Missouri_Vet

I dont know how many people rent or own but, I just found out today in the state of missouri if your 100 percent or disabled through social security you can get a credit for your personal property tax up to 750. per year if you rent or 1100 if you own. I also found out that you can file up to 3 years back which is a large chunk of change. im expecting over 2k so that is my cola for the year. Im sure that most states prob have this rule because missouri seems always last to implement anything. The big question for me was "why didnt i know about this before"?

Something interesting that could raise some eyebrows... Many of you that go to the VA like I do watch the doctor, nurse, tech or whomever open your records on the computer screen in front of you. On mine there is a box that is surrounded by aterisks * and it says in the box that it is sensitive or secure. I asked one day what all that was about and the person told me that the only reason the box is there is because if you have ever been violent or a problem, or if you have ever worked for the VA. She asked me jokingly "which one i was"? which I replied " Which one do you think i am"? Truth be known ive worked at a va before and ive been a problem so both i guess but, dont you think this is kinda a violation of rights as a patient? I mean i have been to several VA's and it shows up on everyone one of them, and everytime i get that look from em....and i just say ive worked at a va before and then they are nice again. They already have a predetermined outlook on my visit that it is going to be bad or that they have to be wary of me or something. I worked for VA 20 years ago, and the inccident prob happened 10 yrs ago... The VA never forgets and I think it affects outcomes of VA care, CNP's etc....

I would just download it from the va.gov website print it, fill it out and mail it with a the return green stamp from the postoffice to verify they got it. I wouldnt wait on the VA to do anything.....if you know what i mean. That way youll feel alot better and have peace of mind that you sent it and didnt have to wait for them.

Ive had to be taken off of simvistatin which they (the VA) told me was a powerful drug. They put me on pravistatin (dont know if thats spelled right) which is a weaker form of statin. They did it because i was having aches and pains all over my body and could only relate it to the statin. There is a test they can give you to see if you are having a reaction to it. I would ask for the test.

Ive ordered records from them and gotten extra records that they didn't include every time i ordered them....which turned out pretty good actually as I was able to prove some in service stressors.

In Missouri when you file for one your filing for both, because i didn't work for quite some time they owed me not only for SSI (one lump sum payment) but, also for SSD back pay. So I had 2 lump sums and then started getting the SSD which was pretty nice. Since its goobermint it should be the same in your state. Most have it also that when you file for SSD or SSI now that you also file for medicaid as one big process. I have a friend that didnt have enough credits to get the SSD and gets SSI but, its offset by his VA 100 percent because they call SSI earned income and SSD is not earned income. hope you get the SSD!!

Has va watchdog said anything about it? maybe everyone from the veteran community can hear about it, so something can be done.

I would look in to it, as far as i remember when i was in the army. Were you already discharged with an honorable discharge? The remaining time that you signed up for on your contract would be in the IRR. The tricky part is this... It doesn't require anything but, a commanders authority (signature) to push the paperwork that you were ineligible for duty and therefore exempt or waived from it. I think the only way you could get a medical discharge according to the regs is to actually be on physical active duty. If your in the IRR and not getting paid for it...your not active. Hence the name inactive ready reserve..When you get released from active duty to inactive status your dd-214 tells you the character of service and the RE-code at the bottom. its this RE-code or re-enilistment code that would tell you if it was medically related or not. The code is located at the bottom of the page on the right.. hope this helps

I would definitely request one. In my case, I requested a hearing and it never even went to that point. They (the regional office, in my humble opinion) don't like to listen to the veteran and his problems and will do everything in their power to not have to answer all the questions that they have been ducking from the veteran. I myself asked for a formal one, not a casual one as you will have the choice. They will want to have a casual one because it suits them better. The casual ones don't even have to be recorded and they don't treat it as seriously as what I think they should. A formal one means recorders possibly video etc etc...and not in the snack room outside the formal adjudication offices like they like to give the casual ones....It also makes them know your serious about your claim. They do have the power during a formal one to award it right then. Also the same person that you would be talking to for your hearing would also be the same person who adjudicates your claim. It wont be a rater at your stage it will be the specialist. What he will do is go over your entire claim, not like the raters did originally but, will look at everything involved with your claim. The highest award 100 percent is what every veteran wants, no one would ask for a lower one. So by regulation they have to try and give you the highest possible percentage that they can. If they can't do this, the specialist will draw up what is called a "statement of case" many people receive one when they can not get the total amount 100 percent but, a partial award. This statement of case is also used for the introduction letter for the CAVC if you plan on appealing it. Which the statement of case will have all the directions on what to do if you disagree with it. I hope this helps and doesnt make it even more confusing... This was my personal experience with it, im sure that there are some more veterans that would have some things to say that happened to them with it as well.

When I had a C&P, I asked for the copy of it from the records dept in the VA hospital. They said that I couldn't get it yet because it was still being processed meaning... that they still had to type it all up at a different location. They then put that C&P in my medical record where i could actually get at it. It was at the raters when I got to look at it. which was a little late for me to refute it the first time around. low balled and then had to file NOD. Eventually got 100 percent based on mistake they made on the first one.....

I got approved it in a month and half which is the quickest you can get SSD. It was approved through disability determinations the first step after filing a claim for SSD. If they determine by their in house docs, then it goes to the main office for final adjudication. I think the key to it is having all your evidence and meeting the criteria for disability by their standard. I just used VA records and only had 30 percent at the time for PTSD. I also included in my VA records which they had to read as to why I thought I met the VA criteria as well. The standard they use for the VA and SSD are different they say but, they use the same DSM to do it with lol. So I'd say its the same when you explain it like that to a doctor. I also included a personal evaluation of myself and how i met the standard for disability based on my doctors notes. All these things they have to read to determine as evidence in your claim.

During a C and P exam that I had years ago the examiner asked If physically I could do a job or light work as he called it... I stated NO because of 1. The meds that I was on have physical side effects and 2. because of the mental condition (PTSD, Panic attacks, and depression) I don't physically get enough sleep. This was an acceptable answer to the examiner who didnt want to hear mental reasons but, to get a complete picture it has to be included in it. Not enough sleep and medical or physical side effects from medicines all effect examiners answers to those type of questions. Sure they dont want to put that stuff in there but, when you put it like that they have to... Also I made sure that he wrote it down and not just nod in agreement with me as he turned the page. I'm also going to add if you've gotten your SSD yet before all this, its always good to bring them a copy of it with you along with the medical records you want to show them. Examiners like those kind of records because they can copy from them without having to do as much work because its already been done by someone else... When I say SSD records I dont just mean the award letter but, also the medical records that they determined your award. Example: The doctor that awarded me was in the first stage of getting SSD called Disability Determinations. All claims go to that office first before, to see if they need to be adjudicated by a hearing, if no hearing is needed then you get SSD in a shorter amount of time. Also If they did say that your PTSD was going to be the deciding factor your going to do fine.

Yes, I know someone who was rated for their epilepsy and had to go to a different VA a few states away that had a facility just for that. They induced a few seizures in him and then watched him over the next few days to categorize the type of epilepsy he has. They also videoed it. It was no big deal to him though since they paid him to go there and he got his rating shortly after that. The video also helped him later for when he appealed his claim for a higher percentage.

Got mine Thursday night at about midnight Woot!!!