kate7772

I'm sorry, I realize this is likely the wrong forum for my question. It's been a while since I've been on and the navigation is not familiar to me. My son receives Chapter 35 benefits. He did not receive his benefit at the first of June (I think mainly due to his school not sending the info in timely. He called VA on the 1st to ask about it and they said it was in processing. Called back today and they still say in processing. He asked for an approximate timeframe for processing and they could not give one. Asked for a supervisor to check further and was told they could not give a supervisor number or contact. Surely someone there knows something. Is no one in charge? Anyone know a number to inquire further? Is there an undersecretary email available? Thanks

At this time we have life insurance but it will expire in seven years. My husband is 71 and I am 65, so hiring preference or some of the other things would not have any meaning for us. I am basically thinking ahead and it is very scary. I emotionally supported my husband for many years before we even were aware what his issues were. This was often at the expense of pursuing my own career/retirement. So, basically, I only have limited social security benefits. His award goes back to 2011 and is 70% PTSD and 10% tinnitus and 80% kidney disease. It is ridiculous what they are doing/not doing with the retirement/disability. Is this issue being seriously lobbied? I would really like to pursue the issue of continuing the full disability for widows/widowers, especially the older group, that can no longer work or pursue a career. The younger widows can go back to school and gain a career, but the older ones have no hope. Many have spent their career years supporting and being there for their disabled spouses. only to live in poverty as they age. So many wasted years of my life when I had no clue as to why my husband was the way he is. When we realized he had PTSD due to things he witnessed both in Vietnam as well as on the homefront, it was like a huge light of clarity came on. Suddenly, everything made sense. Had we realized it sooner, we would have applied for disability sooner. My thought was that with our new President seeming to be concerned about our military, maybe he would be equally concerned for the veterans and their problems. I know from experience that reaching out to the right person, can make a huge difference. It did with my husband's disability claim. But, how to reach that right person?

I'm just wondering who decides on the amount of DIC? Is it the Sec. of VA or some governing body? Been doing a lot of thinking lately. My husband is 100% P&T. If he should die and it is due to his disability or he makes it to the 10 year mark, I will get approx. $1257. It will be impossible for me to make it on that amount which scares me to death. His disability goes back to 2011 officially but I am sure it was long before that. Because of that fact, it was difficult to impossible for me to pursue my own career. I was always watching him and sometimes even working for the same company so I would be able to help him and keep an eye on him and his PTSD symptoms. At the time, we did not know what was causing his problems so did not file for disability. Through a lot of investigation and others mentioning things to us, we finally understood what for so many years was not understandable to us. I'm sure there are so many others that are dealing with these same issues. Since I did not have my own career and his was sporadic through the years, we are grateful for the disability compensation that was finally awarded. But, in the event of his death, the future is so scary. I really feel widows and widowers should be entitled to continue to receive the full disability upon the veteran's death, especially older survivors. So, who decides these issues. Who would need to be lobbied? Thanks, Kate

Congratulations. Love the stick to it attitude! Trying to follow in your shoes. Why is it your responsibility to find out who the money was sent to? Shouldn't VA have to pay you and then they find out who they erroneously sent it to? Kate

I don't think we asked for an increase with the reconsideration. That is how VA has it listed on ebenefits. We just asked to reconsider based on an inadequate C&P.

Received letter from DAV saying my husband's claim is completed. No letter from VA yet and ebenefits still says pending decision approval. Filed original claim in 2011. Claim was for PTSD. Awarded 50% in Dec. 2014 but C&P examiner listed it as an adjustment disorder even though my husband had the PTSD diagnosis through the proper VA doctors. Filed a reconsideration in April 2015 claiming an inadequate C&P. Original C&P doctor did not even fill out all the paperwork. Received a new C&P in May 2015 that was very thorough. She diagnosed PTSD. Now DAV says my husband has received an increase to 70%. With his other conditions, he is now at 100%, P&T, which we are very grateful for. But, it is listing the effective date as Feb. 2015. Seems the date should have been the original date of 2011 since it was a reconsideration of the original award. Am I right? If so, can we file another reconsideration or file a new claim for EED? Would like to avoid a lengthy appeal. Thanks Kate

I think these tests can cause problems. Parts of the test are meant to determine if the taker is over exaggerating symptoms. Of course, they seem to give the tests when the veteran is in a highly emotional and fragile state after speaking with the Examiner for a lengthy period of time and delving into stressors, etc. Good luck. Kate

When you contacted Ms. Hickey, did you explain exactly how you felt the exam was biased? You need to give her something to work with besides your opinion.

Are surviving spouses not entitled to DIC if the Vet was 100% IU P&T?

Dr. Bash did an IMO for my husband's claim. It was extremely difficult to come up with the fee. This was for a Camp Lejeune water claim which is very difficult to win. VA is turning down way more than they are awarding. My husband had this claim on appeal along with another unrelated issue on reconsideration. Two months after filing the appeal, I contacted The VA undersecretary due to an issue with the reconsideration claim. She ordered it looked at and while doing so, they took a look at the LeJeune claim on appeal. Wasn't expecting this since it had just been filed. So greatful they did. Within a couple months, they awarded the reconsideration claim as well as the LeJeune claim. The LeJeune claim was sent for an opinion by their experts. Dr. Bash originally estimated the claim would be at least 60%. It came back at 80%. We also had a brief statement by my husbands VA specialist that his condition was as likely as not a result of the contaminated water but the RO told my husband that Dr. Bash's opinion gave the claim a lot of weight in our favor. Kate **I might add; if you don't have good evidence and legitimacy, neither Dr. Bash, nor any other doctor or attorney will be able to help you win your claim. If you do have those things, Dr. Bash knows how to bring it all together and back up the claim with facts.

I worried about the same thing, but, it only helped my husband. Contacted her multiple times (but only for legitimate issues.) She has been great. Several times she did not answer directly but action happened on the claim quickly. Good luck Kate

If it is within the year time frame, I would file a request for reconsideration with new evidence. Some people don't agree with the reconsideration route but my husband and I have found it to be quicker and works well. Just be aware of the time and don't allow the one year date to pass so you can file an appeal if you need it. When you file, send in all evidence of a connection to service, especially for the breast cancer. Also, if you can get a IMO, that would be especially helpful. Good luck Kate

Those sound like very promising words. Good Luck. Kate

Why not go to a VSO such as DAV and have them file using your NC address? That way when you move DAV could transfer your info to their office in NC. I don't really think there is a real disadvantage to using a VSO as long as you yourself take charge and be proactive in the process. A nice advantage to having a VSO is that you can run questions by them and also they can access things on the computer that you can't to see how things are progressing. Kate

My husband filed a TDIU claim and VA is now requesting his SSDI medical records which they say can take a while. Problem is, there are no such records since he does not get nor has never applied for SSDI due to the fact he is already receiving regular Social Security. Is it best to upload a note explaining this to avoid wasting this time? Thanks Kate

I would think it would be an age discrimination issue?

Apparently not some of GM's brighter stars. If you don't support the company that feeds your family, better start planning on some pretty strict diets in the future.

I see where you are going here and she likely is not thinking clearly. I hope she sees your message and treads carefully on what she says. Kate

Go to the health section of ebenefits and click the blue link in the top left area that says "exams requested". You will likely see that a C&P has been ordered. Kate

I emailed Allison Hickey last week about my husband's claim. She said she would forward it to the top two senior raters in charge and ask them to review. I have not heard from them yet. The reason I question this is that in the past when I have emailed her, the people she forwarded the emails to have always contacted me immediately, at least to acknowledge and let me know they would look into it. The last two times, this has not happened. Would it be appropriate to contact her again to ask if she has heard anything from her contacts? Don't want to be a PIA. I know she is busy and I've only emailed her when all else was not working. Thanks Kate

We have noticed that when my husband has received calls from his VSO (DAV) the caller ID comes up as Veterans Administration and it is their 800 number. They are also in same building. We have wondered about that but didn't think to ask DAV about it. When we call them, it goes directly to VSO. Kate

Well, I have emailed Allison several times. On Mar. 19th, after I realized the same examiner was failing to do the job right again, I emailed and she said she would forward to exam leadership to see if they could help. Heard nothing and now it has gone to complete. This morning, while still in pending decision approval, I decided to try again. I spent until the wee hours of the morning, combing through my husband's VA medical treatment records and filled five full pages with highlighted excerpts from the records, all relating to the symptoms the examiner failed to include. Sent them through to Allison. She responded within the hour, saying she would ask the two senior leaders over exams to look at the claim, in light of the info I sent and review. Assuming they do look at it could it even make a difference at this point since the claim is now closed? Thanks Kate

But, going with this logic, since MH problems can fluctuate so much, you could go to an exam today and appear fine, then tomorrow the bottom could fall out of your world and all hell breaks loose. Kate

Not sure they will accept an outside opinion for mental health?