14 replies to this topic

[nycsucks]

Hello to All,

I am a female veteran who served from 04-07. I did one tour in Iraq, worked QRF and experienced MST. I don't want to go into detail due to my illness. I was medboarded even though I did not want to get out. I was stationed in Ft.Carson at that time their Psych Unit was being investigated for mistreating patients who had signs of PTSD. It was a painful time in my life which still angers me. When I got medboarded I was not told about any benefits I just got a one way ticket home. I went to the VA and was told to file a claim. I received 50% for ptsd and 10% lower back pain. I was told by my Psych at the VA to file for an increase since it is impossible for me to obtain and keep a job due to my meds which include, Lithium, Celexa, Valium, Abilify, Restoril and many more. I had a 2nd C&P and my rating was raised to 80%, 70 for PTSD, 10% for lower back pain, 10% migraines. My Psych at the VA advised me to file for TDIU and I did in Jan 2010. When I call the VA I was told it is still in the developmental phase even though my claim is an established claim and I have 2 letters from 2 different VA Psych's stating I cannot work. It's been a Year now and still nothing. I will soon be homeless now and feel hopeless. It seems none cares and they wonder why the suicide rate is so high among veterans. If anyone has any advice please share it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

[ward86]

I am 70% PTSD..... I get SSDI that was based only on records from VA....filed for TDIU in Nov.2010....just scheduled for c&p on the 27th of Jan....I also thought I had air tight claim and I am going on 14 months....hang in there, read the advice hear as much as possible ....it has helped me to know I wasn't alone in this matter...bunch of good, genuine, people here....keep your head up..

[usmcgirl]

TDUI claims take the same as most claims. I understand what you are going through as I am also in the same boat. when you filed for your increase they should have awarded you TDUI on that claim - but you can request it at anytime which is what it looks like you did. So now what they have to do is basically re-open your claim and look through everything all over again. I know how frustrating and depressing it is. I sent in my claim in Dec 2010 and am still waiting. I was denied SSDI and am fighting that. If I were you I would go ahead and file for SSDI also. Don't be stressed if you get denied on your first try, just go though the hoops with them also and get what you are entitled to. When you get SSDI you can send that letter in to your TDUI claim and the VA will take it as evidence. You should be able to get both and you will....it's just demoralizing while you have to wait. You are not alone.

[Gulfvet45]

you can ask for a rush on the claim do to hardship. It does happen on a cases by cases bases.
there is a program for those that was given a low med or should have been given a medical retirement. it is a new board for those after 9-11.
I do not know if it will apply to you, but list link will give you more infor in it.
http://www.ngwrc.org...id=71&Itemid=35

[nycsucks]

thank you all for your advice, I know its all a big headache especially here in NYC where it is the worst place to file a claim since they have way more claims than they do anywhere else. I was denied SSDI and I am also fighting it. It just sucks that I was medboarded and never got a chance to fight it and now I have to deal with this but I am just happy to be back home.

[kubrickbrawlik]

thank you all for your advice, I know its all a big headache especially here in NYC where it is the worst place to file a claim since they have way more claims than they do anywhere else. I was denied SSDI and I am also fighting it. It just sucks that I was medboarded and never got a chance to fight it and now I have to deal with this but I am just happy to be back home.

Hey whats up NYC sux. I served from 04-07 also, tour in Iraq, and I was on a QRF team as well. My claim has been with the NYC VARO since 08. Just had my first c and p october. Still waiting. Peggy, and IRIS are useless crap. Ive been checking the Monday Morning Workload, and NOT ONE APPEAL HAS BEEN DONE SINCE NOVEMBER!!! I want to go to Houston Street with a crowbar.

[kubrickbrawlik]

you can ask for a rush on the claim do to hardship. It does happen on a cases by cases bases.
there is a program for those that was given a low med or should have been given a medical retirement. it is a new board for those after 9-11.
I do not know if it will apply to you, but list link will give you more infor in it.
http://www.ngwrc.org...id=71&Itemid=35

Ive been listed as homeless by the va SINCE 09. nyc varo could care less about hardship.

[nycsucks]

yes it is HORRIBLE in nyc, houston street is TRASH and so are the so called VA Representatives...Can you believe I WORKED at the VA hospital in NYC for one year and they had the nerve to make me work in the MENTAL HEALTH unit even though I was 50% disabled for my PTSD!?!?!? which made me even worst working with patients that are as sick as me. I missed many days due to my insomia and when I talked to my superiors about it they said they would fire me if I didn't want to work whereever it is that they want so i QUIT my job due to my illness in 1/11 and now I have to wait around for these NON-VETERANS and idiots to work on my claim. While working at the VA i noticed many patients that are 100% have never even deployed? I guess it's who you know not what you have done. Trust me I met many liars and crooks at the VA. Bunch of bullshit. My SSD was also denied and I' am still fighting for that....all i have is questions no answers and no one to trust. Sad Sad World we live in....

[nycsucks]

It's WHO you know not WHAT you have done for this country that will help you with your claims...sad but true.

[carlie]

"so i QUIT my job due to my illness in 1/11 and now I have to wait around for these NON-VETERANS and idiots to work on my claim. While working at the VA i noticed many patients that are 100% have never even deployed? I guess it's who you know not what you have done. Trust me I met many liars and crooks at the VA."


It will be good for your claim if your MH doc states that you are unemployable due to your PTSD and
supports the opinion with full medical rationale.
FWIW - there are many veterans employed by both, the VAMC's, VBA and the VARO's.

Being deployed is not a prerequisite to service connection or the percentage evaluation.
There are thousands and thousands of veterans that never left USA soil and / or served during
Peace time, yet experienced injury's on active duty, that leave them with life long residual disability.

A vet is a vet and we have no reason to try to penalize vets that were not deployed to a conflict or a war.

There ARE some very, very good people employed by VA, VBA and the VAMC's both veteran and civilian.

Somewhere during having your claim issues adjudicated - there were some thing done right or
you wouldn't even have the current 80 percent SC yet.

Difficulties are not limited to the NY VARO.

There was a court order last year that finally forced the VBA to re-adjudicate claims (Nehmer) for disabilities
due to herbicide exposure. Those vets have had to wait 10 - 20 - 30 and 40 years.
This alone took some of the VBA's work force off of general claims. It is clearing out now and more claims
will get adjudicated.

I see your frustrations and agree it's not a great system, but for now - it's what we have and other countries
sure don't offer any of these benefits to their veterans, so in that respect we are much more fortunate.

Hang in there.
JMHO

[11cvolley]

Hello to All,

I am a female veteran who served from 04-07. I did one tour in Iraq, worked QRF and experienced MST. I don't want to go into detail due to my illness. I was medboarded even though I did not want to get out. I was stationed in Ft.Carson at that time their Psych Unit was being investigated for mistreating patients who had signs of PTSD. It was a painful time in my life which still angers me. When I got medboarded I was not told about any benefits I just got a one way ticket home. I went to the VA and was told to file a claim. I received 50% for ptsd and 10% lower back pain. I was told by my Psych at the VA to file for an increase since it is impossible for me to obtain and keep a job due to my meds which include, Lithium, Celexa, Valium, Abilify, Restoril and many more. I had a 2nd C&P and my rating was raised to 80%, 70 for PTSD, 10% for lower back pain, 10% migraines. My Psych at the VA advised me to file for TDIU and I did in Jan 2010. When I call the VA I was told it is still in the developmental phase even though my claim is an established claim and I have 2 letters from 2 different VA Psych's stating I cannot work. It's been a Year now and still nothing. I will soon be homeless now and feel hopeless. It seems none cares and they wonder why the suicide rate is so high among veterans. If anyone has any advice please share it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

I Noticed that after I got awarded 80% the VA seemed to take my situation less seriously. Like 80% is going to make me better just because I get more money. IDK how long IU claims take but mine has been open less than three months and I have my final C&P on the 31st. The VA isn't no where near perfect but I am glad we have the va.

[john999]

I think I would start by talking to a VA social worker about becoming homeless. It is hell when you are unable to support yourself and have to wait on the VA to crank out your decision. Many here have gone through this phase. I would go to the VARO and talk to a couselor about your financial situation and I would just keep asking and pressing them for help. They have programs for homeless vets especially in your case where you have a high SC rating. Have you applied for social security disability? You are also eligible for a NSC pension for the time being. Don't give up. I got SSD a year before I got TDIU. You are a service connected vet. You are not a drunk or a bum. The VA has a responsibility to you.


John

[carlie]

You are also eligible for a NSC pension for the time being.
John

John,
Her current SC at 80 percent most likely knocks out eligibility of the NSC pension,
I believe the 80 percent pays a higher rate.

[john999]

Carlie

Yeah, I forgot her 80% is too much money for NSC pension. She should still apply for SSD. There has just got to be a way for her to avoid being homeless via some VA program.

[carlie]

I don't think there is much out there to help PREVENT being homeless.
I do think there is more help to be gained - AFTER the claimant has become homeless.

http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/index.asp