penmar

If they don't have the necessary information by now what makes me think they will ever have it? After all of the post, I think I will take my chance and see where the chips fall. My shrink , who is ex-SSDI says that I really need to NOT work and my social worker both say the same thing what am I to do? Well as all of us have decided to take the chance, I am going to see what happens. I just hope that my mental condition keeps me going forward and not back into the "I don't really give a xxxx and hope everyone dies" nature.

Okay, received a notice that the personal hearing that I requested to appeal my TDIU claim denial has been set for October 3. I appointed Jan Dil law firm in February of this year, they were sent the notice and I emailed my notice to them. They called and want to reschedule because they have not received my military packet from VA yet. I told them that I do not want to reschedule and wait another year for a new date. They said I could attend the hearing but they would have to withdraw as attorney. So my question to all of you is this, "Do I attend the hearing and bring in the witness's that I have along with my statements from my shrink and counselor and let the attorney go or reschedule?"

Mikemmlj, I am not sure, but I will check into it. Thank you.

Thank you Slick, I appreciate it.

So I had a SSDI hearing last week to see if I can get that, mixed feelings on how that went, my attorney says it went great but I was not so sure. Sent in my form 9 on an appeal for TDIU today, who knows on that one. I am rated at 90% now, have a reevaluation in June. Feeling very depressed, not sure how things will end up. My loving wife is and always has been beside me. She works full time, I stay home and don't do shit. I have not worked since December 2013. My drinking has increased and I am not sure where I will end up. I am not looking for sympathy here, just getting some things out there that I am sure some of you have felt and I could use some feed back. I get money from DOD for my disability. I get VA money, but even that I still feel that I am not really being productive in this life. Seen my VA doctor today and she said " see you in 6 months". I asked her again for a referral to a psychiatrist so I could vent some of my issues but we will see. I am seeing a physicians assistant but all she wants to do is bitch about my drinking. Nothing else seems to matter to her. I know this is not a success story but I believe it will help me keep going. Thank you all for letting me vent, hope everyone has a good night.

Congrats brother! Have not been on here in awhile would you give us a timeline on your claim went from when you first received your 90% and how long it took you to get your final award? Enjoy, take a great big deep breath and say ahhhhhhh..

Congratulations! The money is on the way, keep us posted. I do know how you feel about this group of people on this site! Great bunch. Now kick back and relax before the next round. Carry on brother.

Great job brother!!! Glad you got what you got. Stay safe and take care.

In my opinion he has been wronged from day one. I have served side by side with guys that I know are gay but it did not affect their work or our personnel relationship. I am not gay, just not my thing, but those that are I have no problem. What is the difference when a woman can ask a guy out and he say no but they can still be friends? I know many homophobias that can't take the thought, get real you all. So good for him, glad it was changed, but wished it never had to happen in the first place. Peace to all. Mark

My wife and I thank you all. Happy Holidays!

Hang in there Phil. It will happen.

Hey Firefighter, Thank you, I did get it. I do appreciate that. So I ended up so far with 70% PTSD w/ Alcohol abuse 20% RT shoulder osteoarthritis 0% bilateral hearing loss 20% left shoulder rotator cuff 10% bilateral tinnitus

So found the AB8 letters, says I get 90% combined. I only seen the actual percentage numbers once, can not find them again. The amount did not reflect my spouse? No check, no paper work yet. Was waiting to post when I had the matter in hand you know? Thank you for all of the support and I will put some numbers down as soon as I can see them again. I do believe that for those of us and our families that have been through all of this, we really should get something more than a paycheck. I am going to check myself into a rehab soon and try to kick the alcohol problem. Thank you all again for helping us through this. Mark

Shyne-I, Not sure what the AB8 letters are?

Thank you Navy, pins and needles again. Will let you know asap.

So not sure if this is a Success story yet or not. Can anyone tell me if this is standard or should I be nervous and did not get an award?

What does this mean? Is it something that everyone gets when the claim is finished? I am not sure to be happy or ?????? HELP

You know my brother, we have all been to that point where we have decided it is better to live than die. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, some times you have to make opportunity. I am here for you and everyone else that has to make the big decision. You can not think of just yourself when you have family and friends that love you. Be brave, keep your head up and your back straight, we will all come out of this in the right state of mind.

Went to "prep for notification" today. So nervous. We are at a very bad time financially and could really use a boost. I know that a lot of other brothers and sisters are in the same dire straights and hope that we all come through this with what is left of our sanity. Stay strong and "Thank you" all who have served or who have supported those of us that have served. My wife has never been in the military but she knows about sacrifice. So very glad she is by my side still with all the shit I have put her through. And, yes I do tell her that. Will keep this updated.

I moved from preparation decision to Pending Decision approval.... any idea how long this might take? I know that I am ansey but hey it is getting harder and harder to stay motivated. The wolves are knocking at the door and I have nothing to feed them. Thank you all for the support, has been a long hard road.

Just love to hear great news! Congratulations and well wishing to you and yours. Make the most of it and relax a little, I know what the stress level is like while we are waiting. Kick back, have a cold beverage and just say AHHHHHH.

Hello to all of my brothers and sisters, I am a veteran from OIF and OND. Been there, got the t-shirt thing. Was at Camp Liberty in Iraq for a year with my older brother. Did a tour in Kuwait in 2010. Kuwait Naval Base. Any who, I have issues. Like many others, I came home a little messed up. No sleep, bad dreams, bad temper, drinking way too much, can not be around a crowd unless I am drinking. I have gotten out of the military on a medical disablility, waiting for DOD to cough up some income, VA is taking thier own sweet time and in the meantime, I am going (gone) broke. We sold the farm, moved to Florida, have the other house in Michigan shut down for the winter....burrrrrr... living in a little trailer in Florida,I am working for a RV dealer, my body can not take the mechanic stuff any longer, wife is working, wolves are at the door........ Yes I know,...... Anywho, I do not have alot of friends, not many family that I can really talk to, so I need you all. Chat when you can. Mark

Hey GlassRose, I am in the RV business at the moment in Florida, let me know what you want and I will get you a great deal brother.

Hey Infantry, Thanks for the comment. I know, just keep holding your head up and moving forward right? We have all been told that through out the military. I have two brothers that went Navy, then went National Guard for the last 20-30 years. Oldest brother is Jarhead to the soul. He did his time during Beruit. He is still, and will always be Marine. So my family has been around, dad did his thing in the Navy during Vietnam. Not sure what else to say but THANK YOU to all of my brothers and sisters out there. We are the SHIT right?

So here I am, Needing help with patience. Not doing well. I am Mark. Medically retired veteran from Michigan. Just moved to Florida. Awaiting the big decision from VA for my problems. DOD is also taking their time to find me unfit to work. I would like some info on just how long this VA thing takes. Applied in January of 2013, pending decision now since September7 2013. I have gotten a job down here but it is very hard to stay at work. Had this problem in Michigan at my federal job, thought getting out of the military and that job would help ease the tesion, did not work out that way. Deployed to Iraq with my older brother in 2007 and 2008. Did a light tour in Kuwait in 2010 and 2011. Have had a lot of issues since Iraq. I drink like a fish and before that deployment only drank once in a blue moon. Now I drink everyday, 4-12 beers a day. My loving wife has stayed wtih me somehow. Love that woman to death. Any thoughts? Suggestions? I am having alot of trouble financially. Work is very hard to stay there. I don't do well with others unless I am drinking, then no problem. I have "happy" pills in the morning and "sleep" pills at night. That is me. I am open to ideas and thoughts. Thanks for being a sounding post. Brothers and sisters forever!!!!! Mark