Ask Your VA Claims Questions | Read Current Posts
Read VA Disability Claims Articles
Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules
Maureenjls
-
Posts
22 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
VA Disability and Benefits Information
VA Benefits News
Store
Posts posted by Maureenjls
-
-
I just got a call from the REPS Coordinator in St. Louis....he said my claim has been approved....YEAH -
Is there some formula I can use to figure out how much is due me? I want to make sure the award is correct. We are talking about 1999 when my son turned 16...wow where do the years go?
Thanks,
Maureen
-
Just received a call from the VA regarding my inquiry on 11/16/11 regarding my REPS claim. Can you believe she knew nothing about REPS, I mean nothing at all. She said she would find someone who did and call me back. So I took Berta's advice and e-mailed the Office of Survivors. Hope to hear something soon.
Maureen
-
I faxed everything they needed directly to the REPS Dept in St. Louis before my award, and as soon as I got the award letter I faxed that right along. Ill sit tight until I hear from someone on my inquiry. I would like to thank you so very much for all your help, and I will let you know the outcome.
Maureen
-
Berta
He is the gentleman I spoke with.....he forwarded my application to the Philadelphia RO and he is waiting for their approval. He can't do anything until it is awarded by the RO.
Maureen
-
So disgusted.....Called the VA 800# yesterday and today, no one, I mean no one knows anything about REPS or the status of my claim. I had to explain what the benefit was to one of them. It is not even on their screen. Whats happening is, they set up an inquiry for someone to call me. In the mean time, I called the REPS guy in St. Louis and he gave me a person to ask for but no phone number. So I called the 800 number again, and asked for this lady and they said "can not transfer calls"....and set up another inquiry. I also sent an IRIS this morning. Boy, this back and forth with the VA never stops does it? Im prepared to see it thru to the end. My husband would be so proud.
Maureen
Forgot to mention, the REPS guy only does the money, the RO decides eligibility.
-
Berta -
I filed for REPS Benefits in September 2011.. I just wasn't sure if REPS should have been on my award letter, or if it is an entity in itself. Nothing about CHAMPVA, and yes to educational benefits.
-
Berta,
Received my award letter on November 12, 2011 - Decision - Service connection for the cause of death is granted, finally after 17 years......I am totally thrilled.
Retro money is for extended burial allowance -
No mention of REPS benefits - Is this an entity in itself or should it be included in my award letter?
-
Berta -
My claim IS for direct service connected death. Yes I do receive DIC because of the 10yr P & T regulation. My husband was a VA patient and we did not know he had CAD until the autopsy (so no diagnosis from the VA that I know of). My claim is for service connected death, extended burial allowances and REPS. Didn't think I was entitled to anything else because he did not have any claims with the VA for me to get accrued benefits. (hope I'm explaining all this correctly, I'm still learning). SMC, new to me, what is it?
My VSO is not on top of all this, that is why I am asking all these questions. I found out about REPS from this forum and submitted the claim myself, I did not even tell him. My husband was a VA patient and at the time I guess I was too devastated to realize negligence, so I never did anything about it.
Maureen
-
Talked to the REPS Dept (Paul) and was told as soon as they service connect my husband's death......Reps will be ready to go.
Thanks again,
Maureen
-
I have called the 1-800 number for the VA and actually never got anyone who knew what REPS was..... Thanks to this forum and Berta I would have never known.
Thanks again, Maureen
-
Berta -
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your knowledge. This was driving me crazy
.Yes I did receive my Nehmer letter from the VA.
And yes, NVLSP did contact me.....and Yes I did file a REPS claim.
I am just waiting patiently for the award letter.
Thanks again, I will be sure to let you know the outcome.
Maureen
-
Berta -
Please read if you have time - does this apply to what I am asking?
www.va.gov/vetapp03/Files/0300952.Txt is why I am so confused. Thanks in advance.
Yes - My Nehmer claim is at the rating board since Jan 18, 2011.
Yes - I have already applied for REPS benefits.
-
My questiion is....was your husband diagnosed with IHD before 1981....I thought the onset had to be before 1981. My husband was in Viet Nam but no diagnosis of IHD until 1994. I appreciate your hard work with all these regulations.
-
Am I understanding correctly, that in order for a widow to receive REPS benefits a diagnosis of IHD would have to become apparent before 1981. I am very confused reading the explanation. Please advise.
-
I did file a claim and got a rep, I will let you know how I make out. Thanks again for all your help.
-
Berta,
I'm not understanding how accured SMC may apply here, could you please explain. Thanks
-
Berta,
I'll try an explain, but please be patient, I am new at this. My actual award of DIC was in early 1995 it was NSC but because he was totally and permanently disabled for the 10 years prior I was awarded DIC. His passing had nothing to do with his recorded disabilities, we did not even know he had CAD until the autopsy, and yes, he was treated by the VA. I did receive burial benefits for a NSC death (300 I think).
I have Tricare health Insurance, I did receive DEA benefits but no Home Loan Certificate.
His total and permanent disability had been since he was released from the service. He stepped on a land mine in VN and lost partial use of both feet and his hearing.
No BVA awards or anything like that. He had been T&P for several years before his death.
I have never seen his medical records, all I sent to the VA when he passed was the death certificate and they took it from there.
I never thought any more about it until I saw the new IHD regulations.
Not sure I have explained myself properly but any questions please feel free to ask, I really appreciate your assistance. Thanks
-
My husband passed away suddenly in 1994 of severe occulsive coronary artery disease at 45 years of age. He was a disable veteran of the VN war with no previous diagnosis of this disease on his record. I do receive DIC payments because of the 10 year rule. My questions is....can his death be considered service connected now with the new IHD regulations. There are several State benefits I would be entitled to if his death was service connected. Thank you in advance
-
I just went online and got a 15% Discount on my Tmobile Cell Phone Bill from now on. It was easy but they did ask year I retired and I told them 1993 my effective date for 100%. I don't think that the Indians have a clue about the Military. All they asked was what Division and I told them US Army and retirement year.
I figure its worth 180 a year for me.
Thanks, got the discount as a member of military.co - it was easy.
-
I added a phone for wife and changed plans. TMobile gives 15% for Military they ask for ID and they give if you are a member of http://www.military.com/DC/DealIndex.jsp plus 700 Companies that offer discounts.
I get the Tmobile discount which is now 2 cell phones (smart) the G1 and a new Nokia Neuron and a free blueray headset and my home phone which includes all calls free in US and 7 cents a minute in Mexico.
Life is sweet http://www.military.com/DC/DealCoupon.jsp?deal_id=25074#
-
PS the VA is supposed to be looking through claims that were denied in the past that now come under the new AO regs.and ostensibly contact those vets or wiodws who fall under the new regs.
I don't believe they will accomplish that at all.
Any vet who has a disability on the new presumptives -with exposure to AO should file a claim ASAP and tell them of any past denials for the same condition (Attach and refer to copy of the denial if they have it)-or their vet rep has a copy of it) and remind them that Nehmer provides for a retroactive payment back to the filing date of the past denied claim.
In my comment for the regulations in the Federal Register I made point regarding IHD that:
"1.The definition of Ischemic heart disease, relying on Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine ( 2008 Edition on line per the regulation) iscncise enough for VA to properly identify and rate IHD even though the medical records could show a different nomenclature that means the same disability. The regulation, on page 5 of 20,separates HTN, PAD, and CVA from inclusion in the specific IHD regulations.
However the VA could (and should) infer any of these or other known medical conditions with an IHD etiology, that appear in the veteran's medical records, and establish a proper secondary service connected rating for them, if they raise to a compensable level,when they resolve these AO claims."
If the IHD was characterized differently in a past claim but is obvious IHD by virtue of ECHO results, EKGs etc, this point should be made to the VA.
I feel that -many past claims for IHD already had C & Ps that could still be relevant unless a newer C & P has to be performed fir any increase in disability since the last denied claim for IHD.
But I fear some rater would not order a new C & P and possibly deny the new IHD claim because the past C & P and med recs did not specify IHD well.
Although the new regs clarifies IHD- it pays to clarify our claims so there is no way VA can get out of a IHD claim.
A lawyer on the radio shows I did for SVR said that not all CAD is IHD.This is quite possible.
IHD can be determined by Echo, METS, and the Ejection Fraction as well as by atherosclerotic involvement.
.
Received Award
in Agent Orange
Posted
I agree.....I would have never known if it wasn't for you and this site. Thank you so much. I appreciate your dedication.
Maureen