Received Award Letter! Great News!

[Bound4heaven]

Greetings to all,

I received my award letter tday in the mail. I knew it was coming today could not sleep last night.

All my claims for increase was granted: Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) Evaluation of lower extremities includes: VV, PP, PL and degenerativbe changes of the feet is incresaed to 100% disableing. Effective 2 years ago

2) Entitlement to $11,000.00 towards the purchase price of Auto and other conveyance and adaptive equiptement.

3) Entitlement to Special Adaptive Housing granted

4) Entitlement ot SMC based on loss of feet with addtional disabilities evaluated as 50% disabling.

5) All addtional claims for increase and appeals have been granted(Please note will receive seperate

correspondence on these claims).

Thank you all. It has been a very rough 2 years on myself and my family. I want to thank all of you for your great advice and support of me and my issues. I would like to thank you BERTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have encouraged me more then mere words can express. Your experteise in the claims process is unmatched. I though I had a good handle on it until I came to hadit.com and met you. To all my fellow veterans don't give up! and keep fighting the good fight. I am an example of someone who was not willing to bend to the steamroller of the VARO. I am proof that you do not need a service officer to win!!!. Please don't buy that lie. I hope this will encourage someone who may feel like giving up.

I do have one question. On the amount of this award (Monthy Comp) is that what I will reveive as total, or for this decision only. I was rated at 100% T&P prior to receiving this letter. Will I receive my current monthy comp and this new amount? God bless you and thank you all?

[Bound4heaven]

Bound4heaven;

It sounds like they have you set for "L 1/2" SMC. The "L" is for LOU for both feet. The 1/2 is applied regarding the "P -3" award for the extra 50%. Once you get the "P-3" you cannot qualify for "P-4", so if you think they were wrong in the 50% give them a NOD within the time period. (CFR 3.350 is attached, don't try to read it from the computer screen, print it out and bind it for hands on reading).

When you start dealing with the specifics for an adaptive vehicle let us know because there are a lot of things involved with that http://www.hadit.com/content/adaptivequip.htm. Even though they say you are entitled, you still have to send in your application (form 21-4502 attached). Then, you need to be evaluated for rehabilitaion driving. They will write the RX for what equipment as needed. The $11K is used as a down payment. The items that are needed will be added to your vehicle, if they are not already standard equipment. If they are standard equipment, then they will reimburse you for that equipment from the VAMC prosthetics. You can get 2 vehicles every 4 years. (The $11K is only applied once), but the adaptive equipment is applied for each vehicle. Be sure to keep a copy of the VA 1394 form on your hard-drive (attached) as you will need it for every repair, and purchase that you make. Make yourself aware of VHA 1173.4 (attached). They tried to prevent me from getting a cell phone, but I eventually prevailed. See http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/booki.html chapters 17.155 -159 for some additional information. The NHTSA has a good web page at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/adapti...e/brochure.html for helping decide some needs. They also list six companies that will offer reimbursements or rebates (even if the VA pays for the items!!), they don't list Honda and Lexus, but they also offer the $1,000.

Dear Rich T,

Thank you and to all who responded and your encouragement. This is some great information Rich, and yes I have downloaded all into a floppy for future reference and it appears I will need it all very soon. I sent out in today's mail my initial application for the auto grant. I didn't realize a person had to go through another physical exam in order to get the grant, however it does make sense to do it.

I would loke to stay in contact with you Rich T. during this process. I am just now beginning to understand the SMC awards that you for that info. Thank you again and God bless you all.

Bound4Heaven

[Rich T]

The driver evaluation is a way to determine what you need. They will decide what is needed to safely drive. VA even will offer instructions as needed (this part of the VAMC). However, it is a given with the rating from the RO that you qualify, it's just that specifics that need to be worked out, i.e. hand controls, steering knob, egress and ingress the vehicle. What is needed to haul and unload assistive devices, etc. Some of the 'standard' equipment that you can be reimbursed the cost is listed on the window, IF THEY ARE PRESCRIBED for them are: air conditioning (lung problems), window defoggers, automatic transmission, & power - brakes/steering/door locks/windows. Other items are: cruise control, tilt steering column, power 6 way seat, telephone (one of mine had on-star), or cell phone. They will reimburse you whatever the company charges you if they are itemized. IF the do not itemize, then they have a set standard amount. Used vehicles are pro-rated for the standard prescribed items.

Edited April 22, 2006 by Rich T

[Bound4heaven]

The driver evaluation is a way to determine what you need. They will decide what is needed to safely drive. VA even will offer instructions as needed (this part of the VAMC). However, it is a given with the rating from the RO that you qualify, it's just that specifics that need to be worked out, i.e. hand controls, steering knob, egress and ingress the vehicle. What is needed to haul and unload assistive devices, etc. Some of the 'standard' equipment that you can be reimbursed the cost is listed on the window, IF THEY ARE PRESCRIBED for them are: air conditioning (lung problems), window defoggers, automatic transmission, & power - brakes/steering/door locks/windows. Other items are: cruise control, tilt steering column, power 6 way seat, telephone (one of mine had on-star), or cell phone. They will reimburse you whatever the company charges you if they are itemized. IF the do not itemize, then they have a set standard amount. Used vehicles are pro-rated for the standard prescribed items.

Rich T.,

Let me ask you another question. Do I have to get another drivers license? My current l drivers license expires next year. I have never had a ticket or wreck. Will I be able to renew my license in regards to this new rating by the VARO?, or does that have nothing to do with it? Thank you and God bless.

Bound 4Heaven

[Rich T]

I never asked, I just renew.

[Bound4heaven]

Rich T.,

Let me ask you another question. Do I have to get another drivers license? My current l drivers license expires next year. I have never had a ticket or wreck. Will I be able to renew my license in regards to this new rating by the VARO?, or does that have nothing to do with it? Thank you and God bless.

Bound 4Heaven

Dear Rich T.

Thank you. Buy the way 2 COR 5:17 is one of my favorite scriptures. It was as is my life. Praise his Holy Name!!!!

Bound4Heaven