Why Do Some Keep Pushing?

[coastie72]

I know there must be a reason but I have yet to understand why so many that are already rated 100% keep pushing for more service connection? What is the benefit in doing this.

Obviously I am not 100% and might never be, but in my mind once that percentage is achieved what's the point.

I hope I am not rubbing anyone wrong, that is not my intent. I am just trying to understand.

[rentalguy1]

To ensure continued compensation to your dependents should you die before the 10 year mark. If you become rated P&T, and then die from a unrelated condition five years later, your dependents lose any DIC and DEA that your P&T status entitled them to. If you have a secondary condition that could kill your before your 1 year mark, and you are able to get that condition rated, even at 0%, and then die from it before your 10 years are up, your dependents keep those benefits.

[broncovet]

Coastie

There are several reasons, why Vet's "push" above 100%. One was mentioned by rental guy.

Another is SMC. 100% is not the highest compensation Veterans can get. There are multiple, multiple levels of SMC above and beyond 100 percent. Just SMC S and SMC K, alone, amounts to about 447 per month, in addition to the 100 percent rate. Then, there is A and A, and a whole host of other SMC's.

Permanent and total is another reason. Your kids get eligibility to Chapter 35 ONLY with P and T.

[Guest]

It just not only the life threatening disabilities factor for their dependents. VA is very famous to grant a veteran 100% P & T and the veteran may have pending claims on appeal. These claims could generate SMC payments or the appealed claims could generate a retro payment depending on the rating percentages and the effective dates.

Once VA grants a veteran with 100% P & T, VA wants the veteran to cancel or close all pending claims but the veteran may still be owed thousands of dollars in retro or additional monthly SMC payments.

Hope this helps

[Buck52]

Also helps to be rated higher for/or incase a proposal to reduce...if your at 160% and the VA reduced you by 20/30/40 % then you have a ''cushion'' so to speak...and still keep your 100% rate.

just some of my 2 cents!

................Buck

[Fat]

Good question, I think Buck52 might have the best insight.

[Navy04]

Rental is right on the money. I am currently helping a 65 yr old woman that her husband of 35 years died. Well he was 65% VA but paid 100% IU. He ended up dying before the 10 yr mark of not service connected issues, even though he would have been granted them if he would have ever file a VA claim for them. I too am one of those that was granted 100% fast last year, and been granted 7 more conditions since then. When people are very sick like me of a lot of issues, you have to make sure that everything is noted. My mother died at 35, and I too am now 33, God forbid something happens to me, I have 2 young daughters and a 30 yr old wife. We deserve for the VA and Govt to admit and document every Scar, Condition and Disease that was caused by our time in War. If you were sick enough to warrant a 100% SC, then you would understand what all we go thru every day.