RuskiLinguist

Hugh, Check out one of my previous posts. Theres a whole thread there about it with tons of good stuff from everyone. Thanks for the suggestions, Carlie.

After 5 long years, my second application for SSD was approved within 5 months. My final appeal for my first application is still in the courts. Thanks much to all here who helped me finally get that approval, and my heart goes out to those still waiting and fighting. My big question now is what, if any, benefits should I research now that both the VA and SSA consider me disabled. For example the student loan forgiveness was a hidden benefit, the Federal Parks pass was another hidden one. Can you good folks recommend any more hidden gems that I should be looking into? Thanks again, and best wishes to all Your Ruski Linguist

Carlie I agree completely and hope they take it 2 steps further. 1. Don't pay the ALJ that cant do the basic job we pay him or her to do; and pay all of the backpay out of the judges pocket. That's the only way they will ever feel a sense of accountability. Congratulations, and thanks so much Bon for sharing this with us. I am at the Appeals Council Level, but have only been there for about 6 months. I am hoping for similar results as you received. Sincerely, RL

I haven't looged on to this site in some time, and WHAT A TREAT. I am sooooooo happy for you and would have loved to see a picture of hubby's smile when you showed him the letter. Thank you so much for the great news and follow-up. It made my week ;-)

Since may, I have watched 2 other veterans (1 at 100% schedule; and 1 at 70% plus TDIU) get forgiveness of their student loans. Neither has taken more than the time yours has been in process. Please help me, help you, and I will be glad to help scrutinize every detail to see if there is anything different between me and these other 2 and your husbands situation. Look in your private MSG box and I will give you my direct number. I want to see you and your hubby win this supposedly easy benefit. Smile, Privyet od Victora

This was a reply from back in September. Like most, I don't like to be wrong. Has there been any update. I am on pins and needles now. My reputation might be held in the hands of some beauracratic YERK!!! How can I help cut out the red tape on this one? I want All of us to get the benefits we have been promised and have earned by more than 1 or 2 sacrifices that most will never know. XOXOX World, Power To The Ruski ;-)

Hello Maurice, I see your profile states you are 100% Individual Unemployability. Are you also 100% disabled, or is it a rating of less than 100% with the distinction of Individual Unemployability? Either way, I find it unbelievable that one governmental organization can say you are not able to work, and another can then say you can. Different measurement criteria are an absolute cop-out, and completely without merrit. I feel the VA should be given the greatest weight since they are also charged with establishing that our medical conditions not only exist at a disabling level, but that the things we say happened in our past are also verified through some measure of investigative standard. Anyway, I am working hard with my lawyer to draft a good appeal, but I am still looking for anyone with advice as to how to deal with ALJ's who are either crooked, or you pick your own adjective, but the point remains the same: There are so many of us getting screwed, and that number WILL grow as long as there is no voice for us in the 3 branches of government we ALL served! Respectfully and dedicated to the good of many not just me, Ruski

I appreciate your insight very much. I know that in all of the forums I have become involved, that I am the only veteran with 100% SC disability who has been denied Social Security Disability. I have an attorney who wants her $6000, but I I can not trust anyone other than my fellow veterans. This PRICK of a judge has gone from being a bad judge to being the worst judge in the entire United States regarding his approval of claims. He will never be held accountable for his indiscretion, and no one will ever get a fair ruling from him as long as he sits in his appointed position. If anyone wants to understand the truth about these ALJ's, the do a google search on: "ALJ disposition data" and you will see that Judge David Buell was allowed to xxxx me over and my congressional representative Dave Loebsack, did nothing more than monitor the shafting that I took from Judge David Buell! How can we make these deliberate injustices a priority in our governments efforts?????

Seriously!? Not one of you has any advice on how to deal with a judge that has been placed between you or a loved one and the benefits you so richly deserve?

The reaction I received from my Congressman and Senator was: Thank you for allowing us to help you in your SSD claim. Please sign these forms so we may better understand and support your appication. [i signed and returned them} Their follow through; Your claim is ready for assignment to an ALJ. 4 months later; Your claim is ready to be heard by an ALJ. 4 months later; Your claim is ready to be hard by an ALJ. I could figure all that out by looking on the SSA website. So, what value do these people who claim to "serve us" actually serve? If my promises were that empty when I was in the Army, I would have ended up with a dishonorable discharge AT BEST!!! I only made about $700 as a Private, and I still had more honor in my big toe than these people have in their whole body at a price tag of over $150,000/year. The good news is that I am closer to a title for my first book on the realities of serving America. I am leaning towards a title of "Between the bench and the Throne, an American Monarch". I thought it could be a "fictional novel" tracking a gentlemans bet between a belligerent ALJ, and a Saudi Arabian Prince to see who can destroy the lives of more American's, without making the FBI's most wanted list. Yes, I am a little enraged, and of course with 100% disabling PTSD, I have a few trust issues, but just because a person is paranoid does not mean there isn't someone out to get them!!! Just so I have a question out here, What is the next step in the appeal process? What are the timeline requirements for responce? What are the percent chances for an overturn of decision? and Does it mean I have a crappy attorney because I lost such an obvious case to a biased ALJ? I know the filing timeline, cause its always 60 days. If only their rules were that cut and dry... Sincerely your highly agitated Ruski Linguist!!!

Yes. My Social Security Disability Claim was denied. I haven't received the write up yet, so I can not say why based upon their wording. But the real reason why is the same as I have been stating here from the beginning. Some of the judges in the ALJ pool approve way too many of the applications they see, and some deny way too many of the claims they see. The only way this can be true is that there is way too much subjectivity in the process. For example, everything I have shared in this thread is 100% true. The Social Security Administration never sent me for a Psychological or Psychiatric examination with any of their doctors. The only medical evidence in their posession was derived from the VA, my own answers to their questions, and the Vocational Expert they had at the ALJ hearing. All of the statements, evaluations, treatment records, RFC forms, and Vocational Expert testimony said that I am not able to perform my past work, and that there is no work in the national economy that I can perform based upon my personal status and my medical conditions. The judge assigned to my case has gone from approving 30% of the cases he sees in the first quarter of FY 2012, to approving 17% of the cases he has heard in the second quarter of FY 2012. I am sure his downward trend will continue into the 3rd quarter, and the part that sux the most is that there is NO RECOURSE!!! Who is out here to help us when an overpowered arrogant jackass is assigned to the throne and over1denies cases presented to the SSA. We all know that they will come down severely on a judge who overapproves cases. Sorry for the rant, but there are even a lot of congressional and senate reps out there who think that the assignment of benefits for a 100% SC veteran shouldnt have to even wait, let alone be denied after almost 3 years of fighting. Whats a person to do????

Denied!!!!! WTF?????????

It was a full calendar month yesterday. Still no word from either the lawyer or the SSA. I know it will only go as fast and efficiently as pushing a rope. Im just curious how some folks can get through this process in a few months, and others it takes a few years. I read about the judge who had a 99% rate of approving SSD claims, and was fired. If we know that type of prejudice exists, then the corollary also has to be that some judges (prejudge) everyone to be not entitled to SSA benefits. I believe that both extremes are wrong, and both should be attacked equally agressively by the government.

I tried to post in another forum, but obviously failed: I have to admit that I did not do much research on this opportunity, but it did come to me from a different Veterans Benefits web site, and I think there may be one or two or more on this site who could/would take advantage of such an opportunity. Overall summary, is that if you are unemployed, and looking for some retraining, but can not afford the cost of changing courses, then you may be interested in reading/pursuing more: http://benefits.va.g...w/education.htm I am also attaching the wording of the VA Notification so you can decide if you want to pursue this link and the advertised benefits on your own. I assume that I personally do not qualify for this benefit, due to my ongoing need for treatment, but that is not an official answer. Anyway, this is a time-sensitive benefit, and in my opinion, an extremely valuable opportunity for a lot of folks on this site or their significant others. I wish you all well!!!! Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012. The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who: Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old Are unemployed Received an other than dishonorable discharge Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance) Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program. Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation. High Demand Jobs VRAP will provide training for programs of education that lead to a high demand occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor. Click here to see a listing of high demand occupations. VRAP Applications Are Open We are accepting VRAP applications now. Please visit eBenefits to apply. Remember, to complete the application, you will need to know your direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of your school, the program you wish to pursue, and the applicable high demand occupation Good Wishes to all of my fellow veterans!!! I will always value each of you more than those who have neither known victory or defeat;-) Your RL!

Great Opportunity for all!

I have to admit that I did not do much research on this opportunity, but it did come to me from a different Veterans Benefits web site, and I think there may be one or two or more on this site who could/would take advantage of such an opportunity. Overall summary, is that if you are unemployed, and looking for some retraining, but can not afford the cost of changing courses, then you may be interested in reading/pursuing more: http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm I am also attaching the wording of the VA Notification so you can decide if you want to pursue this link and the advertised benefits on your own. I assume that I personally do not qualify for this benefit, due to my ongoing need for treatment, but that is not an official answer. Anyway, this is a time-sensitive benefit, and in my opinion, an extremely valuable opportunity for a lot of folks on this site or their significant others. I wish you all well!!!! Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012. The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who: Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old Are unemployed Received an other than dishonorable discharge Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance) Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program. Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation. High Demand Jobs VRAP will provide training for programs of education that lead to a high demand occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor. Click here to see a listing of high demand occupations. VRAP Applications Are Open We are accepting VRAP applications now. Please visit eBenefits to apply. Remember, to complete the application, you will need to know your direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of your school, the program you wish to pursue, and the applicable high demand occupation

Ketchup, The words I have shared here on this site are completely true "if what you have stated in your previous posts are indeed true". I would hate it if the decision of an ALJ could tarnish my integrity. I know that we must all take things with a grain of salt. That also applies to ALJ's. They have a list of rules that they must abide by, but they are also bound by no medical diagnoses, no Vocational Expert testimony, no time frame (seriously, they can take as long as they wish to rule on my case), no physical evidence, nor any thing that we would all consider evidence. They can even declare the Medical Opinions of the VA to be a complete load of garbage and in the case of my district, they are not even required to give it anything more than "some weight". They can do all of this without even having a differing MEDICAL OPINION. I have never been seen by a shrink from the SSD. So, NO! my credibility does not rely on the decision of this or any ALJ, just as it has never relied upon any person other than me. They were appointed just like many of the officers we have all been forced to salute. If they deserved that salute, is not a reflection on US, but a reflection upon themselves. I do appreciate your opinion, and your read of my desperate situation. I merely do not place my reputation or my credibility upon the decision of ANY other person in this world. I hope the distinction doesn't keep us from sharing openly. Sincerely, The devoted Ruski Ally

Hey Hedgey, I just watched a movie that reminded me of my PTSD symptoms, and what DH must be going through. Have you ever seen the Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones in the Raiders of the Lost Ark? I am reminded of the scene where he is standing on the edge of a cliff and remembering his fathers words about having faith. He steps out into what appears to be a bottomless chasm, and was happily rewarded with a bridge that was an optical illusion right in his path. Because of his faith in someone who would never steer him wrong, he was rewarded. I know there are many former military people here would love to be able to have just a small portion of that kind of faith/trust in ANYONE else on the face of this planet. Reward them all by trusting this man whom you have never met, but can probably describe to your closest friend without much error. Submit the application, receive the reward, and then pay forward the love;-) None of us would ever deliberately steer the others wrong;-) Your Ruski Linguist Do Svidaniya, Ljeta

I understand the hesitation which is why i mentioned that it doesn't read as you would think it should. Fill out this form, and send it in with the 100% letter from the VA. They will first look to see if you are P&T. They will send you back a letter saying that you are not P&T, but that they are reviewing the evidence you sent to see if you are TDIU or 100% for sevice connected disabilities. Again, don't panic, and employment is not a condition of the student loan forgiveness. You do not need a doctor to fil out section 4. Your VA letter is all the evidence you need.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the answer from the ALJ faster than the 30-60 days the lawyer says it will take?

http://www2.ed.gov/o...rms/disable.pdf Is the form I used. I doesnt read like you would expect. but submitting this along with the rating decision granting Either 100%, 100% P&T, or TDIU and the loans will be forgiven. For those who are 100% or TDIU, they will send you a notice stating that you are not P&T. KEEP READING! It says that they will review your evidence to see in you are 100% or TDIU. The next letter will have your approval in it. When I studied Russian, I found it impossible ot write a simple letter home because of the alphabet differences, but I'm feeling much better now ;-)

DH can absolutely apply for the forgiveness. Employment has nothing to do with it. I wish you all the best!

I am inclined to start another topic on Government Eavesdropping and the potential impact on our individual situations! I mean even this web site is now gaining wide popularity on both Facebook and Twitter! Have any of you ever tried to find out exactly who is looking at your profile, how long, when, and what is the true identity of the person who checked you out? Has anyone ever trained you on how to publish your thoughts, feelings, experiences in a manner that only those you care about can read them? Privacy is a big issue, especially when you realize someone can and will use your random ramblings against you! Thoughts?

Sorry for the long delay in reply. This reply is to the question posed by VMO. VMO, The forgiveness is just for you as far as anything I have read or studied. You being declared 100% P&T entitles your school aged children (I forget what the max age is while they are attending school) to get their education covered under Chapter 35 benefits. The benefits may seem insignificant at first glance and prolly don't seem worth the trouble, but as anyone who has put a child through college can attest, $953/month in the hands of your student really frees up your ability to make sure they are there for a working degree instead of a or an MRS/MR degree! They want the $$$, and you have a reason to ask if they are showing up for class, cause it is your sacrifice and benefits that are allowing them to attend college. This is just one mans opinion, yet I fear it is too late to provide for your daughter, but there are many more of us out here with Precious Angels and Deamons that we know will change the world with a better education. Sincerely, Your RL (remember, the Russians are our friends!) LOL!

Fellow members of this site and future or current applicants for government benefits!!!!!!! During my hearing with the ALJ for my Social Security Disability Benefits, the judge asked me a strange question that has been bugging me since the hearing on Friday! He was trying to flush out what I do during the day, and even though the answer is mostly, "I take medicine, I go to doctors appts, I try to keep my house in shape to be lived in, I maybe use the computer about an hour a day, I watch television, and I lie down with something under my back to keep the pain away." he asked me if I participate in Archery! I asked the Lawyer and she says she never put anything of that sort in her briefings to the ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review). The as I was checking my Facebook today, I realized the first picture on the front page is of my son and I admiring our accuracy at a target in a 3D Archery tournament we attended in 2010. My point is that these folks are serious about making sure that our credibility is well established before they render a decision to spend those tax payer dollars on a disability claim. And if you think for one second your information on Facebook or Twitter, or any other social networking site is private, YOU ARE MISTAKEN!!! The worst part is that they don't even need a subpoena to get that information "about you" to use against you and your credibility! My Facebook fully supports my claim, and in no way compromises the integrity of my claim. Can all of you say the same? Just your paranoid Russian Linguist looking out for Big Brother of any sorts! Sincerely, RL