darkhorse

Places like Florida offer total tax exemption but here where i am property is tax exempt up to $180,000. $180,000 house in Southern CA would be a shed on a 10 by 10 lot. dh Each state is different like pete said. dh

GAF is just part of it. I know vets to get 70% or even tdiu with 55 gaf. In your case I would say if your records are representative of your GAF then that's good for at least 70% and possibly TDIU if you can't work. Main thing is what's in your treatment records. dh

what are your claims for? Is it both bipolar and PTSD and tinnitus? I didn't have time to read your other posts so just asking. dh

Make sure you treat yourself first for having to go through all this..........Also, if you donate any money make sure you do your research on the charity to make sure they have a good track record and are legit. As much as were are caring folks we can easily let our heart take over our mind. dh

I know it's hard but you can also look at this in a positive note since they tell you why you were denied. You now know what you need to do for a favorable decision. You can also ask for a reconsideration if you feel the decision was erred or they didn't review all the evidence. dh

Man, I'm glad this person said that so you don't go that route. You probably then wouldn't hear anything until after the new year. Especially in this case since you have been notified of the award. dh

WHAT? You mean they have Comp&Pen examiners doing exams that don't believe in PTSD. That's outragious and needs to be investigated. If this is true it's just as bad as that blow up where Examiners were told by higher ups not to diagnose PTSD. This is scary and the fact your VSO told you this after the exam shows he's not on top of his game either. I would be pissed at my VSO right now. dh

Thanks Pete, I tried school but had to stop since depression and anxiety took over and I couldn't concentrate in class. Missed classes too. dh

Thanks J

Thanks Testvet for that info. DH

since I have an OTH discharge can I get Commissary privaleges if im at 100% p&t? Since VA has determined my service was honorable for VA benefits will that do? I also have a letter from the VA stating my service was honorable even though I received an OTH. Just wondering if i'm out of luck? dh

Hello, I just received a letter today denying Voc Rehab because of the severity of my mental disability but I was granted Individualized Independent Services. She also stated she sent a letter to VA claims adjudication informing them I didn't qualify for Voc Rehab due to mental illness. Question number 1 is: Has anyone here have any experience with this program (independent living services)? Question 2: Will this help with my TDIU claim? Thanks for any comments, dh

My exam was at end of July and was just informed it was being finalized for rating so hopefully won't be too much longer. Its for increase and TDIU. From looking at the exam it was favorable at least for an increase. I will be happy to just get an increase for now and estatic if I get TDIU but I don't expect it first time around. dh

If you feel you cannot work due to your S/C condition, even at 50%, I would go ahead and put in a claim for IU. A claim for IU is the same as a claim for increase. The VA is more likely to raise your rating instead of considering extra-schedular consideration. In other words if you meet the requirements for IU you also likely meet the requirement for increased rating. On the TDIU form it ask if you left your last job due to your service connected condition. Since you left your last job because of BK this will prolong your claim a bit but this can be good since it will give you time to get all your evidence for TDIU submitted to the VA. Again, I would go ahead and fill out the TDIU form and turn it in if you cannot work due to your S/C disability since this is basically asking for an increase anyway. This will also secure your effective date. Here's the form for TDIU. Got this from Berta's post. http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?act=...ost&id=2956 DH

Brought up as in????? That can mean subjective Vs. Objective evidence. In an original claim the VA is most likely reviewing the objective evidence and hard evidence meaning SMR's and the Examiner's opinion. If the examiner opines that your current disability is connected to service by just what you tell him/her then the opinion won't have much probative value unless you have it documented. dh

Even big screen flat panel TV's have dramatically come down in price. The same model I bought last year for 1100 is now on sale at Fry's for 750. Damn, wish I would have waited. dh

You're making a generalized statement that the cost of things are up and that is simply not true. If that were true we would definetely get Cola for 2010 based on inflation. dh

I wouldn't turn this in to the VA as it may hurt your claim. What claims do you have with the VA? dh

Along with GAF do cognitive problems play a part in the rating decision for mental disorders? I scored below 1st percentile for all the short and long term memory tests in psych exam and examiner said my memory problems are part of my total disability picture. He didn't say whether my memory problems are related to my mental disorder so now i'm worried. dh

Bring in a list of your problems so you don't forget anything. Also bring in any medical evidence you have showing the severity of your depression. Have you provided the VA with your private shrink medical notes? dh

Yes, exams for increase and/or tdiu are normal. After the exams they will go back to the development team, once developed they go up to the rater then after rating the authorization level. It shouldn't take too long after your exams are done with depending on if there favorable. My last one took about 3 months from exam to official award. good luck, dh

I brought two medical opinions to my exam so the examiner to opine the same way. He read them during the exam and I asked if he agreed and he said "sure do, this all makes sense." I was relieved that I had those with me. He didn't have my C-file but he had my VA medical records and I guess he didn't need the file since it was for increase. dh

Do we have to take our DD214 when we go to get our ID or will a letter from VA suffice? I lost my DD214. dh

I don't know why any Vet would go through IRIS for Cola petitioning. This is the least effective way of getting heard. dh People start petitions and calling their congress-people and sending questions through the iris system etc.... When all it is - is a number's game, in my opinion if we get ANY COLA, it's a small lotto win, on our side. jmho, carlie

Cola is on a federal level, not dependent on what state you live. If a Cola is issued we all get it. VA cola is a backdrop off SS. If you starting receiving SS prior to 2009 you got a Cola. dh