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Thread: Disability payment question

  1. #1
    Senior Member BISHOP's Avatar

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    Disability payment question

    When I started my 30% I was a single guy. Now for 10 years I have had a wife and child.

    Last night I was trying to find if we are getting an increase and ran into a VA disability benefits table that showed increased benefits with child or wife and child.

    Was I supposed to tell the VA when there were changes in my life like this?

    Am I due for an increase and/or "back pay"?


    BISHOP

  2. #2
    Administrator imanaknut's Avatar

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    Unfortunately you had to tell the gov of the changes and they do not make up payments that could have been made. I too got bit by another theft agency, social insecurity. When I filed for benefits at age 62 the person I spoke to was surprised I hadn't filed survivor benefits at age 60. How was I to know? Two years that would have totaled almost 40,000 in lost money. (I retired early and used my own money not knowing about the survivor payments)

    As for you, I believe you can refile for the change of life but payments most likely will only be from time of filing.

  3. #3
    Senior Member BISHOP's Avatar

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    I never new there was a difference or increase for having dependants. When I first got the % I was given a VA booklet and it only had one list of benefits (That I remember).
    Many times I have mentioned wife and child to my PCP, you'd think that would have been a question they would ask. HECK I am asked about travel pay all the time.


    BISHOP

  4. #4
    Administrator imanaknut's Avatar

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    Makes me wonder if some agencies are told not to be of help when it comes to increasing payments.

  5. #5
    Senior Member BISHOP's Avatar

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    I don't understand why not. My uncle was never in the system for action in Vietnam. He had a Heart attack in his 60s and some-how the VA got involved (I have no knowledge of how or why) and in the end he ended up getting back pay of lost benefits of over 100K.


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  6. #6
    Administrator imanaknut's Avatar

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    Your uncle was lucky. My father was wounded in WWII and upon return he told me how long he fought the VA before finally giving up. By that time I was born and remember his frustration and later hatred for them.

    Can't hurt for you to file and try getting back monies. Worst that can happen is you get a benefit increase, best is they write a check for back money! Good luck.

  7. #7
    Senior Member BISHOP's Avatar

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    WHO do I got to?

    Back in the mid 90's I went to the American Legion through advice from Vets that worked in the VA mail room (I serviced their mailing machines) and was told they can help you up your %. That guy told me what I needed to do (see sport injury Drs, and pay for it on my own) and filled out all the paperwork for me and sent it in.

    It took me a long time just to get service related medical. They kept denying that it existed TO MY FACE. It wasn't until I heard on the radio that there was an organization that will be at "some parking lot at some mall" that helps veterans get VA health care.
    I went there and they had all the forms and told me what to do with them.


    BISHOP

  8. #8
    Administrator imanaknut's Avatar

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    Can't help you there. I guess vets here don't know how good they really have it as we have a major VA hospital downtown Indy. I could almost ride my bike there from where I live. Keep forgetting not all are that lucky.

  9. #9
    Senior Member BISHOP's Avatar

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    I've had a rating of 30% since about 1997, but didn't know how or was lied to about getting health care until about 2009-10.

    I haven't had bad experiences with the VA, they just don't outwardly tell you about benefits or "upgrades".
    Every year I get a letter stating my Disability rating and or compensation, but nothing about changes in your life.


    BISHOP

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