tdiu 2015 Budget And Tdiu Vets 65 And Older

[RockyA1911]

I've read the 2015 OMB Budget, stating effective 1 Oct 2015 that vets eligible for SSA or drawing SSA at ages 65-67 dependent on birthdays will no longer be paid at the 100% rate and will be paid at their assigned disability rate. Will current Vets that have been being paid a 100% for say 7 or 8 years be flat cutoff or is there a grandfather clause in the making. I am not concerned for myself as I am Schedular 100% with housebound award, but I have two buddies that are TDIU. One is 80% and the other 70%. Does anyone know the current status of this budget recommendation? It is posted on the website, but have not seen any threads concerning it. And Yeah I know it's been more than a several years since I have posted.

Here's my update. Went to VAMC Iowa City last week for 7 year throat cancer check up exam. I had finished the last of my radiation and chemo on the 1 Feb 2008. I have been going for follow-up exams ever since then and for the last two years it's been every 6 mos. They found a different suspicious spot and not near the spot the previous cancer was and it looked good. They attempted to do a local Biopsy in the exam room with just Novocain. They mad three attempts and each time I gagged and they had to withdraw the tool and reinsert. The fourth time it gagged me so bad I threw up. So they seized any further attempts at biopsy. I am scheduled to go back on 27 March 2015 and they will do another exam and if the spot is still there, then I will be scheduled for a surgical biopsy and put to sleep in a operating room and the biopsy will be taken then.

I've had 35 radiation treatments and 3 chemos 8 hrs each.....I pray I won't have to go through that again......don't feel I'll make it through that again.

[Buck52]

RockyA1911.

There was something posted about this a month or so ago here on Hadit, as proposed to the committee.

I have not heard anything about it lately I didn't even know it was passed? News to me!

Maybe J basser with bring it up on his radio show!

..................Buck!

[Chuck75]

I've read the 2015 OMB Budget, stating effective 1 Oct 2015 that vets eligible for SSA or drawing SSA at ages 65-67 dependent on birthdays will no longer be paid at the 100% rate and will be paid at their assigned disability rate. Will current Vets that have been being paid a 100% for say 7 or 8 years be flat cutoff or is there a grandfather clause in the making. I am not concerned for myself as I am Schedular 100% with housebound award, but I have two buddies that are TDIU. One is 80% and the other 70%. Does anyone know the current status of this budget recommendation? It is posted on the website, but have not seen any threads concerning it. And Yeah I know it's been more than a several years since I have posted.

Here's my update. Went to VAMC Iowa City last week for 7 year throat cancer check up exam. I had finished the last of my radiation and chemo on the 1 Feb 2008. I have been going for follow-up exams ever since then and for the last two years it's been every 6 mos. They found a different suspicious spot and not near the spot the previous cancer was and it looked good. They attempted to do a local Biopsy in the exam room with just Novocain. They mad three attempts and each time I gagged and they had to withdraw the tool and reinsert. The fourth time it gagged me so bad I threw up. So they seized any further attempts at biopsy. I am scheduled to go back on 27 March 2015 and they will do another exam and if the spot is still there, then I will be scheduled for a surgical biopsy and put to sleep in a operating room and the biopsy will be taken then.

I've had 35 radiation treatments and 3 chemos 8 hrs each.....I pray I won't have to go through that again......don't feel I'll make it through that again.

Here is the problem, proposed budget or not! SSA after 65 is a totally independent benefit paid for by the recipient. SSDI (under 65)

is similar to VA disability, but certainly not identical. To really begin to replace "lost income", even at the VA 100% payment level, it takes a combination of both SSA and the VA payment. Then, you get into the bit about "earned benefits". A change of the magnitude discussed would certainly show that the government cannot be trusted to live up to it's promises and obligations. I'd be tempted to say that most members of congress would be really scared to vote for such a thing. (But you never know when politicians and money are mixed!)

[georgiapapa]

RockyA1911,

I hope your surgical biopsy goes well and they don't find any more Cancer. My prayers are with you.

Good luck and Semper Fi.

GP

[RockyA1911]

So no one knows or has been tracking the status of this proposed budget cut? I would have thought Berta or Carlie would have stayed on this like white on rice. How do we know whether or not this will take effect on 1 Oct 2015. The budget with the justification for reducing TDIU from 100% to actual disability rating can be a loss of month pay of over $1000 for those that are age 65 -67 whether they are drawing SS or not.

[Buck52]

It would Hurt thousands of veterans, surely it will be Kept in Appeals? or voted out...That's my way of thinking anyway (maybe wishful thinking)

Jbasser mention this a few months ago I think?

Never know about those folks in Washington!

Rocky can you post this information stating this will take effect on Oct 1st 2015?

...............................Buck!

Edited March 7, 2015 by Buck52 (see edit history)

[RockyA1911]

November 20, 2014

OPTIONS FOR REDUCING THE DEFICIT: 2015 TO 2024

Mandatory SpendingOption 20

Function 700 - Veterans Benefits and Services

Restrict VA's Individual Unemployability Benefits to Disabled Veterans Who Are Younger Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security

Billions of dollars 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2015-2019 2015-2024

Change in Outlays 0.0 -1.0 -1.9 -1.9 -1.9 -1.9 -1.9 -1.9 -1.9 -1.9 -6.7 -16.3

Note: This option would take effect in October 2015. Estimates are relative to CBO’s August 2014 baseline projections.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supplements regular disability compensation payments with Individual Unemployability (IU) payments for low-income veterans that it deems unable to engage in substantial work. To qualify, veterans’ wages or salaries cannot exceed the federal poverty guidelines for a single person, and applicants generally must be rated between 60 percent and 90 percent disabled. A veteran qualifying for the IU supplement receives a monthly disability payment equal to the amount that he or she would receive with a 100 percent disability rating.

Under this option, VA would no longer make IU payments to veterans who were past Social Security’s full retirement age, which varies from 65 to 67, depending on a beneficiary’s birth year. Therefore, at the full retirement age, VA disability payments would revert to the amount associated with the disability rating.

[Buck52]

Okay, this is only an proposed option it has not been passed as I know it?

Like you mention Ms Carlie and Ms Berta will know or find out!

Thanks Bud

........................Buck!

[iceturkee]

from what i have read, some of the veterans agencies (VFW) have been in contact to ensure the va continues to be protected from any further budget sequestation (of which this is proposed). best i can tell va is still exempt as the president hasn't announced it has changed. there is some movement on capitol hill to permanetly remove the va from any further sequestrations.

the option as currently proposed would end unemployability when the veteran reaches 100 percent of his social security age (between 65 and 67). for me it would be next february when i turn 66.

this is not included in the president's curent va budget for fy 2016.

i am a retired reporter and i spend countless hours on my computer doing research, which is why i am fairly current on this.

Edited March 7, 2015 by iceturkee (see edit history)

[iceturkee]

there is a press release on VFW.org from march 6 regarding their efforts to end any va involvement in future sequestrians. the national commander addressed a joint meeting of the house and senate veterans affairs comittees.

my 2 cents, given the public opinion toward the va right now and given the fact the president asked for a 9 billion increase in the va's fy2016 budget, i strongly believe this will go by the way side at some point before the end of the current fiscal year. of course, when dealing with congress anything is possible.

Edited March 7, 2015 by iceturkee (see edit history)

[captain soggy]

so when I turn 67 I loose my TDIU and presently paid at 100% for my 90% rating. I took early SS at 62. So at 67 will I then be paid at the full SS retirement rate since that is when I loose my paid at 100% TDIU rate?

[iceturkee]

so when I turn 67 I loose my TDIU and presently paid at 100% for my 90% rating. I took early SS at 62. So at 67 will I then be paid at the full SS retirement rate since that is when I loose my paid at 100% TDIU rate?

no. first, there is a chart for you to check (depending on your birthday) when you reach 100 percent of your social security. i opted to take my social security at 62 too and as far as i know, that is the rate i will be paid until i die.

[RockyA1911]

Then where is it verified that it is not in the CBO 2015 Budget......I can't find anything that shows that the proposal has been disapproved. Surely there must be a way to find out. As far as I can see so far it is still a open CBO 2015 Budget proposal. It is not a sequester but a justification for budget dollars in mandatory spending category that reduces the deficit. It is also logical that a vet at retirement age is not seeking employment but has retired and drawing normal SS benefit and thus how would he be considered unemployable if he/she has opted to retire and not work. I can understand the rationale there. That's why we need to know exactly what the status of this proposal is........is it open or is it closed and dead?

[Buck52]

I would think TDIU P&T is a Government benefit from injuries while in the military that renderers a vet disable, so if he was awarded TDIU P&T at earlier age Then that means he can't work if he wanted to due to his SC disability.

SSR or SSDI is and should be consider separate benefits

SO actually its unfair because most veterans can't work until there 62 or 65,66 to get more when they do retire on SSR (only) so not working they can't get work credits with SS & No one can live off 948....RETIRMENT PACKAGE! But add another 348 /400 if the veteran is getting SSDI...So say 1400 monthly income? BS

This is pretty ridiculous budget cut to come up with Veterans could lose everything they got house car family no telling what else there life maybe?

They should cut them high ass salary's that congress gets! 6 digit incomes & leave the veterans the hell alone!

jmo

.......................Buck!

Edited March 9, 2015 by Buck52 (see edit history)

[Philip Rogers]

no. first, there is a chart for you to check (depending on your birthday) when you reach 100 percent of your social security. i opted to take my social security at 62 too and as far as i know, that is the rate i will be paid until i die.

iceturkee - is there a reason you didn't file for SSDI?? I know a few people who took early SSR, at age 62, and later applied for SSDI. They won and received an increase to their full retirement rate and retro pay. Maybe, you should look into it? You may have a better chance than winning any lottery! jmo

pr

[Philip Rogers]

It is really nice that the DVA currently pays TDIU to veterans who are over their allowed retirement age and it is one h*ll of a retirement pkg!!! My argument would be that age 65-67yo is not a mandatory retirement age. If the veteran is transitioned from SSDI due SS having to change payment accounts, they should not penalize the veteran. On the other hand if a claimant takes an early retirement and then files a claim for TDIU, I can see them withholding TDIU. TDIU is for those who are unemployable, not unemployed. I think I've been predicting this for about 8-10yrs. jmo

I also see a problem, as there will probably be an increase in claims for 100%, for those who are currently TDIU, which will further burden the already backlogged process, causing further backlog. Years back(1990's, I think) they added 38 CFR 4.16(c.), which required those whose sole disability was a mental illness, and were unemployable, to be rated 100% schedular. It lasted some yrs but was eventually rescinded. They may need to bring 38 CFR 4.16(c.) back! Again, jmo.

pr

[iceturkee]

PR, i was self employed for a number of years (and didn't report my social security) so i didn't have enough work credits over 10 years to file. i did double check when i filed for my SS at 62 and was told the same thing.

Edited March 8, 2015 by iceturkee (see edit history)

[iceturkee]

Then where is it verified that it is not in the CBO 2015 Budget......I can't find anything that shows that the proposal has been disapproved. Surely there must be a way to find out. As far as I can see so far it is still a open CBO 2015 Budget proposal. It is not a sequester but a justification for budget dollars in mandatory spending category that reduces the deficit. It is also logical that a vet at retirement age is not seeking employment but has retired and drawing normal SS benefit and thus how would he be considered unemployable if he/she has opted to retire and not work. I can understand the rationale there. That's why we need to know exactly what the status of this proposal is........is it open or is it closed and dead?

and why should it be? the president (because of the va scandal backlash) asked for a 9 billion increase in the va budget. that's increase, not decrease. until the president says otherwise, the va is still exempt from the sequestration.

[Buck52]

I think this would apply to all veterans if it passes 100% 150% 190% or 90% getting TDIU at 100%

the only exemption would be if the veterans disability will never get better & is of nature and he is permanent disable & P&T & has 10 uninterrupted years in.

In my opinion this is not just the veterans that get TDIU that are qualified to lose there rating its for every veteran.

I just don't see in reality how this would pass there's to many veterans receiving TDIU and veterans receiving 100%& what it would do to there lives and family's

How would that be fair only applying this to the TDIU Veterans? a 90% Veteran is just as disable as a 100% vet in my opinion, its just a nice benefit the VA has for the Veteran to help his family out as well as the 100%veteran and it should not be taken away from him to satisfy the deficit

They need to look at other ways other programs to cut like there own salary's but nope they want to hurt the disable veteran and there family's

jmo

.........................Buck!

[Chuck75]

You have to remember that it's not exactly about veterans, it's about money in general. As has been the practice in the past, veterans benefits are always one of the things that politicians would like to quietly curtail!

Our only defense is to prevent the quietly part.

The history goes back longer than I've been around.

Other things that have occurred on a (we can't afford it basis) The COL used for SS and DOD salary raises is about 1/2 the actual COL as experienced by most people.

The roads and bridges are falling apart. Our cities, in comparison to many of the "emerging nation" cities are in extremely dire straits.

The USAF cannot afford to keep A-10's in service, and the replacement cannot do the job until at least 2021, if then.

As to the politicians advocating sending troops to ------ They have to be outta their minds!

We cannot afford war and it's costs. We haven't actually paid for the last ones! This is rather obvious, as the government's method of funding is simply to "print more money".

(The phrase is actually obsolete, in that the government creates more dollars without actually printing them.)

[john999]

If vets who get SSDI or SSA over 65 lost TDIU it would create a bombshell of appeals. I get "S" based on being Total plus 60%. My total is based on TDIU. My wife gets ChampVA based on my being P&T which is based on TDIU. I get a total tax exemption based on being TDIU P&T. I get vision and dental care based on TDIU. My wife is entitled to DIC based on TDIU for the last ten years. If the congress pulls such a stunt I would be shocked, but I am not shocked that they would consider it. Many in congress hate so-called entitlement programs and they consider VA benefits as an entitlement just like Welfare. I can survive if such a thing happened, but I would sure be mad as hell, and would create many hardships for me and my wife. Many vet spouses would be left in the cold, and I do think it would create a fire storm of protest. At least I hope it would. I was forced out of work at age 51 and have been on SSDI since then. I have lost my opportunity for a better SSA package and pension as has my wife due to our belief that TDIU would be there. I don't expect such a radical change, but if it comes I will be protesting even if I have to get arrested. As a Vietnam vet I should be used to being sold out.

John