Social Security

[vet2010]

My question is now that I am 100%, what do I need to do to file for SSI/D? My paperwork doesn't state that I cannot work, it is 100% percent based off claims.

V/r

[Notorious Kelly]

Crowell,

Welcome to Hadit!

Just a tip: you'll get better response if you start new topic with your claim questions. It makes the replies easier for you to track also.

Choose the first forum

(VA Claims Research) Veterans Affairs Claims and Benefits Research

and then click Start New Topic.

All the best with your claim!

[Chuck75]

Additional compensation for "the ankles" is dependent on how your ankle problem fits in the VA compensation schedule. There also may be "secondary effects or conditions that might or might not be ratable. It's possible that a more favorable rating and "code" for your problem might be applied. (The devil is in the details.)

SSDI is total disability. How the VA deals with it and PTSD can get complicated, since your SSDI determination includes non service connected problems. The VA will likely say that the primary cause of your disablement is due to the non service connected or connectable problems, in order to avoid an award. The SSDI payment may preclude eligibility/award of a VA pension, if the SSDI payment is substantial.

You should also be aware that the VA recently has used SC'd PTSD (usually 100%) as an excuse to appoint a Fiduciary. This, if it starts to occur, will require rapid action to combat. The last thing you want is to get involved with the VA's fiduciary program. They might use the SSDI determination of "Schizophrenic/PTSD" as the justification, along with C&P exam results. All it takes is a "not competent to manage own affairs" statement to start the fiduciary ball rolling.

How the VA can claim a veteran is not totally disabled, when SSA has awarded SSDI is beyond me. A favorable SSDI determination is usually admissible evidence of total disability in any court.

As to VA mental health treatment, the quality seems to vary from one facility to another. A veteran is, generally, entitled to treatment (co-pay may apply). VA treatment may help with the compensation process. You should also be aware that the current law gives the VA C&P process the sole authority to diagnose and rate PTSD for compensation. What happens when an outside IMO or SSDI determination of PTSD exists, and the C&P examiner claims some other condition, or "lo balls' a PTSD condition is currently less than clear.

I am at 30% and trying for 100% on a open claim and my question is I already have SSDI for Mental heath ie Schizophrenic/PTSD but the 30% is for other things ie my ankles when i was with a airborn unit how do i get the VA to cove me on the mental heath and some more on the ankles