GBArmy

Don't fret. It isn't going to do anything to your disability comp. It's $7.00 not $70K. You are allowed to make really low amounts, like way less than min. wage. This is just an accounting transaction to clear a nominal amount off your old employer's books, like in getting rid of minor liability on their books. If it makes you feel better, contact them and ask them to reply in writing the reason why the amount was paid. Lastly, I don't think they have to report that low amount on a W2. And I don't believe that the other veteran didn't appeal such a stupid ruling, if the VA did do that.

Sure, other than hanging on for an hour, you do end up talking to someone. Sometimes, and I do mean sometimes, you can get some useful info out of them. I found calling between 2:00-3:30 PM isn't too bad (usually.) Good luck.

First and foremost when you file a disability claim and already have disabilities, it opens the door for the VA to look at everything you have. I wasn't able to open what you posted so I don't know what else you have there. Also, If you do have surgery, and you are recovering, you get a temp rating of 100% for that condition for a year while you recover and then you will be re-evaluated for the residual conditions and rated accordingly. With several conditions, you might as well expect that you will be able to appeal at least some.

Tanker, there are people who can address your situation from first hand personal experience a lot better than I can, but I know that you can , if you wish, be proactive. Write down as much detail as you can about your exam experience, in as much detail as you can remember, then sign and date it. Do that today. Did you ask her if she read the WHOLE file, and if she didn't (because she was reading it as you were at the exam, )some of the things she says in her DBQ will be inaccurate. I have heard that you can call the VARO officer right away and express your concerns that she is not being objective and ask for a repeat exam, although I am not sure you want to do so. Others can comment on that.

Sometimes, the good guy wins!

For those who have mobility problems or balance issues, there really are physical exercise programs that can help and will fit your problems. For example, you might be able to find a a Tai Chi class or yoga that you just sit in a chair, no kidding. Even in small town the senior center or Y have all kinds of programs at all levels. And if they don't have anything that is what you need, more than likely they will know where there is something. Maybe it won't work for you, but I guarantee you'll never find out if you don't try.

Doesn't sound good I admit. But I believe your best course of action is to go to the next C&P; you must not miss it. I would specifically ask the examiner why you have to re-take the exam again and make a note of his response. Bring a copy of the last exam and ask him if he has seen it. Make a note on that response as well. Make sure that you ask him if it isn't for a re-exam of your tinnitus as well. You don't want to get blind sided later on them trying to take that away too. (I don't think the VA would do that, but why not ask?) Then you wait for the BBE. If it is negative, then you have a basis for appeal. Just got to wit for now.

Getting a 0% rating is also a good thing for 2 more reasons. If you are in need of life insurance, you can get service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance. You have 2 years after your award to get it. And, even if rated at 0%, if you should die from that condition, your spouse can get DIC. But the most obvious is what Buck pointed out, if you are s-c for a disability, you already did the hard part about getting the disability. If your condition worsen, say hearing loss, you just ask for the re-eval because s-c is already acknowledged.

Geeky on the comment about figuring out VA math, if you have 2 0% disabilities and they somehow effect your employability, it can convert to a 10%. However, that only can work if you don't have any rated disabilities. As soon as you have any, the 10% converts back to to their original ratings of 0%. A lot of veterans don't know about 0% ratings and think they were denied, and they do carry some benefits.

If you are sure they don't get a piece if your already at 100%, then I stand corrected. If that is the case, it's just another example of VA Compensation being screwed up. So if a attorney helped you get a boatload on an appeal for an earlier effective date, or they helped you get a cue from 10 years ago with a bunch of Benjamins, because you are already 100%, they couldn't get compensated?That doesn't make any sense. For your sake, I hope you are mistaken my friend.

Sounds like you have really had it bad dealing with the VA; most of us have, but perhaps not as repeatedly as you. But that said, I really don't understand "I can't afford attorneys". You don't pay them out of pocket; they get paid (20-25% usually) out of the award. When you have a convoluted case to appeal like yours, I usually say to the veteran I am trying to help " I have a cookie jar. What would you like, 3/4 of the cookies in the jar, or an empty cookie jar? It isn't your money until you win, no matter if you are right or not. I don't know if you have a case for a cue, or not (that's out of my pay grade), but there is EER, possible smc's, etc.Get a good attorney, and win.

Both Shrek and Geeky are hitting on what is all important. When you are talking about homelessness, and especially if there is a child involved, it gets their attention. In Ct., they tout that the State is "basically free of homeless vets" (which is b s, but that is a subject for another time). So if you call the state dept. of veterans affairs, they call any service organization they know to help cover the situation. If they can't get something, by night time they will put you in a motel. They don't want to loose their "new-found status."

One thing I don't understand and TDIU is certainly has a lot of twists and turns and I sure do bow to your wisdom and experience, but this is what I don't get. He is rated 100% combined P&T; I assume that means no additional exams are scheduled right? Why would they find out he is working now; he doesn't have to fill out that questionaire because they don't send it out anymore. Why would they check his income taxes from the IRS, he is P&T. Are we saying P%T isn't P&T ? This veteran has found employment and he is in a happy place for himself now, but things change and who knows how long that will last for him. He really is in employer protected environment. It would be terrible if he lost his 100% rating. If you guys are right, it would be interesting to know what his new combined rating would be and if it would be financially worth it to risk being down graded with his salary that he makes from his job making up (some of) the difference.

Splinter, it looks good for you. You are permanent and total, with SMC's. You can continue with the job you love and won't be penalized. Keep up with your treatments and keep the faith.

Maybe your hunch is right. Maybe not. It also could mean they need to have another C&P to verify some of your conditions the first examiner missed. Let's hope so. In any case, you must show up for the exam, or you will be denied. Good luck; see what happens next.

All I can say is Welcome to the VA world. It wouldn't be as much fun it they did things in a logical manner. Keep educating yourself, read here and other sources, and ask questions. We will try to offer help. Remember one thing DON'T Give up. Or as my friend always says "don't let the b.....ds win."

Artic, this is a round-about solution on your meds cost. You can probably get financial assistance from one of several Veterans organizations for medical assistance, ex. VFW< American Legion, AMVETS, etc. I also would expect you might get some help if you talked to your VA hospital patient advocate-they should be able to help or offer suggestions.

And Paul, if you are s-c for htn, it opens up a bunch of potential secondaries. If you were to have a heart attack, by-pass surgery, stroke, scars from surgery/artery harvesting, etc., they all would be secondary to htn. If you should pass from any of those conditions, your wife would be entitled to DIC since you are now 100%. I don't wish ill on you brother, but it kinda is another insurance policy for your spouse.

The requirement usually is done on 3 days, twice a day, but I do believe they give a little if you have to miss a day in do it the next.I mean, what are they going to do, disregard it and have you do 3 consecutive days all over again? That sounds stupid even for the VA.

Diagnostc code 6260 says that "if regular or recurrent tinnitus is present it is rated at 10%." Look, either you have it or you don't. If you have it, just say you have it. If asked how frequently don't minimize it. It occurs and you notice it daily; maybe it bothers you more than other times but it occurs all the time. You start to give them doubt and they will 0% you. I'm not telling you to lie; I'm telling you don't minimize your condition when you go to the exam. It's like that for any C&P; don't tell them your best day conditions, tell them your worse day conditions. Remember, there is no way they can actually test you for tinnitus, it is a narrative evaluation. If you are also being evaluated for hearing loss as well, it seems to me it helps swing it for you. Tinnitus is rated separate from hearing loss, so there are two conditions for disability claims.

If you get notice that the VA is actually going to declare, you willneed professional help to fight them. It isn't likely you would prevail without help. Start ckecking out lswers that are experienced in your situation. Best of luck to you.

To build on what Buck said, you didn't include a lot in your initial post, so we have to assume some things. First, assume you are either 1) going to get denied, or 2) you are going to get low-balled. If you win out, great. But you are dealing with the VA here, so if you go with the percentages, its probably going to be either one. So expect that. You already are rated at 50% (or so); they aren't going make it easy for you to increase your ratings. A lot of your conditions are heart and CAD, so that that is what you put in for. In all likelyhood, you probably have HTN hi blood pressure also. I would put in for that also. There is several comments talking about it here, and it possibly will be added to the AO presumptive list soon. Put in for that as well. Do your research on your medical file; look at the medical terms that are diagnosed; look up diagnostic codes and see if there are VA ratings for them. If you have those symptoms, put in for those as well. If you don't feel comfortable about doing it yourself, try to get a COMPETENT VSO to help you. I'm not talking about the local yocal who does it for the local VFW maybea half a dozen times a year. They are fine for a simple things, but if you aren't confident, he or she isn't going to be very helpful based on their past experience. Ask your buddies if they put in claims and who did they use, how complicated was their disability claim, and if they recommended someone. Interview them yourself before you decide. The important thing based on what I stated originally is to get your claim in quickly so you can lock in the date. Do it now.

I'll have to check with him again on the name. I know a lot of ships associations have their ship's log on their web sites, but I remember searching and his didn't have a site. But that site you identified is a great resouce; thanks again Berta.

My understanding is if the ship's log shows the coordinates and it went into the Vietnam waters, the sailors would get the A.O. coverage. The question is how can we access what is in the ships log? Is it available on line someplace. I would expect that once the ships location in those waters are confirmed by the log entry, then you notify the VA to confirm and add it to the ships list. I know someone who was on a ship and he is sure they were close but it isn't on the list. So how do we access a ship's log?

If you were in Vietnam; Absolutely file! "Including, but not limited to IHD?CAD."