ptsd Need Va Pension Info.

[carlie]

I am trying to help two veterans that are both very poor.

The only way either of them make any money is mowing yards, raking leaves, any kind of odd jobs they can find to do by word of mouth.

My question is how to try & get them each non SC pension.

They both have had years of unexplained infections and stomach problems.

Vet # 1 - Has zero reportable income and has nothing, only source of housing

is lady friend.

61 year old male, DD 214 :Honorable Discharge. Korean 63 - 64 DMZ vet .

Date of Entry : 18 Aug. 61

Termination Date of Reserve Obligation : 17 Aug 67

Under Decorations and Medals on DD 214 is :

Sharpshooter ( RIFLE M -1 ) Good Conduct Medal

Under Foreign and/or Sea Service :

USARPAC : 1 year 0 months, 6 days.

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Vet # 2 - Has zero reportable income and lives from hand to mouth.

57 year old RVN vet, 2 tours: From DD214 : Honorable Discharge.

Date of Entry: 22 Mar 68.

Termination Date of Reserve Unit & Obligation : 21 Mar 74

VN Service

6 Aug 68 - 4 Aug 69 --and 19 May 70 - 14 Mar 71.

Under Decorations and Medals on DD214 is :

NDSM SPS M-14, SPS M-16, VCM, VSM, 2 0/S Bars.

Under Foreign or Sea Service : USARPAC -- 1 year 9 months 25 days.

On this vet I also have a VARO from Puerto Rico, SC letter at zero percent for compensation.

The VARO letter is dated Aug.17,1973 and states, your disabilities listed below are SC, but they are less than 10 % disabling and compensation is not payable.

1 ) Left foot toe condition. ( corns )

3 ) Nervous condition -- not shown by evidence of record.

Drug addiction -- disability due to willful misconduct.

Vet #2 got strung out on alcohol & heroin in RVN. About 3 months after discharge he did some prison time for heroin. This is many years ago.

Currently, he has not consumed alcohol in years nor heroin.

He does admit to smoking weed and states it helps his nerves.

He tells me that over the years he has been told by VA that he has PTSD

and we have sent for his medical records.

I am in hopes of getting said PTSD SC'd at a compensable rate.

He states one of his friends gets a non SC VA Pension, and he would like to try and get a VA non SC Pension because he has been told this can happen quickly, and in the mean time we could work on getting his PTSD at a compensable rate.

I also am seeking information in regards to :

I think the drug addiction, filed prior to 1990 could possibly be SC'd.

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Any guidance, help and info is appreciated.

carlie

[Guest Jim S.]

Berta is pretty much correct on Death Pension, if the Widow is receiving SSA, then it more than likely will be more than the pension amount. Although if the Veteran was in receipt of retirement benefits from the service, then her serviver benefits plus SSA will certainly be more than the pension.

Only one thing may make a difference and that is if the widow is in need of A&A and/or is blind. I am currently helping a widow apply for the Death pension since she is blind and needs some A&A to continue living at home. It may only be one or two hundred dollars more each month, but every little bit helps.

One thing I will say, you do not have to be 100% disabled, you can be 60% with one disability with unemployability or 70% combined with more than one with unemployability, in all three cases you must meet certain income requirement. If your married and your wife works, her income is counted towards house hold income, even a child living at home and is in receipt of income, may be counted towards household income. Private gifts of money to is counted towards income requirement.

You are required to report any change in income each month so that your pension amount can be adjusted to reflect this added income. I am not certain as to if Suplomental Social Security is considered in NSC pension, but it is not considered as income in Death pension.

Good luck and keep trying>

Jim S. :D