SecurityForces03

I thought you were talking about something different. I'm receiving an SMC K award.

I'm not pushing or looking for loopholes, but like most vets, IU or full 100% still want to do some type of work, feel important, or just keep busy.

What is the SMC award you're talking about?

what SMC are you talking about?

I confirmed with th VA that it is P&T which they stated requires NO more future exams. Also, takes to the center manager who explained the poverty level depends on marriage status and dependents. Since I'm married with 3 children, it was closer to the 29K mark. Also, working is frowned upon, however, having sheltered work or work that's NOT full time such as part time work, real estate, owner of a business, would be fine.

Hi Everyone, I am currently 90% Sc'd and was just granted TDIU. When I read the letter, this is what it says: You have one or more service-connected disabilities:Yes Your combined service-connected evaluation is: 90% You are being paid at the 100 percent rate because you are unemployable due to your service-connected disabilities: Yes You are considered to be totally and permanently disabled due solely to your service-connected disabilities: Yes You are in receipt of special monthly compensation due to the type and severity of your service-connected disabilities:Yes I am most interested in the section where it says I am Permanent and Total. But isn't TDIU just temporary? Can anyone shed any light? Also, I found out about the poverty level earnings. It IS BASED on you and your dependents. Thank you, SECFO

Hi Everyone, I am currently 90% Sc'd and was just granted TDIU. When I read the letter, this is what it says: You have one or more service-connected disabilities:Yes Your combined service-connected evaluation is: 90% You are being paid at the 100 percent rate because you are unemployable due to your service-connected disabilities: Yes You are considered to be totally and permanently disabled due solely to your service-connected disabilities: Yes You are in receipt of special monthly compensation due to the type and severity of your service-connected disabilities:Yes I am most interested in the section where it says I am Permanent and Total. But isn't TDIU just temporary? Can anyone shed any light? Also, I found out about the poverty level earnings. It IS BASED on you and your dependents. Thank you, SECFO

I'm not working!

I'm definitely unemployed. I've been dealing with the VA since 2007, been through appeals, before a judge, seen a lot. Im just trying to see if I worked ever again, is it the poverty level for a family of 5, since I'm married with kids? Or is it for a single person.

Thanks Buck! Do you interpret the poverty level to be a single person or family?

Hey! Thabks for the response! I'm pretty clear on that info you listed above. The law states you can still earn while on IU. However, it says you CANNOT earn above the poverty level. My question is, what is the poverty level? For me? Or for a family?

Hi All, I'm currently 90% SC'd and in the process of waiting for IU to be approved. While I'd like to try and be productive and have a small job still, I've read that you can earn up to the poverty level. My question is: Does the VA look at the poverty level for a single person or a family as it pertains to earnings for the year? I'm married with children. Thank you!

You're totally right. I have pretty bad OCD, but most of us going through the VA debacle become obsessed as well. I try to read as it's one of my enjoyments. As you suggested, it's better I sit back and wait to see what happens. I'll post the results of the claim when I find out!

I totally understand that. im asking if you're 100% PTSD and you're 100% with other symptoms, does it matter?

I just had my C&P exam for the PTSD increase. Some of the questions entailed my grooming and agoraphobia issues. My original PTSD award was 70% in 2011. Things have gotten worse and I filed for agoraphobia, secondary to PTSD. I was scheduled this past week for a C&P exam. I didn't fight the original 70% because I felt that it was appropriate. I always compare to other vets but no 2 people are the same. Those cops I mentioned were Total and combined at 100%, not solely PTSD. Although, I do know plenty of cops out there rated at 70% PTSD and "working just fine". IMO, it seems like ratings are solely based on who is rating your case. Thanks.

It makes sense. If I was 100% solely on PTSD and 100% on everything else excluding PTSD, I would still be 100% PTSD. In other words, my PTSD would be rated at 100% and my testicular, hearing, back and tinnitus would also equal 100%, then obviously I'd still be at 100%, but does the PTSD at 100% outweigh the other items that equal 100% as well? Tough. Again, the working question comes up. Working a job that pays 10-15k a year is below the poverty line, compared to a 50-100K a year that many vets make while rates total and combined at 100%. I knew a few Fed Cops rated at 100% total while making 150K a year. Interesting topic.

I understand that, but what if my PTSD goes to 100 and my other stuff increases as well to 100?

Hi All, I'm currently 90% combined with PTSD and a few other issues. The PTSD is 70% of it. My current claim is for PTSD increase and a few other increases. I think they'll all be increased. If my PTSD increases to 100% and my other illnesses get increases to equal 100%, does it really matter for work purposes? I want to try and work for sanity and routine purposes, but I've read you can't work if you have PTSD at 100%? Would it matter if all my other issues also equal 100? Thanks!

I'm 90% combined now.

That's where I'm kind of in limbo! I may be increased on my testicular issues which would put me at 100%. IU is a possibility, but even with low pay, it kind of helps me stay somewhat functional. If that makes any sense. At this point, I'm waiting for anothe PTSD exam and then I should have a decision on my claim.

At this point, I'm not on IU but could/should be. Going from a good job to barely being able to make minimum wage is rough. I will keep you guys updated as soon as I get my QTC appointment for mental health exam.

Should I bring up that my income is gone because of my disabilities? I know that sounds like a no brainer, but I just want to make sure they understand fully, not just a monetary amount. what does the SGI stuff do?

Thanks for your write up. Since I have asked for something secondary to PTSD (agoraphobia), I think, well it's obvious, that the VA would need to do a mental health evaluation to decide. I think the caveat to that is, the VA probably realized that the last time I used a VA facility was at the beginning on 2016 when they prescribed me more psych medication. Im assuming this is their chance to either increase me (agoraphobia), keep me the same, or decrease. I don't think I've gotten any better. I'm no longer employed at my 80 hour, 110K year job. Rather, I'm making 300 dollars a week now. I couldn't handle that stress anymore. Edit: this will be a QTC exam FWIW

Any suggestion since this is for an increase? I'll bring my list of medications to my appointment. I'll just see what happens!

Wow, that would be terrible to go in for an increase then find out they're dropping you a percentage.