What caregiver options are available for pre9/11 vets?

[OldSoldier]

I’ve been pretty messed up for a lot of years and physically mentally unable to do anything with my va benefits until a few years ago when I got help, so I was 50% for 20 years. With ptsd since Iraq and chronic fatigue / fibromyalgia since 2010, i just finally got rated 100% p&t effective 2 years ago. My wife my caregiver all these years but I lost all other financial benefits except va so I am trying to find out how to get caregiver for my wife. I am 90s vet. I did read about smc l but my experience with c p exams has left me in a place where I’d rather eat a bullet.

[seminoles]

On 6/18/2019 at 6:29 PM, Holllie Greene said:

It is said the "devil is in the details" and I did some digging after the info came out and found that home inspections (once each quarter) are required.  Nothing to hide at la maison Greene but I personally find that caveat intrusive. 

 

yep, and odd enough do you know how many of the veteran's are women?  VERY few, I don't know if my husband will ever apply honestly and if he does our younger children will never be present for any of these "inspections", the VA has no business when it comes to them.   We aren't people who blindly trust some crappy va social worker in the first place, and definitely not when it comes to being around our young children.  NOPE

[seminoles]

On 6/15/2019 at 6:40 PM, jefmil50 said:

I think it depends on VAMC you are working with. My wife gets paid monthly for my bowel and bladder care. If your VAMC has a separate program like ours you could get help then, good luck!

I have those issues and my husband definitely doesn't get paid a cent to care for me...........then again I have one of the crappiest RO in the country.

 

[seminoles]

31 minutes ago, Holllie Greene said:

I have (among other MS symptoms) neurogenic bladder which has worsened and when I put in for an increase naturally I was reduced.  Makes zero sense.  Now I am in appeals-ville.

A BIG shout-out to my husband who does not get paid to care for me.  He resigned from his job for which I will be eternally thankful.

We go day by day---it could always be worse.  Staying positive. 

My husband also had to resign from his job and thankfully has been able to build a business that is one that he works from home and is self employed and works his own hours around caring for me, of course he makes far less than when he was working at his last company, zero benefits, retirement, etc. but we are far better off than many pre 9/11 veterans who are severely disabled with their spouse caring for them living off what they can.  It is disgraceful honestly that the legislation was passed as it was, era should not matter, level of care needed and sc disability should. 

[jefmil50]

I hated hearing that Holliie, getting a reduction just for asking for something that happens with M.S. patients. I asked for everything I received from this ugly disease. I was lucky, never received a reduction especially for neurgenic  bladder or any other condition that has worsened from M.S. progression. Good luck in  your future struggles with the V.A..

[broncovet]

To get caregiver benefits probably means the same thing:  You would need a c and p exam to show you needed a caregiver.  Of course, that is, UNLESS you have it already documented that you need a caregiver.  

[ShrekTheTank]

OldSoldier.

Broncovet is dead on.  The process has gotten easier, especially if you have all of your ducks in a row.  You should look at the SMC and see which area first your circumstances the best.  From what has recently happened to me, it is dropping the 5 star evidence and then a C&P is done.  Took about 20 minutes.

As for the fight it does not get easier, and it does suck to have to fight them so much.  It feel like a handout, for whatever reason we went in healthy and did not leave the same way.  There is a reason that soldiers have such a high disability rate.  There is a reason GULF WAR VETS have 5 presumptive conditions which one or two of them can cover hundreds of conditions.  

Also remember you part of the 1% of those in our country that will see war have probably see some awful things, which other Americans will never see.  So fight for what was taken from you!  We are all here to help our sisters and brothers!