Bigkevo44

I am currently rated at 70% P&T TDIU based solely on my service connection for mental illness. Will the VA reduce my income and take my benefits away other than whatever 70% pays when I turn 67 years old?

Dear Veterans, I need assistance in determining whether my adult child is entitled to any VA disability benefits. Although she was never in the service, she has developed many of the psychological issues that I suffer from because of my neuro-behavioral condition after exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. She has never been to Lejeune either by the way. I have been awarded permanent and total unemployability from the VA because of my condition. It stands to reason that if my offspring was affected by that same condition through me that they should be entitled to some benefits. If this doesn’t seem too outlandish, where should I begin? Thanks in advance for your assistance in this matter.

Ok great Berta and Seminoles for all your help. I'll have him to contact his former school regarding this issue. Kevo

How Do I Apply for those retro Chapter 35 benefits?

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

This past Friday I received a decision from Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office regarding a NOD that I had filed nearly two years ago. In October of 2016, I was awarded benefits at 70% retroactively from 2010. About 4 months prior to actually being approved, I requested that I be awarded TDIU as well. After all the dust settled, I was awarded TDIU back to June of 2016. However, my original claim was from January of 2010. As a result, I sent in a NOD requesting that TDIU be retroactive back to 2010. I was just mailed a letter from the VA stating that "Entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of Individual Unemployability was granted because the evidence shows you last gainfully worked on March 2, 2015... We have assigned an effective date of March 3, 2015, the day after you last worked... This decision represents a partial grant of benefits sought on appeal. My questions are: (1) Approximately how long before I receive the back pay? (2) Should I pursue the amount back to 2010, since the time from 2010 to March 2015, my work record is spottier than Swiss cheese and I really didn't have a consistent work record. (3) My son who was awarded Chapter 35 Educational benefits once I received TDIU in December of 2016, had just graduated from college (undergraduate), but was too late to have benefited from Chapter 35. But now since I have a new TDIU retro date dating back to his senior year in college, can he receive back monies for that one final year that he should have been entitled while in school? He has the award going forth, but was wondering if they'd pay him back pay for his last year of college since it now falls under my new onset (TDIU) date. How to proceed if its possible? Thanks so much in advance for all your help in this matter. Kevo

Thanks so much for the valuable input. I will keep you all updated.

No he was never service connected for anything during his life. Is it too late to open a posthumous claim?

I have an 82 year old aunt, whose husband died mysteriously after a battle with cancer and a seven year hiccup. He died from prostate cancer. The thing was, he was a veteran of the Korean War (Conflict) and was honorably discharged. However, that he died about 30 years ago. She asked if I could help her to file a claim with the VA for any benefits that she may have been entitled to as the surviving spouse of a war veteran. She is convinced that his cancer may have come from his tour in the service, especially since he died relatively young. I would appreciate any feedback on this issue regarding the direction to go in, if there is one. Thanks,

I'd just like to thank all of those "gurus" and knowledgeable folk that led me in the right direction with my claim. After six long and tedious years, the VA has finally deemed me 100% TDIU Permanent and Total. In September of this year, I didn't even have a rating and I went from 70% in October to 100% P&T IU in December. With God's help, the power of the IMO, and hadit.com, changed my outcome. Now I have all the benefits of a truly disabled Marine, deserved, but long time coming. No more automobile registration fees, property taxes or student loan debt. Moreover, my kids will receive Chapter 35 benefits to use for college. There are many other benies, but you get the idea. Thanks again for all of your help...great site.

Lovely!

When I contacted the VA telephone line, they still show 70%. Very confusing, but I am still hopeful. Thanks for all your help and I promise to keep you updated. Y'alls help is invaluable...

Hi Berta, The strangest thing happened to me today that I want to get your opinion on. Once I was service connected at 70%, I put in a claim for IU. Actually I put that claim in about three months before I received my decision. However, once I received the good news, I immediately applied for the Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance policy for $10,000. The premium amount on the paperwork was for a different amount than what I received in the mail. So, I called them and was informed that my premium had been waived and paid by the VA because of my 100% P&T status. They said it went into effect from my last day of work which was March 16, 2015. I was shocked to say the least, so I hung up and called back to speak to another representative; same answer...WOW! The problem is that it isn't reflected on eBenefits at all. Moreover, when I called the VA and spoke with the representative there, she stated that she still sees the 70% rating and upon closer look can't see whether a determination has been made yet. This is confusing to say the least. Both this representative and eBenefits says that a determination should be made sometime around May 2017. I haven't supplied any new evidence as of yet to the VA for IU...could this be an error on their part. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Thanks a lot Berta, That was so truly valuable information and advice. I'll let you know how I make out.