by Papaw » Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:58 am
sorry Im late getting back to your question, about being rated by the DVA and not being service connected.
back in december 2002, I filed for disability, through SSA. in January, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. well, needing money, while waiting for the SSDI to kick in, I filed online, for a non-service connected pension (in December, 2003),, In January,2004 I amended my claims online, and included the type 2 diabetes.. I was given a C&P exam, in February, 2004. which I thought was very quick, considering I had filed originally in december, 2003..
well, in July 2004, I received the notice from VA, that I was granted the non-service connected disability pension. In that report, it gave me my rating, all adding up to 80% unemployable. and would be receiving about 110 a month. I also, at the same time, had been approved for SSDI,, on august 1, 2004, I received my SSDI check, AND the check from VA for around 1000 dollars. I did like I was suppose to do, and wrote VA a letter, stating that I had been approved for SSDI, and my work pension, and therefore, no longer qualified for the non-service connected pension.. I thought I would have to pay back the 1000 dollars, but the way I was told,, I was paid, for the months, when I had no income.. I therefore did not have to pay the money back, as I was qualified at the time I was granted the nsc pension. I received a letter from the VA, stating that the pension had been cancelled, per my information.. nothing else from them telling me to pay back the money.
So, basically, that is how I was rated by VA at 80% unemployable. (60% heart, 20% diabetes, 10% each knee, 0% for being a fataZz, 10% hypertension, for a total of 80% unemployable rating.)
If VA were to ever grant me service connection for the diabetes, I dont know what I would get.. as I had the heart problems, before the diabetes showed up (prolly from less activity) though dr said there could be an argument, that I was borderline before the heart problems,, therefore causing the heart problems,, but I doubt I will ever get anything service connected, diabetes or otherwise.. Im just not that lucky (probably the wrong word, lucky,, id rather not have any problems) As with most diabetics/heart patients, I can now add ED to the problems. LOL but Im the only one complaining,, Nana is enjoying the break. LOL
Happy St Patty's day everyone
Papaw
James M. Rigsby BT3
USS Decatur (DDG-31)
1970-1974 (1971-74 on board)
Fwd Fireroom/Oil King
My Country, May She Always Be In The Right.
Right or Wrong, My Country---Stephen Decatur