VA – from a rating coach at Philadelphia Pension Center 1/12/2011
Pension is based on income
Average days pending: 194.3 Average days: 70.1
- Veterans need to give the correct info from the start.
- Veteran under 65 of age must be rated.
- 65 and older VA will follow by law = income, there no need to sent medical evidence.
- Medical exam: is more flexible than a comp & pen
Medical Expense Report: can be done anytime during the year. Don’t wait until 12/15 at the end of the year. Must be date stamped by 12/31 from the Regional office. Not the Post Office.
- The first 500.00 is the veteran responsibility. Then the VA then starts from that point.
- If the veteran starts to work, the VA has checks and balance on if you are working and they will stop payment.
- Pension: with its 1 year window doesn’t mean pension is closed; you have still 2 years to establish entitlement. Provide medical expense – must be paid
- Death certificate: original on spouse
Expense info:
Net worth:
- IRA’s if under multi names [son/daughter- 40%]. This would put the veteran under penalties [undo harm] and the veteran doesn’t have control.
- Sustained by a chart on age.
- Income that counts: Rental property, farm, business/expenses, bank- saving/checking.
Income limits with children: 1900.00 a year, if the child lives with other spouse [doesn’t count].
Welfare: no, unless family is stating they are being paid by the veteran for his care but it will affect the [example].
SSI: not a medical expense.
VA welfare [consider] is a way to help veterans, they will search for other issues.
- Referred claim but it the VA intent to pay the veteran.
- Error: And they will send back to RO on a comp claim. The VA will attempt to grant at least 10%. [Pension + benefit].
- If the veteran makes a statement to VA, then they must do what the law states.
- Many of the veterans don’t want to take the help.
Nation call center:
1600 hundred calls a day with a 10% abandon call rate. It goes back and forth from call centers [Philadelphia, Milwaukee and St Paul Mn].
Nursing Home Accruing expenses:
Aid and assisted: Means veteran is unable to perform everyday activities is why A&A is given
- Widow: need to the widow to grant, by law
- Protect his daily living
- Veteran cost is unbelievable to him
- Hardness [Principi in 2006] 100% house bound with a 60% of another illness
- Nursing home will provide list and VA will call the nursing home to verify
At home care:
- Attendance will provide a statement of care
- Will ask for a statement from the family
- VA will maintain the paperwork
- Medication = No
DIC: is not subject to income [nontaxable]
- AA and housebound is better for widow
Fiduciary: [example] dementia – age = purpose
- Initial payment will be made but retro will be held until determination is made
- Purposed action only, doctor may say no, but veteran will be heard by VA
- Custodial care: The VA can grant by a family member if found unable to handle financial
