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mcarter985

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mcarter985 Enthusiast

mcarter985

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A few months ago I was awarded 60% for a heart attack and a single stent (AO). I'm 65 so is this award considered permanent or can I expect a re-examination sometime down the road? Nothing in the letter I received from the VA. Thanks in advance!

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Gastone Grand Master

Gastone

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MC: Did a quick look at your earlier post ragarding CAD and PTSD. I don't see any reference today to PTSD, whats up? Please don't tell me your not in VA PTSD Treatment Program.

Have you ever been administered the VA PTSD Scoring Questionnaire by your VA Prim Care Dr and the VA Mental Health Dept?

Your CAD was an AO Presumptive and having or not having a PTSD DX really didn't play into your rating. If you don't currently have a PTSD DX, what are you waiting for. Your CAD won't get better, only worse so a rating reduction should be of low concern. Are you working now? Do you have personal Earned Income in excess of approximately $12,500.00 per year. If not, your a prime candidate for a IU claim filing. Check out the filing requirements SC wise. If your 60% SC is for 1 condition and that condition precludes you from Substantially Gainful Employment Income, your ready for the IU Claim. I would advise you to go on your E Benn Site and start a VONAP Cliam for IU to lock in your file date. Once started, you have 364 days to complete and submit it but the file date is locked in. IU pays Comp at the 100% SC rate even if your at less than 100% SC Scheduler. Time to get Busy!

Semper Fi

Gastone

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mcarter985 Enthusiast

mcarter985

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Whoa...now I'm confused! Actually, I filed for PTSD (FDC with the diagnosis from the VA doctor) back in November (still hasn't shown up in eBennies but have the dated receipt for the claim...VARO tells me it can take up to 4 months for scanning and getting it into the system). Have been going to the Vet Center for some one-on-one.

After the heart attack I went back to work for a few months but was kind of restricted in what I could do. My job required me to work at a remote site at times with limited medical resources so couldn't go out there. Because I was turning into a office monkey and not being able to work at that remote site I decided to retire a year earlier than I was planning (I'm 65). So, with Social Security, Navy retirement and the 60% disability I make well over $12.5K so I wouldn't think I would be eligible for IU especially at my age and on SS. You and I are probably the same age as I was also in VN in 1969 (down south with the Army whereas you were probably up north. How did the IU work for you?

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Chuck75 Grand Master

Chuck75

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"I wouldn't think I would be eligible for IU"

SSA retirement has almost nothing to do with IU. If you had applied and been awarded SSDI (Before normal retirement age),

That's another story. I applied for and was granted first SSA early retirement and finally SSDI retroactively solely due to now service connected disability. The SSA determination

of disability can be "favorable" evidence supporting TDIU and/or a 100% Scheduler rating.

The $12.5k you mentioned relates to the VA veteran's pension, which is totally different, and based upon low income and means.

There is a big difference between pension and disability. Another thing to remember is than military retirement is taxable, and VA disability payment is not.

If your retirement was offset by VA disability payments, and you were/are paying taxes, it's usually beneficial to choose the method that produces lower taxes.

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mcarter985 Enthusiast

mcarter985

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Thanks for the clarification Chuck. I've been on the SSA site doing research and will apply for SSDI. I didn't realize if I was already getting SS retirement payments I could still get SSDI (would increase my payments as if I retired at my full retirement age). After I get that approval I'll go for IU with the VA and see what happens. My only concern is if they run me through METS testing I might do better this time around. Could they disapprove my IU and lower my disability rating if that was the case? Would they even do METS testing as part of the C&P or just make the determination based on records?

Thanks again for your help!

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Navy04 Grand Master

Navy04

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Agree with advice given above. God Bless and good luck!!! Keep us posted

100% PTSD

100% Back

60% Bladder Issues

50% Migraines 
30% Crohn's Disease

30% R Shoulder

20% Radiculopathy, Left lower    10% Radiculopathy, Right lower 
10% L Knee  10% R Knee Surgery 2005&2007
10% Asthma
10% Tinnitus
10% Damage of Cranial Nerve II

10% Scars

SMC S

SMC K

OEF/OIF VET     100% VA P&T, Post 911 Caregiver, SSDI

 

 

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