Should 100% permanent & total VA disability satisfy the requirements for Social Security disability?

Please support HR 3499 which is a bill to tie VA 100% to an automatic approval of Social Security Disability benefits.

LTC David B.

Sir, in my humble opinion, if you rate a disability and cannot work due to these disabilities which occurred while in service of our country, SSA should accept that, provide benefits, and expedite benefit payment.

As many have pointed out, serving is writing a blank check and you never know when or if that check will be cashed. If it is, so may we well be.

The burden of proof is, as is well established by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. in his post different between the VA and SSA; however, perhaps legislation should be changed to allow for SSA benefits to be more easily attained by disabled Veterans. The more help which is available the more tragedy's we avoid.

Thank you for this interesting and thought provoking question,

SFC Joseph M. Finck USA (Ret)

LTC David B.' No Sir they may look at your VA disabilities and make note of them but the SSD has different rules and regulations then the VA. But if you feel that you may qualify for SSD, then apply on line. Please read their regulations on their requirements for SSD. I have had veterans with 50% service connected disabilities and was granted by SSD because they met certain requirements of their laws, but the veteran was still fighting to get his disabilities increased with no luck. He did appeal though with the VA. James K.

I'm retired from the Army and work for SSA at the hearing level (first level a decision is rendered by and Administrative Law Judge or ALJ). &nbsp;I'm also a disabled veteran and can an objective opinion on the matter. &nbsp;VA disability is similar to Workers Compensation in that we're awarded a percentage of disability based upon select criteria and how a certain body system is impacted of effected by the injury or impairment.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Social Security disability is all or nothing. You can either perform work at certain exertion levels or not. The only percentage we deal with is 100% and the claimants subjective symptoms have to be based supported by objective evidence. ...And that's usually where the problem lies.</div><div><br></div><div>I've written several claims decisions for veterans who allege they're disabled; however, they report activities of daily living and other relevant factors to their doctors and nurses that does not support their alleged level of disability...even at 100% from time to time. The VA doesn't rely as much upon credibility assessments in making their determinations as SSA does in making disability decisions. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hope this helps!</div>

Why yes!! I have not been able to hold a job because of PTSD. I have tried and have multiple jobs to show for it. I put into Social Security and was recently evaluated 100% disabled by the VA. However, I was denied MY SSDI. They said I could work. But I cannot HOLD a job. The Social Security Administration can give benefits to illegals but not veterans, what a bunch of crap!!

I drew SSDI when I was still at 90% LTC David B..

Colonel, I got a 100% rating while I was receiving Social Security disability! If it worked for me (it took me only 2 years), then you should have not have as many problems. If you do, then appeal until you get 100%.

Yes. No more of this separate standards, different part of government requirements bs and crap that's been going on this whole time. Even with now being 100% P&T, taking the Va to finally get that decision in nearly 7 years post EAS and initial start to the claims process. I should have been retired, but the Navy sought otherwise.

Hell, I was in a coma for 48 days. Died multiple times all in part primarily/secondary to a car wreck I was a passenger in. Severe traumatic brain injury, Almost complete retrograde amnesia, Not remembering my childhood. Bi-lateral Tension-Hemo-Pneumothorax. On a respirator and not only 5, but 6 chest tubes in place. Eviscerated intestines. Initially weighting in at 265 lbs prior to the wreck, and soon after, once discharged from the hospital only weight in at 115 lbs. I suspect due to my metabolism having had changed or been altered throughout the time in a coma. Even with the stomach tube providing the little nutrition I had been given. While all this going on, due to the massive fluid retention. As described into the "3rd wall space" through out the tissues in my body. Everything swollen and stretched out. Even having similar stretch marks to when a woman has given birth to a child. Not to mention the residual affects/effects of this multi-system trauma. Now cognitive difficulties, inability to fully gather thoughts before speaking. Often times having had inappropriate outburst. Anger management and later substance abuse.

Regardless of 3rd generations of alcoholism and having been advised by the physicians not to. Still having had consumed alcohol to cope with having lost my friend and being the sole survivor. Wasn't until recently that I have given myself the chance to sober up and refocus again on life and its much greater importance.

Even after having been placed on limited duty, and medboarded. Only required to pass a neuropsych test, placed back to "Fit for full duty". Reassigned back to 2nd Marine Division and volunteered for another tour/deployment back to Iraq. Thankfully nothing had happened during that time. Heaven forbid there was always a constant threat of IED's having been assigned to a convoy security element. I'm very thankful that nothing bad had happened. For I fear that due to my Inability to think quick enough, act quick enough, Or even get there quick enough. If something had happened, I wouldn't have been able to do anything right to have helped saved anyone.

Suffering severe depression, contributed mainly from the brain injury. Having had lossed my friend, and later having had divorced my wife. Not having had the drive or motivation to be an FMF Corpsman anymore. I had chosen not to reenlist. Even after all this, having been told that I could reenlist. I couldn't even pass the Navy PRT- Physical Readiness Test. How was I expected to properly do my job?

Now having- COPD, Early stages of emphysema, Epilepsy-(Full Tonic Colonic Seizures), Severe-TBI, both knees completely fubar, mid-thorasic/Lumbar strain, 5 complete hernias, multiple defects in the abdominal wall, left hip strain, Right shoulder strain, Having been required to get a Bankartd surgical repair, torn rotator cuff, instability in shoulder, 2 bulging disks in lower lumbar, Erectile Difficulties, at least once every other week UTI/Bladder infections, kidney stones, Oh and PTSD because the VA is too lazy to actually find most if not all is due to the brain injury and not from combat. Even with both exhibiting similar symptoms.

Submitted and having been denied, 10 times now for SSDI. Even with the last attempt made with the assistance of a law firm. It frustrates me every time that I hear when some kid. Kid being someone of no life experience at all. Ends up doing meth and or heroin for too long and fries their brains out, Gets approved right away. Yet myself having been a combat veteran. After all this crap ive gone through. Wasn't enough and strung along getting denied simply because a paper filled out wrong. Or not applicable, or whatever else sort of lame ass excuse was used for my denials.

One more time, one last time ill submit everything yet again. Afterwards, all hope will have been lost forever. I just don't understand anymore...


HM3(FMF) Stephens, C.R.

Short answer is yes!

100% disabled but was denied SSDI. I put into Social Security but can't get my own money!!