ptsd The Board Of Appeals Has Made A Decision..

[khardbored]

I've been reading through this board for quite some time. It's given me hope in my 5 year long claims/appeals process. So let me give you a little bit of the history first.

I'm a Vietnam Veteran, '68-'70, and decided (about 5 years ago) to try and get some benefits. I never thought it would ever work, or was worth it, but my wife finally convinced my crazy ass to at least try. So, I go in and they evaluate me to all hell and back and give me an initial GAF score of 49 and 30%. I appealed this and they denied it. I appealed it again and have been waiting for about 2 years on a decision. Oh man can they shuffle you around, yikes. Anyway, I recieved the big brown envelope today and just figured it was a newsletter or something. The front page said " Dear Appellent, The board of appeals has made a decision on your case". Then for about 5 pages it talks about what my shrink said and all kinds of stuff that is beyond me. Then it comes to the "Conclusion" page and it says stuff like "In light of the foregoing, the board concludes that the criteria for entitlement to an intitial 70% evaluation for PTSD, prior to may 16 2006, and an initial 100% for PTSD from May 16 2006, have been met." Then it says a bunch of stuff I don't understand then at the end of the page it says Inasmuch as the evidence in this case supports the veterans claims, such claim must be granted...then on the second to the last page it says ""Order"": An initial 70% evaluation for PTSD prior to may 16th 2006 is granted subject to statutory and regulatory provisions goverening the payment of monetary benefits" Then it says the same thing about 100% and then a Veterans Law Judge signed it.

Does this mean I finally get my well deserved 100%? If so, how much back do I get? Do I 100% backpay from may 16th 2006 till now and 70% before that? This is all so confusing, sigh. I hate this legalize talk, can someone put it in "dumb old guy" for me? Thanks a bunch!

[Pete53]

Khard:

Congrats. The BVA will send your award back to your VARO and they will figure out the amount. The thing that you left out was the date of entitlement prior to May 2006 for the 70% since you are married the 100% would be in the ballpark of $32,000 by my gestimate.

I have no exact idea but you could probably figure out how many months you were due 70% award and multiple it times maybe a 1000 for each month add it to the 32,000 and be in the ball park.

I am not sure about the thousand but you get how to do it.

It should not take the VARO to long to finish up and start paying.

Pete

[khardbored]

I officially started receiving my 30% around March of 2004. I appealed that right away and finally got the approval today. My wife, kids, everyone are still doubtful that I'll even get backpay. The VA has been either really awesome or complete BS, so we really don't know what to think anymore. We're praying we get at least 20,000 back pay so we can move out of this bug-ridden place and actually live like normal people again.

What is the VARO anyway? Also, the judge signed it on June 13th, so would it be ok to think that I may have some extra money come the first? Thats when they direct deposit my 300 some bucks...

[carlie]

KHARD and family - (especially the wife),

If what you posted is correct information, then ---

Yes, you will be geeting more than $20,000 back pay, and will be able to move out of that bug ridden place ! Congrats.

carlie

[Ricky]

khardbored - The back is a given per the BVA decision. I do not think you will see it on the 1st for as Pete said it has to go back to the VARO so they can figure out how much back pay to pay you. The VARO (VA Regional Office) is the office in your state where you filed your initial claim. I would think that your back pay should be paid by the end of July 07. If it is not received by then I would start calling the VARO via the 1-800-827-1000 number and ask them what is going on. Congratulations my friend!

[khardbored]

Thank you all so much for the replies. It's helped put my mind at ease. Anyone know just how much 100 percent even is? One of my service buddies said it is 2200, but I've been told hundreds of different things, so I'm not too sure what it is or if it varies per person...

Thanks again guys, I mean it.

[john999]

100% for a vet and spouse is $2610 a month. Did you apply for SSA disability yet?