Veterans Support Group

I was awarded a non-service connected disability by the VA about the same time I got Social Security Disability. My VA disability was going to be $780 a month and my SSD was going to be $890 a month. Since SSD paid more I got that. But Bob, if you qualify for a service connected disability you should also apply for SSD. You would be entitled to collect both. Could mean up to $1700-$2000 a month in benefits. Unless you are already retired. Then you still collect both.

Hey , Thanks Happy2.
I retired two years ago and at thattime I did inquire into the SSD, but they said I didn't make enough in some quarters ....or some bullshit like that. So I just got my regular early S.S. At the time , before that and presently I have this PTDS problem . My VA psychiatrist and VA Therapist . both said that I should apply for compensation about a year ago . I just couldn't focus on that at the time and even now I have problems focusing on things.
Anyway............ I needed a letter from my psychiatrist to give to the compensation board . She did that for me and stated that I have Military PTDS . It also stated that because of that I'm dissable. I think that should be good enough that the " VA psychiatrist" stated that .... So , Here I am ..... Anything that I get would help me out. I was just curious ..what it might be . ..
Ok......... Sorry for the long message
Thanks again and LMK what you think Happy2.
Bob

All I can tell you is what I know from my own experience. Walked into the Temple TX VA homeless cause I heard they had a domiciliary there.

They gave me a bed, meals, and a medical examination. They put me into a work rehabilitation program, but I told them I could not handle it. They put me in another program, but I forgot what it is called.

They tested and evaluated me for PTSD and said I had it. A couple of vets in the dom asked me if I had filed a claim. I said 'whut?'. I learned a LOT from there.

The form has two check boxes on it. One for filing a service connected disability and one for a NONservice connected disability. I had alredy been told to CHECK BOTH. I also had to afiliate myself with one of the authorized Vet organizations who would be my limited power of attorney. No problem so far.

In about 45 days, I got a full 100% NONservice connected disability and AT THE TIME, that paid a little less than $900 a month for a single claimant. It is up from that now. They told me I could stay at the DOM, but they would take all but $150 out of that, or I could leave. I found an apartment I could afford on $900 a month and left.

I enrolled in a PTSD treatment program (VA) while my SERVICE CONNECTED claim was being processed. I kept up the program, went to OTHER programs for PTSD, did an INpatient one for 11 weeks, and did all I could to show a record of 'ONGOING TREATMENT'. I had to write a trauma letter in there also. About 5 years later, I got a 70% rating which allowed me another 30% rating for unemployability for a 100% combat related service connected disability which is $2673 a month for me, (single) and is tax free. I also got a pretty good BACKPAY check up front.

I am not clear on the 'working' rules .. I think I CAN work if I want to now but I don't. I think I could NOT work on the nonservice claim.

Oh, when I got the service connected, of course the nonservice connected 'went away'.

A couple of times a year I had to go to a C&P (compensation and pension eval). NEVER tell 'em you are 'doing ok'. They are tricky. They will come tell you to 'come on back' and over their shoulder they will say "So, how are you today?" Say 'fine' and it works against you. I am still subject to a C&P if they want to give me one.

Oh, and during that 5 years, I had to do a couple of appeals .. I THINK, .. or that may have been for SS disability which is a whole other story.

Hope this helps. If you have any ?'s, PM me.

Thanks WanderingVet,
Yes, that helped me alot . It's not like I'm lieing .. I do have all that stuff and had it a long time. I would think that if my VA psychiatrist said that I have Combat trauma PTDS should be proof enough. She's the one that said I should go apply for it a year ago . LMK . BTW- I don't know why but I'm having more dreams then ever about Nam... I don't know why...
Anyway.........Thanks everyone ..
Bob

I hope you get your SCD (service connected disability). I have a 100% non-service and 100% social security disability because of my heart. I cannot work under doctors orders. Keep us informed Bob. If you have any problems filling out the forms get a hold of the nearest Disable Veterans Association. DVA is there to help you.

Happy2.
The lady from amvets at the VA was helping me.
I'll keep that DVA place in my mine because I heard that THEY WANT TO ExPLAIN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THAT HAPPENED THERE AND I DON'T WANT TO GO THERE. .
We’ll SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
Thanks ...Bob

"THEY WANT TO ExPLAIN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THAT HAPPENED THERE"

They? The VA?? Yes, they required me to write a 'trauma letter'.

Wasn't easy, . but I got it done .. but it still did not tell the whole story. I "gave it my best shot' and it was, apparently, good enough.

By the way, . there are different 'programs' at different VA facilities, but the trauma letter was the ONLY time I had to talk about 'it'.

They do NOT hold group meetings and talk about vet's traumas It has never been brought up again, since the trauma letter.

The meetings are more like a bunch of guys getting together and 'talking' .. or more like 'shooting the bull", as we say in TX.

I did an INpatient program (11 weeks), and even then, we were told on one occasion we COULD talk about it IF WE WANTED TO. There was no forcing of it at all.

I think if you can work you should work,,If you can't work because of something that injured your body,,In the Military,,This Country should take care of you,,Not just rare back and give you a check because you think your to good to work,,Because you were in a combat zone,,Or in a country where a lot of other soldiers were fighting,,I admit I'm not sure what PTSD is supposed to be,,But if it don't Make you limp,,and you can still see,,And your ass ain't Rideing on a Hoveround,,You should leave the money in the VA for the Guys comeing home now who need new parts and some kind of Compensation,,You can't blame everything that goes wrong in your life on the few years you were in the Military,,I spent 6 years in the ARMY,,2 tours in Viet Nam,,Been drawing 30% Disability since 1973 When I got out,,Not for PTSD,,My 1st wife said I was an a,,hole in JR High school,, Well enough about me ,, Hope you guys get your Checks

I talked to my lawyer, {He's a vet} and he said, "Don't hold your breath on trying to make a law on how the flag can be displayed, the Supream Court has already ruled that burning the flag was protected under the 1st Amendment of the Constitution". Sorry for the bad news. this shit realy pisses me off!!!

I need to go and apply for benefits for my PTSD.

Sarge5,
I'll make my own rules about my flag.
There are different ways to approache this.
Of course...............all none violent ...of course.
I really don't think that I could control myself if I saw someone burning and stepping on our great flag with so much meaning and love attached to it .... I know I couldn't ...put me in jail... whatever.
Get going and apply Sarge for the PTDS.
Even I waited a long time ..I should have been there year ago...

Later...Bob