Help

[humble_Tye]

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

I was wondering if anyone could provide me some guidence on how to find help with my disability situation.

I am a veteran of the first Gulf War and I was not allowed to reenlist in the military after 8 years of active duty service because of an enlarged heart. After exiting, I had trouble finding a job in my field because of my disability. I had no insurance so I turned to the VA hospital for help. To make a long story short I was given a disability rating of 0% and sent on my way. I had no idea what that meant back then and I'm not sure I know now. I eventually found a job that I have worked for the last 16 years until I started having worsening problems related to my enlarged heart. My doctor advised me to leave my field of work due to the physical toll it was putting on my heart. After doing so I find myself in a position where no one else will hire me because of my medical condition.

My question is: is it possible with a 0% rating to get educational or vocational assistance from the VA so that I can move into another field of work that will not deny me employment based on my disability.

And if so what do I need to do and is there anywhere I can go for help?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Truly greatful, Tye

[john999]

You need to apply for an increase. 0% for enlarged heart is probably way too low if you have any symtoms. Enlarged heart goes along with congestive heart failure. You need an exam from a real doctor to check condition of your heart .

[carlie]

humble,

Welcome to Hadit.

Your cleared to find a forum you are interested in and start posting.

I am moving this topic to Claims/Benefits Research.

carlie

[hawkfire27]

HI Humble, welcome to hadit!

My husband was in a similar position. Mainly being that his sc'ed disability made it extremely difficult for him to find a job. He has problems with his heart too. He found the reason no one would employ him is because if you have a heart problem your employer can't insure you on the job, and any insurance would be very expensive for an employer. He wen to Vocational Rehabilitation and was retrained as a jeweler, which he did for a few years until his disabilities made it impossible.

That is when he applied for an increase. and for Social security disability. It sounds a bit like your in the same situation. I would apply to vocational rehab and go through the testing, they will evaluate what job fields you will be able to do and organize and pay for the training for you to do it. But also realize they might not find you eligible for training because of your disability, so you need to prepare for that too.

Voc rehab can be really great, and can help you get to where you want to go, including if they find you unable to retrain in which case that ruling is one of the best ways to help you with a disability increase and social security disability rating.

This is the va voc rehab site http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ it has all the BASIC information about applying for voc rehab. Technically you need to be rated at least 10% sc'ed. But there are several different ways to qualify including the VETSuccess program. http://vetsuccess.gov/index Take a look through all the sites and even if you don't think you are eligible apply anyway, there maybe something in you military or disability record that we don't know about that might get you in.

In the meantime you are still able to file for an upgrade in disability rating, use form 21-4138 available here: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-4138-ARE.pdf, including what you are asking for, and the evidence to support it.

Good luck and I'm sure other will chime in with some other ideas they have.

Edited May 18, 2010 by hawkfire27

[vet201060]

I would file for an increase just like John999 stated. I got a lot of help from the DAV with filing claims. I have used them in multiple states with the same help. The one I am using now always call me back and really cares. That is what I would do. They have already established SC for it. I hope you get whats due. Stay strong and don't give up. Many of us are here for you! This is a great site to research, vent, or BS.

You need to apply for an increase. 0% for enlarged heart is probably way too low if you have any symtoms. Enlarged heart goes along with congestive heart failure. You need an exam from a real doctor to check condition of your heart .