[Special Monthly Compensation.]

broncovet

Thanks again for your comments. I am sure most know that Aid and Attendance is not a claim, it is a( SMC ) Special Monthly Compensation. The hole process is different and yet the background of what you need and how important it is, can be the same as a claim.  The Special Monthly Compensation, comes in when you are AWARDED YOU CLAIM. The Special Monthly Compensation process is what many may need to go through if they do not have a GOOD Primary care Doctor.  Follow the advice and read them slowly, you do not want to toss your opportunity away. You may also have another disability that can slide in and full full the gray area of your  SMC , but don't count on it. Just remember what  Broncovet  has mentioned. Topics like this can get twisted easily.  I do not want to get too far off topic as it is very easy to do. I have helped Veterans since 1999, one thought is that I ask vets for comments to help myself as well as share comments to others. Old Nam Vet.

 

[Special Monthly Compensation.]

40 minutes ago, broncovet said:

Good point.  IF you are "unable to dress yourself" because medications cause you to be groggy, etc., then so state.  (Note if you were able to dress yourself previously, that is  before you started taking x medication.) 

Also, look up the side effects of your different meds.  If one for Prozac, for example, is grogginess, then that will add credibility.  PPPPP.  Proper Preperation Prevents Poor Performance.  

broncovet

Your comment is well taken. Normally in a question on medications causing such issues as not getting dressed with out help, normally is just stated as " Veteran is not able to dress them self due to Medications for PTSD which cases weakness and doggy effects. If the question ask for information about how long has this Medication caused the problem then it would be OK to state further statements. There is a point that must be thought of seriously. There must be no statements on an area that has already been granted such as my diabetic Nephropathy. I am already being paid for that disability.

What would your thought be on using an outside Doctor to sign the Aid and Attendance form?

[Special Monthly Compensation.]

I am on a high dose of Trazodone, for PTSD. Everything adds up to the reason I am not able to dressed myself or even shower myself. with my PTSD being such a hard area to deal with, each day is a challange.

[Special Monthly Compensation.]

3 hours ago, broncovet said:

Try to keep your form "clinical" and from your NP's point of view..not yours.  Yes, that will be difficult, but have your wife read it over to check for that.  

 

broncovet

Rough statement to answer. Clinical, When my NP tried to fill out the form, her statements were not clinical. The questions she tried to answer were,  in fact not even to the point of responding to the proper questions for my Disabiity.  Wife and I always look things over like the Aid and Attendance form. If my NP will not sign my Aid and Attendance form I may see my outside Doctor and have him sign the Aid and Attendance form and fax it in.

 

[Special Monthly Compensation.]

2 hours ago, broncovet said:

I would not look this "gift horse" in the mouth.  That is, your NP giving you the form to fill out.  

This means your symptoms should be reported accurately, and, of course, this is what you should do.  This way, there should be "0" breakdown in communications between you and your doctor, since you are filling out the form yourself.

I simply suggest you do a great job filing it out.  If the form does not have enough space for your answer, simply type up another supplement sheet and finish it there.  In the supplement sheet, you could continue the answers to question number 3,4,8, 9 and 11.  Just mark them clearly, and state, "continued on supplemental page".  

Refrain from "bragging", but simply report your symptoms accurately.  For example:

"Unable to dress self without help".

Or, "unable to get out of bed without help", of course, if these things are true.  Never exaggerate, and never lie.  This way, you will be able to sleep well, not worrying about a reduction if your symptoms "improved".  

The point you bring up on the " Unable to dress self without help " this is an area that is over looked.  "Why is a veteran unable to dress himself" ?   Very  good question but if there is no real answer to the question then the decision rater may just overlook the question. I look at the question like " Unable to dress self without help" DUE TO MEDICATIONS for PTSD  CAUSING WEAKNESS, ETC "

Thanks for your reply.

[Special Monthly Compensation.]

New to Hadit Forums 

Just a short topic on one of the widely talked about topics. Aid and Attendance and SMC, Special Monthly Compensation. I am at the point now of submitting my 2nd Aid and Attendance. My claim is approved for the loss of both lower extremities, with one SMC L award. Everyone knows the CFR,  that leads us to the SMC levels, but here I want to say what happened to me. My Primary care Doctor Retired and at that time my Aid and Attendance was filled out for my darn Diabetes which ended up in a mess. My new Primary care Nurse Practitioner has no idea on how to fill out the form, she said to fill it out myself. Here is the concern. I have seen a lot of the 21- 2680 ( Aid and Attendance ) forms filled out and yet not many of the Yes or NO questions were filled out for explanation of why? the 2nd page of the 21-2680 by each question states to use more paper if needed. I have talk to many vets who have not seen the added paper,  21-4168 ( Statement of Support of Claim) used. I feel to express my disabilities and qualify for the stated reasons for the Aid and attendance is what should be filled out. I will fill out the extra piece of paper to clarify my disability if needed.  I feel the questions ask are important and if I don't  answer the questions then the attempt to have the 2nd L approved gets less and less possible. I would  rather use an extra piece of paper then squeeze words in an area that is not illegible. Any questions or concerns on my topic of using the 21-4168 for additional statements in support of claim?

["Make decision now" Button in Ebenefits]

Mrstephens 11

The first part of your question was stated as, should I hit  the button that says  "Make decision now"  Caution on this part. if you click on that button, "make decision now",  it means that all the information you, or your VSO have submitted is all they " the rating board may need, even if they have the records you need in your C file someplace. Files and specific records seem to become lost or overlooked.  If you communicate with your service officer, he or she can scan the documents you are concerned about to the VA You could also scan the documents, files in yourself through E benefits.  Years ago I  was  going down the same road as you are now. My VSO ( Veterans Service Officer ) stated to me, don't rock the boat and I ended up not getting my claim approved.  I ended up submitting my claim myself. There is a lot to say on your situation, just get the advice that fits your situation and run with it.

 

 

 

[Is Aid and Attendance only for those getting pensions?]

No