Are there any "best-kept secret" assistance programs for disabled veterans?

2018-09-11T18:09:28-04:00

As my MEB draws to its logical end, I have been given my ratings and compensation estimate.

The VA has rated me at 80%, Army at 50%. VA missed a LOT of conditions (which I will address when I appeal) and so has the Army, as they lost medical records of my unit for a specific deployment.

What has me more surprised than anything else, is the amount my wife and I are supposed to live in.

$1710 a month, before taxes, deductions, and TRICARE. After everything is said and done, it will only be $1420. Our rent alone is $1150. Forget about car payments, food, and other bills.

According to the VA, I am not eligible for quality of life programs because I am not "handicapped" enough to justify more money...even though their own ratings report states that I will not able to work.

Social Security is giving me an early indication that I will not be eligible for Disability either, same reason, I am not 100% and not handicapped enough.

I have Cervical Dystonia, making my neck continuously spasm and contract towards its right side, extremely painful to the point that I have been bedridden since January. I cannot be upright for longer than 30 minutes before the pain is unmanageable and I am forced to either lay down or lean my head against something. I can't drive.

My wife has a heart condition and she is unable to work either.

So, long rant I know, but does anyone know of any programs or assistance that you know of that I can start investigating? I have been looking at telecommuting jobs for disabled veterans, supposedly all the rage now, but 95% are either health services related or require TS clearance. USAJobs open for disabled veterans usually start at high GS Grades, or assume the disability allows for an upright position (sitting on a wheelchair), nothing for people that have to lay flat.

I am very much trying to avoid ending homeless or living in our cars.

Thank you in advance.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Sep 11 at 2018 6:16 PM

2018-09-11T18:16:59-04:00

Can I cross post this to other forums for ya?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 11 at 2018 6:33 PM

2018-09-11T18:33:35-04:00

OK- 1. If it is disability then it is not taxable, 2. If you are rated disabled- then anything for your conditions will be treated by the VA, not TRICARE. 3. The VA determines disability, not the Army. 4. Your personal debts are not the concern of the service. 5. Before venting, launching into anything- get with a Vet group- DAV is a very good one and see if you have an appeal case, and what they can do for you. Their Service officers are trained to work the VA- try it yourself and you will suffer.

Response by SrA John Monette made Sep 11 at 2018 6:34 PM

2018-09-11T18:34:09-04:00

keep filing and appealing. from what you said, I would file for 100% due to unemployability. check with your state/county Veterans Representatives. they will likely be the most up to date on what you may qualify for.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-09-11T18:49:24-04:00

Use your PEBLO to appeal army percentage. Work with your VSO to get an upgrade or IU. My VSO helped me tremendously. Good luck.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 11 at 2018 7:15 PM

2018-09-11T19:15:24-04:00

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA one of your VA benefits is vocational retraining. It’s on the eBenefits website.

Response by LTC Lewis Cox made Sep 11 at 2018 7:18 PM

2018-09-11T19:18:42-04:00

I think it’s time to write your Congreman and Senators.

Response by SN Keagan Miller made Sep 11 at 2018 7:36 PM

2018-09-11T19:36:46-04:00

Try seeing what your county has in the way of Veterans assistance. Some have money to help pay for initial move in costs if you are under 80% AMI which you certainly are at only 1400 a month. You may also qualify for programs like SSVF to help you pay move in costs and rent for 6 months or so.

Response by SGT Joseph Miller made Sep 11 at 2018 10:39 PM

2018-09-11T22:39:51-04:00

Appeal the army and the VA rating before they medically retire you. That's why the army gave you and meb lawyer. I had to appeal my VA rating because they tried to screw me by the army giving me 70% and the VA gave me 100% but was taking it back down to 90% because they said I got better, my lawyer and doctor were pissed and my army lawyer filed an appeal and a few months later the VA sent a letter saying that they made a mistake and I had gotten worse with no chance of improvement and rated me 100% permanent and total and the army rated me at 100%. As for SSDI that's a battle that you just have too keep fighting as they turned me down twice saying just because the us army and veterans administration says I'm disabled doesnt matter to social security as they felt that nothing was wrong with me. Just dont retire without fighting it, your peblo and meb lawyer will show you what to do, that's why the army provides them to you.

Response by SSG Janet Liquet made Oct 10 at 2018 7:42 AM

2018-10-10T07:42:58-04:00

Go to ebenefits Look into Individual Unemployability you can find it under benefits. if not already enrolled get enrolled. You will find other benefits you may qualify for as well no promises but definitely worth looking into. Let me know how it works out for you

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 10 at 2018 12:47 PM

2018-10-10T12:47:20-04:00

When I got my proposed Army rating, I appealed immediately with the help of the PEBLO. All I had to do was send the PEBLO an email why I thought the percentage was low. I raised it from 50% to 70%.