ZenArcher

Moved again http://www.dmva.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/veterans_affairs/7179

I hate to have to say this both for reasons of pride and for vets with ALS but Larry is correct this ruling is not yet in effect. I must say though that in almost all cases I've been involved in thus far the VA has been very responsive to vets with ALS.

The rule is active now. It is published in the Federal Register and will remain as Proposed until the comment period is complete.

Veterans diagnosed with ALS now receive an automatic 100% rating. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-06-23/pdf/2010-15169.pdf

Thanks for posting this.

From the text at Thomas: `(b) Eligible Veterans- For purposes of this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran (or member of the Armed Forces undergoing medical discharge from the Armed Forces)-- `(1) who has a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on or after September 11, 2001;

The first thing any veteran with ALS should do is contact their local Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) office. PVA has worked closely with the ALS Association to ensure the veterans with ALS are processed quickly and correctly.

Changing the law is not necessarily a simple process. It is better to get it done right the first time. I've written my senators one of which is a cosponsor. While thanking him for his support of veterans I asked why I didn't deserve the same consideration.

I feel that limiting this benefit to only post 9/11 veterans is unfair. I separated in Sept 2000 and now require around the clock care due to service connected ALS. Explain to me why because I separated 364 days early that my wife doesn't deserve the same time off as those who separated after 9/11. To limit this benefit to post 9/11 vets only is simply discriminatory. There are tens of thousands of veterans suffering from ALS, TBI and various other conditions that require this type of care. They developed or incurred their conditions while serving. What does the date of service matter? If the bill opens up to support all vets it will have my full support.

http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/greater-...albuquerque.php EL PASO, TEXAS OFFICE P.O. Box 30846 Albuquerque, NM 87190 (505) 867-7430 Phone (505) 867-4418 Fax Summer hours: 9:00am-5:00pm • Monday-Friday

I find it astounding that people judge a man based on nothing more than what has been reported on the news. A POW has been marked as a deserter with little more than hearsay. People are basically calling for his death on national TV and here of all places he isn't even defended. The last I checked, "innocent till proven guilty" still meant something. Right now there is an American citizen, a soldier, in the hands of an enemy that has publicly beheaded its captives in the past and yet you want to wait for all the facts. All I can say is I find that utterly disgusting.

§ 3.318 Presumptive service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis manifested at any time after discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service is sufficient to establish service connection for that disease. (b) Service connection will not be established under this section: (1) If there is affirmative evidence that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was not incurred during or aggravated by active military, naval, or air service; (2) If there is affirmative evidence that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is due to the veteran's own willful misconduct; or (3) If the veteran did not have active, continuous service of 90 days or more. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a)(1)) [73 FR 54693, Sept. 23, 2008]

I don't know the ins and outs of DIC but she can definitely file if the cause of death is listed as ALS. If the claim is submitted prior to September payment should be retroactive to September 08.

I filed for an increase after every clinic visit. I was initially connected at 70% in 9/08 and immediately filed for an increase because the information they used was over 3 months old. On that run I was granted 100% with SMC L retroactive to 12/23. In May I went to Advocacy Days in DC and had the pleasure of meeting Bo Rollins the director of field services for PVA. He called my local service officer and effective May 18 I was granted SMC R1. My advise is that following each clinic visit that shows progression you submit for an increase. Ask the clinic if you can have copies of your visit report and make sure the doc, OT/PT and the rest note any new issues specifically. My clinic has been very accommodating in this respect. Ensure that everything goes through the PVA. The majority of issues we see on the ALS Veterans Issue Team are from individuals who opt to do it themselves. PVA and ALSA have worked very closely together and in most cases things have gone smoothly.

I just bought a wheelchair accessible van with the grant last month. The dealer I worked with has dealt with the VA grant several times in the past. According to them it usually takes 2 - 3 months for the grant to be paid. I'm willing to bet that this varies dependent on the regional office though.