[Infeasible To Work?]

Dustin,

If you do go back to work, you will more than likely lose your SSDI and jeopardize any VA ratings for PTSD. Just a thought to keep in mind if you are thinking of going back to work. If you are unable to return to work, you should definitely file a claim for TDIU as I suggested in my previous post. JMO

GP

[Infeasible To Work?]

Buck,

You may be right. However, in Dustin's post he stated he put in a claim to increase his 70% PTSD rating. If his claim succeeds, he will have a 100% PTSD rating and he will not be able to work so he might as well file the IU claim. Perhaps Dustin is not aware that he can not work with a 100% mental disorder rating.

GP

[Vet Sues Pittsburgh Va]

Hopefully, this lawsuit will be followed by lawsuits filed by the families of the six veterans who died and the 21 other veterans who developed Legionnaires disease. I am surprised that some of the employees at the VA facility did not contract Legionnaires disease.

GP

[Infeasible To Work?]

Dustin2100,

You should file a claim for IU ASAP. You are receiving SSDI and have been told by Voc-Rehab that you are unemployable. If you don't already have it, get a letter from Voc-Rehab stating you are unemployable. Send the Voc-Rehab letter and the SSDI award letter in as your evidence to support your IU claim.

Good luck.

GP

[Army Seeks To Identify Troops, Veterans Exposed To Chemical Weapons]

Vync,

This is SOP for the military. Look at how many years (decades) went by before they finally decided to do something about Agent Orange exposure by Vietnam veterans. Another example is the exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune by Marines and their families from the 1950s to the 1980s. The longer they wait to acknowledge the exposure and disabilities caused by the exposure, the fewer the claims because a large portion of those exposed will be dead and not able to file claims. Disgraceful conduct by our government over and over. JMO

GP

[2 Mn Lawmaker Wants To Give Veterans More 'choices']

The only real "Veteran's Choice" program would be a program that actually allowed veterans the choice of using the VAMC facilities or using private healthcare providers of the veterans choice. This will never happen because the VA and the politicians know that veterans would overwhelmingly choose private healthcare providers over the VAMC facilities because private healthcare providers would give veterans more choices, timely appointments and better overall healthcare. JMO

GP

[Bva Traveling Board]

me.plum,

Congratulations on your long overdue and well deserved award. Sorry it took so long for the VA to finally do the right thing.

Since your combined rating is now over 50%, you are considered to be in priority group one (1) in the VA healthcare system. As a result, you can use the VA healthcare system for any medical condition (service connected or non-service connected) with no copays for VA medical care or VA prescriptions. Your health care at the VA is totally free. You can also go to the business office at your VAMC and request reimbursement of any copays you paid for VA medical appointments or VA prescriptions retroactive back to the effective date of your recent award that put you over 50%.

Good luck and Semper Fi.

GP

[Army Seeks To Identify Troops, Veterans Exposed To Chemical Weapons]

Kevin,

Excellent post. Hopefully, more vets who were exposed to chemical agents will receive the benefits they deserve.

GP

[Question About Retro Pay.]

Oiler1995,

Are you currently receiving SSDI? If you are, submit your SSDI award info when you file for IU. It will help you get IU and your effective date of your IU could be backdated to the effective date of your SSDI award.

Good luck to you.

GP

[I Need Letters From Vets That Had Contact With Petroleum Chemicals On The Job, Active Duty]

retiredat44,

Another thought. Copies of IMOs or other documentation used by other veterans who had exposure to any of the chemicals named in your posts and succeeded with their claims. Hopefully, the IMOs or other documentation would contain reasonable medical rationale you could possibly use and the IMOs would also provide you with the names and contact info on specialists who might provide assistance with your claims. The veterans could black out their personal info or communicate with you via PM.

Good luck to you.

GP

[Back Pay Confusion Possible Over Payment.]

cdbean04,

If you have received your retro, you should be receiving the BBE soon and your questions will be answered. Based on the comments in your post, an IU award is the only reason I can see for a 100% retro award.

Good luck and let us know what you find out when you receive the BBE.

GP

[100% P&t]

AFEngineer,

Congratulations on your successful award. Enjoy all the benefits that come with a 100% P & T award. Champva health insurance for your eligible family members, Chapter 35 DEA educational benefits for spouse and eligible children, state benefits vary by state (property tax breaks, vehicle tax breaks, state income tax breaks, etc.)

Good luck to you and your family and thank you for your many years of dedicated service to our country.

GP

[Direct Deposit]

dramirez24dc,

Since your latest award put you above the 50% level, you are now in group one (1) in the VA healthcare system. As a result, you can receive care for any condition at the VA and will no longer have copays for appointments or VA prescriptions. In addition, you can contact the business office at your VAMC and request reimbursement of all copays you paid for VA appointments and VA prescriptions retroactive back to the effective date of your latest award that put you over 50%.

Semper Fi.

GP

[Curious Nomination To Head Veterans Health Administration]

If he is a promoter of medical provider accountability, he sounds like an excellent choice. Only time will tell if he is able to make the drastic changes needed in the VA healthcare system. JMO

GP

[Finally Got Paid]

free_spirit_etc,

Congratulations. Sorry it took so long for the VA to do the right thing. It is the least they could have done considering you lost your husband to receive the benefit. I am glad to see you have some happiness once again on your wedding anniversary. Take care of yourself.

GP

[Va Open On Good Fruday?]

Kate,

I am sure VA offices have the same Holiday closure dates as other federal agencies and they will not be closed on Good Friday. JMO

GP

[Direct Deposit]

dramirez24dc,

Congratulations on a long overdue and well deserved award. Sorry it took the VA so long to make their decision.

Good luck and Semper Fi.

GP

[P&t Claim]

rpowell01,

If you haven't already done so, request assistance from Undersecretary Hickey. A lot of vets have been helped recently by Ms. Hickey. It would not hurt to see if she could help you also. She seems to be performing miracles lately.

Good luck to you.

GP

[Agent Orange - Check This Before Posting Your Question It May Have Already Been Answered]

dongtam,

Mesothelioma is one of the soft tissue sarcomas not presumed to be related to Agent Orange by the VA. Does he have any other cancers or diseases of any type?

GP

[Dro Decision Coming Up On 4 Years (41 Months)]

Troop54,

Congratulations on the reinstatement of your 100% P & T award.

Good luck to you.

GP

[Bwe Not Bbe But Have A Couple Of Questions?]

jefmil50,

According to the VA, creative organs would include procreative or reproductive organs (e.g.- men's testicles or women's ovaries)

[Now I Know In What Direction]

oldnavypa,

Congratulations on your well deserved award and thank you for your many years of dedicated service to our country. Happy Easter to you and your family.

Good luck and good health.

GP

[I Am 100% Ptsd Disabled, Can I Still Work. It Does Not Say Iu 100%]

chiefjr,

If your employer deducts income taxes and/or social security from your pay, the VA can find out you are working. If you buy anything on credit, information on your employment will be listed with the credit bureaus and the VA can easily retrieve this information. If any of your coworkers, friends or others know or find out you are receiving VA disability compensationn and working, they may report you to the VA.

You are taking a big risk by working and collecting 100% disability for PTSD. JMO

GP

[Brown Envelope]

grtone72,

The award letter doesn't always contain all the info it should. You might want to check your "Benefits Summary Letter" which can be found under "VA Letters" in your ebenefits account. You may find more info on the "Benefits Summary Letter." JMO

Good luck and thank you for your service.

GP

[Finally Movement But In What Direction?]

oldnavypa,

Some parts of ebenefit's are useful and some will drive you nuts. Don't pay attention to estimated completion dates. They constantly change and rarely make sense. JMO

Good luck to you.

GP