cachanilla73

Did you serve in the Gulf War? fibromyalgia is a presumptive condition and if you have a diagnosis already made your claim should be a given..... and since you have IBS ( another presumptive condition from the Gulf War ) that should help.

I am familiar with the chapter 35 program, but I have a question. Can the dependent have both Chapter 35 and NY MSRS benefit? Is anyone familiar with this Military Service Recognition Scholarship ?

Where can we log to see if my husband has C&P appoinments??? we didn't know you can check that on the internet..... Please help!!!

Yeah, we have learned the hard way..... ={ That's why I'm glad this place exists. Thank you all... ')

Thanks everyone for your answers and the time you all took to reply to my post. This week my stepson will take his filled application to our local college, we already talked to the VA rep, and since there is a lot of veterans and dependents attending that college we expect a smooth process but of course we won't be surprise if there is a bump or two down the road..... After him I will apply for myself, as a spouse, with my husband ptsd I don't want to stress him out by me going back to day school. I will probably look into night school or something online so I can be with him during the day. About the future exam I read something in previous forums it seems somewhat "normal" for some cases..... anyways we'll worry when the time comes. For know my main concern is my husband health and this will bring some peace of mind for him.... you all know how life gets for combat vets and well we have time to plan and save before that silly future exam. We are taking one step at the time. Thanks again...!!!!

Mmmm... this is very interesting. My husband got IU recently, but we haven't received the award letter, only the letter from the DAV, when he called the VA to request the forms for the ID's and chapter 35 benefits we received a certificate for the ID's that says 'our records indicate a future exam on x-x-2012"..... My husband was increased from 30 to 70% , he was first 10%, ptsd, after a year or so he filed for an increased. He is 40% fibro and 20 % ankle. His total is 90% payable at the 100% IU with benefits. So we are wondering what's going on??????

YES, we know the STUDENT (the dependent) is the one getting the monthly payment. OUR QUESTION IS.... the STUDENT is supposed to use those $ 936 to pay the school fees, tuition, books, etc., etc., or will the VA pay these PLUS give the student the EXTRA $936 for other expenses...... And YES we hope there is a misunderstanding with the future exam, but our source is very reliable and reaffirmed the VA will stop exams after 5 years with the condition.

Hello everyone, hope this new year will bring better things for all of us. Thanks for your help and advise. As I mentioned before my husband was awarded IU recently. We got DEA benefits as well as the commissary and exchange card, but in the certificate the VA send us to get the ID's says that "according to our records a future exam will be scheduled on X/X/2012... Is this normal? I thought once you get the DEA and ID's benefits that means your are TOTAL and PERMANENTLY ... we heard from a friend that after 5 years with the condition (s) the VA won't schedule more exams. We are so new to this process, it's confusing.... How does the chapter 35 work? the stipend the VA pay the dependent is to cover the school tuition, or is an extra? I mean , does the VA pay the school tuition and then pay the dependent the $$???? Also what do we need to apply for CHAMPVA? the lady at the phone said my husband need to apply for it. She didn't send the application form with the package we got for the DEA and ID's. What would CHAMPVA cover, are there only specific doctors to be seeing? PLEASE... HELP!!!! We tried to call the 1-800 # and most of the time is a pain in the bl**p.... some operators know what you are talking about but most don't. Thanks for your help.....

TestVet, thank you so much. This was very helpful. Thank you for your service. He did go the clinic, it was an eye opening experience for him, he won't get better, we know that, there are bad days and there are worst days but we are taking one day at the time.

Jonh999, I will have some questions for you in the near future because my husband was a federal employee, he resigned under his doctors advise but didn't resigned for medical retirement from his job because there were so many troubles with his supervisors and He just needed to be out that place, it is a loooong story. He still have time left to ask for medical retirement from the job, but I think we will need a lawyer to explain to us what is best for him and us. He is a combat vet, so every claim process is very debilitating for him. Thanks....

Thank you so much, this information was great. I told my husband to call SS tomorrow and ask if the Auxiliary Benefits were filled on the original SS claim. On the last phone call they said we were in the system and they gave him the amount he will receive with our benefits, but this could be only the caller doing the math. We were told by a friend that I could get pay extra $$$ apart from those 'Auxiliary Benefits", because I take care of him and I don't work outside the home. He is a combat vet so you guys know what it is like. For him the SSDI process was very smooth and got it the first time, we presented all the VA evidence. But he didn't get any retro for those 5 months, there is a new rule or something like that. Happy Holidays to you, I know this Season is already very special and we are very thankful.

Thank You!!! .... That's why I come here to get advice. And yes he is getting SSDI, he got more credits than he needed. He started working at age 16 until he got ill.

Hello everyone! hope your thanksgiving was great and hope your holidays will be better. I have been away for a long time, but I got great news, my husband got approved his SSDI and after that he got his IU awarded too, THANK YOU ALL for your help. But We have a concern, hope you all can help. When He applied for SSDI his VA compensation was 30% , than was increased to 70%, immediately He applied for IU, then he got his medical exams for the SSDI and after 5 months he got his SSDI approved, no retro for this, they said something about a new rule, blah, blah, blah. On the SSDI letter says you have to report any changes in your income or if you receive any payments. We know VA compensation is tax free and is not consider "income", but if he receives any VA retro pay will SSDI start asking questions or will try to reduce his SSDI monthly payment because now his VA payment will be much higher? Also we were told our kids and me "should" receive some payments, he called SS and they said it takes about 6 weeks for us to receive any payment after he got his FIRST payment, they have our info in the system. But so far the kids nor me haven't received any letter about it. And the last question, he was told that we can't have more than one bank account, because SS will be asking questions or threatening to stop the monthly payments. I think the person who told us maybe receiving SSI. But if any of you receive SSDI can you have savings in the bank? Thanks again for all your help....

Thank You all... I appreciate all your help and yes, He is going to the clinic, we are very blessed to have good friends that are specialist and we were advised the best thing is for Him to go. Tbird you got it right. He is already been rated, this clinic is to help him deal with the all the ugliness of PTSD. This website it is amazing, most of the claims won is because I learned so much from all of You. Thanks!!!

Yes, I think I didn't use the right word, this guy got a 'unfavorable' GAF score, somehow this person said the guy was fine. We learned it from mouth to mouth.

It all came to the point he couldn't stand the work environment,, he got very ill, so the dr. and therapist agreed to his resignation.. He will apply for federal retirement once we relocate. He has one year from separation to apply, he is been under a lot of pressure, to many paperwork and claims,illnesess, that's why he didn't apply for the federal retirement at this point and on top of that our lease is ending soon. He already apply for SSI and got the exams done, we are waiting for the answer on that. And yes!! I know nobody is looking our for our vets, I always say your best advocate is yourself or your loved one, the one who knows you best and spend time with you to know you conditions.

My husband is scheduled to go for 2 weeks to a behavioral clinic for PTSD. He is 70% combined and has an IU Claim which is going into the last stage. We just learned that at the clinic he is going there is a "snake" who is giving vets very low GAF scores. My husband's anxiety is at its high. He is afraid to go to the clinic and get 'scrued'. He is not working, he resigned his job at a federal agency with the agreement of his VA center counselor and VA psychiatric. He wants to postpone the Behavioral Clinic until He gets the IU answer.... Any similar experiences??? Thanks!

My husband is scheduled to go for 2 weeks to a behavioral clinic for PTSD. He is 70% combined and has an IU Claim which is going into the last stage. We just learned that at the clinic he is going there is a "snake" who is giving vets very low GAF scores. My husband's anxiety is at its high. He is afraid to go to the clinic and get 'scrued'. He is not working, he resigned his job at a federal agency with the agreement of his VA center counselor and VA psychiatric. He wants to postpone the Behavioral Clinic until He gets the IU answer.... Any similar experiences??? Thanks!

Hello again!!! we are waiting for the decision on my husband TDIU claim, 40% fibro, 30 % ptsd (going to clinic for 2 weeks), 20% foot. Total 70%. We received in the mail a letter saying that " we are writing you as the parent of a boy or girl who may be eligible for Eduacational Assistance under laws administered by the Veterans Affairs Administration. The enclosed pamphlet describes this benefit...." So my questions is, Why do they send the letter and pamphlet??? Has anyone receive this information before getting the TDIU awarded???? Thanks for all the help....

Thanks!!!! I laughed with the line: " (At least I didn't get the standard "you need to lose some weight" punch line for once)", because my husband has heard that line a lot..... He also suffers from sinus and of course it started after he got back, but the doctor at the VA hospital said it wasn't related, ( uhmmmm, really???) the dandruff issue got the same reaction from another doctor at the VA Hospital..... I'll tell him next time he visits the VA to talk to the Dr. about the Ketoconazole Shampoo at 2%.....

First of all, I want to thank this site and all of You. It has great info. My question is about dandruff , my husband a Gulf War Vet developed it after He came from the War. He didn't have it before GW. Two of our kid got it too. We have tried several hair products and nothing works. I wonder if any of you know anything about skin conditions related to GW..... I have searched the internet and don't find much. My husband had a rash for a short period after he came back but then it dissapeared.

Hi everyone, well my husband called this morning and told them he didn't want to receive the food stamps anymore. He thanked them because when we were in need we received the help. The person on the phone even told him we still qualify with the increase of the va comp. because he is in leave without pay and the va comp wasn't enough (we are 6 in the family) and the chapter 31 benefits don't count, but my husband refuse the help this time. We are very very grateful and don't want abuse the system like many people do. I want to thank again this wonderful website, we have learned so much about the claims and the process, we're still in the fight, he just request IU the same day he got the va letter. I just want to tell you the best advocate is yourself or your loved one fighting for you. Research, research and research.... it's a very long battle (most of the time) and it can hit hard, but don't give up. Thanks!!!

Hello everyone, I have been away working hard in getting My husband claims, HE WON IT!!! for fibromyalgia, it was a LONG LONG fight. He got 40% for a total combined 70%..... My question i this....... we have been receiving food stamps since last year.... at the time he was employed but missing several days of work due to fibro.. we have to file the periodic report before this month ends but we just got the retro money ... we DON'T WANT to receive anymore foodstamps... he is currently on leave without pay since a few months ago by order of his Psychiatrist. we NEVER applied for an increased on food stamps or welfare or other benefits when he went on leave without pay.. Now the million dollar question, does he has to repay the food stamps? even when we didn't get the money on those months??..... he suffers sever chronic severe PTSD and he is now worried he will loose the money we just got .... now he is having an episode of severe ptsd.... thanks for your help!!

My husband will be getting his c&p exam soon, he is already diagnosed with fibro since last year, he received physical therapy and it failed, than he received aquatic therapy and it failed again, he dosis of Lyrica was increased and the Reumathologist told him He needs to learn lo live with the flare ups. I read in other forums that even when the Veteran is from the Gulf War in the c&p exam the Dr. says the Fibro is not service conected, so this is causing a lot of strees for my husband, he just got an increase to 30% ptsd. Any experience with the c&p exam will be appreciated. This fibro has been very hard., for our kids to see their Dad 3 days in bed because of the pain, for Himself to realize he can't provide for his familiy as before, for me, that I feel so helpless.

Thanks Doc john..... my husband just started, next week are the finals.... on the 16 has an appt. with the vocational counselor, we'll see whats next.... did you receive a check for the full amount during vacation break? the reason we would like to know is because finances are very bad, he still missing days from work due to fibromalgya and the back. Thanks everybody for you answers, we have learn so much from all of You, it has been extremely helpful.