VetsLady

Thank you for your response. Oh I have plenty to keep my mind busy, that is for sure. This claim was filed in 2003 and with a docket date of 2005, they told me yesterday it won't be long because they are working on case from 2008. I remember when you posted your grant....it was a great day! Until we get a decision, we'll stay busy, still it's on the back of your mind. Like a dull toothache. So, every one in awile, I need a positive nudge....and I read the successes here and it helps. Thanks again!

We have an appeal that was sent to AMC well over a year ago, it's back at BVA...docket date in 2005. I called today to see what docket YEAR the VLJ's are currently working on.......the BVA told me they are on 2008 now. Who really knows? Patience is a virtue? Yikes....I guess it's beginning not to be one of mine. Just needing some support. Everyone here is so friendly, like a family. Thanks.

Congratulations Berta on the win.....fianally. You give hope and inspiration to those of us who are still waiting. VetsLady

You must have sent an IRIS in. This is just notifying you that your question/inquiry was routed to the appropriate area where your claim is being handled. I would refrain from calling, just because you always get a different answer and have no paper trail if you need one later..... This response means neither. You should receive a response from IRIS in a few days on the status.....You would receive an award letter or a SSOC via US Mail. Hope that helps....

Posting my Congratulations to you as well! That was a nice comment too.....thank you.

Filed in Feb. '03, Travel board hearing 11/08....went to AMC, now back at BVA with strong positive evidence added that VSO didn't forward (we did). Claim was docketed in '05 so......if you are correct, hopefully we won't have too long of a wait for a decision. Original VLJ is supposedly the same one who will review the claim for decision, a big plus on our part. How did you find out that BVA is working on 2nd Q of '06? Curious minds want to know. :D

Thanks Pete...... I appreciate the kind words from everyone.

I've heard that book title......the author escapes me at the moment. But, you have reminded me of something my husband and I used to do every morning before we started our work day and that was a power talk with power words, such as "enthusiasm" and we'd choose a different word each week and really work toward achieving the goal. Even though he is unable to do that now, I can. And, I can do it for him too. I'll just have to yell really, really loud. Thanks for bringing my spirits up tonight. It's been a bumpy ride. My Mom always told me "honey you can't change the past or predict the future but you can control today" - one day at a time. I think my biggest fear is now that the claim is at BVA, if it gets denied, we're going up to the next level and I have no idea what to do then. Here, I go again...I only have control over today x 100. It's going to sink in. It's the same advice I would give. My thanks to you for throwing the ladder tongiht......

Carlie.... You are a sweetie. I've read this story before but have nto thought of it in years....thank you for the reminder. It does get lonely caring for a spouse with disabilities that will only eventually worsen, some sooner than others. Being reminded of this story helps remind me to see the glass 1/2 full, to listen for the morning birds song and to enjoy sitting with 2 snuggly little dogs on my lap and the joy they return to me for just loving them. You are right. Thank you. I needed this tonight.

I've been feeling the major stress again of waiting. AMC sent the file back to the BVA for decision and anxiety has taken hold. Fortunately, we are back in line at the original docket date and from what I've been advised, the same VLJ will review the file for decision. Trying to figure out a way to feel better, and in reading all of the success stories has helped which = success for not having to go to bed tonight feeling lower than a snakes belly in a wagon wheel rut. Thank you's to all who shared... I hope that we can post a VA success soon also. It's been way too long....8 years too long.

Victory for one is a victory for all.....you have it together Carlie! Really great you have helped your friend and so many others. Dance!!!!

Hallelujah......it's about time. Let's hope this decision will set a precedence where indicated.

Good to read a Veteran finally got what was due to them. Happy to know you are 1 more Vet who will be ok. Stay well. A good bed and a roof over your head with a full belly is a great feeling to have. Congrats on getting what is due to you. Finally. You waited long enough and sounds like you've been through alot.

Your message makes sense.....I'm following you. I think you are headed down the right path to getting what you are due. I'm not a SO, so not sure if you didn't NOD the reduction (as Berta mentioned). It does seem like something happened with the VA doc in March 04, Do you have a copy of your claim file? If not, don't ask for it now, you'll only slow the process wayyyyy down, but if you waited 9 years (this is an outrage) then maybe it's worth the time to get a copy of the claim file. If you were seeing a provider before the 3/08 VA exam, or even seeing the same one now, which would be a big plus, I'd get an IMO letter, their medical records on file for you and in the very least, if it's a private doctor, then you might want to get them asap as most states, not sure where you are located, only require doctors to keep patient files for a certain amount of years. Thanks for the info on the SSDI/TDIU by the way.... Seems to me they are required to tell you what evidence they used to make a decision and why they made the decision they did. If you can sanitize the decision.....make a copy and then black out the sensitive items and then make another copy, scan it in and post it here, I'm certain there is someone on here that can offer up a thought. Nine years? That is horrible. And, here we are now into year 8 and I thought that was bad.

We did list ALL of his disabilities when we filed for SSDI, but....his VA claim had yet to be decided. Anything claimed on the SSDI app would have been disabling enough to warrant him to never be able to work again, but since he wasn't sc "yet" when the app went in, the SSA took the obvious disability, the one that occurred closest to the last day he was able to drag his bum into work, and granted SSDI from the gate. We await a decision on the VA claim still, it's at the BVA now. Everything done, just waiting it to land on the VLJ's desk for a decision. SSDI was awarded in mid '06, partial sc in 4/08 and the balance of the claim in DC.

VA Compensation is a different thing than SSDI. VA Comp is payable when you are injured, acquire a disease, etc while in-service. SSDI is granted when you are not able to work due to an illness/injury....not necessarily or required to be service-connected. But, I do know that in a case of TDIU and I know you have to be sc for the same condition as you claim on SSDI. I would think you would be better off with a 100% P/T rating than a TDIU rating....the VA had you at 100% - why did they change it? I would go to the VA and find out why they dropped you from 100% to 70%.....and, is there a gap of time there as you said in your post they retro paid you from 2001-2004 but you were on granted SSDI in 2003 and were getting SSDI from 2002 until the present....maybe it's just a typo? Some of the more knowledgable folks here will hopefully come along and post.....I'm interested as well, we have a claim in from 2002, part of it was granted in 2008, the other part is at BVA awaiting a decision. SSDI was granted in 2006 for a condition that has nothing to do with the VA claim but the conditions claimed with SSA were also on the claim with VA.....SS just abritrarily chose the event that was closest to the last date employed and able to work. I'll be watching this thread for answers and ideas...

I'm hearing you on this one Larry loud and clear. It's the VSO's responsibility to do this on behalf of the Veteran, yet they seldom do.... they got their $ with the POA and some are good and some aren't. It's a crap shot at best. I'd say try this route (thru the VSO) first and when (and if) that doesn't succeed, do your own thing....be sure to have your claim number and name on every scrap of paper and please send it certified mail/return receipt. When your talking Hardship request, I'd rather not have wait for someone else to pass the ball. Unless, I'm sitting there at their desk, watching them FAX it and they give me written confirmation. Why wait for someone else to maybe do it? I'd rather do it myself and know it was done than to wait for some yo-ho VSO to do something on behalf of me this important. It should go through your VSO first.... why don't your write it and take it to their office, mail it CM/RR or send it to both...? We sent docs to our VSO 2 years ago and they weren't in the file at the hearing.... why? Because our VSO didn't submit them....lucky for us I brought a copy along to the hearing.

Anyone out there know or, have some idea what docket date the BVA is currently working on or, even better.....where to find out? Hmmmm....maybe an IRIS inquiry would work. Can't hurt to try. Thank you.

Hey Brian, I'm sorry you didn't get a response to your original post. As per a Hardship, you have to prove either medical or financial hardship/or in some cases a medical hardship will create a financial hardship and vice verse. You can do this yourself, calling the AmLg in DC isn't going to suffice. You are going to want in writing anyway. There are no guarantees to get your claim moved up the docket, but, if you are pending eviction, terminal illness and there are a couple other things, I can't bring to mind this moment, those terms would suffice. If I were you, I'd write a letter outlining your hardship and request the hardship be attached to your file. Papertrail. There are so many Veterans right now that are experiencing hardship of some kind, I'm surprised your VSO (actually I'm not) handed the ball off to you to throw. A hardship letter could advance your claim but, as mentioned, you should get it all down in letter format and be certain to send it Certifiled Mail or FedEx, whichever is more reasonable. As for a waiver, are you asking about a waiver to review additional information at the RO level? Is your claim already at the BVA? They are so backed up and not bursting your bubble because I'm a firm believer in staying focused with a positive attitude, this process may not happen overnight, or even in weeks and/or months, unless there is a big reason your claim should move ahead. So get it right, be honest about the facts and it will get into your file. Without knowing when you filed your original claim or, anything at all about it...this is the best info I can offer you. We have 7+ year claim with a docketed dated at BVA of 2005, remanded and now the file is back at BVA to decide. We filed a hardship and signed a waiver for further review at the RO level. The hearing was 1 1/2 years ago and I'm on this file like stink on you know what.....so if that tells you how far behind they are.....it's horrible, I understand. I do know that once the remand is done, if there is one, then the file is placed back in line using the original docket date...with hardship attached, we might get an answer in the next 3-6 months. I hope sooner, but reality is what it is. God Luck to You.... Someone may come along and post another answer or another idea.....I'm interested as well. P.S - The other sitation to have a claim advanced is "advancement of the Veterans age" - and, if you get a remand - it's possible the AMC would decide the claim with a yey or ney and if it's a ney, your file goes back to the BVA and is placed back in line with the original docket date. This is what I have heard, I have not seen this with my own eyes. A yey could just as easily go to the BVA for a send back to the RO....it's called VA Stall Tactics 101. Stay positive.

Found it! It was here on Hadit...posted by Carlie...Thanks Carlie! Ok, now my brain links are plugged back in. Whew. I knew I'd seen this. I know each State also has additional benefits for Veterans with sc illness/disease. This was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again to Hadit. Vetslady Borrowed from elsewhere and may not be up to date. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED VETERANS EVALUATION BENEFITS 0% To 20% •Certification of Eligibility for home loan guaranty. •Home loan guaranty fee exemption. VA Priority medical treatment card. •Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling under title 38 USC Chapter 31 (must be at least 10%) •Service Disabled Veterans insurance (Maximum of $10,000 coverage) must file within 2 years from date of new service connection. 10 point Civil Service Preference (10 points added to Civil Service test score). Clothing allowances for veterans who use or wear a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (artificial limb, braces, or wheelchair) or use prescribed medications for skin condition, which tend to wear, tear or soil clothing. •Temporary total evaluation (100%) based on hospitalization for a service connected disability in excess of 21 days; or surgical treatment for a service connected disability necessitating at least 1 month of convalescence or immobilization by cast, without surgery of more major joints. 30% In addition to the above: •Additional allowances for dependent(s) [spouse, child(ren), step child(ren), helpless child(ren), full-time students between the ages 18 to 23, and parent(s)] •Additional allowances for a spouse who is a patient in a nursing home or helpless or blind or so nearly helpless or blind as to require the aid and attendance of another person. 40% In addition to the above: •Automobile grant and/or special adaptive equipment for an automobile provided there is loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, loss or permanent loss of one or both hands or permanent impaired vision of both eyes with central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in better eye. •Special adaptive equipment may also be applied for if there is ankylosis of one or both knees or one or both hips. 50% In addition to the above: •VA Medical outpatient treatment for any condition except dental. •Preventive health care services. •Hospital care and medical services in non-VA facilities under an authorized fee basis agreement. 60% In addition to the above: •Increased compensation (100%) based on individual Unemployability (applies to veterans who are unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service connected disability) 100% In addition to the above: •Dental treatment. •Department of Defense Commissary privileges. •Veteran’s employment preference for spouse. •Waiver of National Service Life Insurance premiums. •National Service Life insurance total disability income provisions. •Specially adapted housing for veterans who have loss or permanent loss of use of both lower extremities or the loss or blindness in both eyes having light perception only plus loss or permanent loss of one lower extremity or the loss or permanent loss of use of one lower extremity with loss or permanent loss of use of one upper extremity or the loss or permanent loss of use of one extremity together with an organic disease which affects the function of balance and propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or wheelchair. •Special home adaptation Grant (for veterans who don’t qualify for Specially Adapted Housing) may be applied for if the veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to blindness in both eyes with visual acuity or 5/200 or less or loss of or permanent loss of use of both hands. 100% (Permanent and Total) in addition to the above: •Civilian Health and Medical Program for dependents and survivors (ChampVA) •Survivors and dependents education assistance -------------------- Truth Wins --- sometimes you just have to walk thru fire to get there ! When you have the CREDIBLE & PROBATIVE EVIDENCE - NEVER give up ! I am not an attorney or VSO, any advice I provide is strictly my humble opinion therefore not to be held out for liable.

Thank you Bergie....yes, I have seen this before, thank you for the reminder. My plate is so full if I put one more thing on it, it will surely drop and everything will break. What I'm searching for is it seems somewhere, either here on Hadit or on the VA site I saw a table that showed if a Veteran is a 30% they are entitled to.....if 50%........and if 70% they are entitled to and so on. ie: RX, commisary, etc. Maybe it will come to me or, better yet, I'll find the "note to self" about this....in the meantime, I need to find out where this information can be obtained. If I find it, I'll post the link..... SOS! until then....

I'm looking for the link (I know I've seen one, but can't find it) that lists all of the State and Federal benefits a sc Veteran is entitled to by the percentage they are sc with....ie: 0 cost for meds at 50% sc, etc. Can someone point me in the right direction to find it? This is probably a question that is asked often, please accept my apology in advance for not being able to find it. Thank you very much, VetsLady

Does this mean that the spouse of a Veteran, when the Veteran passes and they have been sc for at least 10 years and they pass due to the sc, the spouse will receive what entitlement was for the Veteran at the time of death or, just DIC? Thanks.....

Not sure what the 5-10-20 year rule is, but I'll be watching this thread to find out.

Is this the same life insurance offered when you become sc? My husband was denied because part of his disability was due to a non sc illness. That illness sc is pending at BVA. When the decision comes in, we can reapply I would presume. They say you have to be health "not including your sc disabilities" which is the only reasons he isn't healthy. Curious.