SSDI - applying...

[AMeadows84]

When we were in the states (we're currently waiting on my husbands orders to outprocess for his TDRL from Korea) for my husbands VA C&P exams we visited the SSA office in California to apply for SSDI; upon our return to Korea we received a letter stating that we should wait until we return to the states before applying and they would backdate the application. Since we will be back in the states somewhere around 60 days from now (fingers crossed) should we go ahead and complete online or just wait until we are back in the states? Will it make a difference? I know that Wounded Warriors get a certain expedited process...wasn't sure if him being placed on TDRL would still make him eligible for this.

Also, how likely is approval for 90% VA rating? He is rated at 70% for combat related PTSD, 20% multiple neck issues from deployment related things (they are not considering this combat related even though the initial injury happened during an active deployment).

TIA

 

[gsfowler]

In my opinion, you should file in person when you return. I did an internship at the SSA and at least. 75% of the employees were military. You are more likely to get more personalized service than if you file online.

 

[Warrior644]

From my experiences even if you decide to apply in person at the SSA Field Office upon your return to CONUS which I think should be a positive experience, please remember that you shall be constantly monitored by the SSA Field Office representative who helps you. Also, it's best to please call and make an appointment before you visit your SSA local office.

As such, this is not the time to suddenly become independent and take a "I can do it all by myself stance" if that actually applies to your own particular medical situation. If your wife helps you then it's highly helpful to have her at the SSA Field Office to continue to lend her assistance.

Moreover, the SSA Field Office representative is authorized to make "on the spot" observations then annotate those observations (whether positive or negative) into your SSA SSDI claim file. It's truly unknown if the SSA Field Office representative comments indeed make any significant difference in the final SSA SSDI outcome albeit I know from personal experiences that those comments are indeed annotated into your official SSA SSDI claim file.

In reference to the use of any DoVA decision letter and its supporting documentation by the SSA, it shall definitely be helpful to validate any medical condition's symptomology throughout the SSA SSDI claim process. In retrospect, the expedited process for Wounded Warriors by the SSA is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Hope this helps! Take care!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer!"

Best Wishes!