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One Devil Dog

Seaman
  • Posts

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About One Devil Dog

Previous Fields

  • Service Connected Disability
    50%
  • Branch of Service
    Marines

One Devil Dog's Achievements

  1. Thank you for the insight. It sounds like you're staying on top of things. I too applied for SSDI and was denied twice so I have a local lawyer working on it and just received notice of an ALJ Hearing, so I'm confident that things will work out there. Waiting 5 months now on the VA to make their decision on the bipolar and the TDIU. The lawyer says she'd like to get involved there also if I have any problems - so, we'll see. Lawyers work on contingency of 25% of award, with a max payout of $6,000 (from backpay lump-sum). If it leads to a life-long benefit, for me, it's worth it. From what I've seen on this site and others, the key to this whole deal is persistence in the face of frustration - not to quit. Bipolar tends to throw the emotions I feel about this process around some, but I keep doing the next indicated thing and try not to obsess on the results. Good luck to you.
  2. Berta, Thank you for the insight. I filed for SSDI immediately after my award letter arrived. I cannot collect SSDI and Pension together, but I can collect the 50% SC (836.13) and SSDI together (around 1,100) = 2,000 a month. Hoping TDIU comes through. I already received a denial from SSDI and have submitted a reconsideration. If that's denied, it'll be time for a lawyer. So, those are the irons in the fire right now. Thanks again.
  3. Mike, I'm permanent and total through my pension. I'm hoping they'll attach the new SC TBI (@50%) to the bipolar (which is why I'm on the pension), see me as already permanent and total and approve the TDIU. Best case. As far as the healthcare, everything is covered by the VA. - I just moved from Priority 5 to Priority 1, but things were pretty good already there, so I don't think that will change much. When I received my award letter in September, they gave me the choice to either stay on pension (1054.00) or take the 50% @ (836.13). Can't have both at the same time. So, I'll stay on pension until my SC rating passes that number.
  4. Any experienced insight on my case is greatly appreciated.
  5. Also, ask him if he's had any kind of head injury while in service. You'd have to get a SC to TBI first, but Apnea is often SC'd secondary to traumatic brain injury. Might be a long-shot, but it's worth looking at. The end result could be two ratings. Good luck
  6. First - thanks for reading. I'm a Marine Corps vet who served 86'-90' Gulf > War era. I had three head injuries during my time in service. Two were I > guess what would be considered minor - a few stitches with each, and then a > car wreck needing 20 stitches. I also had a documented head injury prior to > service. > During the 2000's I was having mental health and alcohol-related > problems that led to homelessness and visits to VA facilities for treatment > and psyche meds. In 2005, I filed for and was approved for NSC Pension for > bipolar disorder. I made some attempts to return to the working world in > those first few years of the pension and finally stopped working altogether. > This (stopping work) coincided with my getting sober (4/24/2011) and > stabilizing my mental state. > This year, I was reading the news and saw where the VA was adding 5 new > conditions to TBI, one being depression. I went to the local VSO and filed a > TBI claim and it was approved for 50% this past September. > I immediately filed a claim for (bipolar, secondary to TBI, Sleep apnea > disorders {this says (new), but I filed originally as - secondary to TBI}, > and TDIU (new). This is what it looks like on ebenefits. Apnea was diagnosed > 12/13. > These claims are currently consolidated and "Under Review" in the tracking > bar. > I guess I have a few questions: > 1.) Do you think they will attach the bipolar to the TBI with the new rule? > 2.) With my current rating not meeting the usual percentage requirement for > TDIU, do you think they will rate the bipolar, add it to the 50% and then > consider the TDIU? > 3.) Per the requirements for my NSC Pension, I am 100% p&t. Can the line be > drawn to that in a nexus? > 4.) How long do you think the process will take? I did file a > fully-developed claim and ask on ebenefits for them to make a decision now > (they have a spot to click on ebenefits). > I've been here many times to read, but this is my first post. > Thanks again, - One Devil Dog
  7. Hello, My time in service was 86'-90.' Gulf war era vet. I was diagnosed through the VA (2005) for Bipolar Disorder and applied for a pension and was approved. Earlier this year, I became aware of the 5 new conditions (one being Depression/Bipolar) recognized by the VA under TBI. I was in a car wreck (20 stitches in my dome and temporary loss of consciousness), and two other minor head injuries requiring stitches. I went to the TBI exam and was approved for 40% TBI and 10% for the scar - so 50% total. The approval came in September, and I immediately filed for "Bipolar secondary to TBI, Sleep apnea (new), and IU (new)." I'm told apnea can be a secondary condition to TBI - although, this was diagnosed, 12/2013. I'm staying with the pension for now, since it pays more than 50% compensation, but I filed for SSDI - which, if I'm approved for, I'll switch over to compensation. My questions: 1.) Do you think they will attach the bipolar to the TBI under the new rule? 2.) With my current rating not meeting the usual percentage requirement for TDIU, do you think they will rate the bipolar, add it to the 50% and then consider the TDIU? 3.) Per the requirements for my NSC Pension, I am 100% p&t. Can the line be drawn to that in a nexus? 4.) How long do you think the process will take? I did file a fully-developed claim and ask on ebenefits for them to make a decision now (they have a spot to click on ebenefits). Read here many times. This is my first post. Thanks for the comments. Be well. - One Devil Dog
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