MikeE

Hi..this is MikeE again. I'm posting this reply to my own question in hope that others might shed some light or suggestions on my situation. It's sort of long, but hopefully it's a little more comprehensive. A V.A. Rep., about a month ago, at that 1-800-827-1000 number told me that I could draw unemployment but it would be subtracted dollar for dollar from my pension checks spread over a 12 mo. period. The unemployment office claims center told me I could draw unemployment with the V.A. pension becuase I was honorably discharged from the military back in 76...so long ago. He, the V.A. Rep. on the 800#, also said if I were to receive any other type of income or employment, it would be deducted dollar for dollar the same way, over a 12 mo. period. I then asked him if I was 100% non service connected disabled. There was a pause & he checked something...then he said I was rated at 60% disabled. I don't know..maybe being only 60% disabled is why that 800# Rep. & also my Regional V.A. Rep. downtown said if I worked the V.A. would deduct dollar for dollar over a 12 mo. period. I just remember neither one of them said I couldn't work at all. I've been informed I can draw food stamps and SSI, being they are exempt from being considered as normal income, at least in Tennessee. I have already filed with Social Security for disability back in Oct., 08. Received letter last week stating they turned me down saying their medical people said I could do normal work. Was told S.S. always turns one down the first time though. Have been told though to get a lawyer who works on (contingency?...not charging anything unless they recover). Was told the attorney usually charges 25% of what is back-owed from application for S.S. disability date, when & IF I receive first S.S. disability check...which could even be up to 2 yrs. I was told. Was also told I could appeal the S.S. myself but it might be a hassel, also since I think a few appeals might be involved. I'm single with no debts, wife, other obligations, or dependents so in my case 25% or even a third to a lawyer to recover any back social security disability wouldn't bother me much. I have 60 days to appeal the S.S. ruling. I had a heart attack back in 2003 with fortunately only light damage and angioplasty to right coronary artery. I drove a big rig with absolutely no problems. A (D.O.T.) required heart scan in Sep., 2008 revealed my heart's ejection fraction had dropped from 45% to 39%,(mostly from overweight & lack of excercize I imagine). The Federal D.O.T. regs. state one's heart ejection fraction must be at least 40% to drive a truck like a big rig, (26,001 lbs. gross wgt. or over), & the Feds. sure wouldn't cut me any slack between my 39% ejection fraction & the 40% they desired. I was laid off. That's when my local Regional V.A. Rep. advised me to apply for the non-service connected V.A. pension. I told her, "how will they give me that...I can still do several types of work?" She said ,"Yes, but you're 54 & they might consider it hard at your age to get "gainful employment" in other occupations". She said I would have about a 50/50 chance of being awarded the pension & I received it as of Oct. 1st, 2008. Someone on a forum advised me to try & get my condition rated as service connected, but I didn't have any heart attacks or heart trouble in the military, (72-76). I'm sure I had high triglycerides & cholesterol even back then, but no doctor ever put me on medication for it in the service. The V.A. Rep. at that 800-827-1000 said it was probably a snowball's chance in hell of me getting my condition "service connected" from the failure of a military physician to detect my high cholesterol & triglycerides on a physical exam & the V.A. Rep. stated the V.A. never took high cholesterol or triglycerides into account in a disability determination...at least that's what he said. I file for my last regular period unemployment check two Mondays from now. The last check will only be around $50.00. I'm going to forgo the 10 week extension so it won't add later to what they'll already deduct from my regular period unemployment amounts. I don't really desire to remain on disability & am studying presently for my CompTIA A+ Certification & later a Networking Certification to re-enter the work force (hopefully by late Spring,09)...(& if there's any economy left)...guess that's another reason I'm concerned about staying on the pension, at least for now. As soon as I draw out that last $50.00, I'm going down town & talk with my Regional V.A. officer again, I'll call the 800-827-1000 # again, & also talk with the D.A.V. here in Nashville. I can hopefully get this figured out correctly & appropriate action taken after speaking with all three of those entities. Thanks a lot for reviewing this & if you have any further guidance or suggestions I'd sure appreciate them. Best Regards, MikeE

Greetings, Have been drawing state unemployment checks since Sep.,08, plus V.A. non-service connected pension,($985.00)/mo. since Oct.,08. Told by V.A. rep. to wait till I finish drawing unemployment, turn in to V.A. amount drawn, & V.A. will deduct unemployment amount received from V.A. pension to be spread over a 12 mo. period. This would incur a reduction in pension to something over $500.00/mo. for 12 mos. My last unemployment check for my regular period will be next week, then eligible for 10 week extension. If I take the 10 week unemployment extension benefit, my V.A. pension will probably be further reduced to between $300 to $400/mo. for 12 mos. Being single with no debts, I can make it on $500/mo. pension, plus $186/mo. food stamps, plus Sec. 8 housing discount. If I opt to take the 10 week extension, then a reduction in pension for 12 mos. to $300 to $400/mo. would be pretty tight. My question is probably a no-brainer, but should I just take the 10 week unemployment extension or simply refuse it? I hate to refuse a 10 week extension, but it might cause too much a pension reduction later. I've heard that I can apply for a "forgiveness" or hardship case meaning the V.A. might possibly forgive or reduce the total unemployment I will have been paid, but not sure if I can count on that or not. Would appreciate any guidance or advice. Best Regards, MikeE

Hi, I am a 54 y.o. male single Caucasian veteran with no dependents. Had heart attack in 2003. Lost job in Sep./08 driving big rig due to heart ejection fraction falling to 39%. Federal D.O.T. wants it at 40% to drive a large truck 26,001 lbs. or over & will not give waiver on the 1% difference. Regional V.A. counselor advised me to apply for & now receiving non service connected V.A. disability pension of $931.00/mo. since Oct., 2008. V.A. has me at 100% disabled. Uneligible for V.A. vocational rehab. but applied for state vocational rehab. Awaiting their reply. I am retraining myself studying for computer certifications. When begin sending resumes to computer employers, will my having drawn disability hurt my employment chances, & if so how might I overcome this? Are there any real chances of my getting any state or federal grants for starting my own business & would being a disabled veteran give me a better chance at that? Would anyone know of any good sites/links to visit regarding these possible grants? Thank you for any advice. MikeE