Need Help With Convalescent Pay After A Surgery

[mikec247]

I had an ankle reconstructive surgery on 6 June, it's my 4th surgery on that ankle total(3 while in the Army and this one). I was rated at total of 60% before this surgery, only 20% was for ankle. After I had this surgery I applied for the temporary 100% convalescent pay.

I just got a reply back from the VA saying they approved "a 100% evaluation is assigned from June 6, the date of surgery, and it is based on a need for a splint in a non-weight bearing status which will continue through July", 2 months. But they have listed that my pay starts on 1 July and ends 1August, only one month of 100% pay...

I sent with my claim, a letter signed from the Chief of Ortho at the VA hospital I had my surgery saying I need to be off work for 6-12 months for rehab and recovery.

I'm out of the original cast and in one of those boots and still on crutches. I should be off the crutches at the end of this month but will still be in a boot for another 2 months or so.

The claims process is confusing to me but I really need the financial help, especially since I can't work and cant go to school either. Can somebody please give me some advice on what I can do?

They approved me for two months but only pay for one month.. How do I get the pay for the other month? Is there a way to get the temporary 100% for 6-12 months like the doctor wrote???

[Pete53]

1 July and Aug 1 are two checks. It weird but that is the way it is. If it takes you longer to get better you could request it be extended if you can get a Doc to write it up for you.

Good Luck and welcome to Hadit

[Berta]

"I sent with my claim, a letter signed from the Chief of Ortho at the VA hospital I had my surgery saying I need to be off work for 6-12 months for rehab and recovery."

I would write to the RO VSm directly- asking for a reconsideration and telling her why-as you did here-and attach a copy of the doctor's statement.

If they did list this statement as evidence- in the decision- it sounds as if they didnt even read it.

[mikec247]

Thank you for your replies.

What is a RO VSM? Writing to him/her, is that the same as appealing their decision? They did list the statement as evidence but it was more along the lines that they received it. Not really that they considered it.

The reason why it looks like it's only a check for one month is they listed a pay schedule:

1July08 - pay amount 100% (which I havent received yet, surgery was in beginning of June also)

1August08 - pay amount back to my original 60%

It looks like I'm only getting one month according to the pay schedule they included instead of the two months they say they approved.

I was told that I should get around six months of temporary pay before I had the surgery. It definately wasn't my reason for having the surgery but was a major factor, knowing that I wouldn't be able to work and support myself. I haven't even been able to drive my own car since the surgery and not sure when I will be able to. So, I'm having to rely on a lot of help.

[Berta]

RO VSM- Regional Office Veterans Service Manager

I would also make sure you send copy of the Request for Reconsideration with the evidence -Attention to and use the initials on the upper right hand corner of the letter -to make definitely sure that the RO gets this all.Make the point that you expect expeditious treatment due to your doctor's statement.

This request will not take the place of a formal NOD- Notice of Disagreement- if you do not hear from the RO and the year deadline (one year after the decision) is growing close- make sure that they get the NOD on time.

I certainly feel you have every right to ask them to address this fast-

and a reconsideration request sometimes does get things moving faster- but one can never determine what the VA will do or how long anything will take-

[wfsndkm]

My TD 100% was from January 10th, 2008 until February 29, 2008 as I was in the hospital on the first of February.

Bill