DMW

Well, I am bashing attorneys, especially in this area. Attorneys are not needed to check and balance the system. If the SSA ooffers them an award for their client, they would cover up irregularities better than employees who did it. I was solicited by 2 shortly after I filed my claim, imagine that, and they tried to convince me my claim would not be approved without the help of an attorney. I asked them how long to put a case together and they said 60-90 days, my claim was approved faster than that. I asked what were the chances of winning in my situation, they said extremely difficult. I never even had an exam, and claim was approved while I was still active begore doing exams for my VA claim. Did not even have a phone interview. The SSA was extremely helpful, and extremely easy to negotiate, if they do not follow rules there are departments within the SSA who will take care of that. Sorry for the blast on any Veterans who are now lawyers but they are low lifes.

I tried to do that but by the time I had the non-emplyable paperwork my claim had been decided. TDIU anyway, imagine that.

I am a fairly uneducated hillbilly, and I do mean hillbilly! I filed my own case by reading the SSA SSDI website, and speaking with the SSA people at the 800 number. I looked at 3-4 different "How to" sites and they were a little helpful. It seems as if you have a legitimate case, put your medical files in order and make them easy to read, and cooperate with SSA you never need an attorney. All they do is the same thing you can do yourself. File the claim, gather medical evidence, fill ou the forms, and return them in time. Nobody need pay for that, as they are scumsucking leeches who feed on the income of people who really need help, not a moneysucking greedy slimeball with a "license" that allows them to take your money! No offense meant to Attorneys who have served.

I don't know much about the process but 90 days? Holy crap. When mine was at the rating team they said 30 days. Are you GWOT? If so, you need to remind the 800# every time you call.

Ya' know, I used a lot of resources. I read some about claims here, I read some on the PEB forum, Veterans benefit network and other places. When I began to put my documents together I caled the 800# and asked 1 of the Reps how is it easiest for them to review. They told meexactly what I did. Tab the info, highlight the diagnosis and treatment, put SSN# on every page, do not include studies or articles, just the facts. Some of the things I did opposite of what I read. I faxed info. Mailed info. with no receipt, called the 800# constantly, sent IRIS every week. You know, kind of pestered. SSDI was kind of the same deal. I read the SSDI site, how to put together a claim, called and asked SSA reps, reviewed a couple of sites, overloaded them with info. Bang! I hope I can share some info. with others here to help them.

Ya' know, when I spoke with the VA rep early on in my claim we kind of discussed a VSO, and I explained that I had so much stuff it would probably overwhelm somebody. He looked at my SMR and agreed, and then told me to highlight and seperate, if possible, each diagnosis, and treatment for injuries, and why it was service connected. So when I submitted my duty to assist letter, I had a large folder, tabbed with all seperate medical condition in each tab, highlighted every diagnosis or mention of previous treatments, and expected outcomes. Got 3 seperate doctors to write their opinion of my condition improving or not and asked them to fax it straight to the RO without my seeing it. Prayer and preparation. Thank you, there is much advice I got from here that was good.

The Social Security Administration has a wounded warrioir site. It is for all service personnel who have been seriously injured anywhere while on active duty, and I beleive current since 2001. They will process your claim in a speedy manner, and I mean speedy, there are people getting approved in 30-45 days. Mine went through a quality review and was still done in 2 months. That is fast. Got to the SSA website and you will see the wounded warrior, click on it and it will take you to eligibility, incom, and a link to apply on line. If you already have 100% IU from VA, you have a shot at getting SSDI. Depending on your work history anywhere from $1,000-$1,500 monthly. You can collect SSDI hile in receipt of VA and retired monies. SSD is not about your income but your ability to work. Once you file they will send a self report and questionnaires, letters of release of info to get medical records from doctors and treatment centers. Even if you send them the documents they will still have to get them from treatment centers. The sooner you get started the sooner you get done. Mine was approved pretty easily as I am on pain management and take about 4 medications daily that say do not drive while taking. Also I canot sit or stand more than about 5-10 minutes without support, and have to le down and rest about every 30-45 minutes. Without being able to drive, stand, sit, or walk without support, it makes it kind of hard to work. Look at Veterans Benfit Network, Social Security issues, read the self repor from Parick. Good Luck

1 shot 1 kill. Initial claim awarded 100& TDIU, permanent in nature, CH. 35 benefits, to go along with my retirement benefits. SSSSWEEEEEET! No VSO, no congressman, claim completed in less than six months, not BDD, just a pre-seperation. Called the 800# repeatedly, sent an IRIS every week, got the fax # to the RO and used it often, only sent 1 package certified, about 6 regular mail. Had every condition I requested to be looked at, and they even added some in based on SMR that I did not request anything on. No mention of further exams ever. Doesn't seem as difficult as a lot of people make it out to be. They did mention my SSDI paperwork as a factor in awarding IU.

Approved 1st time, no physicals, no interviews, turned in application, required forms, and 350 pages of medical records, done within 2 months backdated 13 months of pay.

You will want to go to SSA website, find "Wounded Warrrior" program, read it and then apply on line. Make sure you read the information, and don't worry about active duty pay, it doesn't matter. You have to be disabled fro at least 12 months, and then they will pay you from the 13th month on. If you expect to recover and be able to work, I wouldn't recommend appying. It is a great program, I was approved in 2 months, even with a quality review, and was paid 13 months of SSDI while on active, and will be receiving it while retired also.