Ron II

I am glad you raised this issue; I need a similar checklist for my family. GOOD LUCK with your surgery on the 13th... Ron (same retired rank, different service)

I can't answer the "how long" question, but do you mind citing the length of time it took for your increase (i.e., application date to around 9 Nov 07)? Thanks...

Per Tbird, Nov 23, 2005: " 18. Does VA provide hearing aids and eyeglasses? Yes, if you are service-connected with a disability rating of 10% or more. Otherwise, hearing aids and eyeglasses will only be provided in special circumstances and not for generally occurring hearing or vision loss."

You might want to find the separation/discharge orders as well. They usually have a sentence or two stating the reason for discharge/retirement (if I remember correctly).

With regard to the reentry code (RE): RE-2Q- Medically retired or discharged

Re: "When on the TDRL, you are subject to reevaluation every 18 months and limited to 5 years max on the TDRL. At the 5 year point, if not sooner during a re-eval, you are removed from the TDRL and either found fit; permanently retired; or discharged with severance pay." Were you evaulated every 18 months and eventually advised of their final decision (NTE 5 years after being placed on the TDRL)?

If you have a disability that is rated by the military disability evaluation system at 20% or lower, you can be discharged (most likely with severance pay, unless the condition existed prior to service and was not permanently aggravated by service or misconduct is involved). Those who are separated for disability may be eligible for monthly disability compensation from the Veterans Administration (VA). If the condition is rated at or above 30%, and other conditions are met, you will be disability retired.. Your disability retirement may be temporary or permanent. If temporary, your status should be resolved within a five-year period. The amount of your disability retired pay is determined by one of three methods: The first method is to multiply your by your base pay or average of highest 36 months of active duty pay at the time of retirement by the percentage of disability which has been assigned. However, the minimum percentage for temporary disability retirees will equal 50%. The maximum percentage for any type of retirement is 75%. The second method is to multiply only your years of active service at the time of your retirement by 2.5% by your base pay or average of highest 36 months of active duty pay at the time of retirement. The third method applies to you if you were eligible to retire/transfer under any other law. DFAS will compute your entitlements using both methods above, and use the one which results in the greatest amount of retired pay. If you desire that another method be used, you may request (in writing) that the other method be used. The difference between temporary and permanent disability is the stability of the medical condition. If you're condition is not deemed "stable" by the PEB, they will recommend you be placed on the TDRL (temporary disability retirement list). When on the TDRL, you are subject to reevaluation every 18 months and limited to 5 years max on the TDRL. At the 5 year point, if not sooner during a re-eval, you are removed from the TDRL and either found fit; permanently retired; or discharged with severance pay. If, on 24 Sep 1975, you were either a member of an Armed Force or was under a binding written commitment to become a member, and are discharged/retired by reason of disability by the MILITARY disability evaluation system (not VA), your retirement pay may not be taxed. Otherwise, for a tax free retirement, you'd have to have a combat related disability. If you go through the VA disability evaluation system and they grant you disability compensation, that will not be taxed, regardless of whether or not you were in the service on 24 Sep 75.

SFK - Place on temporary disability retired list, USAF

I once had to "leave behind" a loved one who was poisoning everyone around her--we had been together for more than 20 years. As others have stated earlier, you can't always save everyone; there are occasions when one must think of the ramifications of remaining with a tortured soul. The welfare of my son and my sanity became paramount. I'm not Dr. Phil, but keeping in touch with others such as your friends at HADIT and not becoming isolated is obviously important. I respect you for what you are doing for your children and wish you the very best...

This mirrors my experience precisely. I didn't even receive a letter from the DAV when the award was completed/announced.

I'm glad you brought up this subject; I was planning to post the same question. After reading the answers you received, I think I will wait until there is a response to my appeal. Thanks!

That's encouraging news; congrats!

Hi, 5. Are CRDP Payments Retroactive? Answer: Yes. But only if your DVA Disability Rating increases, and then it will only be retroactive to the date of the revised VA decision. 6. When will the new payments begin? Answer:You will begin receiving your concurrent receipt soon after you are determined to be eligible. <a name="q6">7. How much will I get paid? Answer: If you qualify for concurrent receipt you can expect to see a flat rate increase based on your VA disability rating and number of dependents. The following are the rough estimated rates that apply apply for 2007 based on the W/O dependents rate: $2471 for 100% VA disability; $987 for 90% VA disability; $860 for 80% VA disability; $689 for 70% VA disability; $496 for 60% VA disability; $403 for 50% VA disability. With regard to retroactive increases for the number of dependents a veteran has--I'm really not sure. I read in one place that the claim for increase must be made within 30 days of the "event" unless unusual circumstances exist. Here is some information from the VA website: Inquiry Can I get back compensation payments? FAQ Generally, VA can only pay benefits based on the date of claim. This applies in the case of an original claim, a claim for an increased evaluation, or a claim to add a new disability. If VA finds a clear error was made in an earlier decision, you may receive additional back pay based on that prior claim. Long ago when I worked in Army finance, we computed retroactive payments to the date of event provided the soldier's commander provided a 'VOCO" (verbal order of the commander) statement on the authorizing document.

Thank you for the information, particularly the phone log information and the information pertaining to whether the VA keeps track of the 800-number calls.

I have read comments during the past couple of months written by experienced Hadit members that state they call their VARO 880-number periodically to check on their claims. For example, some call every three months, some call once a month, some call multiple times during a particular month. I've inferred from those comments that there is a belief that periodic calls lets the VA know that the claimant is monitoring their progress or lack of progress and will possibly stimulate activity on the claim. Is my inference correct and do the calls actually do anything positive relating to the status of the claim? I personally doubt that the 800-number calls do anything but contact a communications representative who will provide some information dependent upon their level of expertise and what information is shown on the screens available. Thank you...

Hello, Pay computation CRDP amounts will automatically increase or decrease based on the percentage of disability reported to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) by the DVA. Please note that your monthly CRDP amount cannot exceed the lesser of your monthly gross retired pay or VA waiver amount. If you are a disability retiree whose retired pay is calculated using a percentage of disability rather than your years of service, your CRDP cannot exceed the amount your gross retired pay would currently be had it been calculated at retirement using your years of service. CRDP pay computation begins with the "table rates": If rated unemployable $750.00 If rated at 100% $750.00 If rated at 90% $500.00 If rated at 80% $350.00 If rated at 70% $250.00 If rated at 60% $125.00 If rated at 50% $100.00 To help illustrate the process, let's assume the following for an eligible retiree: Gross pay: $1,800.00 VA waiver: $1,558.00 CRDP table rate (90% rating): $500.00 To compute CRDP, subtract the CRDP table rate from the VA waiver: VA waiver: $1,558.00 CRDP table rate (90% rating): - $500.00 Difference: $1,058.00 Now, multiply the difference by the applicable restoration rate (we'll use the 2006 restoration rate of 28.00% for this example): 2005 10.00% 2006 28.00% 2007 49.60% 2008 69.76% 2009 84.88% 2010 93.95% 2011 98.18% 2012 99.64% 2013 99.96% 2014 100.00% Difference: $1,058.00 2006 Restoration rate: x 28.00% Product: $296.24 Add the product to the table rate amount to arrive at the 2006 CRDP amount: Product: $296.24 CRDP table rate (90% rating): + $500.00 2006 CRDP amount: $796.24 These amounts will increase each year until January of 2014 when you will receive your full retired pay entitlement and your DVA disability compensation with no reduction. Unlike Retired Pay Cost-Of-Living Allowances (COLAs), CRDP increases will be effective on January 1st of each year, payable on the first business day of February. Additionally, since retired gross pay and DVA compensation (and, consequently, VA waiver) amounts increase each year with COLAs, you will not be able to accurately extrapolate CRDP amounts for future years. Retirees who have a 100% DVA rating not due to Individual Unemployability (IU) are entitled to an immediate 100% restoration. Retirees who have a 100% DVA rating due to IU will be entitled to an immediate 100% restoration effective October 1, 2009.

There is not a summary on the web site shown below, but the site does have each state listed and contains information for each state with regard to reduced fees/plates for disabled vets. http://search.dmv.org/dmv/disabled

I am sorry to hear about your situation and I'm sure the Elders of this forum will be able to assist you. Just a note about information received via the 800 number-- I once called three times in one day just to see if the information provided was consistent. I received three completely different answers (or non-answer from one of the calls)!

Sorry, I was just looking at the social security increase (added "earnings") that is applicable to military service. Obviously it doesn't add the quarters you need.

Deleted--duplicate

From Social Security web site: Extra earnings Your Social Security benefit depends on your earnings, averaged over your working lifetime. Generally, the higher your earnings, the higher your Social Security benefit. Under certain circumstances, special earnings can be credited to your military pay record for Social Security purposes. The extra earnings are for periods of active duty or active duty for training. These extra earnings may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit. Social Security will add these extra earnings to your earnings record when you file for benefits. If you served in the military from 1940 through 1956, including attendance at a service academy, you did not pay Social Security taxes. However, we will credit you with $160 a month in earnings for military service from September 16, 1940, through December 31, 1956, if: You were honorably discharged after 90 or more days of service, or you were released because of a disability or injury received in the line of duty; or You are applying for survivors benefits based on a veteran’s work and the veteran died while on active duty. You cannot receive these special credits if you are receiving a federal ­benefit based on the same years of service, unless you were on active duty after 1956. If you were on active duty after 1956, you can get the special credit for 1951 through 1956, even if you are receiving a military retirement based on service during that period. If you served in the military from 1957 through 1977, you are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay. If you served in the military from 1978 through 2001, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings, up to a maximum of $1,200 a year, for every $300 in active duty basic pay. After 2001, additional earnings are no longer credited. If you began your service after September 7, 1980, and did not complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings. Check with us for more information. NOTE: In all cases, the additional earnings are credited to the earnings that we average over your working lifetime, not directly to your monthly benefit amount

The credit I received for active service bumped my social security (begins Dec07) by $120 a month. However, I was on active duty for a substantial amount of time.

From cited article: "VBA refers beneficiary debts, including debts caused by compensation benefit overpayments, to the VA Debt Management Center (DMC). The DMC notifies a beneficiary of the debt and the requirement to respond within 30 days with one of four actions: (1) dispute the debt, (2) request a waiver, (3) send payment in full, or (4) contact the DMC to make reasonable repayment arrangements." In cases where there is a substantial overpayment and its cause was not apparent to the beneficiary or will cause hardship if collected in full, I think a request for waiver would be appropriate. This procedure is similar to "Cancellation or Remission of Indebtedness" we used for active duty soldiers. From an ex-finance & accounting NCO.

I'm not one of the senior members here, but in my admittedly limited view you have enough information in your service medical records AND VA treatment records to support your claim. It was documented while on active duty and reappeared within 12 months of discharge. I suspect the real experts here will have some explicit information for you. Good luck!

I don't know if this suggestion is worthy of discussion on the program where you will participate, but... It is my understanding that there are teams at each RO and their duties include those within the partial quotation from a HADIT elder which follow my comments. Since there are teams at each RO I assume that each team has assigned work within that team. If their are multiple teams doing the same work, is the mobility concept used to ensure first in-first out (with the exception of the guidance to process GW claims first)? In other words, if one team has progressed to a point where their workload using the time-in-VA scorecard is ahead of other teams, are members of the "ahead" team used to upgrade/enhance the other teams' output (using mobility to other elements)? I used this concept in the Army as well as at my post-Army employment at a university and enjoyed significant sucess with it. I did not originate this idea--many of my peers used the same procedure with equal success. ________________________________________________________________________________ "After you send VA your Formal claim, there are a number of “teams” at your local regional office that process your application." "There are essentially six "teams" at a Regional office that make up the "process." When a veteran files a claim for benefits with VA, it is received at what is called a 'Triage Team.' This is where the incoming mail is sorted and routed to the different sections or other "teams" to be worked. Picture this as a Triage unit at a Hospital. There they decide who goes where according to the injury/condition involved. This is the way it works at VA too. The main function of the Triage Team is to screen all incoming mail. Within the Triage Team there are other sub components; the Mail Control Point, Mail Processing Point, and to a certain extent supervision of the files activity. The mail control point is staffed with VSR (Veteran Service Representatives) who are actually trained in claims processing. This is also where they receive and answer the IRIS inquiries. The mail processing point is where chapter 29/30 claims (a bit later on theses types of claims) are processed/awarded, and to a certain extent dependency issues are resolved." "The next step is the "Pre-Determination Team." This is where your claim for benefits is sent to be developed, meaning verification of service from the Service Department if a certified copy of the DD 214 is not submitted by the veteran, SMR's are obtained from St. Louis if they weren’t sent in already by the veteran, any CURR verifications are done for PTSD stressors, any private treatment records are obtained under the "Duty to Assist," and inferred issued are identified. Once the Pre-Determination Team figures out what you’re claiming, they’ll send you what’s known as a “Duty to Assist” letter. This letter states what type of claim you are filing, what conditions you are claiming, and what the regulations say you must show to have your claim granted. It will also state the evidence needed by VA to support your claim, and what VA is doing or has done. The letter will also explain VA's “Duty to Assist” you in obtaining the evidence to support your claim. There will also be a response form that you should fill out and return. If you do not return this form or mark the box that you have additional evidence to submit, the VA must wait 60 days to further process your claim. As your claim progresses further though the Pre-Determination Team, you may or may not receive other letters. Examples of those letters include: follow-up letters to let you know VA requested something from a third party and there is a delay in their reply, letters requesting that you provide something to VA to support your claim. The Pre-Determination Team may also send you a computer generated letter telling you they are still working on your claim. That letter is pretty interesting because it means a couple of things have happened with your claim; 1) your claim was reviewed by someone recently or 2) your claim has aged where the computer system is telling the regional office that they must look at your claim. One thing to keep in mind is that every time VA sends you a letter, regardless if it’s for information you already sent them, you should always respond with a letter via certified Mail with return receipt. If you already sent something to VA that they previously requested, just send them a letter stating that you already submitted the information and when you sent it. Once all the developmental work has been done on a claim, it is then designated as "Ready to Rate" and sent to the Rating Activity." "The Rating Activity or “Rating Board” is where most veterans want to have their claim. This is where the claim for benefits is decided. The RVSR (Rating Veteran Service Representative, or “Rating Specialist”) is the person who rates a veteran's claim. They review the entire C-file to insure it is ready to be rated, and schedule any C&P exams that may be needed if not already done so by the Pre-Determination Team. If a C&P exam is needed they go ahead and do the paperwork to schedule this. Once the RVSR has all the needed paperwork to rate the claim, they make their decision. If the RVSR determines that there is something missing from the claim to make a decision, they send the claim back to the Pre-Determination Team for further development. Once they have reached their determination, they produce a rating decision with their decision and forward the C-file to the Post-Determination Team. "