Jump to content
VA Disability Community via Hadit.com

VA Disability Claims Articles

Ask Your VA Claims Question | Current Forum Posts Search | Rules | View All Forums
VA Disability Articles | Chats and Other Events | Donate | Blogs | New Users

chomperjones

Seaman
  • Posts

    29
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by chomperjones

  1. hello, i was told to look into something called smc l. i dont know if i qualify or not. i was given a 100% permanent and total rating in 2015. here are my ailments. biploar disorder 70% Asthma due to jet fuel exposure 60% cystic acne due to jet fuel exposure 30% carpal, allergies, tinnitus each at 10% i also get ssdi 100% and they require me to use my sister to manage my finances. my sister also basically serves as my caregiver. without her i dont believe i can function. she does everything for me from finances, to taking me to appts, to reminding me and sometimes helping me clean. and more. would i be able to apply for smc-l and if so how would i go about doing it. i overheard a family member discussing it with my sister and mom the other day. and it sounds very helpful. thank you
  2. oK So hamslice was right. I recieved another letter today and i called SS, and both confirmed that i will be awarded full benefits. The reason for the delay is that they need me to come in with my wife so that they can approve her as the manager of my funds because they have decided that i am unable to do so myself. Also they need me to come in a fill out an application for my children, for which i will also be receiving benefits for. Thank you all. This fight is over.
  3. Ok thanks so much for the details.. if nothing else its good to hear that im not the only one who received this letter. Ill be calling social security tomorrow for more details and ill post back. Hopefully this helps anyone else who may have this same scenario. UPDATE 1: I called Social Security - They said that I have been approved and they told me the amount. They said the approval letter shows zero dollars because they need me to come in with my kids information and wife since they have deemed me unable to manage my own finances. Which unfortunately is true. After that, i will begin receiving payment within 6 months, just as HamSlice mentioned in the comment above. I will also be receiving back pay for nearly 2 years (I totally forgot that i started the process in 2016 but was denied and started the appeal in 2017) I'm surprised that i was approved. i never saw a doctor and i never used a lawyer. I just wrote in, told them my symptoms, filled out their required paperwork, gave them access to my doc notes, and that was it. good luck to you all.
  4. Hi, I have been awarded 100% P&T by the VA. So i applied for social security, they recently sent me a letter saying that it was approved. But here is where things get tricky, I first filed on 9/27/2017. But on my award letter it only talks about 2016, it also says that my benefits were suspended in 2016... But why? at that point i hadnt even filed for ssdi. here is a timeline of events and my award letter. 02/08/2018 A Decision Has Been Made On Your Appeal Your claim for Disability benefits has been approved. A detailed notice has been sent to you with your benefit information. 02/01/2018 We started reviewing the decision made by the Disability Determination Service for accurate processing of your appeal. 10/03/2017 The Disability Determination Service for your state started processing the medical portion of your appeal. 10/02/2017 We started reviewing your request for an appeal. 10/02/2017 Your request for an appeal was submitted. 09/27/2017 Your online appeal was started. =======HERE IS A COPY OF MY AWARD LETTER. CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHATS GOING ON??======= Information About Current Social Security Benefits Beginning September 2016, the full monthly Social Security benefit before any deductions is $0.00. We deduct $0.00 for medical insurance premiums each month. The regular monthly Social Security payment is $0.00. (We must round down to the whole dollar.) Social Security benefits for a given month are paid the following month. (For example, Social Security benefits for March are paid in April.) Your Social Security benefits are paid on or about the second Wednesday of each month. Benefits were suspended beginning September 2016. Type of Social Security Benefit Information You are entitled to monthly disability benefits.
  5. Hi, i am SC 100% P&T for bipolar, asthma and a few other things. I tried to apply for ssdi, but was denied - in a nutshell they said "we see that you are disabled, but we have determined that you can adjust to other work. we do not have sufficient vocational information to determine whether you can perform any of your other work". So i take this as them needing more proof that i am really a screwed up person (which unfortunately i am , mainly due to the extremeness of my bipolar). So iread that i could get a doctor to fill out a form to better explain my issues. https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/sites/default/files/Residual_Functional_Capacity_Form.pdf https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/sites/default/files/MENTAL_RFC.pdf BUT HERE ARE THE PROBLEMS. 1. My doctor does not have any openings until Nov, and its currently sept. 2. The therapist at the outpatient clinic will not have any openings until JANUARY 3. the mental health clinic at the actual hospital only have docs who can prescribe medicine, not actual therapists. So what can i do. My doctor only treats me for pain related issues anyway, not mental health stuff. So im pretty stuck. Can anyone offer some advice. Thanks
  6. Hi guys, as the title implies, i have finally received the news that i am 100% P&T no future exams scheduled. I did this without any VSO's or any help other than that of my family writing "buddy statements". I am still involved with my treatment plan, though the depression makes it hard to even do that but i just wanted to say thanks to the people on this forum for all of the help, encouragement, and information. Previously i was at 80% for: left carpal tunnel- 10% Asthma 60% Allergic Rhinitis 10% Cystic Acne (due to jet fumes) 30% My last claimed which i filed on 12/12 and was finalized on 4/4 was for: bipolar 70% Tinnitus 10% For a combined 100% Permanent and Total. It took 7 years, but here we are. This wil definitely help me and me family, actually this will change our lives. I know thats pathetic, but my situation is extremely somber. Thanks guys.
  7. Well I decided that i was interested in seeing how the process unfolds. So i'll be documenting the progress on this thread. more so because i like being able to see the clear and organized progression of a timeline, that excites me personally. Anyway - as of today 3/16/17 my claim is still in the GOE stage. but the completion date moved from 10/30 to 10/18. Went back to prep for decision on 3/28/17 completion date now 6/2/17 - 8/15/17 4/4/2017 100% P&T Thanks Hadit.
  8. Thank you for the uplifiting words. the hard part of dealing with this is the knowledge of how i was prior to joining the service. And knowing the struggle of everyday life that i encounter presently. so to answer your questions. I did file for depression (not specifically bipolar, if that makes any difference) back in 2011 i think. But i missed the appt so it was denied (I was going through a severe depressive state). So as far as i know, Dec 12, 2016 is the only EED I can shoot for?? Also, i do not receive SSDI, I recently looked into it - it seems that i would have a better chance at that after getting service connected for bipolar. Again, i dont know so improbably wrong and wasting more time :-( Thanks again for your help.
  9. Ok guys and gals, im back after a few months with more information. So for a little background, my effective date is 12/12/16. It moved to prep for decision in 2 weeks and stayed there for a few months. then it went back to gathering evidence, at which time i recieved a phone call scheduling me for an exam on march 25. 10 minutes later they called back saying i could come in for an exam tomorrow (which was march 1st). I attended my c&p exam for bipolar/depression- and the examiner concluded the exam by telling me to go directly to MH because im not mentally healthy or stable. I have the results from ROI, i scanned them, and posted them online below. I am currently 80% disabled, none of which are MH related :-( (illness consumed my life beginning midway through my 4 years on AD) I know im crazy in the head, and this report only makes me feel worse about myself. please dont judge me, im receiving treatment as we speak. part1: part2: part3: part4: part5: part6: part7: part8:
  10. Well basically, I started treatment for depression after my second deployment in 2009, I was of course still on active duty. I got out in 10' and filed 11' - but i missed my appointment (going through a bad downer episode i couldn't get myself to get up.) In such good manner, the va sends me a paper practically saying hey, we see that you were treated for depression during active duty. And we see that you've been treated after you've separated - however the claim is denied on the grounds that you did not show up to the exam. Well time went by (and to be unequivocally frank, I was in denial about the depression for years, I really thought I had a grasp on life.... But I didn't,) In any event, i filed for other issues and unfortunately (because now im a walking bag of sick) but fortunately managed to get 80% primarily for the asthma (which is 60% on its own) and bad acne that was due to an overexposure to jet fuel as a load master. So the va is well aware of my depression/bipolar issues. Heck i was admitted to the psych ward for 4 days a few months ago in Sept 2016. So with this new claim, i sent in tons of evidence - new and material evidence to be exact, for the depression bipolar. Essentially my depression/bipolar was started/triggered by.... And has worsened overtime because of the asthma, and the stressors i witnessed during AD. (Ofcourse this was much more eloquently laid out and described in my claim. ALSO, If i may note... I did not file depression/bipolar as a reopen claim. I sent it in as an original claim, but they reclassified it on ebennies, im guessing due to the fact that i sent in such a vast quantity of new and material evidence. As for the tinnitus, No im not service connected for hearing loss. I did get a hearing test about 9 days before i sent in my claim, she said 3 of 4 reflexes were functioning normal (whatever that means) Bilaterally. My claim for tinnitus was basically that I worked 12+ hours 4-5 days a week for years around jet engines, and heavy machinery. So im freaking out because its either my new claim was so jam packed with useful evidence that the claim was instantly judged in my favor. Or they instantly denied me... there's no gray area haha.... I need gray area lol. Anyway i hope this better explains things... Thanks for the help guys and girls.
  11. Yea you're right it is very early. What had me so nervous is that it went to prep for decision so quickly. I've filed about 6 times since 2010, and in each case i recieved multiple letters, to included exam scheduling - BEFORE it went to prep for decision. This was my first FDC claim so things could be different. All of my other claims took a year or more start to finish. So i was dug in and ready for the wait. And thats what im going to do now... otherwise ill drive myself crazy.
  12. thats refreshing. I sent in a binder full of evidence and my personal statement was loooong and thorough, So im hoping that it was enough to get approved. Thanks for the reply.
  13. so my claim was submitted on 12/12/2016. I submitted for bipolar/depression (reopen) and tinnitus (new). I sent it in as an FDC with all my evidence. I checked ebenefits on 12/21/2016 and the status is already showing preparation for decision. Is this normal? I haven't even gone to a c&p exam, I haven't recieved any correspondences or anything. For the bipolar depression it is a reopen because when i first filed in 2011, I missed my appointment. After I missed my appointment, the VA sent me papers (back in 2011) saying that they see that i was treated for depression during active duty. but since i failed to show up to the appointment, it was denied. So now i've sent a ton of new evidence that supports my claim and they've reopened the case. But does the speed with which this is progressing means that i am being denied? As noted below, ebennies is showing that the va rep has already made a decision, in less than two weeks. With no exams or anything... What does this mean... Is this normal? have i been denied? Is there a phone number i can call?? im freaking out. Here's what ebenefits show: Estimated Completion: 01/24/2017 - 03/04/2017 STATUS: Preparation For Decision The Veterans Service Representative has recommended a decision, and is preparing required documents detailing that decision. If more evidence is required, the claim will be sent back in the process for more information or evidence
  14. Sorry I can't offer any help as i am in the same boat. Filed a claim on 12/12/2016 now on 12/21/2016 it says prep for decision. And i haven't gone on any exams, nor has any been scheduled. So i think its just a waiting game to get the results and take action from there. I was told that you could call someone and speak to them about this issue... but i wouldn't know who to call.
  15. so my claim was submitted on 12/12/2016. I submitted for bipolar/depression (reopen) and tinnitus (new). I sent it in as an FDC with all my evidence. I checked ebenefits today 12/21/2016 and the status is already showing preparation for decision. Is this normal? I haven't even gone to a c&p exam.... For the bipolar depression it is a reopen because when i first filed in 2011, I missed my appointment. They sent me papers saying that they see that i was treated for depression during active duty. but since i failed to show up to the appointment, it was denied. So now i've sent a ton of new evidence that supports my claim and they've reopened the case. But does it mean i was denied since they haven't scheduled an exam but has already made a decision? Ebenefits says again Estimated Completion: 01/24/2017 - 03/04/2017 The Veterans Service Representative has recommended a decision, and is preparing required documents detailing that decision. If more evidence is required, the claim will be sent back in the process for more information or evidence
  16. Well today I went ahead and sent in my FDC claim with all the evidence that I have. I filed for depression/bipolar and tinnitus. I'll update as things take place.
  17. Hi CaliBay, Yep, I worked c17's from 06'-10' absolutely loved it. But i guess i just wasn't cut out for some of the stuff i saw and experienced. you're the second person that told me to just file the claim on ts on, i guess im just nervous because i really need the income i'd get and i would be crushed if something went wrong. Well im sending in all my docs tomorrow, monday. i'll post any updates here.
  18. I have asked a lot of questions and i continue to ask alot of questions to learn even more. I think this may be my final question before i file. So i am currently service connected at 80% 60% asthma 30% allergic rhinitus 10% carpal tunnel 10% cystic acne (due to jet fumes) Now here's my question. Back in 2009 i began seeing a shrink for depression. ive been on pills and have gone to a counselor very often ever since. It is believed that my depression came from the 3 plane crashes that i witnessed. And another 1 that i didnt witness, but i was apart of the HR (human remains) team that shipped the 6 recovered bodies home. It is also believed that my depression has come as a result of the severe asthma and allergy pains. Recent my therapist marked me down as bipolar I, fyi. My question is, do you think i would have a better chance claiming bipolar/depression as secondary to the asthma and allergies. Or should i just say that ive been depressed from the plane crashes and hr missions. Or should i just claim depression as its own issue. please help. Thanks.
  19. So i know that and FDC requires you to submit all of your evidence of front. Now does this mean that i have to send in all of my medical records as well ior will the va get those?
  20. Yea, i just read the rules and found that if you reopen a case, the effective date WILL NOT be the date of the original date. Instead it will be the date you reopen the case, So in this case i might as well just start a completely new case and go from there. Thank you. for the help and information.
  21. Ok that makes sense. now with that being said, lets say i file a totally new claim for depression with today being being my start date... i should be fine to do that right? Basically retro pay would be out of the picture. in other words im asking if i will have any problems starting a new claim? and if that old claim would hurt me in any way. Thanks again for the help.
  22. back in 2011 I filed for a plethora of disabilities that i received during my time in the air force as a load master. I was given an 80% rating. One of the claims was for depression an ptsd. However, I missed that c&p appt (i forget everything) and i obviously was not given a rating. However, I was sent a letter that says: "You were denied service connection for depression/anxiety/stress because you did not report for the scheduled exam in order to determine if the current disability began on active duty and to obtain sufficient information for evaluation of the disability. Although there is a record of treatment in service for anxiety/depression/stress, no permanent residual or chronic subject to service connection is shown by the service medical records or demonstrated by evidence following the service." Now this was sent to me in 2011. Since then ive received a ton of treatment but ive also have had some unfortunate events happen as a result of the depression, anxiety, anger etc (jail, a stint at the mental health clinic, even a broken hand twice on two separate occasions on 2 separate faces, and few more incidents. i am working so hard on controlling my frustrations with the world and i am taking my meds and getting counseling - i hate living like this because i physically cant control it. And i was never like that prior to 06' my join date). so my question is what exactly does that quote from the va mean? does it mean that they recognize i was treated for depression during active duty but due to me missing the appointment, they need more information? And if i were to file a claim for depression and ptsd - and i were to receive the 80% I need in order to be rated 100%, how would the back pay work? Would the date go bak to my initial 2011 date? Or would they back pay me from the current date of filing? Sorry for the long post - thanks for the help. Also am i correct in saying that they would only be paying the difference between the 80% pay and the 100% pay right??
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use