ItChief67

Corpsman8404. I would definitely let an experienced disability attorney handle the SSDI. Social Security plays games in a lot of cases. Sometimes if you're under 50, they'll deny you for general purpose. This is one shot one kill territory. I was denied and I hired Bender & Bender solely on their reputation of winning cases. So right now I'm waiting on a court date to appear in front of an SS Admin Law Judge. Social Security will send you to see one of their doctors all the while having your VA file. Just because the VA says your disabled, the SSA says different. Their doctor is going to determine that you can work. So do not go to that appointment alone, they observe you from the time that you enter into their presence. Get someone to fill out your paperwork while you're there. Remember "One Shot One Kill". Also your PTSD SC needs to be up around the 70 or 100% level which shows a social impairment of school, work and family. This shows that you can't work.

I love math..I mean really love it.
 
Anyone who complains about the 100% rate isnt really thinking it through.
 
Im married with 3 kids. So thats  $3350 plus free medical...untaxed...
 
I had a job making 60k a week. Thats not high roller status, but above average by quite a bit.  I worked my ass off 43 hours a week to make that 60k a year.
So that should be 5,000 per month which trumps the 3350 from the VA monthly right?
That should be 2500 every 2 weeks or so...
Well the government job paid me 26 times a year instead of 24 times.
That automatically knocked the 2500 every 2 weeks down to 2400.
 
You still with me???
So then theres taxes. With a 60k a year job I got taxed aprox 25%
25% of the bi weekly 2400$ =600
So now Im getting 1800 every 2 weeks after taxes
 
Then there was my medical..300 a month
 
So this put my take home pay every 2 weeks at $1650.00
 
1650 times two payments per month is...
 
3300 a month take home on average
 
So would I rather bust my ass for the same amount of actual in the bank moneye...Or be satisfied with the compensation?
 
I love math and the awnswers quite simple...
 
Even if I had a 75k a year job and took home 4300 a month Id still prefer the 3350 from the VA and spending more time with my family.

Finally got my 100% for malignant melanoma With retro to 10/14. All this with the assistance of my hero John Dorle.
He is my new Capt. America!

Hey fellow vets! So, I logged into eBennies early this AM & it has finally happened...Im now at 100% w/ SMC-s1 and not rly sure if its P&T or TDIU but honestly, it doesnt matter...100 is 100 & im just beyond happy for my wife and 3 kiddos more than anything...blessed! So, heres the breakdown:
OLD Comb Rtg--80% Primary SC Cndtns : 70%--TBI w/ residiuals; Secondary 30%--Maj Dep Disrdr
NEW Ratings & Conditions
Comb Rtg--100%
Prim: 70%--TBI w/residuals
Secondary:
50%--Migraine HA; 10%-Tinnitus; 100%--PTSD  w/Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD); SMC-1
Its still hard to believe this is happening for me & my family.  I want to thank all of you for the support, advice & encouragement. To those who are still fighting...KEEP AT IT and dont give up!
Semper Paratus
CoastieAirman96
 

SSDI APPROVED First Time !!!!!!!!!!!!!  
 
I put in for SSDI a month ago (05Apr?) and have been checking it everyday, of course.  Finally today, I see it said a decision has been made and that they will mail me the decision.  I just looked at the SSDI site in "payments" and it showed the Benefit Verification Letter:
--You are entitled to monthly disability benefits.
--Beginning June 2016, the full monthly Social Security benefit before any deductions is $x,xxx.40
 
Thank you everyone, for your help.  Now on to the next hill....IU
 
 

Corpsman8404. I would definitely let an experienced disability attorney handle the SSDI. Social Security plays games in a lot of cases. Sometimes if you're under 50, they'll deny you for general purpose. This is one shot one kill territory. I was denied and I hired Bender & Bender solely on their reputation of winning cases. So right now I'm waiting on a court date to appear in front of an SS Admin Law Judge. Social Security will send you to see one of their doctors all the while having your VA file. Just because the VA says your disabled, the SSA says different. Their doctor is going to determine that you can work. So do not go to that appointment alone, they observe you from the time that you enter into their presence. Get someone to fill out your paperwork while you're there. Remember "One Shot One Kill". Also your PTSD SC needs to be up around the 70 or 100% level which shows a social impairment of school, work and family. This shows that you can't work.

I'd like to weigh in  "TDIU stands for "unemployablity" as Broncovet descibed it. But when you're on TDIU you can't go and apply for any job nor can you have additional income from any other sources outside of what the VA provides. You can apply for your SSDI or apply for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) if you were in a combat zone.But if your service connected conditions render you unemployable and you get TDIU just make sure that you can live on what your getting. There is no threshold on income because your saying to the VA that you can't work. If by chance your PTSD gets raised to 70% or higher then it shows that the mental state does not allow for work or school.

I served on the USS Newport LST1179. This ship was the first in its class. I was a RM3. I served between 1972 & 1974. The ship used JP5 and I was exposed to JP5 as a cleaning solvent. I was now have PV Polycythemia Vera. I have noticed there are more and more Navy Veterans having PV.  It appears there is a higher rate of PV in Navy Veterans than the regular population. We need to get together and prove to the Va that it is service connected. The VA has allowed me to see private doctors for my condition. I have asked my hemotolgist to look into JP5 and veterans with PV. I will ask him if he will sign a Nexus letter for me. I filed a claim with the VA and was turned down. I need to appeal within one year to keep my claim open. Can anyone suggest a Law Firm with experience with PV?

Is their anyone else having a problem with your travel pay
 through your Choice Provider at ATL RO. They owe me about $200
in travel and the only way I got through to anybody with a treat to call
Director to speak to somebody after 2-3 weeks of just calling but soon as I
say I will call my friend Bob, we just process it it will be in your acct tomorrow.

Hello well today I got my latest PTSD and Deppression Dr. Notes I am trying to get my PTSD increase from 30% to maybe 50 or 70% with all my symptoms getting worse. I made a word document with my DR. Notes from the VA tell me after you read if you think it can get increased to 50 or 70% need help thank you.
Mental health notes.docx

Green are you 100% by the schedule or TDIU/P&T?
Because (IU) is not a contention and it won't show up in your disabilities nor will eBenefits reflect it in that blue circle.

Silent Uproar, Firstly are you MH at the VA? If so ask for a program called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). It's a 12 week group therapy held at a Vet Center, this is an alternative than going inpatient at a treatment facility. Now this got me the initial 50% SC for PTSD. Now if you're going for the 100% PTSD you will have to show that your hygiene is down in the toilet (Shaving, Bathing, etc...), also social impairment of school, work and family. The main problem for not getting to that level is that you are working, so that's probably why the suggestion to go inpatient. 
 

I applied for SSDI in Nevada in 2007, at age 46, after not working for six months, with the following diagnosed disabilities:
Bipolar Disorder (Mixed)
Lower Back Pain
Migraines
Bilateral foot pain
After two denials and appeals, in 2007, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) approved my case on appeal, stating that I was approved because I was totally disabled for each disability individually, as well as collectively.
The ALJ had a job-placement expert at court, use their own lists of jobs that I could be  hire to do, but she found none.
The biggest differences between the SSDI and VA programs is that with the SSDI, you must be 100% disabled, but do not have to prove service connection.  With the VA you could be disabled for any given diagnosis at a partial percentage, but you must prove service connection, usually with clear service medical records, or most likely an Independent  Medical Opinion (IMO).
I had used my VA medical notes to prove the diagnoses to the SSDI.  I used the SSDI findings and doctors reports to support my claim for the VA, including my request for Individual Unemployability (IU).
 

With those Conditions and low ratings, dont think your chance of getting SSDI is high. Depending on what state you live in, can make the SSDI process somewhat or very hard to get approved. I was Medically Retired from Navy  10 yrs active , at 30 with 80% VA. Granted 100% VA and SSDI at 32, I am currently 34.  I am part of the Wounded Warrior Program and my SSDI was approved in 2 months which is darn near impossible in Texas. As you can see by my signature it takes alot to get to the 100% VA mark. Just take your time and make sure you have the Documented VA treatment and Medical Evidence Regardless of whether Vets are Seeking 100% VA or SSDI, I always say Medical Evidence is Medical Evidence. The Govt can not argue when they have an X Ray, MRI or Scan of sorts in front of them. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

SE Jones,
I would reply and ask them to process the TDIU as soon as possible. Once you have the TDIU, if they don't backdate the award to when you originally applied, appeal on the grounds that the fact that you included the SSDI award letter in the original claim should have been considered a claim for TDIU at that time.

I borrowed this from elsewhere, Patrick428 is the author of it in full.
carlie


"I will describe many common terms needed to be understood and given examples when warranted.

R/O (Rule Out): Is a term found on either Axis I or II saying that there is not enough evidence to support the diagnosis at this time.

Deferred: Is a way of a clinician saying, "I just met you and I am not sure if you have this or not." Usually found when the patient has first entered the mental health system or has been out of the mental health system for a long period of time.

Secondary: Disorders that have manifested because of the first or primary disorder and also contribute to the severity of the primary disorder.

A full diagnostic example is as follows. There are varieties of how they are written, but this is the universally accepted model:

Axis I: Major depression, recurrent without psychotic features (Primary)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Secondary)

Axis II: Borderline Personality Disorder or None

Axis III: Ulcers and heart problems (usually medical problems that contribute to the mental disorder)

Axis IV: Psychosocial Stressors: Lose of employment and child abuse
Severity: 1 None; 2 Mild; 3 Moderate; 4 Severe; 5 Chronic

Axis V: Current GAF: 50
Highest GAF past year 60

GAF : Is referred to as Global Assessment of Functioning. This is a scale from 1 - 100 suggesting a pattern of behavior at any given movement in time. GAF is a fluid score and is never static (think of your blood pressure when applying GAF). The lower the score more problematic behavior becomes.

91 - 100 Not much happening and you can tolerate most stress very easily. (Blood pressure normal)

81 - 90 Some minor setbacks, maybe late bill that was not paid causing a flurry of minor stress, but is usually resolved. (Blood pressure slight elevated, but returns to normal rapidly)

71 -80 Minor problems within the home (work) and some stress that is enduring, but usually dealt with. They called about the bill that you forgot to pay (Blood pressure slightly elevated).

61 - 70 Minor to moderate problems such as not having the money to pay the bill and you are under pressure by your creditor to pay it. (Blood pressure is elevated and in need of attention).

51 - 60 Your being sued for not paying your bill, and your wife or husband has announced they are tired of living this way. Your kids do not know who you are anymore. (Blood pressure above 140/90 and dual medications are needed).

41 - 50 Wife or husband announces they are leaving and the bill collector has placed a lien on your property. You have called your creditor and your spouse idiots and you say to hell with them. (Blood pressure is severe and strong doses of medication are needed)

31 - 40 You threaten to kill your creditor and your spouse and everyone around you is against you. (Blood pressure is in the stroke range).

21 - 30 You bought a weapon and can of gas and your going to resolve the issue once and for all. It causes you to be either incarcerated or committed. (Blood pressure is causing severe chest pains and your stroking).

11 - 20 The best you can do is verbally babble and drool on yourself. (Blood pressure has caused a stroke).

0 - 10 You are no longer with us as you now live in a parallel universe. (It does not matter now).

It is not my intention to make light of the scale, but I wish to show the reality of the levels.

Axis I. A grouping of mental syndromes from a common etiology or pathology. What is usual found on Axis I disorders are: Mood, Sexual, Psychotic Substance Abuse, Child Disorders (except Mental Retardation), and Organic Syndromes (e.g.,Depression caused by a stroke).

Axis II. Are disorders of the Personality and Mental Retardation. Here Personality Disorders in Cluster A, B, and C are found.

Cluster A. Disorders deemed to be problems associated with peculiar behaviors(Schizoid).

Cluster B. Disorders where the individual violates the right of other people and often has little regard for others (Antisocial).

Cluster C. Disorders where dependency and inability to fit in socially with others is the common theme(Avoidant).

Personality is how one perceives, relates, and thinks about the environment and of oneself.

Personality Disorder is a maladaptive problem with the personality that causes extensive interference and ability to function in society. This is a pervasive pattern of behavior manifesting itself in the early development of an individual and prevents the individual from functioning normally in society.

Illusion: An illusion is a visual perception or misinterpretation of something real.

Hallucination: A hallucination is a false perception of a sensory experience (tactile, visual, auditory, taste, smell, or in body experience).

Delusion: Is a false belief carried to an extreme.

Psychotic. Loss of touch with reality

Depersonalization: Feelings of detachment from others. Feelings like being one's own dream.

Affect: Mood behaviors. Moods can be blunted, flat, inappropriate, labile (frequent mood changes), and restricted.

PTSD: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Can come in forms of mild, moderate, severe, chronic and delayed. May be seen on Axis I written as: PTSD, Chronic and Delayed.

Psychiatrist: Is Medical Doctor who specializes in mental illness and uses medications for its' treatment.

Psychologist: Is a person who performs psychological testing, assessment, and therapy.

M.S.W. Master's in Social Work and usually coordinates community-based programs and also performs therapy. But is restricted to therapy only.

Psychological Battery includes:

Personality Inventory (MMPI, etc)
Intelligence Scale (IQ test Wechsler or Stanford-Binet)
Neurological Tests (Bender-Gestalt, Wechsler Memory Test, etc).
Mood Inventories (Depression Scale; Anxiety Scales)
Trauma Scales (Mississippi, TSI)
Mental Status Examination
History

Mental Status Examinations:

Mini Mental Status exam - 20 minutes
Full Mental Status Examination - 1 hour

Specialized Tests as warranted for the purpose of narrowing the cause of many problems. "

I'd like to weigh in  "TDIU stands for "unemployablity" as Broncovet descibed it. But when you're on TDIU you can't go and apply for any job nor can you have additional income from any other sources outside of what the VA provides. You can apply for your SSDI or apply for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) if you were in a combat zone.But if your service connected conditions render you unemployable and you get TDIU just make sure that you can live on what your getting. There is no threshold on income because your saying to the VA that you can't work. If by chance your PTSD gets raised to 70% or higher then it shows that the mental state does not allow for work or school.

Chris,
One thing that is needed is "how to substantiate a solid connection for GWI to autoimmune and/or XXXX health issues" It's the white elephant in the room and may seem painfully obvious, but linking GWI aka "Undiagnosed Illness" to any other health issues is nightmarish to say the least. The connection seems obvious and many Docs will tell you so, but establishing a defensible position on that link is an entirely different story. There simply aren't enough specific case studies or tests that can show any link between the issues. As we all know, relying on the VA to make the connection is fools play...so the GW Vet is left to completing a jigsaw puzzle with some of the pieces gone...The presumptive service part is a huge card in our favor. However, it doesn't make filing the claim/appeal a walk in the park by any stretch. GWI is like a dead end road, full of mines... There's lots of varied symptoms, but no recognized treatment or classification unless you attack them individually. Then, you run the risk of being diagnosed with XXXX, which precludes the "undiagnosed Illness" clause... There's also a lot of misconceptions in the medical community about what GWI really is and isn't, when and how it manifests and how it progresses, since it seems to vary so significantly.

The IRS differntiates between investment income and EArned income, and I would presume VA would follow suit.  
If you INVEST in a business and do not show up on site to manage it or work on it, then that would be investment income.  
However, if you invest in the business, then go buy paint, and paint the walls, kick out the bad tennants, and repair the leaky toilets, then this is likely earned income.  
Think of it kinda like buying a stock.  The investor does not manage the business.  He doesnt repair the company's toilets, paint the building, or hire/fire employees.  He buys the stock and waits for a dividend check.  
If you bought a home, hired a contractor to paint, maintain, collect rent, and evict tennants, then this would likely be passive investment income.  However, if you are knocking on tennats doors collecting the rent and you are maintaining the building, IRS and VA will likely say that is "earned income" not "investment income".  
You can recieve investment income while collecting VA beneifts.  But EARNED income is something else.   

A (C-File) request is considered a claim but it will not show up in eBenefits. Back on 01 Dec 2015 I faxed in my request to get my C-File from the VA. On or about Feb 8, 2016, I received a letter stating that my C-File request was sent to the records section for review. On or about 01 APR 16 I went to the Atlanta (VBA) Regional Office as a walk-in to see if the myth is true on asking to view your C-File. I filled out the request on stating you business at the VBA. and placed my form in the box as requested. The rep advised that someone will be with you shortly. After I sat in the waiting room for and hour and twenty minutes, I went up to the desk and ask about a representative to help with my request. I was told that the C-File is maintained at this location and that I couldn't view my C-File but it will be mailed to you. He went on to say that it was a myth and it will take on or about 3 to 4 month from the date on my letter to receive it. So I'm just wondering how long would I have sat in the waiting room before this information was revealed to me? This is my experience on the infamous C-File.