Posted on Aug 26, 2016
LTC Strategy And Policy Advisor
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Rally Point peeps, need some help and I know there's an expert out there. I have a former Soldier who suffers from MS. After being medically retired from the Army, he got a job with VA. They are now medically retiring him and have had him on LWOP for several months with a few more months until they make a determination. This is breaking the financial back of his family. Where's the best place to turn to help them out. I'm ip for the fight!
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Col Rebecca Lorraine
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If he was medically retired, is he already receiving disability? Sometimes the best way is to make sure he is connected to a recognized advocate (VSO) like DAV. They often can facilitate a bump in the system. Some veteran groups can also ensure he doesn't become homeless etc. involving a congressman is sometimes effective, but the line is long for everyone. It will come through, but families have to adapt. MS is an up and down thing and stress can certainly make it worse. He can also apply for social security disability once he meets criteria.
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
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Good advice..
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1px xxx
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Col Rebecca Lorraine according to the original post, he has an Army Pension and a VA Disability. He is fighting Civil Service disability retirement right now - a completely different issue.

What the post does not say is what the person's retirement rating or VA rating are. If they are less than 100% then combined it's still not a living wage, hence the reliance on his Civil Service pay.

IF he was a OIF/OEF soldier, his MS may be compensable under Gulf War Presumptive Conditions, which SHOULD qualify him for 100% retirement and VA Disability, but it's not clear from the original info...

v/r RM
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MSG Mitch Dowler
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Here are the priority groups to help get through some of the weeds.

http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/priority_groups.asp
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1px xxx
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This is regarding Veteran's benefits, from military disability.

The question at hand is regarding CIVIL Service Retirement, which falls under a completely different set of rules...
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SGT Alan D. Garrison II
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I've been fightingthem for 4 years. DAV jacked my case up soooo bad it wasn't even funny. A good VSO can help immensely. Make sure to have a fully developed claim I do know for sure. If not fully developed they will drag their feet for sure. But make sure it is service connected also before all goes through. That is where DAV messed me over for almost 2 years plus as they didn't service connect my issues first and then didn't have a fully developed claim.
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
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Unfortunately I have heard 1-2 bad reports about the DAV. Not having personal experience or statistical info about their success rate, it still disappoints me to hear such about the DAV from anyone.
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1px xxx
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Every agency has its mishaps. However, I worked for DAV as a volunteer CSO for four years, and we were immensely successful.
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