scans, MRIs, Diagnoses and Medication. Just had back surgery a few months ago, and going to have shoulder surgery soon. Submitted all the Evidence in June, and Received word in September or October, cant remember, that my SSDI would continue. I know it is so stressful, just go in there be honest, and have all your evidence bud. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

I was 32 when I got my SSDI in 7 weeks back in 2014. I had the SSDI Physical and Mental exams, but did not have to go in front of the Judge. The SSDI Rep said I had so much going on Medically that they approved me solely on Mental Health and Bone issues. Didnt even look at the other stuff going on. Good luck in a few weeks. Keep us posted

As Buck stated, the VA can always review a condition or attempt to reduce it. The longer the Disability rating is kept, does usually minimize the chance. I do not trust the Govt, and we should always be ready for the defense. As stated you should always submit a claim for a new condition or for an increase if you think you should. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Usually no more then a week. Mondays and Fridays are the best days to see updates. I have a claim that will be complete in the next few days. So I will cross my fingers for both of us. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Glad to see you made it thru your exam. It looks like SC will be granted, but less then 30% for sure. Notice the Doc said that it barely effects you working. I recently had major back surgery that did not work, and will be getting a fusion soon enough, and it was granted 20% for back, and 20% for the Leg Nerve Damage. The hardest part is getting SC, you can always put in for an increase if it gets worse. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Glad to see you made it thru the Exams. That is the hard part. Also the Ebenefits statuses will drive you crazy. They are always behind on the current status. I will say that the Two biggest days for status change is Mondays and Fridays. Try not to go crazy. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

yes as stated above u should receive all pay at first of the month. it may take a while for the pay to catch up

This Highway of Hell sure does have alot of speed bumps along the way. We just have to keep up the good fight.

Glad to see you got some good news bud. I hope all had a good Thanksgiving, and we have to keep up the good fight. God Bless

Glad to hear you got some good news bud. As far as the SMC, it can go either way. I was going to apply for SMC S last week, cause my wife is paid to be my VA Caregiver. I just did not want to go thru this BS. Instead I put in a Claim for an increase in my PTSD, after my VA Doc filled out the DBQ. Good luck and keep us posted. I know this process is so Stressful, and glad to see your lawyers got a win for you. God Bless

My first Concussion was 15 yrs ago, and they do show up, if severe enough. I never had brain scans until a few years ago. In your case, get the MRI done, and get your Buddy evidence, and it should be enough to grant SC. Now at what %, nobody knows. Good luck

My TBI and migraines are rated together. My TBI is from time in service. A neurologist and a brain scan can help u bud along with in service documentation to help support ur claim. U need to get all ur ducks n a row first. TBI is very hard to get SC for without the proper evidence. Good luck and keep us posted