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Q256: Why was my monthly disability compensation payment cut in half without any notification? I was receiving $1200/month. My last check was a mere $480. I have not received anything from the VA informing me of a reduction. What can I do as quickly as possible to fix this problem?
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A1: Ask for due process and reasons for the reduction. (RS) 10/6/19
A2: $1200 is an unusual figure...aside from that, did something initiate (like a refiling on your part) a recalc due to your current disability? Is yours with a dependent?...you need to contact VA ....the only thing I see on the surface, is that maybe you filed for a higher amount and it was determined by the VA that disability is not as much as previously determined by the VA, OR there may be a dependent involved....bottom line, only the VA and yourself can answer your question...sorry. (WS) 10/6/19
A3: Do you owe the federal government any money? If you do they will take it. You need to call the VA Debt Management number and find out. (MK) 10/6/19
A4: I was told up front there would be a reevaluation after 6 months. If cancer free, the cancer portion of disability would drop from 100% to 40%. My sixth month is approaching. Call either the VA or your Veterans' Advocate. I did everything through my advocate. She has been very helpful and gets me quick answers. Good luck. (JK) 10/6/19
A5: Get to your regional office as soon as you can, bring up the issue with them. That is Trump and those 3 guys at Mar A Lago who have nothing to do with the VA. They tell the President ways the VA can save money. (RP) 10/6/19
A6: Contact your VA service organization immediately and have them look up your VA claims account for a possible disability reduction due to missing a scheduled VA exam or some outstanding VA medical or GI bill education debt. Go online to the VA veterans website and look up your account. Or call the 1-800-827-1000 number and tell them what the problem is. Do this tomorrow! (KG) 10/6/19
A7: The VA can't cut your compensation with alerting you as to why. It could be a mix up, there could be another Federal agency you owe money to. When I say they can't cut your pay I meant to say they shouldn't cut your pay without telling you why. Contact your local VA regional office as well as your Congressman. (PG) 10/6/19
A8: I would contact your local VA designated benefits representative who may be a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, or a local appointed representative. In my experience this is a political appointment. If you can not easily find your representative, call you local Congressional Office for your representative and they will provide a telephone number or give you your representative's name and contact information. When you talk to your designated VA representative, calmly pose your question and if they do not know the answer they can make an inquiry for you with the Veterans Administration. If you get a message service or machine keep calling every day (Monday thru Friday) until your designated VA representative answers. If after two weeks of calling your have no reply, contact your local Congressional office and ask them to make a formal Congressional inquiry on your behalf. Everybody has a boss! The Veterans Administration is your local representatives boss. Congress is The Veterans Administration as they vote each year continue funding the Veterans Administration. Follow the money and you will find the boss responsible. Thanks for the heads up and I am going to check my disability check for last month because of your notice. Thank you for your help. May God bless you and keep you safe. (JM) 10/7/19
A9: The VA usually send out a letter when there is a proposed reduction in disability payment, but I have had situations where the Veteran owes the Government and has cut the disability payment until the debt was paid. I have called the VA for Veterans who have had this happen to them and worked out a repayment plan to easy the financial stress. (GR) 3/18/21