SEJones

I completely agree. You must suck up to your doctor. I have alot of medical problems so I introduced all my local docs to the VA docs. Now that they are somewhat accquainted and comfortable with one another, my life is much easier. Since the VA is so busy and my comdtion takes so much time(100% S/C), I think the VA doc prefers that my private doc does most of the work then calls her with his recommedation for meds. Most of the time they just show up in the mail. This has taken a few years to cultivate. And yes I send Christmas cards and treats to all of them and remember to say thank you. The best advise I received was from a social worker with NORD (National Organization for Rare Disordrers). That my disease was rare and there were going to be mistakes made since there is no clear treatment plan. Go to a large hospital with the resourses to run all the very expensive test and can't cancel my isurance. Then she said to make some friends there with the doctors and staff and loose the attitude about what I thought I was entitled too. Life isn't fair and that it has been proven that patients that are likable get better care and have better surivial rates!!!! None of my 20 drugs are on the VA formulary SE 100% S/C Non Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Why would you think they can write since they all admitted that they don't read what they vote on either. I'm going to take the money and run

SOCIAL SECURITY News Release Social Security Announces 3.3 Percent Benefit Increase for 2007 http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/2007cola-pr.htm

John I agree it will knock a migraine right out. You can also get it in pill form but you can only take it for Very short periods of time because of its effects on the liver. But when all else fails I go in get a shot. SE

As you have done contact the company and have the 1099 corrected. You should get a corrected copy for the IRS. But has far as the VA it should take them a while to figure it out and you would have it fixed by then. The VA "usually" checks social secuity wages which would have been reported on W-2. Social Security will not have the 1099 info until you file a tax return and claim what ever portion was earned if any.

It helped in my case to get a letter from my employer that I had been put on medical leave due to illness (that was my s/c condition). My TDIU was approved within weeks. I also made my appointment with soc sec while I was still employed but was on medical leave by the time of my appointment. SSDI also backed dated my claim becaue I had used so many sick days prior to leave. They can back date you six months and count it as part of a trial work period if you have missed alot of work. So all in all I was approved for SSDI in 3 weeks and TDIU in 2 weeks but I had to jump through alot of hoops like bringing in my own certifed medical records to social security and providng alot of information about my medical leave for TDIU. I was still out of a pay check for a few months before everything was setup. So you will need some savings. Good Luck SE :P

I am glad it is over for you. Go have a little fun and relax. Congratualtions!!!

Lee Definately ask for reconsideration now. Be sure you complete all the forms with what you cannot do. It is not enough to just have a disability listed in the blue book. You must show how it effects you! So if you cannot drive, need to go to the doctor alot say so. Also don't assume that the SSA people know what the VA rating means. Spell it out for them. I found that the ones at my local office are not familar with TDIU. They may think that you are only 60% disabled and therefore don't meet the SSDI regs. So explain that the VA has found you 100% disabled. Good Luck SE

Vicki Did your husband get rated for DI (diabetes insipidus)? I am with Jim for endoctrine issues. I still have my pituitary but it has lost most of its function so I was rated for the problems it causes not the pituitary itself. SE

Raven SSDI is based on your earnings. It will not change if your move. However if you receive a supplement from SSI or Medicade. It will change depending on your state of residence. SE

Berta Some of what can be done depends on the age of the children. In theroy they can request that their representative payee be changed to your ex-husband. However if they are under 18 and not blind, then part of the SSI determination is based on the "parents" income. I have two neices with devolpemental disabilities and they only got their SSI when they lived with their mother with a low income. When their father got custody their payments were cancelled. They can reapply at age 18 when their parents income is not longer counted. There are some special rules when the children are not living with a parent, step parent or adapotive parent. See satement of Deeming form SSA site. Also a representative payee must have a face-to-face interview. How Do I Apply to be a Representative Payee? You should contact the SSA office nearest you to apply to be a payee. You must then submit an application, form SSA-11-BK (Request to be selected as payee) and documents to prove your identity. SSA requires that the payee application must be completed in a face-to-face interview (with certain exceptions). HOW DOES DEEMING WORK FOR A CHILD? If a child is under age 18, not married, and lives at home with parents who do not receive SSI benefits, we may consider a portion of the parents' income and/or resources as if they were available to the child. We call this deeming. We make deductions from deemed income for parents and for other children living in the home. After we subtract these deductions, we use the remaining amount to decide if the child meets the SSI income and resource requirements for a monthly benefit. What Changes or Events Do I Need to Report to SSA? You must report the following events as soon as possible, by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or contacting your local SSA office. Note that there are additional reporting requirements for SSI beneficiaries at the end of the list. The beneficiary dies; The beneficiary moves; The beneficiary marries; The beneficiary starts or stops working, even if the earnings are small; A disabled beneficiary's condition improves; The beneficiary starts receiving another government benefit, or the amount of that benefit changes; The beneficiary plans to leave the U.S. for 30 days or more; The beneficiary is imprisoned for a crime that carries a sentence of over one month; The beneficiary is committed to an institution by court order for a crime committed because of mental impairment; Custody of a child beneficiary changes or a child is adopted; The beneficiary is a child (including a stepchild), and the parents divorce; You can no longer be payee; or The beneficiary no longer needs a payee. Additional events that you must report for SSI beneficiaries: The beneficiary moves to or from a hospital, nursing home, or other institution; A married beneficiary separates from his or her spouse, or they begin living together after a separation; Somebody moves into or out of the beneficiary's household; The beneficiary has any change in income or resources (i.e., a child's SSI benefit check may change if there are any changes in the family income or resources); or Resources that exceed $2000. Hope this helps. SE :D

Robert I hope this clarifies what varies from State to State Question What is the difference between Social Security disability and SSI disability? Answer The Social Security Administration is responsible for two major programs that provide benefits based on disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on prior work under Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Under SSI, payments are made on the basis of financial need. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers, and self-employed persons. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be "insured" for Social Security purposes. Disability benefits are payable to blind or disabled workers, widow(er)s, or adults disabled since childhood, who are otherwise eligible. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program financed through general revenues. SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible. The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the State or decreased by countable income and resources. See http://www.socialsecurity.gov/notices/supp...nefits-ussi.htm for an explanation of SSI benefit payment rates.

Robert Your children can qualify for benefits if you are approved for SSDI. Here is the rule form SSA. Each family member may be eligible for a monthly benefit of up to 50 percent of your disability rate. However, there is a limit to the total amount of money that can be paid to a family on your Social Security record. The limit varies, but it is between 150 and 180 percent of your disability benefit. If the sum of the benefits payable on your account is greater than the family limit, the benefits to the family members will be reduced proportionately. Your benefit will not be affected. If any of your qualified family members apply for benefits with you, we will ask you for their Social Security numbers and their birth certificates. If your spouse is applying for benefits, we also may ask for proof of marriage, and dates of prior marriages, if applicable. SE

Berta The DD came this morning. That was quick. It seems to be all there since I was only paid at the 10% rate before. But I thought that P and T meant there would be no more exams but they scheduled it anway. maybe when or if they read the additional informaion they requested that will resolve the issue. My doctor sent them a letter explaining their error with 2 of the items I was rated for are permanent not temporary. There is no cure.. Will I get an award letter for the 80%? Is there any point is fight the first rating? I already sent the info in to fight before the TDIU award. Two isses should have been 60 and 60 not 30 and 20. One other was not rated but by VA math it looks to me that it still rounds to 90. They are 50, 10, 10, 60, 60 and another 40 all casued by one disease. Glad it is over!!! Merry christmas SE

Mike The 3 years starts from the date they made their decision. So closer to the date you were paid. Also like the others said don't worry. The first time you applied you had to proved your disability, during the review they must prove that you have recovered form that disability. Go to the doctor and don't work above their guidelines. SE