Bullycat

I actually just went through this with my hip condition. You can call the va request a reevaluation saying you don't feel that it was thorough. I just did this in February. And get a private doctor to give you an evaluation then submit it. Some of your local veteran services might know of a private doctor. I'm sure as of now it's only a proposal to reduce your benefits. You can possibly call around to some local psychiatrists to see if they do va evaluations or can give you a lead. I can let you know what form it is if you need more info. The address to submit it to is; fax, 1-844-531-7818 address: department of veterans affairs evidence intake center p.o. box 4444 Janesville, wi 53547-4444. The va tried doing the same thing to me but I got an increase instead.

I spent last winter in a dom trying for a hip replacement. And have friends wentt to doms as well. I filed for the 100% temp. I didn't get much help from the person helping me file my claim. She actually acussed me of stealing her pen?? That was at the Dallas va. You need to be there for the ptsd classes and you need to file for that. I think you need to be in the dom for so long before you can file, maybe 30 days and good luck everyone will give you hell for trying. The social work chain of command can be filled with government employees that have sprouted roots. They may give you every excuse for you not to see a va represenitive to file your claim outside of the dom. Of course it's your right to see one. But they can wave things over your head like but you have to attend your classes missing a class will terminate you from the program. I was in the Bonham tx dom for almost 6 months jumping through hoops . I couldn't get the local va rep at the hospital to help me file anything. I ended up using the ebenefits app to file claims. The Dallas va had a Texas bva help me with the temp 100% . It was a bust for me and almost lost my disability all together. When you file for it they will give you an evaluation for all your disabilities. Mine are physical so apparently I was having a good day and the evaluator noted it wrong. It was a mess. And I didn't get the hip replacement surgery. My advice is stay on top of it stay away from the guys in the smoking circle outside they are going to fill you with b.s. they are probably detoxing or something. If you have any trouble skip talking to a social worker they are useless. Find the director of the hospital. Nobody will take you serious there , fair warning. Maybe i seemed out of place because I wasn't addicted to drugs and ranting about only there for a hip replacement??? I don't know? But nobody at the dom had any idea what was going on.

Forgot to add that when I was working I Taiwan I was making the equivalent to $2000 USD a month and was able to put around $500 USD in the bank every month. And that even with the expense of having to travel every couple months for my visa.

I I've visited Thailand while I was living in Taiwan. In the off-season non winter year. Thailand is extremely cheap. Food hotels very very cheap. I've been told that around November to march the prices can triple. I know people that would live in Thailand and the Philippians for six months then jump over to Taiwan to work for six months. Places like Chang mai Thailand are suppose to be less touristy compared to the southern parts and islands. The down side to Thailand and countries simular is that you can get completely lost in it. Thailand is a beautiful country with beautiful friendly people. I've had Thai people go extremely out of their way to help me, they are fantastic!! When I get my disability problem resolved I'm planning a trip to Thailand and Taiwan. My ex wife is actually Taiwanese. The people in both countries are great. Low crime and can walk the streets at night safely. Bad thing is people will steal what ever is not locked up. And will steal what is locked up. And money scammers will lie through their teeth. But a good head on your shoulders you can spot these guys easily. The real down side to living in a country like those is ownership. Car/scooter I would always buy a scooter/motorcycle that was forgiener owned that the foreigner was leaving the country and wasn't worried about a title transfer. You need a residents visa in order to sign titles open a bank account and somtimes rent an apartment. There are always ways around these issues. Find someone private that is renting. Some banks will allow a foreigner to open an account. You can apply for a residents visa i think in taiwan they cost $300 or more or Find a job that will give you a work visa. Engish teachers do this since its the easiest position for a forgiener to get overseas. Ive had a multi entry visa at one time and i would just leave the country every couple months which isnt as hard as it seems and give a reason to travel. If ever pulled over just the sight of a forgien face would make a cop wave you off and send you on your way. It rains a lot in Asia so having an umbrella or rain suit is a plus. Traffic is a nightmare I have several friends that have spent time in hospitals with broken arms collar bones even legs from being hit by buses or garbage trucks. I've had some near misses but got through with out injury. I've had moments traffic was so congested I've had to pick my bicycle up over my head and carry it through a sea of taxis. As I said these places can consume people. I have seen some odd people either dealing with culture shock and acting out. Then I've seen the opposite of culture shock were the person becomes completely numb to their surroundings and shut down to the outside world.

Hi, I lived overseas in taiwan after college while in my twenties. I loved every bit of it. Then moved home And joined the military got hurt (hips back and anything that follows) and have been dreaming of moving back overseas to live. Taiwan can be very cheap and can be very expensive I'm sure all countries are simular. But places like Taiwan are very forgiener easy to live. I'm looking forward to getting my disability problem resolved and I'm moving back . I made decent money teaching English, even though I have a college degree I made more money not using the degree. There are American schools. Western grocery stores. And every day is an adventure. Also my profile pics are of me in Taiwan. One is me in Taipei riding my bike . The other is on the east side of Taiwan o a vacation riding bikes.

Hi, I lived overseas in taiwan after college while in my twenties. I loved every bit of it. Then moved home And joined the military got hurt (hips back and anything that follows) and have been dreaming of moving back overseas to live. Taiwan can be very cheap and can be very expensive I'm sure all countries are simular. But places like Taiwan are very forgiener easy to live. I'm looking forward to getting my disability problem resolved and I'm moving back . I made decent money teaching English, even though I have a college degree I made more money not using the degree. There are American schools. Western grocery stores. And every day is an adventure.

Yes my hip is a service connected injury . I just got a 0% for a bunch of secondary conditions such as feet , back, left leg. I got approved for a 10% increase for secondary hip bursitis to my opposite hip. I was told by my vet rep that in order to file for an unemployable claim I must first have at least one disability alone at a 40% rating. All my ratings are 20% does this sound correct?

I'm going through the process of voc rehab, I have maybe one of the worst counselors I've ever met or dealt with and this is saying a lot since I've been in and around the va for at least five years. My counselor isn't helping me with any thing not giving me any useful information. I have a bacholars degree which I received before entering service . And of course was Injured while serving. At the age of 32 my hip went out. So when I got out of service it's been difficult doing any kind of work and of course I fell into default with my student loans. My counselor is telling me I can't use the education side of voc rehab only the back to work? My bacholars degree is in studio arts at a liberal arts college. I originally planned to use my studio arts degree as a stepping stone into a design field . But as it is now I have no job training and or skills in these fields and my counselor is pushing me to choose something that I don't have any experience in. How will this play out? None of what my counselor says makes sense and I feel like she does it on purpose to make herself seem higher than me. But when I step up and ask a question she gets threatened and snaps at me.