WTU Issues

The dependency claim is VA. But I also had an issue with SSDI, I requested wounded warrior status be attached to my claim and the worker, at state level, told me that it would just hinder my case. I go to drill for a four hour period every month even though doctor said no work of any kind. The state surgeon said that I am required to be in a drilling status when I go thru the IDES process. I told the SS worker that I attend drill 4 hours monthly for accountability only and that I sit in a computer room doing basically nothing while going thru this IDES process and he said he will leave that out as well because it would hurt my case. About a week later I received my denial from SSDI.

Anybody can tell you VA takes forever with adding dependents
 
OK -- Everyone (almost everyone) receives a denial the first time. In my state, you have to be in stage 4 cancer, AIDS, or kidney failure to be approved the 1st time. NOW, you need to appeal.

I will send you PM, the statement you need your unit to sign. It will help greatly in your process.

Wounded Warrior does NOT hurt, it helps. AND if you turn in a 214, that is active before 2000, you will receive an additional small percentage.
What state are you in? It'll be helpful to fellow members from state on this forum if you could provide SSDI regs that backup what you say
 
The dependency claim is VA. But I also had an issue with SSDI, I requested wounded warrior status be attached to my claim and the worker, at state level, told me that it would just hinder my case. I go to drill for a four hour period every month even though doctor said no work of any kind. The state surgeon said that I am required to be in a drilling status when I go thru the IDES process. I told the SS worker that I attend drill 4 hours monthly for accountability only and that I sit in a computer room doing basically nothing while going thru this IDES process and he said he will leave that out as well because it would hurt my case. About a week later I received my denial from SSDI.


OK -- I only found my PDF version of the letter. So, give me a little bit to retype it for you.
 
That would include me, but there is no excuse for it. That is part of what p***es me off about this situation. When I was active army I did my job very satisfactory to include a lot of time after work hours but some how these people are allowed to not do theirs. I would have repercussions for my actions but they have none? I have read your story and you have been thru a lot as have I. I first started medical conditions in 2006 and this still is not resolved. That is almost 8 years of this stuff, way more than a person should deal with. Fortunately I never had to be in a wheelchair, but I almost went blind and still have eye problems and had the most severe type of seizure you can have, status epilepticus, continually having seizures. So everyone does have their own story and most likely their own experience going thru this process. In general, I am assuming now, most have a difficult time going thru this process. If your time going thru this was great I am glad for you but mine has been horrible.
 
That would include me, but there is no excuse for it. That is part of what p***es me off about this situation. When I was active army I did my job very satisfactory to include a lot of time after work hours but some how these people are allowed to not do theirs. I would have repercussions for my actions but they have none? I have read your story and you have been thru a lot as have I. I first started medical conditions in 2006 and this still is not resolved. That is almost 8 years of this stuff, way more than a person should deal with. Fortunately I never had to be in a wheelchair, but I almost went blind and still have eye problems and had the most severe type of seizure you can have, status epilepticus, continually having seizures. So everyone does have their own story and most likely their own experience going thru this process. In general, I am assuming now, most have a difficult time going thru this process. If your time going thru this was great I am glad for you but mine has been horrible.
Yea I don't get why adding dependents take so long, but the backpay will be worth the wait
 
The dependency claim is VA. But I also had an issue with SSDI, I requested wounded warrior status be attached to my claim and the worker, at state level, told me that it would just hinder my case. I go to drill for a four hour period every month even though doctor said no work of any kind. The state surgeon said that I am required to be in a drilling status when I go thru the IDES process. I told the SS worker that I attend drill 4 hours monthly for accountability only and that I sit in a computer room doing basically nothing while going thru this IDES process and he said he will leave that out as well because it would hurt my case. About a week later I received my denial from SSDI.


Ok -- here is the memo you need to write... AND have someone help you write. I am NOT a memo guru by any means, so you need to clean this up using AR 25-50. Of course, being an E7, you know how to write a memo, and I will not imply you don't, but this darn memos always need to be perfect before the 1SG or CMD will sign them, so it might behoove you to have someone fix it (and that ain't me LOL :)

THEN, after they sign it, send a copy directly to your Social Security rep. If you wish to send me your e-mail address in PM, I can send you my SELF Assessment memo I did, and it is very detailed. Send me a "junk" e-mail if you don't want to share your name. I don't mind.



Memorandum for record

Subject - Social Security Disability Memo - No Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) -- Reference SFC BOB SMITH

1. SFC Bob Smith, last 4 1234, birth date 1JAN2003, was assigned to the MED Board process on 12March2014. This was due to his medically-determinable physical and/or mental impairments and disabilities, and the inability to perform his job functions.

2. The unit, XXXXX, provides personal support to this Wounded Warrior, and requires him to be present at this unit 4 hours a month. SFC Bob Smith is in the unit to strictly obtain personal resource, medical attention, morale functions, and to obtain necessary guidance for transitioning to a disabled veteran status.

3. SFC Bob Smith is in the process of transitioning out of the military as a disabled veteran and at this point, there is no foreseen possibility SFC Bob Smith will be returned to regular duty (RTD) or his regular job functions. He is not engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) while at his unit.

4. SFC Bob Smith has the following chronic disabilities, which are expected to last longer than 12 months or for life. The disabling conditions include: (name them all) XXXX..............

5. SFC Bob Smith, also has the additional impairments which include: (name everything that is wrong with you, Every DX in your medical records) XXXX.........

6. Point of contact for this memorandum is XXXX at XXXXX
 
That would include me, but there is no excuse for it. That is part of what p***es me off about this situation. When I was active army I did my job very satisfactory to include a lot of time after work hours but some how these people are allowed to not do theirs. I would have repercussions for my actions but they have none? I have read your story and you have been thru a lot as have I. I first started medical conditions in 2006 and this still is not resolved. That is almost 8 years of this stuff, way more than a person should deal with. Fortunately I never had to be in a wheelchair, but I almost went blind and still have eye problems and had the most severe type of seizure you can have, status epilepticus, continually having seizures. So everyone does have their own story and most likely their own experience going thru this process. In general, I am assuming now, most have a difficult time going thru this process. If your time going thru this was great I am glad for you but mine has been horrible.

DARN. I am sooo very sorry about your issues. -- It has been so horrible to me too. So horrible indeed. yes, most people have a terrible time going through this process. But, I do have some policies and papers to help. Not as much as I would like, but some. You are so much sicker than I. If you need anything in paper work wise, that is what I can offer. I can't offer much, but I can offer that.
 
What state are you in? It'll be helpful to fellow members from state on this forum if you could provide SSDI regs that backup what you say

I am not going to share my state, it wouldn't matter. So, I provide the link to the Social Security resource center. MOST applicants get denied the first time. It doesn't matter what state you are in. Most people have to appeal.

This site is very useful for filing a claim.


http://www.ssdrc.com/8-13.html
 
I am not going to share my state, it wouldn't matter. So, I provide the link to the Social Security resource center. MOST applicants get denied the first time. It doesn't matter what state you are in. Most people have to appeal.

This site is very useful for filing a claim.


http://www.ssdrc.com/8-13.html

It was more of reference in getting you to provide link to backup the condition you stated where most likely to get first time approval!

But I'm well aware of the process, I was a first time go
 
It was more of reference in getting you to provide link to backup the condition you stated where most likely to get first time approval!

But I'm well aware of the process, I was a first time go

Again, sounds like you had a very good guardian angel on your shoulder. You must be a very lucky man in this process.

As for "It was more of reference in getting you to provide link to backup the condition you stated where most likely to get first time approval!" -- That is very interesting indeed. "getting you to provide" -- interesting maneuver there.

As for my state, you know as well as I do, No policy is written that says exactly what conditions are 1st time goes or not. But, for the unofficial record, if you are over 50 with no education, late stage AIDS, stage 4 cancer, or kidney failure, the percentage is VERY high to get a 1st time go in this state. Every state is different on it's percentages, so me telling you which state I reside in will probably not help him.

I am glad you were a first time go, MOST people are not. So, I do not want Walker to get discouraged by not getting a first time go. He hasn't been as lucky as you in the process. He needs to appeal and not give up.

I am in the middle of my appeal, and it looks good so far.
 
Again, sounds like you had a very good guardian angel on your shoulder. You must be a very lucky man in this process.

As for "It was more of reference in getting you to provide link to backup the condition you stated where most likely to get first time approval!" -- That is very interesting indeed. "getting you to provide" -- interesting maneuver there.

As for my state, you know as well as I do, No policy is written that says exactly what conditions are 1st time goes or not. But, for the unofficial record, if you are over 50 with no education, late stage AIDS, stage 4 cancer, or kidney failure, the percentage is VERY high to get a 1st time go in this state. Every state is different on it's percentages, so me telling you which state I reside in will probably not help him.

I am glad you were a first time go, MOST people are not. So, I do not want Walker to get discouraged by not getting a first time go. He hasn't been as lucky as you in the process. He needs to appeal and not give up.

I am in the middle of my appeal, and it looks good so far.
I just don't want other members to read the conditions you provided as needing to be a first time go and be confused unless you have evidence backing up what you stated in some sort!!

But good luck 2 you in this process!!
 
I just don't want other members to read the conditions you provided as needing to be a first time go and be confused unless you have evidence backing up what you stated in some sort!!

But good luck 2 you in this process!!

Yep. But, I also don't want people to think, just because they have the exact same injuries as you might, they may not get a first time go. It is perfectly OK to appeal. It has so much to do with the state, and the attitudes and experiences of the people making the decisions at the first time level.

Alaska has the lowest amounts of approvals, but, here is the website, which shows all the statistics to make any numbers person drool.

Again, I don't know what guardian angel you had on your side, but I hope you thank him/her every day.


http://ssdfacts.com/
 
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No guardian angel @ all, I'm 100% sure anyone with my same injury will be a 1st time go!!

And I'm also sure that there are many who are first time go!!
 
ok, glad u r a first time go, but I have been diagnosed with the life threatening seizure disorder, status epilepticus, survival rate is really low and they have no idea if it will happen again. I have an eye condition that nearly made me go blind and currently is inactive but could flare up at anytime and make me blind. My mental health is not good either as I was contemplating suicide super hard. Then you add in the 20 pills I take a day and the side effects from them and I am no-go at this station. The social security in my state is super strict on first time go's making it have to be life or death situation such as cancer, aids, or you are only gonna live this many days kind of condition. This just means there is a process that they have to lump things together to consider if they add up to enough to make me disabled to the social security standard. The state level is allowed to make the determination but it seems that they would prefer not to. I do have serious health problems and will most likely die at an early age yet I was denied. Do my disabilities not add up to disabled to you? The military seems to think so. Before you say that they are two different systems I already know. But seriously what can I do with my current education level, training, and the fact that most employers will not someone working for them with seizure disorders.
 
By the way, I am 42 years old, 24+ yrs in military, 8 active, worked since I was 15, and if I had a real choice I would be working without a doubt.
 
My condition when I was approved SSDI was quadriplegic meaning I was paralyzed from chest down! I was still in rehab when I applied and was approved fairly quick as it was shown that I would not be able to to any substantial activity in order for me to work, which provided me a first time go!

I can't speak for illness because I don't have it so I can't speak for your limits
 
And if I felt as if I could work within my disability then I could do so on a trial period while still on SSDI, which I plan on doing so
 
I was a first time go prior to MEB in only a couple months. Each state seems to have slightly different approval rates at each level of SSDI. Each case is also very different. The standard nationwide fir SSDI is if you can do some form of substantial gainful employment you will not be approved. For us in the military it gets muddy. Not all SSDI employees are even aware of the SSA Wounded Warrior Program. Our age also plays a big role in most initial disapprovals based on the SSA own matrix. The big thing with SSDI is to make sure your file is properly processed as Wounded Warrior, be ready for reconsideration (if your state does it) and the appeal to judge. It can still take a year or longer. Be honest and you'll eventually get it typically. But also understand that MEB/PEB does not automatically qualify anyone for SSDI, a lot of people can go through MEB/PEB and still work.

Other then that... The rest of this thread is making me need my klonopin, it's making my PTSD come out.
 
Social Security is a Federal program, and is staffed by Federal employees. They have the same standard as far as approval. Maybe a local office falls outside of the norm, but I would find it hard to believe a whole state would be off kilter. 1st time denials come often, but generally get approved during an appeal. If it is still a no go, many law firms out there specialize in SSDI claims. Yes they charge money, but if you are in true need, they will get it done for a claimant.

As far as me bringing up my friendship with the IG, it was not to brag, or wave something around. It was to say am very aware of the current ins and outs of the current state of the IDES process. There are many on this forum who dedicate a lot of time and energy into helping people on this site. We always do our best to give the best advice possible. Sometimes we give people an answer they may not want to hear, but it is not because we don't care. It is because we know the process and how to work within it.

It sounds like you have had a very bad experience, and I am sorry to hear that. As far as my personal experience, I have been on both sides of the aisle. I started as an E-1, made it to E-7, and then went to the Warrant Corps. I spent a lot of time listening, and being empathetic. The one thing I never did do if coddle people and tell them something that wasn't true.
 
I'll like to apologize for allowing the post to take a turn for the worst with the back and forth, I just didn't like how the member right off the bat was trying to say pretty much " hey you go to the WTU be prepared to be treated like a child" and just because she went through bad experiences with her own WTU don't try to speak for them all because members will look at that and automatically be on the defensive thinking that what happened to armymom will happen to them, specially using the words "many" and "most"

Everybody experience will be different, and they should gather their own opinion based on what they go through

Same with goes with SSDI, everybody is different, some injuries are a given in getting approved like mine was and some are not telling a someone that many of the SSDI are denied first go can be discouraging even though you can appeal

Always leave POSSIBILITY open!!
 
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