Okay here it goes. In 2003 I was medically discharged for chronic pain and herniated disc c-3 thru c-6. I was a combat veteran also had been to Bosnia and the intial entry force into Kosovo in 1st I.D. Had been assigned to 3rd Corps in Ft. Sill when I was discharged and knew nothing and was told nothing about the V.A. on my way out. I was in constant pain and partially paralyzed still in my left arm and was given an automatic S.c. rating of 10% I have a famliy to support and I was always a firm believer in just suck it up and drive on and went out and got a job after a few months of bed rest needless to say I lost everything. I went through about three jobs, 2 of which I was police escorted out of and barred because my temper and the fact I do not tolerate ignorance. At this point a friend of mine informed me of my own ignorance and that I should have been at the V.A. along time ago, since then some things have gotten better others worse. Started dealing with the V.A. and had an altercation when the counselor told me since I couldnt work and couldnt take care of my family that I should go on welfare!?! I lost it, totally lost it, I hit him in the face with a bottle and demanded his boss the head of the primary care clinics who happened to be on the third floor I made it to him but thats where the V.A. police caught up to me and proceeded to put me in the rubber room in the back of the emergency room. None of this helped, I still had to go on welfare till my claim was done. Now we get to where Im confused, They granted me 30% for the discs, 10% for the nerve damaged arm, and 50% for what was diagnosed as ptsd but then changed to depression/mood disorder for a total of 70%? I tried to do the vocational rehab and scored through the roof on the test but once I was in a classroom with those kids I just wanted to grab them up and shake them so I stopped before things really went awry. Havent worked now for 2 years, divorced, and so on. The V.A. kept me for a few days and had me sedated fearing I would hurt someone or myself a few months ago and had me file for I.U. which is now at the ratings board. I went yesterday and filed for hardship to get it expedited. Just got my eviction notice hard to live off of what they give you with 700 in child support. Now you know my story, if anyone can tell me how long Im looking at with this or what are my chance of being approved that would be great. Ive read alot on here and no I dont get S.S.I. and another downfall is Im 32 years old. Any awnsers, good or bad would be appreciated

I think you should get IU but I can't tell how long you will have to wait. If you don't get SSD or SSI you should get it. Hire a lawyer for the SSD. How do you live?
Are you getting fee base from the VA or do they let you go to the VA for care?

Deviant, I wish I can say that the VA will expedite your claim due to harship just in time to avoid eviction but that probably won't happen. I will say to you that I've been right where you are now, things getting bad and waiting on a claim to give me some breathing room to get back on my feet. I was told by the VA when I went to them and asked for help, that I was not homeless unless I'd been homeless for thirty days; also that if I was on drugs or an alcoholic they could admit me for detox for a few days but that was it. I ended up sleeping in my car trying to keep my job which I eventually lost. I was eventually awarded my claim about six weeks later, which helped me get back on my feet and into an apartment. I was ignorant to the resources out there back then.

My advice to you is try to get to the nearest Vet Center in your area they are great and will do all they can to help you, both mentally and physically. Swallow your pride and and apply for the services that it seems you are eligible for i.e. food stamps, SSI, SSD, the food stamps will keep you eating, while you wait for your claim to come through. Some states offer Vets a one time payment of rent to avoid eviction, you can find that out at your local DHS office or the Vet Center or DAV.

Today I am IU and am able to pay my child support and my bills with a little left over, it can and does get better I'm here as proof of that. Take advantage of this site it is great and the people here are just like you, so we understand. Hope this helps God bless and hang in there.

doc/

If worst comes to worst contact the Homeless Veterans Coordinator. There is one located at the VAMC and the Regional Office. It would not hurt to contact them now. They can get your claim expedited.

His profile shows Virginia.
carlie

If he lives in Va beach I know somewhere he can go for help, its called Vetshouse, they give Vets a place to stay until they get back on their feet.

http://www.vetshouseinc.org/index.html


Vetshouse, Inc. is a nonprofit 501© (3) organization that provides housing, food, clothing, counseling and other assistance to homeless veterans of the US Armed Forces in order to facilitate their return to gainful, independent, responsible and productive lifestyles.



Vetshouse FAQ's

What is the Problem ?

Over 2,500 Homeless Veterans in the Hampton Roads area

One out of every three homeless persons in Hampton Roads is a military veteran.



What is Vetshouse, Inc ?

Unique, nonprofit organization serving homeless veterans in Hampton Roads

Not a shelter

Twelve month program providing:

Transition housing in contemporary homes

Job placement, personal skills and development counseling.

Food and transportation.

A hand-up, not a hand out.

Successful residents of Vetshouse, Inc graduate from our program with:

Jobs that will support their needs

Sufficient savings to pay their independent living expenses

Budgeting and personal skills, enabling self sufficiency

Pride to become productive citizens of the Hampton Roads area



How successful is Vetshouse, Inc ?

Since 1992, over 500 homeless veterans have been helped

Over 70% of residents have successfully completed the program.



What is the capacity of Vetshouse, Inc ?

Vetshouse owns two duplexes in residential neighborhoods accommodating sixteen veterans.

The City of Virginia recently leased Vetshouse a five bedroom home for five years allowing Vetshouse to accommodate an additional four veterans.

Who governs Vetshouse, Inc. ?

Fifteen volunteers serve as the Board of Directors

An executive Director manages the day-to-day operations.



What is the annual budget for Vetshouse, Inc ?

$83,000. 70% goes to providing services to homeless veterans.



Where does the money for Vetshouse, Inc come from ?

Donations from businesses, organizations and individuals.

Periodic grants from the City of Virginia Beach.



Are contributions tax deductible ?

Yes! Vetshouse, Inc. is a non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible.



How can you (Business, Organization or Individual) help our program ?

Provide employment opportunities

Provide annual donations of money, goods or services.

Provide food or clothing

Sponsor a Vetshouse, Inc. presentation

Provide referrals of homeless veterans

Provide nonperishable food items and clothing

Provide Employment Opportunities for our Homeless Veterans
Provide HVAC Services When Needed..
Provide Food, Clothing and Household Consumables

Lived there myself.

VAMC salem va. my medical is all free at dental isnt

That sounds good, when I filed for the hardship it was almost 3:30pm and the lady handling it said she was taking it right upstairs immediately. She beat me out of the building, I watched her get into her car and drive off. People wonder why others have anger issues?

Thanks for that, Im sure it is great but I am west of roanoke so thats along way to go, and it sounds like a godsend for those in need, I still have a few family left alive in this area and they are understanding and willing to help. But this makes the second time around. The first was when I was discharged, now they say the military is the best thing for everyone but just pray you never get hurt. They seen how hard I worked for what I had just to watch it all go away and being to injured to even put up a fight. So they understand my anger issues a little bit

Sounds like you have a good support system where you are thats a plus, now all thats left is the wait. I think it could be weeks or a few months, hard to tell with the VA. Good luck.

here in kcmo we have the dom-levenworth ks. if i was homless again igo there hope the best for ya it took me4yrs to get ssdi.and 70% fromva o va math 60%u almost have live at a va.

Thank you all for the awnsers and advice. The hardship was accepted I think, called the 800 number today and they told me I should know something in a couple weeks and that my file had been moved to Huntington W.V. because their caseload was lighter and they could get it done faster. Lets hope that is the case.

Well the latest news is that the hardship request I put in over 2 weeks ago is showing up in the system with my file thats got to be a good thing right? Now I just wonder what kind of timeframe Im looking at with that attatched to my file?!?

Hopefully things will move along quicker now. Good luck.

Wow do they move quicker! called the 800# today and it says my file is ready for a decision as of 11:40am today now I guess I keep my fingers crossed and pray. I guess they actually paid attention to the hardship

Did you file for TDIU? Were you denied? If so, have you filed a NOD?

VA 101 - The VA 800 number can not provide accurate information
on the status of claims that are pending.
carlie

You can only believe what you get from the VA if it is in black and white. Homeless vets, widows and orphans are no big deal to those guys. They are just worried about the bottom line. The VA is a machine. It slices and dices.

Man were you all ever right on that mess... Those people should just say... I dont know anything at all except that Ive got a job and you dont! Anyways they put me through another? yes another, c&p exam for my neck and mental. Have been diagnosed for yet the third time with PTSD, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, and severe depression, very poor impulsivity, and problems with anger? the old neck is pretty much still the same with the exception of a little more nerve damage in the left arm. However what I dont understand is why the v.a. is totally ignoring the ptsd like it is a bad word and someone censored it out of my medical records? Is this normal when three different shrinks including the c&p examiner all agree that its a problem? The only thing they want to acknowledge is depression due to neck injury? I mean come on do I have to diagnose myself then file a claim for it then hit up release of information and make a new claim because they wanna play word games? I mean if there sending me to a c&p exam and the doc has repeatedly diagnosed these things in the c&p exam shouldnt the idiots recognize them? I mean it is the exam for them to gather the evidence they want correct? Then they just say hey thats a whole lotta head problems that guy has hey he might even be dangerous but hahahaaa its not exactly phrased as what he wants us to increase? Hell man Im crazy Ive got papers and all to prove it LOL and the local D.A.V looks like an internship for anyone who is related to somebody who knows a guy, the whole office staff completely and totally is replaced by people less competent than their predecessors every two months and every time that happens it seems they pick their own work schedules! Hey guys how would you like a 10am to 2pm salary job with an hour lunch? and you expect them to be able to help you with your claim?! NO DISRESPECT TO THE GUYS AND GALS OUT THERE DRIVING THE VANS AND WORKING THE HOSPITALS THOUGH YOU HAVE MY UTMOST RESPECT. I mean I filed for I.U. and a increase... and the depression was already rated at 50% I mean do I have to like go totally berserker and show up on CNN for these people to use just a little common sense? How hard is it people? OKAY, OKAY my little rant is done for the most part but OOH OOH one more thing I think I should mention, as for filing a hardship on your claim because you are about to be homeless??? Even if its approved, which mine was youve got a better chance of wishing upon a falling star and having that come true than the V.A. speeding your claim up. But then again my lovely Roanoke Va. Office that is currently handling my claim just got blasted on the local news for all types of inproprieties. The best one... A guy gets his 100% rating for Agent Orange, Diabetes, and Ptsd from Vietnam. Only one problem, he had never even been. But on the flipside they were finding claims that were rock solid, proof positive, that should have been rated way higher, rated at 10% or most of the time just flat denied. And just outta curiousity the president we have now and all his democrat buddies...The ones who were suppose to save all us poor and needy and change the world? Are they the same people that actually allowed them not to give us our annual increase in our compensation and s.s.i or ssdi for this year??? I will say this a republican may want you to fight a war for them but from my perspective they do atleast try to take care of you a little better when its over. Sorry everyone I just had to get that out

I had filed for it previously and was denied but that had been awhile ago, There is much more evidence this time around, and that was the basis on the reason for denial the first time. However when I got into this C&P exam the doctor informed me that D.A.V. had filed for an increase in service connection due to my actual neck injury and for I.U.? and that was more than likely the major hold up. The only thing that I really wanted them to file the claim for was on the mental health side (which they did do as well) I actually never went in for a PTSD exam requested by me personally, things just started happening, I was extremely violent over the smallest of things, and when Im not full of hate, rage or in a nasty altercation it is just severe depression and a whole bunch of other wonderful things dancing through my head. They have been documenting all of this at the MHC fo the past three years now and have repeatedly diagnosed me with PTSD, Intermittant Explosive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder. They also have me on antipsycotic medication and antidepressants, and a number of other things. This actual claim however was suppose to be an appeal and was put in within the V.A. time constraints for an appeal but for some reason they just started it out as a whole new claim? A friend of mine looked at it and told me that as far along as it is just to leave it alone because it is a clear error and once the claim is done they would just do a retro on the dates and give me the backpay from the original claim? Hope he is right but it sounds right from what Ive been learning by reading every post even mentioning any step that is remotely close to what I have going on... Very informative, but at the same time it does make you realize the V.A. is in severe immediate need of reform or complete overhaul. Scary

You would be better served to ask for an increase on your already service connected depression. It does not matter what the mental condition is, rather the symptoms. You just need to show that you depression renders you unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. You will only be service connected for one mental disorder.