Hey, ya'll. New to the board and I have a question.

My husband is 60% service-connected. He is also receiving SSDI.

He had always heard that if Social Security finds you disabled, you automatically are bumped up to 100% VA disabled. Is that true?

We wanted to go to VA to find out, but we were afraid that if we did, there'd be something similar to concurrent receipt, where they'd cut his VA if they found out he received SSDI.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Hi & Welcome,

Well, whoever told you that was wrong. There's nothing automatic where the VA is concerned. In order to receive a higher rating, your husband must have the medical evidence to back it up. Now, having said that....since he is receiving SSDI if it is for the same condition that he is SCd for...that will likely help. Not a gurantee, but likely.

As for the concurrent receipt. It doesn't apply with VA pay and SSDI. He can get both.

To get 100% with VA the first thing is to ask for it. Like Purple said you than have to prove it. SSD is pretty good proof. It did not used to be but is now.

OK thanks, guys. He's tried to get bumped up before, and had trouble. I guess his first stop is the DAV?

Again, thanks for the info.

Also, there is NO offset if you receive both SSDI and VA at same time even if you're 100% UI with the VA. You don't need to be concerned with going to the VA and claiming 100%.

Frank

Missus,

You can file with the VA for IU (Individual Unemployability) which would mean he can no longer work. This can bump your pay up (still no taxes to pay on it).

It will not affect what you get for SSDI.

You do have to apply for it, but since he is 60 percent he has a shot at it. That does not mean your SC ratings for the various disabilities change. it means you get the additional 40 percent because you are unable to work. SC percentages and IU are compatible but not the same. The VA will go over your SC disabilities and evaluate whether you can work or not.

Hope that helps.
fanaticbooks

Thanks alot! I'll have him call his DAV representative.

Something you might do when you file for IU...

Have him, or you for him, write how his disabilities affect working, both physically and mentally. Include how he works around and with others, how it affects lifting, sitting, standing, walking, etc. Mention if the doctor(s) forbids something, pointing it out in the medical evidence.

Research your medications to see if any side effects could be detrimental.

Submit this to the DAV to be included in the application so you have tried to show why you need IU.

Take a look at my website. It might help. It's a free guide on researching, organizing and assembling va claims/appeals. http://www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com/index.html

Good luck and God Bless.

fanaticbooks

thank you so much!! I read your post to him and he was very appreciative. We are going to go to your website and take a look.

That is an excellent idea from Billy.

Here is another site that could help you.....especially figuring out what his job entails (if he worked). This is O*Net Online which is the Dept. of Labor's site for job descriptions (one of them anyway). http://online.onetcenter.org/

If you search and find your job, click on ALL the tabs and you will find not only a job description but a JOB DESCRIPTION!

This site lists ALL types of requirements from working with your hands, to climbing ladders, to vision etc. depending on the job title. It covers knowledge, skill, activities, abilities, education, work context, tasks, etc. in great detail.

(My hubby was a meterman. That is located under a general title that I found via electrical. Had to explore but found the right category)

I then took each individual area covered by this description and if he couldn't do it, I listed it and then explained WHY he couldn't do it.

I will admit I used this for SSD not VA but didn't need it for VA. SSD went right through probably because I listed everything he couldn't do and there were no other jobs available for him.

Anyway, maybe this site will make it easier for you to figure out what your job would entail, saving you having to think and think about each little segment.

Good luck.
fanaticbooks

Thank you so much! I will do that, and that way they won't have any excuse, or try to do like SSDI did when they said he should be able to work, even though he had heart disease, emphysema, COPD, ulnar nerve damage, tendonitis in the knees and insulin-dependant diabetes. Every job he's ever had he was unable to do, and it was so frustrating, because he wants to work and can't.