Increasing Veterans Administration Service Connected Disabilty Rating

[raydarluvr1]

Increasing Veterans Administration Service Connected Disabilty Rating

Brothers and Sisters,
I have been taken out of work by my doctor since the end of September. I am trying to get my disability rating upgraded to 100% with unemployability since I can no longer work and support my family. I'm supposed to fill out the VA form 21-4138 "Statement in Support of Claim" to be considered to increase of benefits. What I want to know is what am I supposed to write on the form. Have any of you been successful with upgrading you disability ratings? How did you do it.

ANY input is welcome.
Thanks In Advance,
Jeff

 

[raydarluvr1]

Increasing Veterans Administration Service Connected Disabilty Rating

Update~I was granted Social Security Disability on the first go. A feat rarely heard of. Most go through many appeals before getting anything... or nothing.
I finally dropped paper on the VA to upgrade my SCD from 80% to 100% with unemployability. We're waiting on the 30 day letter.
We got a lawyer to handle the Civil Service Disabiity Retirement. He was very optimistic. This will take some as it has to go through some of deepest bowels of OPM and back.
Cheers!

 

[anthony]

Nice... good stuff mate. I hate seeing the political red tape with veterans and entitlements... I think its disgusting off Governments the crap they pull.

 

[BILLYD]

Jeff great news on the SSI, they have been putting Wounded Warriors on the same list as someone that is dying. So you would be put on the top of the list. I never went for IU but spent nearly 3 years getting my VA rating to 100% T&P. I also recently got my Army Medical Retirement, TDRL so collecting all three. Keep up the good fight with the VA.

Bill

 

[abnvet]

I was originally at 40% from the VA and later increased to 60% with help from the DAV. I've thought about trying again for an increase but the stress of it keeps me from doing it. Great to hear about your SSI.

 

[raydarluvr1]

Here's an update... My Civil Service Disability was finally approved. It won't be a chunk of money, but it will pay for extra health benefits for the family with a little left over. Now, I'm just waiting on the Veteran's Administration to approve my upgrade to 100% with UI.

Yea, me!

 

[willis williams]

I am still in the processwith both and I cant work with out doctors release.I live off 20% from the VA and my fiances college money since july 5. I lost my job because of the VA and no body wants to hire someone with a mental disability. I also have to get welfair which is demoralizing since I have worked since I was 16. The only good thing is that I work so many hours for good pay that my SSI is about 1800$ plus 800$ for my children. And VA when it comes threw could be about 2600$so all will be good if it comes through. It will be tight for a while but will make it. Unemployment won't give me my benifits without dr release. Still trying to think positive. TEX

 

[JarHed]

The VA........ I just gave up on them at one point. Got my initial rating after I got out. Was wounded a couple of times in Nam. Pretty badly the second time. They just treated me like horseshit.

After like 40 years I went back. I used the DAV as an advocate for some medical issues I was having. Was tested for PTSD, that's when I found out part of why my life is shit. Got a bit more. Still can't work and put in for 'unemployability', still waiting. I was 70% combined before and got 70% just for PTSD. Now I'm at 90%. You'd think they'd just understand what the situation is and rate me at 100%. Got some kind of convoluted formula for figuring out this stuff.

I owe thousands for medical care that I'll be paying for the rest of my life. Just want to be done with the VA already. It just never seems to end. There's always and I mean always another hurdle to jump or piece of paper work crap to fill out. I'll probably be dead before I see another penny.

Like a lot of vets, I just fell through the cracks in the system and no body gave a shit. Now I just try to avoid people because that killer feeling just courses through my veins. I wish I could work, wouldn't last an hour. After a lifetime of busting my ass to make money for other people, I just get tossed in the garbage heap because I'm 'too old'. Nice country I live in.

 

[Sarg]

1970. Got a whole 10% VA disability for "nervousness" (what ever the hell that is). Then began a battle that lasted 30 years before I was rated right. 30 freaking years of bullshit and every dirty trick in the book. Been 70% PTSD and 100% IU for almost twelve years now. Detest the VA.

Ray, if you have technical questions about your claim with the VA, you can go to www.hadit.com and there's a bunch of very sharp folks there that could help. Good luck.

Sarg

 

[JarHed]

Hey Sarg

I was checking out that site you posted. Lots of great info. Sometimes I feel like you literally have to kill someone for them to sit up and take notice. Not a good choice, although..........

 

[Sarg]

No, Jarhead. They're federal workers. They do what they want when they want to do it. I've railed against this system for forty years. You're just beating your head against a brick wall. Nothing changes, or if it does, it's for the worse. That's why I've given up, I've got private med. Drs, private shrinks and therapyists. I know that I am very fortunate to be able to say that, many can't.

But it's their system and the only one's that win are them.

Sarg

 

[Jimmy1]

Although Stallone was a cock in some movies, I think he hit the nail on the head in Rambo First Blood.
They do forget about us veterans and then because of who we were and how we look (depression), people give us a rough time. Sylvester even portrayed that disassociated look on his face, that blank void look.

But in the end, as he said, some people just keep pushing (they drew first blood)

Well that's how I feel sometimes. I would not throw a rock at a chopper, or set up punji pits, but you get the picture.