Types of Claims in the Disability Claims Inventory - VBA Claims Transformation

LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow This is good to know. I may be possibly reaching out to you. Thank you.

Any time...

I can say a little bit if you like. I did not fight in the WAR - any WAR. As a side note i'm told that there was an effort to provide some recognition to service members that served during the Cold-War. I don't think any thing ever became of it. But to the men and women that did serve during WAR time. Of course make a good attempt to access any and all benefits offered. Including education. Expect a time consuming problematic situation involved with any and all aspects. I once thought that there was a computer program directing the V.A., as if it was on automatic feed. In that all of us , by way of a computer software program written by a government contractor. Was being used in order to destroy a persons chance of a good outcome. In any case let me put my two sense in and say this. TAKE CHARGE by providing any and all documentation , as much as you can. You should advise that all this is done prior to placing a claim. You never know i records can be located so get them first. TAKE CHARGE by understanding the final outcome rests with the V.A., if you don't like it. You have to fight , but not with your hands. TAKE CHARGE by going after only what your sure you need you can prove. Don't present yourself as a person that needs 100% rating because you claim you had to shoot the enemy. Because he was trying to shoot you and now you can't get to bed (PTSD). Not unless that's true. Don't do it because there is no hope for a good job in your home town. And you don't feel like going back to college or moving to another town. TAKE CHARGE by only going after the Disability claim / medical coverage / payment that you really deserve. Do that , stay on it. Follow it through and don't drift off into a fantasy world because one person told you he got over some how and now you can also. In real life , if you were actually hurt in combat or in an accident. And you have the records to back that claim up. In the end your going to win.

You may also be entitled to SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) if your disability and related issues fit the criteria, and if you have someone that has to act as your primary caregiver, that person may also be entitled to some benefits. If you haven't asked about these, I recommend that you do. Patient Advocates are one of the few great people at the VA, but may not be aware of some of the benefits that are what I refer to as "second and third term effects". I became aware by coming across it being briefly mentioned in nebulous VA Benefits Manual but naturally needed a VSO to explain it to me. Good luck Sir.

1SG James Lampe - thanks for the information. I learned from the Patient Advocate (PA) at Martinsburg, WV VAMC that caregiver funds are limited to Operation Desert Storm and OEF and OIF veterans. Because if my service-connected limitations I was mobilized to support ONE in the Pentagon after I volunteered right after 9/11/2001.
last year I met with the Patient Advocate (PA) at Martinsburg, WV VAMC where he submitted a individual unemployability (IU) packet on my behalf.
VBA scheduled an evaluation which I went to and have proof that I went to. They initially claimed I did not go to the scheduled appointment and denied my IU claim offhand. I have sent a few messages to the PA but heard nothing back.

LTC Stephen F. - Sir, I'm am currently wrestling with the VA for my father, regarding the water contamintion at Camp Lejeune. The VSO I'm working with is through the American Legion; he is who told me about the Caregiver Benifit, and Dad was not involved in OIF or OEF. In fact part of the packet on documents he gave me included an application for the Caregiver Benifit, as well as a Declaration of Dependents so we get mom on record as the primary caregiver. Im not saying that the Patient Advocate is not doing great things. I'm just sharing with you my experience in hopes that you find it helpful. In my own case, after a long time of maintaining my professionalism, courtesy and politeness, I called my Congressman. I had my reply from the VA within 72 hours stating my service connected rating was 100%, which they had told me on the phone that same day was still being processed. Just another course of action to consider if needed.
Sir, please feel free to contact me directly if I can help in any way. I do not claim to be an expert or even novice when it comes to the VA, but I'm always willing to do what I can.
V/R
Lampe

1SG James Lampe - thanks. I may request help from you.
It took me requesting help from my Congressman to get the VA to pay my disability compensation. I know they are human and not perfect but sometimes the VBA really frustrates me.
Last week I had a cardiology appointment and next week an orthopedic one - my right hip buckled - most likely due to my lumbar spine problems.
I plan on talking to the PA once more to ask for an updated status and way ahead.
I am scheduled to retire at age 60 this October and have the pre-retirement packet which needs to be submitted waiting for me to complete it.
My day job is watching out for my 92-year-old mother-in-law.