GBArmy

Hiram32nd Yes, CT would be considered presumptive assuming you met all the criteria which would include diagnosis within one year od discharge . Usual rate is 10%.

Hi Curious Vet, welcome to Hadit. No response from the poster. Ask your own question,as every situation is different because the facts are different.

creek chub I think that by the book, the examiner is not supposed to accept any info from you at the exam that isn't already submitted. That said, that doesn't mean that they never do either. I had one accept some med articles I had. What I would suggest is wait for the decision. If the examiner believes you, if you are denied, the examiner may state the reason for denial which could very well be resolved if you submit the new evidence on a supplemental claim. I had an examiner do that for me on another disability. If you had med records that showed the head trauma event, he may recommend service-connection anyhow. It really depends on the examiner. But if denied, re-submit along with a statement in support of the claim about the event in question, along with any str's, etc. You may get one or both disabilities based on other evidence. I'd just wait for the decision letter, and go from there.

Hi Owen99 Welcome to Hadit. If you are in the direct lane, they are saying 365 days. Much longer if you are in the other two lanes. Of course, if you meet the criteria for advancing in the docket,say for threat of homelessness or 75 years old, it can get moved up quite a bit. I had mine done recently start to finish in under 2 months.

Kevin Welcome to Hadit and it is good that you are talking about your disabilities. This is a brotherhood and we are here to help anyway we are able. I strongly suggest you keep trying to reach out and get help. You are carrying around a lot of baggage, and you need to try to "unpack" it. Goe to the VA and try to get some MH doc that is responsive and you can trust. I don't know where you live, but if you are living out of your vehicle, it just isn't safe. Keep trying to seek help. Be sure you have the VA Crisis line on your phone and don't hesitate to call them. They can help you if things are starting to spiral out for you. I, for one, believe every word you said and others here do too. Check back in anytime you like brother.

On "Average", I'd say right now probably in the 2-3 months range after C&P. But, your mileage may vary!

The Social Security cost of living inflation adjustment was just announced. For 2022 benefits will be adjusted 5.9%, which is the highest adjustment in many years. VA compensation benefits, by law, will also receive the same adjustment. Increases will start to show up in our January deposits. Inflation is a nasty thing but this will help ease the pain.

Niceguy1958 Qwlcome to Hadit. You can get some guidance from here https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/ I'd call 8008271000 and ask if there is a help line you can call to get specific info. My guess is if his mother dies it wouldn't matter as long as he meets the other criteria for dependant, but that's just a guess on my part.

Buck, again sorry, brother. The best thing to do is contact SS and make an appointment. Bring all your paperwork and review with someone who has a clue as to what your POTENTIAL benefits could be. If it is necessary, you then might look to get a lawyer to do the paperwork for you if you think it would be too much for you right now. But start checking on it; don't put it off.

Nightowl117 Congrats!

Get another vso

Buck I think I can speak for all: our thoughts and prayers are with you two. You comeback when you think it is what you want to do again. God bless Buck, again , very sorry to hear your bad news. I don't know but just call Peggy, 800-827-1000. They certainly should know the process. SAs for her A&A, I'm thinking that based on your 100% rating, her monthly A&A would be somewhere around $175.00.

Hi Zebra, welcome to Hadit. Your aunt may be entitled most like the key factor is how much her income is annually. See https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension/ Call but understand the income cap level is pretty low.

Overthere You may be correct about what you said "Uncle Sam figures the less we know, the more $ they get to keep"; at least, it sure seems that way sometimes. Yes there are significant benefits if you have disabilities presumed to be associated with the contaminated water. Must be between 1953-1987. See the list of disabilities here https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/ I stongly advise if you have any of these to submit a claim. You do need a current diagnosis and any med records, military or civilian, that are connected.

Buck I think I can speak for all: our thoughts and prayers are with you two. You comeback when you think it is what you want to do again. God bless.

Hi Ebony Welcome to Hadit. The short answer is "MAYBE." Small church; so very limited in hours per week? If you kept it at the poverty level, it shouldn't be a problem. I assume you will have mostly your own hours and other accomodations that make it easier to do the work? Maybe a lay person would do some elements of the work that you have a difficult time adjusting to? Office hours only by a convenient time for you, etc. Have you continued with doctor conferences/treatments/meds? If yes, but outside the VA, be sure that you are sending in evidence. Could you take the work on on a very limited basis to see if you can do it? I think that is a critical thing for you to do; the heart may be willing but the mind may not let you do it. It's possible, but it could be risky. Others can chime in on this.

nightowl17 If I understand you correctly, you say you have a VA disability for diabetes. Were you in Vietnam or exposed to Agent Orange? If so, your dd214 is all the proof you need to prove you were exposed. When were you in and what branch? Prostrate cancer residuals and heart disease are also residual disabilities for Agent Orange.

I finally won my claim at the BVA for GERD. Took me 4 tries to finally get off the hamster wheel. Well, not exactly; I got low-balled, so I have to do another supplemental claim. But I finally got the service connection. As we preach all the time here, I'm posting not to gloat or anything. I just want to remind veterans to share your success stories AND, if you can, make a contribution when you win so this great veteran resource can continue. Make no mistake, I couldn't have had the success I had without all the great info and support here at Hadit.

Berta It sounds like a ray of hope there. Thanks for the update.

Coffee123 epilepsy as secondary is the way to go. You don't need to show an event in service. You must get a good IMO/nexus from a doctor to support. Diagnostic code 8910 neurological has the ratings under 38CFR 4.12(a). See where your symptoms are.Your doc has to state that the epilepsy "is at least as likely or not" caused by your s-c TBI. And then he should show studies/medical publications that support that opinion.

Good advice from Shrek. Big difference between 3-4 minutes and 3-4 days! Submit for your file. In fact, if you can get a buddy letter form someone in your outfit that can provide more isight about what happen to you, or a close relative, they can also provide input.

Deedub75 If you're at 100% P&T, then you probably know about special monthly comp, or SMC's. You need to have 100% plus an additional 60%. NOT easy to do, but if you need A&A or housebound, that is more$. The way I tell veterans is first, make a list of all the things wrong with you. Example tinnitus and it is s-c. Then you google and find out what are secondary symptoms to that s-c disability. Well, MH problems can result because of the constant noise and your limitations in talking to people, especially in groups. So you become depressed, or anxious that you have to meet some people and don't want to make an idiot of yourself because you can't hear. That could be a 10 or 30% new rating. If you have loss of use, that is extra. Say your diabetes causes you to have to use a wheelchair because your legs are shot. That is smc (k) on top of the diabetes comp. You do that for EVERY s-c disability you have and see if you honestly have those symptoms that you can connect for additional claims. If you are vested for 20 years, you should be good to go. Less than that and you need to weigh the risk/rewards. For those who need to know more, here's the VA site https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/smc.pdf

creek chub If your wife is willing to sign off on a statement in support of the claim that it was apparent you had tinnus back when you got out, sure, that is strong evidence. She describes when she first realized based on your symptoms, how difficult it was for you and how it bothered you. Example we stopped going to group meetings at Church, or bingo Friday nights, etc. because you couldn't hear because of the buzzing in your ears. You also submit your own form talking about any particular event(s) that may have been the trigger for you tinnitus. Example: I was stationed in the engine room of the ship and one of the engines blew up; big explosion. Or, I worked on the flight line doing X when the F14's were starting up. Sometimes we didn't have time to put on our micky mouse ears. It is NEVER too late to submit a claim.

Deedub75 You would need new evidence, so an audio exam from many years ago won't do you any good. The idea was to determine if it were worth pursuing for you. My point was that the VA now is supposed to grant a 0% rating, at the very least, if you didn't meet the minimum criteria for the lowest rating, which in hearing is 10%. So, I'm thinking if you tried now, and your hearing has gotten worse, you could re-submit. That said, I'm not sure I would do it if I were you as I see you are ratted 100%. Not much to gain from a 0%, or a 10% rating for you at present.

Not even a 0% rating; wow. Have you ever gotten an audio exam on the private side? The VA uses the Maryland test, etc. which is not all that common in the private sector, but it would be interesting to see what you actually have. Since you have a rating for tinnitus, if the non-VA exam shows hearing loss, I'd ask for a re-eval. That is unless the VA is saying it isn't service-connected. Request a copy of the C&P exam and understand why they denied. Usually, you would get a 0% if it works out to be s-c.