how long does it take? in VA Disability Claims (General) Forum

0 Points

how long does it take?

Author

Comment

VVWife

how long does it take?

Lead

[-]

Posts: 4

Jan 16 11 11:32 AM

Tags : None

My hubby is a Vietnam Vet who is currently receiving 20% for diabetes. We have recently applied for an upgrade due to restricted activities. He has also just recently been dx'd with liposarcoma(soft tissue sarcoma), high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy from the diabetes, and ptsd. He his also on very strong narcotics for the cancer, which makes him sleepy all the time and seems to depress him. He dosn't even feel like showering anymore! He used to take pride in his appearance, but since he has been on this morphine he dosn't seem to care anymore. He has been very sick and unable to hold a job for about 2 years now, and I dont make enough money to pay all our bills, let alone buy groceries. Needless to say, we are about to lose everything and are on the verge of being homeless. We have used up all of our savings. He has to follow a restricted diet to help control the diabetes and I cant afford to buy all of these expensive foods for him to eat like he is supposed. I have just applied for a temp rating of 100% due to the cancer. I dont know very much about the process and dont know what all I should file for. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please help.

Reply Quote

LouF

#1

[-]

Posts: 12935

Jan 16 11 11:48 AM

10,000 plus post...

It could take a lot of time and its sounds like it will be too long. Did you use a VSO and if you didn't, it might be time to engage one and have them try to push it fast on a hardship basis. You should also go to Social Security and try to get SSDI expidited. Also has he applied for unemployment compensation. You do not have to be fired to be eligable for unemployment

Lou SSG
Santa Fe NM
4/21 11LIB Americal
1/69-8/70
50% PTSD
60% IHD
100% IU P&T

Reply Quote

VVWife

#2

[-]

Posts: 4

Jan 16 11 12:07 PM

I have just filled an app fo SSDI. No, I havnt had help from a VSO, but I guess I need to. I didnt realize they could expidite claims due to hardships. Thanks.

Reply Quote

chicagobob25726

TEMP

#3

[-]

Posts: 3089

Jan 16 11 12:13 PM

TEMP 100% is for hospitalized vets only.. I THINK!! If he was in NAM he can file under the agent orange programs..GET A VSO right away..Most have offices at local VA hospitals..Check with your local VFW, DAV, AMVETS etc.

"The NAVY CHIEF IS ALWAYS RIGHT"

CPO "INITIATED AND PROUD"
100% I.U/P&T/Combined 80%
70% G.A.D/MAJOR DEPRESSION
30% Headaches
10% Back
10% Knee

Reply Quote

LouF

#4

[-]

Posts: 12935

Jan 16 11 12:14 PM

10,000 plus post...

The could part about a VSO is that they can also review your claim, it just takes a few tiny mistakes to screw it all up and make it take that much longer. If there are any problems now is the time to correct them

Lou SSG
Santa Fe NM
4/21 11LIB Americal
1/69-8/70
50% PTSD
60% IHD
100% IU P&T

Reply Quote

VVWife

??

#5

[-]

Posts: 4

Jan 16 11 12:31 PM

I thought I read somewhere that the VA will award you a temp rating of 100% when you have cancer, and for 6 months after treatment ends then re-evaluate you. Im not positive on that, but that was my understanding. Liposarcoma is a presumptive of AO

Reply Quote

seadog53

#6

[-]

Posts: 711

Jan 16 11 1:46 PM

VVWife wrote:
I thought I read somewhere that the VA will award you a temp rating of 100% when you have cancer, and for 6 months after treatment ends then re-evaluate you. Im not positive on that, but that was my understanding. Liposarcoma is a presumptive of AO

You're right. Here's the section from the 38 CFR rating guide for soft tissue sarcoma:

5329 Sarcoma, soft tissue (of muscle, fat, or fibrous connective tissue)—100

Note: A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgery, radiation treatment, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of §3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residual impairment of function.

I hope everything works out for you. I agree that it would help to have a VSO push for a hardship consideration. You may need to complete a financial status form to prove hardship (VA form 5655) http://www4.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA5655.pdf Good luck.

Reply Quote

bmw roadster

#7

[-]

Posts: 436

Jan 16 11 4:41 PM

I wish you and your hubby well, I also recomend a vso. My claim went very well because my vso advised me what I needed to get for them and they did the rest, very little work from me.

Reply Quote

cruiser

#8

[-]

Posts: 17419

Jan 16 11 4:54 PM

VVWife wrote:

My hubby is a Vietnam Vet who is currently receiving 20% for diabetes. We have recently applied for an upgrade due to restricted activities.

Please keep in mind that the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation involves "regulated" activities, not "restricted" activities. There is a difference. Just about anybody with any kind of disability has certain restrictions imposed upon them by that disability, otherwise it wouldn't be a disability. The primary requirements for a 40 percent evaluation are that you must be required to take insulin and your activities must be regulated in order to keep the diabetes in check.

Cruiser

Reply Quote

jonmic1

#9

[-]

Posts: 307

Jan 16 11 4:58 PM

I'm also a Viet nam vet, my advise to you is just like some of the others, go get yourself a VSO, some don't know what in the world they are doing, but in my experience they did me well. In my opinion the hardship stance really doesn't work ( my opinion) I think the VA realizes everybody is a hardship. I wish you and your Hubby good luck. Also check into all that's available to you through your County Services, Food Bank, help with utilities, etc, etc. But, make sure you go to a VSO. Take care

jonmic
100% IU,PT
Viet Nam
68,69

Reply Quote

gunsdogs

#10

[-]

Posts: 1182

Jan 16 11 5:42 PM

VVWife, you may very well receive the temp 100% but its not going to happen next week it takes time for the VA to rate claims normal is from 6 months to a year. I hope this doesn't add too much rain to your parade. Hang in there. Rich

Reply Quote

Gdee

Hang Tough VVWife!

#11

[-]

Posts: 913

Jan 19 11 12:55 AM

Glad to have you aboard VBN. Thank you & your Vet for your service. I want to join the others in urging you to get a VSO, and in wishing you both the best. God bless.
- Gdee

Reply Quote

VVWife

thanks to all

#12

[-]

Posts: 4

Jun 25 11 5:21 PM

Thanks for all replies, I've been so busy working and waiting I havn't had time to check in. We finally received a VCAA but are still hanging in there. I was blessed with a promotion at work so that has helped out somewhat. I did get in touch with a local Vet rep office, explained our circumstances, but because of my work hours my husband went. Needless to say, the rep ignored all that we had spoken about and applied for individual unemployability only!!!! I did not realize until I called the VA to check on the claim and they informed me that nothing else had been filed. So needless to say that was 3 months down the drain. My hubby is one to take advise from the rep to heart and thought he new best. Regardless, whats done is done, and I have added the other issues to his claim and am back on track. They sure dont make this easy!!!!! With all the stuff you need, if I dont accompany hubby to appt. he usually dont get what is needed. With work......that is nearly impossible........I get to work at 5am and dont get off till 4pm and his appts are always in between those hours. The process is extremely frustrating........Sorry........I had to vent. Im sure all of you have been through the process so I thought this would be a good place to let it out. I dont want to upset hubby......so I rarely mention any of this to him.......God knows he has enough to worry about with his health and all. You folks have a blessed day and keep on keepin on............. smiley: wink

Reply Quote

akapennypincher

#13

[-]

Posts: 1361

Jun 25 11 6:57 PM

Plan on it taking a MINIMUM of 1 YEAR, and I help my Neighbor LAST MARCH go from NEVER APPLYING FOR ANYTHING FROM THE VA TO 100% IN 4 MONTHS. Ducks were in a ROW, when he filed his first claim, and he has Agent Orange Related LEUKEMIA!

'A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his, or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' (Author unknown)

Reply Quote

EMCCG

#14

[-]

Posts: 175

Jun 25 11 8:51 PM

gunsdogs wrote:
VVWife, you may very well receive the temp 100% but its not going to happen next week it takes time for the VA to rate claims normal is from 6 months to a year. I hope this doesn't add too much rain to your parade. Hang in there. Rich

It doesn't always take that long. I just got temp 100% for Cardiac Bypass, only took a couple of weeks to get it approved and the money in my account. It actually took me longer to get the medical files together than it did to get it approved.

Reply Quote

Ilyanir

#15

[-]

Posts: 2033

Jun 26 11 1:06 PM

VVWife, also check in with the Social Workers at the VA Hospital. They can also help put you in touch with resources and also help in your claim. Get your medical records from all the doctors to include the VA and request a temporary 100% rating pending the outcome of your ratings based upon the cancer is from his agent orange. If he's not already in the Agent Orange Directory and had the physical he needs to do that also.

I've almost been homeless myself and had to rely on alternative sources, etc. for food and stuff. Check with local food banks, charities and the churches. There are many that can and will help you but they need to know about your hardships. As far as the VSO goes if he did that I would take the claim into your own hands and educate yourself on this stuff. All you really need is to supply copies of his medical records and write out a "STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM" or even hand write a letter detailing all the health issues that your husband has, what he's claiming as service connected issues and also requesting a rating of temporary 100% pending the outcome of his claims. Also request expedited service. If you can get into the Regional Claims Office if it's close to you I would go there and request a face to face with the Director of the Regional Office and see if he or she can help with them claim being expedited. It can't hurt and best case scenario you could have it taken care of. Hang in there and keep the faith. I hope everything starts getting better for you. I'll keep you guys in my prayers.

"The Rough Rider"... "Far Better It Is To Dare Mighty Things..... Than To Take Rank With Those Poor Timid Spirits Who Know Neither Victory Or Defeat." Theodore Roosevelt 1899

Reply Quote

Yuku free message boards

Link to VBN User Agreement. By Using VBN, You agree to ALL TERMS.

how long does it take?

how long does it take?

VBN User Agreement

About VBN