JR Reihs

john999, I to got the award from the class action, the VA sent me the "have you worked paper" I filled it out and sent it in but I think there will be a question at some time as to where that money came from. I am a little paranoid about this, I can prove in a milisecond why I paid taxes for the first time in years, but the thought of even a small hassle with the VA does not set well with me, I did go to the VA before I signed off on this to ask what crap I might find myself in, and after looking at it the guy told me to never throw away the papers but the VA would most likley would never question it. On a lighter note it will get me the 600 bucks from uncle bushie rather than the 300 if I did not show taxable income.

jbasser, looks good for you brother I hope you get everthing the bums owe you. I have not delt with Chandler, but that is good info to pass on, now only if we in KY could realy get a Ditch Mitch campain in full swing we would get some progress, KY,s 2 Senators have the worst voting record for Vet's I can find.

Jayg, I would file a claim for arthritis secondary to the ankle, this could possibly get you a additional 10% rather quickly while you are filing a NOD on the origional award.

This is indeed a great loss for Veterans. He will be remembered here for his help to the many.

Congrats on the SSDI, I have been in your shoes once. You realy need to send that award to OPM as well as the VA. OPM will need to calculate an offset against the SSDI and it will help them make the OPM award, OPM always says it does not but the reality is it does.

Sounds like he was approved, but I would call the local SS office to see if in fact this was so and not just the application itself met the requirements.

cowgirl, I have a hip condition related to my knee. I found it not at all difficult to relate, I also have a back and ankle condition related, mostly it was due to the altered gait I have with the knee.

Good article.

Since they called your wife for info , I would call that very encouraging. When I was appproved I did not know until SS office called me needing information about my kids, I asked why and the lady told me it was for their benefits since I was approved.

He will only be there for a very SHORT time, so why worry.

Buy it back ASAP.....sounds like a typical Postal HR quote......SOOOOOO glad I am outa there, watch your back with the PO, it used to be a great job but it is now a cluster %&*&, due to the management style now in effect. Jump into the thrift fund and max it out at the begining, you will thank yourself later, I beleive it is now up to 17%...this is the only thing I miss about the PO.

Way to go JIM.......nice retro on the way.

I then submitted new and material evidence for a recon and thta evidence was fool proof, but for some reason they are still making go to another C & P. That is why you are getting another C&P......new evidence not previously considerd.

Sounds like a Federal OWCP trick........farming out C&P's. Anything you have that has been included in your C-file or date stamped as received by the VA TAKE IT. Make sure it is looked at, and refrenced in your C&P exam results, if not then I would file a complaint with the VA.......you may want to contact your POA on this, as it is the first time I have heard of the VA contracting out C&P's.

You should check with the SS office...I recall a cap on the award regardless of what you signed...12-18 k is not within reason. As far as your child goes, that money is hands off for the lawyer.

mountain tyme, GREAT news.......kick back and let it alll sink in, and file those Chapter 35 bennies ASAP.

Pete, this is why I do not go to the VA anymore exept for dental.....I mention plavix they run, I use my insurance and eat the rest, after 5 times in my legs due to PAD I wont play the game nor will I trust them. Like you said , the blame mostly rest with our so called fearless leaders.

Scott83, Get the records yourself and take them to SS........the VA could take forever and they lose things alot.

Start a paper trail, by sending E-mails or certified letters......they do not want a malpractice claim or a sanction by the court.

cowgirl, Yes the Ortho conected every issue, and he did the surgery for my ankle. He connected the ankle and back due to "altered gait", he did not request any info from the VA, and all the scans done were paid by me. I was lucky to the point as he was a Navy doc early on, so he had some knowledge as to the VA, and had very little respect for the care given. He wrote a 1 page letter, and the VA never questioned, he even included scars from the knee 13" and the ankle at the bone, in which the Va awarded 10% for each that I did not even ask for.

dman001948,Detonator, Both of you need to get a IMO.......this must come from a ortho doctor. I left service with a R knee mess..Miniscus tear , anterior Cruciate Ligament....for years the VA low balled me, I wised up and started using a private ortho, I now have a rating of 30% with additional 10% for arthritis, with 10% for ankle, 10% for hip,and a % for Back, not to mention other injuries not due to the knee. If you have a problem make your doctor connect the dots,the VA will not do it for you as the burden of proof is yours.

HolliGreen, I do not understand your post as I am a FERS retiree also.....I signed no document that said I woulld not seek other employment. I know that I could make up to 30k without a hassle from OPM, but the downside would be finding a job at this point and taking a chance with the VA and SS should things go wrong.

Anyone who gets the VA clothing allowance should check to see if a deposit has hit their account.....mine came today. :)

I miss the old political section even though it did get a lil fired up at times, but that is who we are and what we stand for, we are allowed to agree and disagree, it is the thread that keeps this country together. Wings, its good to see you back around.

Thanks Pete, I am working with a very good ortho who helped me years ago on my claim, he was a former Naval doc and he has no respect for the VA, and he also done the Vets hip replacement.