You know, personally I am not involved with this issue that is often and hotly debated, but something always creeps in to my thinking.
It would seem to me there is a moral aspect. I can't imagine drawing money for being unable to work, and then trying to hide what I make in wages from working. Even though the VA is often screwing us, from my point of view that does not excuse us from responsibility to be honest with ourselves. Comments anybody?

I guess it all boils down to where you are in life and or the condition of that life. If kids are grown and just you and spouse, bills paid off than maybe your compensation may be adequate?

Your question is a tough one to answer but I do agree with you...

quote:

Originally posted by Schwanke:
You know, personally I am not involved with this issue that is often and hotly debated, but something always creeps in to my thinking.
It would seem to me there is a moral aspect. I can't imagine drawing money for being unable to work, and then trying to hide what I make in wages from working. Even though the VA is often screwing us, from my point of view that does not excuse us from responsibility to be honest with ourselves. Comments anybody?

Comment:

I can only speak for myself....I was 80% P&T for head wounds before I received 100% P&T IU. I was raised to 100% due to PTSD and problems with the discovery after thirty some years of having shrapnel from a chicom 82mm mortar inside of the High Left Paretal(mispelled?) portion of my brain. It was not discovered that the shrapnel was there until March of last year, and was found out in a CT Scan at a civilian Hospital emergency room, after I had an accident and received a brain concussion.

First. I need the income. Secondly I'm goin batshit sitting around my AO with drool running down my chin.

I am well enough to where I could sit in somebodys office and answer a phone for them. Or sit in a car or truck at night as a security guard, or greet fat chicks in pink sweat suits at a Walmart.

In my mind, its more therapy and a lil extra jing in my pocket and getting out of my house for awhile. Don't seem to me like I would be crossing any moral lines.

Also, I have already been cleared through the "Ticket To Work" program with SSI that would enable me to earn up to 960.00 without affecting my SSI. I don't see why the VA would not have the same policy.

But I have to agree with the concensous here, and not take a chance on losing my VA Income.

At the moment I have an "Earlier Effective Date" claim open with the VA, and I have a very good chance of getting my 100% IU rating changed to a straight 100% P&T disabilty rating without the attachment of the IU.

Volunteer at the VA or somewhere else.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave_M:
Volunteer at the VA or somewhere else.

I do volunteer at two different veteran associated places. What does that have to do with wanting to work and earn a lil extra cash or not !!!!

You said for the therapy. I agree on the cash. I think there are two separate issues. What to do with time on disability, and how to earn some extra money.

I receive 100% SC, not IU. One of the issues I had a one time was what to do with me if I could not work. Not about money. About sanity. About doing things, getting out and having a life.

At the time I was going through a transplant evaluation. I was forced to sell most of my business because if I had a transplant, there was no way I could run it for a year. This is a question I kept asking. It is a challenge.

quote:

Originally posted by SteveDenesha:
I don't think that I'm missing the point at all. I've seen this discussion a lot on other boards and there have been IU P&Ts that have worked and made below the minimum and have been called in for an exam to see if they were still IU.
If you think that your ok by working below the poverty amount, I think your opening yourself for future exams even if your P&T. I'd also like to add that a rater for 30 years said that when VA does their social security cross-check they pull out the IU wage earners for possible reevals and they schedule IUs for exams (including those below the poverty line)

I agree 100%, I think I read too many post before I responded and mis-read yours.

quote:

Originally posted by SteveDenesha:
I don't think that I'm missing the point at all. I've seen this discussion a lot on other boards and there have been IU P&Ts that have worked and made below the minimum and have been called in for an exam to see if they were still IU.
If you think that your ok by working below the poverty amount, I think your opening yourself for future exams even if your P&T. I'd also like to add that a rater for 30 years said that when VA does their social security cross-check they pull out the IU wage earners for possible reevals and they schedule IUs for exams (including those below the poverty line)

I have stated that previously and upset several who were working. It may have been on another thread, still on the board or pruned. However VA does check with SS and IRS.
I have observed many very unhappy campers in 30 years of veteran service. The worst case was when I was in the Veterans Service Commission in Franklin County Ohio. One of my clients was on SSD and IU. He got a part time job and lost both. He went to 60% and finally lost the part time job.

quote:

Originally posted by Schwanke:
You know, personally I am not involved with this issue that is often and hotly debated, but something always creeps in to my thinking.
It would seem to me there is a moral aspect. I can't imagine drawing money for being unable to work, and then trying to hide what I make in wages from working. Even though the VA is often screwing us, from my point of view that does not excuse us from responsibility to be honest with ourselves. Comments anybody?

You are so very right. I sit here and read on this board how many believe the VA is messing them over, they call it many things but their point is that they think (and many times they are soooo correct) the VA "system" is wrong in it's treatment of them. I know the VA is far from right and doesn't like to admit it when found to be wrong. Shucks, the VA is down right hateful in some cases.

But what about us? How does what the VA "system" does affect what we as men/women do in a moral way? I often hear many talk about cheating, telling lies, and hiding income. Oh, they have plenty of reasons/excuses for doing so: I need the money - I deserve it for what I did - They shouldn't have treated me like that - What they don't know, ect. - I have a family to raise - and so on. What does the size of one's family have to do with the VA? That was his/her own choice, no one made them have kids. Cheating, lies and hiding money from the VA is just wrong, and no amount of whining, story telling, crying or excuses makes any of it right.

I wonder if any who do that (if there are any here) have thought about how many more vets could be helped if they would only tell the truth? We are all imperfect beings (Lord knows I am) and have most likely done things we aren't proud of, but in the end we all know right from wrong. And I have found that those who do the most wrong sure do not like being told about it. One can usually tell them apart from others, they yell the loudest and are the most indignant when told they are doing wrong.

Bless all those here that try so hard to do the right thing.......even when others are "trying to get over" on them. Having to live with one's self isn't easy, but doing the right thing can make it somewhat easier at times.

I yell the loudest on this board so far because, I am on the top of the garbage pile. I have been lied to smacked around and tatooed idiot by the Veterans Affairs system for more than 25 years. I am housebound because of my two disorders and no possible way to win in the future. I bet if you took a survey here on this board you would find others that would hate being in lockdown forever. If anyone wants to search the internet you would find that many people in my situation almost always become housebound. Sure, I yell the loudest here. I lost three wives and homes because I have my two disorders. I have had to live on welfare and food stamps for a few years after I got out. Constantly on the move looking for a place to stay until I got kicked out. All the time having to do all these things while taking care of three youngs sons. (Single Father). Sure, people like me yell the loudest. I do not know about the rest but, I intend on going on and yellowing loud until I get justice from the VA or I die trying. I been telling the truth all along but, the VA is not interested in the truth only in saving a buck for themselves.
Epilepsy from TBI's and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (PTSD) I was once a sergeant in charge of men now, I have to be looked after like a little child.

I think I have gotten lost on these board, yeah I have the proof that the cancer I had came from the Persian Gulf. But then I just felt lost on here.

jon how can we help you? This thread is about Work Rules on IU. There are threads on other topics. We would love to help.

quote:

Originally posted by jonm38:
I think I have gotten lost on these board, yeah I have the proof that the cancer I had came from the Persian Gulf. But then I just felt lost on here.

Go here:
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/6170087960001

Here are my two cents worth on the subject of 100% iu or not.( read the following and tell me what it means.)
Effective September 17, 1998, you are entitled to compensation at the 100 percent rate because you are unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation because of your service-connected disabilities.

Your overall or combined evaluation is 80%. The percentages of your individual disabilities may not add up to your overall evaluation. We use a "combined rating table" to decide how disabled you are. The percentages in this table are set by regulation.

(your individual unemployability qualifies as a total and permanent service-connected disibility. Your combined evaluation is the amount you would qualify for if your service-connected disabilities did not prevent you fromworking or limit you to marginal employment.

That is it word for word.
My question is: am I 80% disabled or 100% disabled perminent and total? the VA has raised it to 90% but left those paragraphs out.

Being IU it really doesn't matter if your 80% or 90% as you say because either way you'll be payed the same amount which is the amount for 100%. So your rating is 100% IU P&T.
Steve

I would say if the person has SSDI at the same time he or she gets a ratings of 90% - 100% you would be rated the same for your service connected disability. Truly you would not get anymore money on you check. This iformation was given to me by Mr. Barker. I do not know him well enough to address him as Dave. I am well past 50 yrs old and I personaly think I have the right to address him that way. I was declaired 100% disabled by the Social Secuirty Department. Therefore when my ratings come down the end of this month it shaw be the same way. If I am not employable to work any where throught SS office, then I am equally not employable through the VA Office as well. The money on both checks will be the very same thing. All I do now is pray the DAV Rep is not lieing to me the same as the VA Rep has done in the past times.

I don't fully understand some of your statements but would like to make a few points. Your VA ratings and payments really do not correlate to your Social Security ratings and payments because Social Security looks at your disabilities as a whole. In other words you might have a severe heart problem which prevents you from working but the heart problems won't make you disabled thru VA if your heart problems weren't service connected.
There are a lot of folks that have been approved for SSDI but not 100% or disapproved for IU and vice versa.

VA disability at 100% is usually twice that of SSDI.

Hi, everyone. Thanks for all the great info. After reading through the entire thread, I have learned a lot, but it has produced more questions for me also. I'd appreciate it if someone could answer these for me:

1. Someone said after a person is 100% SC for ten years, the VA can never take it away. Is that true?

2. Where can I go to read this for myself (some have mentioned CFR 38???).

Thanks and thank you all for your service to our great country.

The 10-year rule is for an award of service connection. After 10 years, the award of service connection cannot be severed. A "rating" for a service-connected disability is protected "from reduction" only after 20 years.

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_950.DOC

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_954.DOC