Did anyone else get their disability compensation reduced by the VA with no explanation today?

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:03:41 -0400

Woke up to the direct deposit of the disability compensation being less than half of the usual amount. No emails, letters, or phone calls of explanations. Of course the VA representative chat room and call center is not working.

Response by CPL David Salazar made Jul 1 at 2015 3:06 PM

CPL David Salazar — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:06:54 -0400

Has your rating changed in ebenefits?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 3:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:22:44 -0400

Were you due a follow up exam or any thing?

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Jul 1 at 2015 3:24 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:24:00 -0400

Mark,

I called my SVC OFC in Louisville but he had left for the day. I spoke with Liberty about your experience ( did NOT mention a name) and she said she was unaware of any wholesale changes. You can call [login to see] and talk to her. She should be able to see your file. I sure hope so, that sucks!

Good Luck.

Rick Ash

Response by CPL(P) Bret Farritor made Jul 1 at 2015 3:59 PM

CPL(P) Bret Farritor — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:59:43 -0400

I cannot imagine. No, not here but I was paid yesterday.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jul 1 at 2015 4:28 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:28:39 -0400

My initial thought is what happens to many veterans. Once we get our rating and things get into a good payment groove, we start to miss appointments and that leads to not going much at all. Well to VA, this gives the appearance that everything is better, so they back down the rating.

Response by SPC Elijah Benson made Jul 1 at 2015 4:52 PM

SPC Elijah Benson — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:52:33 -0400

Not me. If you were a drilling reservist and still getting paid by DOD, that would be one thing but you're not. I wish I had an answer for you.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 1 at 2015 5:01 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:01:56 -0400

Mine was normal.

Response by SPC Jack Hunt, JR made Jul 1 at 2015 5:15 PM

SPC Jack Hunt, JR — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:15:42 -0400

This is me of the best things about the community at Rally Point. When one of us has a thought or issue and posts about it many members can wrap their minds around it to find an answer. In the past I have had things like this happen and it has taken a week at times to figure out what is happening.

I am TDIU and live with a fear of something like this happening to me. Good luck, Jack

Response by SGT Tresa Silva-Rooks made Jul 1 at 2015 5:27 PM

SGT Tresa Silva-Rooks — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:27:52 -0400

Mine was fine today :)

Response by CW4 Laird Culver made Jul 1 at 2015 7:08 PM

CW4 Laird Culver — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 19:08:52 -0400

Have you continued to be seen for those problems you were rated for initially? The VA reviews records to see if veterans are still being treated for those they are rated for and adjusting as they deem necessary. I would also ask if you are enrolled in the VA Healthcare system and been to see them at least once a year for a checkup on those rated items?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 1 at 2015 7:27 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 19:27:58 -0400

Mine was normal....sucks to hear brother, hope they can esplain it and get it fixed ASAP!!!

Response by MAJ Danny Clark made Jul 1 at 2015 10:10 PM

MAJ Danny Clark — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 22:10:36 -0400

A couple more thoughts. Did you fail to pay your co-pay or do you ow back taxes or any other federal debt that can be offset against your disability?

Response by SGT Steve Vincent made Jul 2 at 2015 1:07 PM

SGT Steve Vincent — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:07:07 -0400

Mine was proper this month. Last month it was almost 100 less, but then I figured out that it was because my stepson turned 18. I'm about to start the process of having my rating teevaluated, because they only gave me a pittance percentage for my lower back, and it was discovered that it was a lot worse than just the DDD they diagnosed me with from an x-ray. Couple herniated discs are pushing into my spinal canal, putting pressure on my cord and nerves, and it is pretty much FUBAR'd. But hey, at least they finally kept my PT appointments and got me in for an MRI and all that jazz, so things are at least rolling now:)

Response by SGT Greg Tibbles made Jul 2 at 2015 1:15 PM

SGT Greg Tibbles — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:15:42 -0400

Mark, I understand that this can be very difficult and is probably a financial burden as well. As a veteran with 100% disability rating the Army Emergency Relief is still available for you if the need is there.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 3 at 2015 8:47 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 08:47:11 -0400

SFC Mark Merino not yet, how can they do that if its permanent and not temporary. I am new to this VA disability its scary to say the least. I have heard stories about this.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 3 at 2015 12:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:46:33 -0400

Were you able to fix it?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 4 at 2015 1:14 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 01:14:56 -0400

I hope not... Mine was the same this month. SFC Mark Merino ... How did you find out..., just based on your DD?

Response by SSG John Bacon made Jul 4 at 2015 2:01 AM

SSG John Bacon — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 02:01:52 -0400

They will reduce upon your children reaching their 18th birthdays too. I got to make sure I get my re-eval scheduled when it comes due to avoid any unpleasantness.

Response by SPC Chris Early made Jul 4 at 2015 9:01 AM

SPC Chris Early — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 09:01:01 -0400

you should call and check on that i have not had any changes

Response by SFC Donald Neal made Jul 13 at 2015 12:00 AM

SFC Donald Neal — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 00:00:05 -0400

They were pretty good about sending me a packet when they reduced mine. It normally comes with a decision to lower, and an explanation of what you can do at no cost to the government to appeal. It should include a statement that you can get a lawyer to assist you but they are not required to listen/see/ your lawyer. Since I live in Alaska, my letter stated I can fly to Seattle and then appear in a VA compensation committee in that area.

Response by SSG John Ponton made Jul 13 at 2015 8:51 AM

SSG John Ponton — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 08:51:33 -0400

I did not hear of this as my direct deposit was the amount I usually get and I think that they would have to notify you

Response by SGT Timothy Rocheleau made Jul 13 at 2015 1:10 PM

SGT Timothy Rocheleau — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 13:10:25 -0400

I hope you get everything worked out and back to the way it is supposed to be SFC Merino, just ride their asses until it's fixed.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 13 at 2015 7:30 PM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:30:06 -0400

Somehow I can't access the VA payment history on the eBenefits website

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 7:41 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 19:41:38 -0400

I have not had this happen to me ... yet. But I have heard this has happened. Even the VA acknowledges it (somewhat) by stating that it's up to you to notify the VA if you move. If they send you a note to come in for a physical check, and you fail to make it for whatever reason, they can cut or eliminate your benefit without any further notice.

Look, I am personally very annoyed with the VA, especially since I have been fighting them over disability for 11 years. But if all it takes is to make sure you get all the notes and appointments they send out, that really isn't that difficult. Yes, it's sometimes hard to decipher their missives. (They must outsource that to Bangladesh.) But if I don't understand, I always call them and make them explain what they want. I'm damn sure not going to lose the gains it has taken me all these years to get.

Response by SGT Jesse Velasquez made Nov 29 at 2015 7:30 PM

SGT Jesse Velasquez — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 19:30:49 -0500

My heart goes out to you man, I just saw that you got an answer, nothing more disturbing then not getting what your expecting. I've had to write my congressman after they had been garnishing my disability payments for a severance I got after they medically discharged me from the Army. I fell down a 30 ft. cliff while training at Ft. Irwin. I was only getting $130 a mo. I was suppose to get over $300. That started in 2000, by 2012 I wrote my congressman, cause I felt that they took enough, I got my full payment by the next month. It pays to go to the top.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 4:57 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:57:14 -0500

Sure did, my Direct Deposit was a good $150 less.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 13 at 2015 8:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:10:28 -0500

I snickered when the VA asked me if I work for them.

I am going through a reevaluation from 100% IU to I don't know what.

Response by COL John Hudson made Dec 17 at 2015 6:58 PM

COL John Hudson — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:58:10 -0500

I read a number of the responses below and want to share my own personal experience (I apologize for the lengthy presentation). An application I submitted for increase of one service connected disability was disapproved. Disappointed, I remarked on this to my Primary Care Physician (PCP), an individual I trusted explicitly and had full confidence in. As a long-time VA medical employee, she had decades of experience within the VA system. She advised me that all such applications are first reviewed by low level input personnel more inclined to push back if an application doesn't meet the "check off the list" test. She told me to file an appeal as quickly as possible (you only have one year to do this). That appeal will be reviewed higher up the 'reviewer' chain and will be scrutinized in much more detail. It's important to ensure you have included ALL supporting documentation as I can assure all reading this they WILL NOT make any effort to go thru your entire medical history to root out areas specific to your issue. I fired back that I refused to accept their rejection. I saw not one line of verbiage that anyone reviewing my claim had made any effort to actually review the documents I specifically included that were relevant to my concern. I demanded that the reviewing authority state, in writing, in any further reply to me that they had in fact reviewed and considered the applicable areas. BINGO! I actually received a phone call from one of the reviewing authorities advising me she had made the decision to grant my appeal !!!! One more item that's critical: 38 CFR 3.102 - Reasonable Doubt, TITLE 38 - Pensions, bonuses, and Veterans' Relief. If initially rejected, you may see verbiage such as "the record is silent of any previous episode or medical diagnosis" or wording meaning the same thing. DON'T BE PUT OFF BY THIS.
"The reasonable doubt doctrine is also applicable EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, particularly if the basic incident allegedly arose under combat, or similarly strenuous conditions, and is consistent with the probable results of such known hardships. It is the defined and consistently applied policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs to administer the law under a broad interpretation, consistent, however, with the facts shown in every case. When, after careful consideration of all procurable and assembled data, a reasonable doubt arises regarding service origin, the degree of disability, or any other point, such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant." Quote this regulation and state you believe the reviewing authority is in violation of its own stated policies. Don't be frivolous with this. Again, ensure you enclose ALL relevant documentation, evidence, sworn statements, and or ANYTHING you feel will support your claim (don't laugh, I included sworn statements from a number of family members including my 84 year old mother who had first-hand knowledge of that particular issue). Good luck, hope this helps. JCH

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 27 at 2015 2:31 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 14:31:19 -0500

Yes, completely deducted on my LES. Lucy has some 'splainin' to do!