Vet Service Rep Says Leave Well Enough Alone

[steve Mck]

Awarded 100% P & T. Have many other illnesses that could account for additional SC. Advised by vet.rep to just let it go since I am not scheduled for any further examinations. In other words...don't rock the boat, leave well enough alone so your file doesn't get brought back up for review. That makes sense and you don't exactly get more than 100%. In otherwords is it worth the risk?

[Teac]

That SMC "S" or any SMC contributes to DIC. That is well worth it if you leave someone behind. $295 tax free is actually worth around 450 of earned income. I am trying to get it and I have been P&T for 9 years.

John are u sure about this. Could you point me to a reference because I can't find anything that states a veteran's SMC's contributes to the DIC of a spouse, only that a spouse may get an SMC due to their own needs.....

[halos2]

I experienced the same decision the end of July...it was take it now or we will tie you up in claims and appeals for years...was it ok for me NO for my family YES for my 2 kids getting their masters YES so I took the deal...not a day goes by I think I am not a settle type person but a fighter, but look at the whole picture...who benefits the most!

[Pete53]

After you have the security of a 100% it is not all that difficult to snipe at the VA and push claims that probably won't change a thing. My problem is its the way the VA has things set up. I feel that once a Veteran is 100% the VA should review if the Veteran is entitled to other benefits and inform the Veteran. It should not be a fight but someone who is a friend who helps Veterans.

I also think that if a Service Officer takes a Veteran under their wing that they should take a look at the info that is provided and seek maximum benefits.

About 15 years ago the DAV Chapter I belonged to did a survey of the residents and found that over half of the residents were due benefits that they had no knowledge of or the ability to pursue a claim for that matter.

I wonder if the VA has ever looked at how many should file claims but don't cause they don't know?

[Teac]

I wonder if the VA has ever looked at how many should file claims but don't cause they don't know?

I doubt that they would really care...

[john999]

Teac

I found the information about smc and dic in the Federal Benefits for Veterans 2010 edition. It is under Survivor Benefits.

[Teac]

Teac

I found the information about smc and dic in the Federal Benefits for Veterans 2010 edition. It is under Survivor Benefits.

Hey John, looks like your reading it incorrectly.. they list SMC's and show them in the charts under the title "Receipient of Pension" in the Pension chart... This means that the person receiving the dic must have a need for the SMC, and has nothing to do with a deceased veteran who was approved for the SMC...

I wish it was so.. expecially in my case .. When I die, my spouse will receive less than half of what we receive now... What she will receive is better than nothing, but when you consider she gave up her Government Career because of me it really isn't enought.