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Lagin02
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Posts posted by Lagin02
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13 hours ago, vetquest said:
If he is on TDIU it is not "temporary". It stands for total disability individual unemployability. This recognizes that even though he is only 70% he is unable to work. This should come with ChampVA and base privileges. Your letter should include all of the benefits but if not call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask them what benefits you are entitled to and how to apply for them. I am looking for a website.
Update.
Go to the benefits office at your regional VA and they will give you all the paperwork you need.
Okay, that makes more sense to me. I will definitely do that. Thank you so much for all your help!!!! Seriously!
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3 minutes ago, shrekthetank1 said:
Also there are a bunch of benefits that come with P&T.
Thank you so much! Do you know what benefits? Or a reliable website that will explain it? I keeps getting different information. Also, do you know how can it be total if he’s only rated 70%?
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My husband’s claim closed today. He was awarded IU and his rating is considered Permanent and Total (picture of what ebenifits is showing). I’m not sure what that means since it’s not total and I thought TDIU was temporary but I am so happy and relieved. Again, thank you to everyone for all your help. I genuinely appreciate all the advise and encouragement. You guys are amazing!
This could not have come at a better time because despite finishing his inpatient program, my husband was involuntarily committed to the VA psychiatric unit for five days last week. Now that I don’t have to focus so much on maintaining our finances, I will be able to focus on helping my husband down the long road to recovery.
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My husband’s updated as soon as ebenefits updated to preparation for notification. His congressman was involved in his case so everything went through in four days so it may not be as quick for you. If it’s not showing under the disability tab, try clicking on the VA documents tab and download your verification letter.
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16 hours ago, flow1972 said:
. I have a C&P scheduled for the 18th of November for my PTSD caused by MST Claim. I have a ton of things in my SMR's as well as CMR's that I have no idea how to connect the dots on. Is there some "place" or "person" that assists with this stuff??? I feel lost, and I'm a Data person.
I have currently diagnosed conditions:
1. Carpal Tunnel
2. Raynaud's
3. IBS/Spastic Colon
4. Current Gastritis
5. Just had my Tonsils out at 46 (yep...tonsil lesion after decades of recurrent pharyngitis/Strep/Tonsilitus)
6. Lower back disk degeneration (been on my Xrays for years)
7. Arthritis in hands (not RH)
8. Cold Sores
9. Asthma/Allergies
10. Right Hip (Injections a few months ago)
11. Vertigo (I believe it's Motorist Vestibular Disorientation, but the one time I asked my PCP about it, they thought it may be my allergies causing it)
A good start would be ordering your medical records from your time in service and comb through any reported symptoms that can be connected to your current diagnoses. Certain conditions can be considered “presumptive.” For example, I believe IBS is considered a presumptive condition for Gulf War veterans. Others you need to do more leg work on. Listen to GBArmy in regards to the PTSD. He knows his stuff!
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10 hours ago, shrekthetank1 said:
I am sorry I have been off of here are while. My brother decided to end things last week and I had to go home to see him off. I wanted to check up and see how you are doing?
I am so sorry for your loss! I will keep you i my prayers. Please don’t worry about me. How are you?
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On 9/19/2019 at 5:40 PM, GeekySquid said:
I want to hear when that money hits and that your first move was to call the Senator.
The money hit our account today! The senator called me (the actual senator not an aid) on Friday and told me to call him if we have any further issues. I definitely expressed my appreciation for his and his office working so hard to make sure we were okay. He told me that our situation had his whole office upset and he’s happy they could help. I just sent my rent payment for October. I’m about to call my gas company to get my gas turned back on. I am so relieved. Thank you everybody!!!! You all saved me and my family from financial ruin!!! Every single one of you are incredible!
- kanewnut and GeekySquid
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16 hours ago, GeekySquid said:
Call the Senator.
His office can short circuit some of the BS by telling the head of your RO to handle it. They can then speed up verifying you have the right account info in and then send a new check request.
I did as you suggested this morning. The senators office just called and told me it will be in our account in 48-72 hours. Thank you!
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2 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:
you do know you could have submitted all that stuff yourself? next time you think the VSO has to do something for you, come here and ask how to do it yourself. There really is very little that they can do that you cannot do yourself.
I realized that after I initiated the claim with the VSO. I will most likely fill everything out myself from this point forward.
6 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:we just got another mother of 2 on here with basically your same problem with the VA. gave her the same basic advice. If she responds I am tagging you into the conversation. Let her hear it from the pro on how to burn this mother down when the VA acts like a Richard
Please tag me!!! Even if she doesn’t need my help I would love to give her some moral support. I really didn’t think my situation would get resolved but thanks to you all it did!
8 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:As long as the VA had not processed the check to Treasury, they should be able to get it to the right account
It rejected yesterday and was returned to the VA today so I’m hoping it won’t take too long. At least I can cover rent with his October payment. I’m going to contact the senator’s office tomorrow if they can’t provide a date it will be reissued. The senators aid told me she was closing the case but to contact her if there were any other issues.
10 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:keep us informed
I will! I’m still figuring out these forums but If you see anything I can help with on other posts, please tag me. It notifies my email on my phone so I’ll definitely see it.
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18 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:
any update? it has been 4 days of radio silence from you.
I’m sorry! The baby caught a little cold virus so he wants to be held 24/7. The VSO submitted the wrong information for direct deposit so I’ve been dealing with the VA to get it resent to the correct account (hopefully we get it sorted before my rent is due). I swear, the only thing that guy had to do was submit the application, the dependent info, and the direct deposit Info and he managed to mess 2 out of 3. I guess I’m lucky he managed to get the application submitted even if it was three weeks after I turned it in. I’ve also been getting my husband’s travel arrangements in order for his treatment in Chicago. The VA is requesting his former employer fill out a form so I’m driving it down there tomorrow to have her fill it out so I can submit it. How are you this evening?
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52 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:
Hector was also known for being a nag to those around him. usually from an "i know better than you" point of view..that is not so flattering to me but it is the point I was laughing about.
That’s a pretty accurate depiction of this situation!
I’m sure glad I listened to your “hectoring” or I would be watching everything I built burn like the Trojans did.
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2 minutes ago, GBArmy said:
I for one would certainly make a point of letting her VSO know how much she appreciated his ineptitude and attention to detail. The VSO just kinda forgot to do a few minor details like the paperwork relating to his kids and the fact he had combat stress. A VSO doesn't have this kind of crisis situation every day. He should be held accountable. Needles to say but I would let him have it anyway. Peoples' lives are in the balance and he forgets a few "minor" details. Idiot!!!
I should have gone with my gut on attaining him in the first place. I had never dealt with this process so I figured I would let someone more competent guide me. However, through research I determined I needed three things: diagnosis, the stressor, and the nexus. When I handed him the memorandum and the PHAs with reported symptoms after the stressor, he told me they didn’t need it. I was confused and said “don’t you need to prove a stressor occurred and his symptoms started after?” If I knew more than him I should have gone with someone else. He is still listed as our representative and I haven’t heard from him since he called back in July (weeks after I called asking about expediting the claim). At that point, I had already figured out what needed to turned in and submitted it.
Thankfully, this forum helped me get everything done myself. If I had counted on him, I would be tossing my stuff out right now.
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2 hours ago, GeekySquid said:
Having her Senator call the VA didn't hurt
in fact Ebennies reported that despite being flagged as homeless or near to be homeless the decision would not happen until Jan 2020, that is what 5 months? I don't consider that faster though it is better than 5 years out.
I got some clarity on this. Apparently even though it was flagged, they didn’t prioritize it as high as they should have. My understanding is that the VSO never turned in the paperwork for the children so even though the expedition request stated his children would be homeless and there was no resources for them, the information the VA had stated he didn’t have any dependents. Also, the VSO never turned in the memorandum that stated he was sent to combat stress in Iraq so they had to pull records of the incident which extended the time it took to make a decision.
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5 hours ago, Berta said:
This is Wonderful News! Your husband could also be eligible for SSDI ( SSA benefits for disabled).
Any evidence from VA that he is unemployable due to his service (such as a TDIU award) will help ,if he is considered 100% disabled under SSDI. He can receive SSDi and VA compensation at the same time.
The relief in your post is obvious and I am so proud of all the help you got here from so many.
God is Good too and I know he heard our prayers!
I also am glad that the VA did the right thing. We have vets here who have lost everything -waiting for a VA decision that they were fully deserving of. Vets have even died durng the long claims process.
You are a very proactive wife and support system for your husband and I commend you!
I thank everyone here who helped you-too- they did a great job!
Thank you Berta!i appreciate all the prayers and support. As grateful as I am for the senators intervention, I am so angry that it took this much to get him the benefits he was entitled to so he could get the help he needs. How many veterans do not have someone to fight for them and are instead left to the mercy of a heartless agency like the VA? Especially those suffering from mental health conditions which can impede their ability to advocate for themselves? It’s not okay! Our veterans deserve better!!!!
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9 hours ago, GBArmy said:
I also am very happy for you. You did good; you asked the questions, went back and worked the advise, came back with new challenges, did it again and again. You purservered. Wonderful. You got a lot of GREAT advise, so many of us were in the background; we could see they were offering the support and advise you needed so we let them roll. Keep us advised of what's going on and your next battle. There will be a "next battle", but you have proved to yourself that you are up to it. Congrats!
I am so sorry, I forgot to include you in my list of people to thank!! So many people came forward to help and I really appreciate each and every one of you!!! Thank you so much! I will most definitely keep everyone in the loop as we move forward. You are all absolutely amazing!
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13 hours ago, GeekySquid said:
It is his daily therapist that I would pay attention too on that score.
What should I be watching out for?
13 hours ago, GeekySquid said:you may want to look it up and consider if what I mean by it helped encourage you. no it is not a southern thing. it is an old person thing. an almost archaic term.
I get it now! “An almost archaic term” gave it away. Hector was portrayed as the ideal solider, son, and father. So it fits perfectly in my opinion!
13 hours ago, GeekySquid said:If you are the creative type, maybe you can write a childrens book for vets kids facing what yours were. Help them and their moms. Feature a cranky old grandpa squid. I would kinda like that. I can picture the artwork in my head.
I wish, I’m more of a reader than a writer.
13 hours ago, GeekySquid said:I will suggest you look into that NVLSP course on basic claims. it is 150, but it will be a solid place for you to learn more in a controlled way and with the back pay you can afford that little bit when it will bring you so much more in the near future.
I would also look into joining Veterans Law Blog and getting some if not all of the training materials there. About 500 bucks total. Chris Attigs primer on TDIU claims will be amazingly helpful to you in the next few weeks/months.
The knowledge will not only help your family, but will help you help others here, and will help you better advocate for purposeful change.
You might even find a new career in veterans advocacy and helping vets get their rightful claim processed
I’m definitely going to look into this. After graduating I realized I should have gone to law school instead of getting a degree in social work. Our hands are often tied by laws and policies developed by bureaucracy that have never worked on the front lines of economic crisis faced by millions of lower income individuals and families. My former position involved connecting service members and veterans with community resources but I never worked with the VA. A good 90% of the clients who came to my office were in financial crisis. Some because of poor decision making and planning but others because of physical and mental health issues. Ultimately I referred them to the same resources I tried to use with no result. I hate that I was part of that frustrating cycle for so many of my clients. I guess I had to experience it myself to understand.
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1 hour ago, GeekySquid said:
Fill out that form, and send back for TDIU. That gets you to 100% which baselines at 3100 a month, then add in dependents and possible other stuff and your monthly secure income is there.
Fill out that other form and get yourself and your dependents listed... you get paid more.
I already filled out submitted both forms. I included the disability counseling letter form his guard unit I posted a while back. I also started the intake process with the program in Chicago so he can get in ASAP.
1 hour ago, GeekySquid said:He is IU. that means the VA will be monitoring his income until he bumps to schedular.
So far it does not look to be P&T, that is another goal.
Considering his disassociation episodes and your needing to work, or at least not be with him 24/7, applying for SMC for Aid and Attendance is a path for you to explore with his Psychiatrist. You will need the shrink and therapists to document the disassociation episodes. You need to keep a diary of events as much as possible. Including any outbursts.
Yes it will be some work, but considering his condition you, and he, definitely need some assistance in taking care of him. Maybe not live in, but definitely a few hours every day.
I am hoping he gets better with this program and it doesn’t come to that. What do you think the chances are that he will get better? The C&P examiner didn’t seem very optimistic. He said with therapy it is possible that he could get back 30-60% of his old self but it’s hard to say.
1 hour ago, GeekySquid said:how do you like that word? hectoring..
I don’t even know what it means
but I assume encouraging me? Is this another southern word?
1 hour ago, GeekySquid said:Everyone here supported you, looked for ways to help you. Each has offered up what they could, even a place to stay if you needed to get there. They offered up parts of their own stories to help you see you were not alone, not unique and had support of unnamed vets across the nation. From Upstate New York to Seattle, Texas, Virginia, Florida and more states in between them.
I am so grateful for all the support I’ve gotten. I wish there were stronger words than thank you. I don’t know what I would have done if not for this forum and so many people who were willing to help. I truly value the time you spent responding and in your kind (not cranky) grandfatherly way.
1 hour ago, GeekySquid said:And remember to always keep that Senator in the Loop. Every paper you submit to the VA put a CC on it with the Senators name and address.
I already wrote him an email thanking them for assisting us and attached a picture of the kids so he could see the children he kept from going on the street. Turns out he is a veteran himself. Perhaps that's why he worked so hard and quickly to resolve this.
1 hour ago, GeekySquid said:You have won. We expect you to take a few winners laps, take some breathes, then buckle down to the other work.
Consider me buckled! I won’t give inch!
1 hour ago, GeekySquid said:We hope you continue to come here and share your story with other Delta Whiskeys and Veterans about how you won. What you overcame, and how you are pushing forward each and every day.
I most definitely will! I wish I had this experience when I worked as a case manager in service member and veteran services. More needs to be done because there are too many holes in services and our veterans are falling through the cracks. When I am able to return to that field, this terrible experience will make me a better advocate for them.
Thank you KIND & wise grandpa squid
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I got great news today! We won!!!!! The senators office let me know that my husband has been awarded a 70% rating but something called IU has been deferred because they need a form filled out which she sent to me (email below). His backpay for his rating has already been authorized and will be deposited in the next 5 business days. I don’t even think I have fully processed it yet.
I can’t even adequately put into words how thankful I am for everyone’s help! I really want to give a shout out to @GeekySquid @shrekthetank1 @vetquest @kanewnutYou are all so amazing! Thank you for helping me navigate this insane system. You all can’t even know how much it means to me! Because you all took the time answer all my questions and guide me throughout this entire process, my husband can get the help he needs to get better and my babies will have a roof over their heads. I know you all took a lot of time out of your days to respond and give support. I have never experienced this much kindness in my entire life and I have never even met you guys. @GeekySquid I’m sorry to ruin your reputation of being “heartless” but that is just so untrue! @Buck52 I really appreciate the time you spent writing me about treatment opinions and @Berta for sharing your story. Everyone who provided information, answered my questions, or just sent some words of encouragement, I appreciate you all too! Thank you just doesn't feel like it’s enough but thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!!
- kanewnut and ShrekTheTank
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1 hour ago, paulstrgn said:
As you can see Langin02...everyone above cares for you and your families well being. This comes from caring, as veterans we care about our brothers and sisters, no one wants to see anyone hurting. We know that the family of the veteran can hurt and suffer as much as the veteran does. But always remember as veterans we are always there for our fellow veterans (spouses are just as much the veteran as the veteran themselves). We want to see you and your family safe and free from worry.
Remember you are never alone for your family of veterans are there to assist you as much as possible. Please get the care you and your family need.
That is abundantly clear! I am amazed by the outpouring of support and concern the people on this thread have shown. Thank you so much!
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3 minutes ago, Berta said:
None of that helped my husband's problems. He threatened me many times and he had weapons.The last time he was still at the VA and I begged his doctor to admit him to the psychiatric ward. The doctor refused.Then I called the director who also refused to admit him.Then I called my congressman, and then they,the director and the doctor ran all over the VAMC looking for him and even had him paged and found him just as the DAV van pulled up to bring him home.
I am so sorry this happened to you! There should definitely be more resources for the family as everyone in the household is impacted by this disorder. In situations where violence is involved the safety of all people in the home should matter and I don’t think the VA sees it that way.
6 minutes ago, Berta said:This spouse is going through more than we know.Many of us go though far more than we should deal with.
I’ve pretty much barred my soul on this forum. I agree that it isn’t fair that it falls to us to deal with the collateral damage that the military causes. My family has been devastated by this but I include my husband in that.
12 minutes ago, Berta said:Shame is a symptom that abuse victims have.They can actually believe it is all their fault, if they are the blame target.
I don’t view myself as the victim or the one to blame. I blame the military. I blame them for ignoring his PHA when he came home where he marked off symptoms of PTSD and for providing zero support when he came home. He didn’t even have medical insurance 30 days after returning from a combat zone.
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1 hour ago, Berta said:
I am praying for you and your family. I owe so much to Vietnam Veterans and those with PTSD sure taught me a lot
Thank you so much! I do sincerely appreciate it! I think we all owe a great deal of gratitude to our Vietnam Vets. They endured hell and then came home to a ungrateful country. People can disagree all they want with the reasons a war is fought but that is a matter to take up with our politicians. The men and woman who fought, bled, and died for us did not get to choose the conflict.
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Just now, Lagin02 said:
if you can stay with friends/family ask them to help you after they get off work you can go see a county judge and get permission or extension on living in your home if you expect a forclosure soon on your home?
My best friend said that I can stay with her if it comes to it. I’m the oldest of my siblings and most functional of my family so I can’t really get support in that area. We rent and our landlady is older and relies on this rental income to pay her own bills. I guess technically I could stay until I was evicted but I could never do that to her. I’m not as heartless as the VA.
5 minutes ago, Lagin02 said:if you lose everything ''materiel speaking'' so what and you have your kids and hubby to me that is the most important thing to consider.
its called starting over. but at least you will still have your family.
That’s exactly what I have been telling my husband when he makes comments about ending his life so we can have his life insurance. Stuff can be replaced but my husband and my children’s father is irreplaceable. Fortunately, I don’t think it will come to that. His TSP will get us through another two months and I am pretty confident that his claim will be approved.
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27 minutes ago, Buck52 said:
''I wish we could have him go before the claims are worked out but that means leaving me to try and move out of our house with our young daughter and infant son. I literally can’t do it by myself. I’m still recovering from the preeclampsia I developed during my pregnancy with our son last December. ''
Mam,I certainly understand this ..*I do not mean to be mean or hurt your feelings please understand that below in this post. it is some what harse. and I apologize if you take this the wrong way.
However you need to take control if your hubby is resisted to the CPT And has angry out burst to you as well as well others and him self
your hubby needs help and he needs it now.
If your left to move out of your home...you need to figure out a way or a plan for someone to help you..actually your the one that needs to be strong for your hubby/family .
if you can stay with friends/family ask them to help you after they get off work you can go see a county judge and get permission or extension on living in your home if you expect a forclosure soon on your home?
all of this will take time and in between you stressing & dealing with your hubby behavior and him seeking the help he so badly needs . like geeky mention it can and will take its toll on You!!!
its easy for us to say what you need to do or give our opinions but your the sane one in your family if you let it get to you you will be in the hospital and kids taken to a foster home from the Children's Protective services by a local Judge orders.
Do what you need to do to survive with your family...ask people/friends to help you let them know your hubby needs to get better and Seeking treatment and you don't have him to help you and you need help now...let them know your hubby has a claim in to be compensated for his disease THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE GULF WAR CONFLICT or where ever your hubby was traumatized... and you can pay your way when he wins his compensation claim...but you need help NOW.
This is about all I know to say about this whole issue hubby needs help and the right kind of help he needs the advise of an experienced Phyistrist /Therapist as to what type of help he gets....some times we receive the wrong help you can tell by his physical actions to his behavior if the therapy is not helping An intervention of some type needs to be addressed for the correct help he needs it could very well save his life.
if you lose everything ''materiel speaking'' so what and you have your kids and hubby to me that is the most important thing to consider.
its called starting over. but at least you will still have your family.
10 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:I am in agreement with all of Bucks above post.
CPT, and buck knows this well, can help or harm. Different people react differently to different types of therapy.
Sometimes "getting worse" is the start of "getting better" that is for you, him and the Dr to discuss.
Unfortunately he is mandated to attend therapy by his unit command. Not that they care to deal with the problems it’s caused. I haven’t heard anything from them since they put him in “disability counseling” and said he cannot attend any military training until he is cleared by a military doctor.
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6 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:
Berta, it is true things have changed in this area, but if you read Lagin02's posts you see the residuals of social approbation about mental health issues. One of her first, and continuing statements is displeasure/fear of people finding out that they have problems financially and with MH.
I fall into the old ways of "being a man" and not talking about my personal garbage to strangers and I really struggle when here when I know a factoid about my life might help another veteran. Part of me still does not want to "talk" about things despite knowing it can help others, and myself.
I get her feeling this way, I just want to support her in speaking out to the public if needed and to a therapist or other in-person support system.
Shame and humiliation are useless emotions when they drive a person to living in the streets or being abused by a person, employer, or system like the VA.
As someone who went through parallels of the OP's situation, you of all people know the value of a support system even if it is not formal therapy. I just hope the OP heeds my suggestion and builds that or gets therapy and puts her own health as a priority in the mix of dealing with husband, kids, life, the VA and all the other garbage that modern life throws at us.
Well when you put it like that... I didn’t make the connection between the stigma and the shame. You right that I have been allowing my concern over being humiliated drive many of my decisions. I never really stopped to think about why I felt embarrassed when it wasn’t something either he or I created. It’s not even the people closest to me that I’m worried about. My friends and family know what’s going on. He has driven away most of his own family and I am the oldest in my family and the most functional so we don’t have support there. It’s people I don’t even know I’m concerned about. I don’t want people to look at us as a charity case or see my husband and think he’s crazy or bad. He really is a good man who had some really terrible things happen to him. Why I let myself have any concern over what people who don’t even know me think is a bit irrational.
I didn’t mean to make it sound like I wasn’t taking that seriously. I have been in therapy on and off throughout my adult life. I think the tools I learned is what has allowed me to handle this situation. I can handle bad things happening to me, it’s watching the ones I’m supposed to take care of be hurt and be helpless to make it better that causes me the most stress. I will more than likely be in counseling with my husband while he does the program and I know his therapist mentioned that I could also attend individual therapy at the VA. It’s just a matter of childcare right now and my son is still nursing so I can’t really leave him. Once this all gets sorted, I’ll figure out what I need to do to get that set up.
- ShrekTheTank, paulstrgn and GBArmy
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Va disability & C&P question regarding veteran with suicide risk
in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims
Posted
That definitely makes more sense! Thank you so much!!!!