Anyone know a 100% PTSD disabled vet?

[pandr32]

Actually my husband is 70% PTSD rated with lots of service-connected conditions who is rated at 100% disabled--just got a letter from the VA saying "we note some improvement to your PTSD condition" and then told they will remove the whole award--received it today! The monthly award is why he is slightly more stable in the first place. Already called a suicide hotline after receiving the letter and melting down.
Is this the new treatment for disabled vets from the Trump administration? My husband is Hispanic/indigenous American with the last name of "Torres". I can't help but remember what bloody bigots they are. I am a Canadian girl who met and married him in 2000 and becoming a citizen. I have personally watched him go nuts so many times I could never count and wrote a letter about it in order for him to finally be granted his disability award.
Of course we will fight, but I can't help but think a purge is underway.

[GP6971]

1. I do, but I'll

have to check to see if he's received the same letter. May take a while though as he travels a lot.

[braddy]

2. I doubt that all this took place within a week, it must have already been in the works for your

husband.

[pandr32]

10. It is outside pencil pushers brought in

...and being paid bonuses if they can successfully overturn a disability award/VA benefits for "saving money." Paying bonuses encourages dirty dealings, for sure.
We have made contact with help to fight and have found out that this is going on. We have had a Republican Congress for some time and they have behaved like thugs since the Trump election win all in the name of making ready/transition.
Apparently, most who fight will have their benefits reinstated because it is not about fraud--it is about taking advantage of those who may not have the resources or know how to fight. It is about money.
I would not be surprised if it did not start happening to Social Security Disability recipients as well.
Good Gawd--what isn't about to be picked clean?

[Alenne]

3. I did. He committed suicide years ago.

His father was but his disability just went down to 60% last week. Hispanic surname also but I don't think that matters. They are probably screwing everybody.

[pandr32]

11. Maybe we got the same hired gun

...with a criteria of selecting minority names because they are less likely to have resources to fight back=more bonus money paid for dirty work. Tell the guy who just got their award benefits reduced to fight back. We got help (today) and apparently most who fight get their benefits reinstated.
It is about taking advantage of the vulnerable--picking clean whatever federal dollars are being spent on deserving people.

[leanforward]

4. Keep fighting for him

I'm a vet. I can perceive what the VA may have said to you. I don't know your husbands back story. Keep after them. Utilize the VA support groups.
I do know this, the soldiers who have been in the middle of the fight, or have been on the receiving end of evil intent, or have seen their buddies blown up, or helped your buddy who was so badly injured he died in you arms are impacted FOREVER.
You are his spokesperson, question what they have done.
He has a lot of buddies out here, who want the best for him. It does not matter to me if he "may have gotten better clinically". No changes to his prior 100%.

For those folks reading my comments, I have kept expletives out of my comments. But, I'm hot reading about this.

I am a member of the loyal American opposition. My opinion of dRump and his Russian connection is "impeachment".

[pandr32]

7. Thank you

His back story is rough. Radioman and tunnel rat during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. He was one of the few survivors of his company. He says they were nothing more than bait. He returned a compete stranger to his family and couldn't figure out how to relate. He drank and went through heroine withdrawal because it was no longer cheap like in Vietnam. Every job he got he lost. He fought with everyone and all through his sleep, too. I am wife #3. He survived a couple major explosions but had shrapnel in his back--suffered with back pain for decades and then a one inch piece of metal finally worked it's way out from alongside his spine. Everytime we argued I suddenly got the sense that it had nothing to do with me--he was back in the past and I was a stand in for the whole damn war. We are doing better--largely because he doesn't have to worry about paying his bills thanks to his award. Now that piece of security is threatened. I feel for every single veteran!

[renate]

5. Have you contacted the suicide prevention coordinator at your VA?

Or your local veteran services officer? A person doesn't have to be suicidal to get assistance from a suicide prevention coordinator, by the way. I definitely recommend that you start there.

There are people whose job it is to help veterans with stuff like this. You guys shouldn't have to try to handle this alone.

[pandr32]

6. Yep...And nothing

It's a weekend

[renate]

8. they do try to return calls within 24 hours

I assume you left a message, so I hope you'll hear back by early Tuesday at least. I think calling the SPC is probably the quickest way to get a response from the VA.

For any other veterans who might be reading this, here is where you can find the contact information for the SPC at the VA near you:

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/GetHelp/ResourceLocator.aspx

I'm so very sorry you're going through this stress. It must be awful. I really hope you can get this fixed soon.

[pandr32]

9. Thank you!

I hope that there isn't a purge coming and vets won't have to fight for their hard-earned benefits all over again.