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Q551: I'm 80%, with 20% IU. I'm filing for an increase because I having more problems with lower back and femoral nerves, sciatic nerves and abnormal spinal contour. Also, it been said that IU is being fazed out. Is this true?
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A1: I hope you are filing with an Accredited Veterans Service Officer with the DAV, VFW, Am Vets, American Legion or another Veterans Service Organization. If not good luck. I would advise you to get an accredited VSO. They can explain what paths you need to take. Speak to an accredited rep don't take advice from a novice. Take all of your VA documentation and your medical records to your first meeting with the Accredited VSO. (GH) 10/25/20
A2: If you are IU, that is over and above your rating. IU raises the payment amount to that of 100%, but you are still only rated 80% (in this case), there is no "20% IU". I have heard nothing regarding a phase out of IU. Check with your VSO to find that answer. I will be doing the same. Good luck brother. (LC) 10/25/20
A3: Let me put it this way: for at least the past 3 years Congress has had IU on their chopping block for any veteran 62 and older. That means that, if you're IU and at or past 62, if I were you I'd look at what the VA has on my problem list and get going on filing a claim for worsening conditions on existing disabilities as well as new disabilities unclaimed previously. I've help many veterans get off of IU and on to 100% P&T. Don't wait and good luck. (TB) 10/25/20
A4: President Trump was thinking about eliminated IU, but all of the Service Organizations met with him and secretary of the VA, an said that this would to much hardship on Veterans already on this benefit so he left it alone. Yes, you could get an upgrade to 100% total and permanent is really what you want. (GR) 10/25/20
A5: If it ever is, which I doubt. It would most likely be going forward
from a certain date and whoever is receiving it currently would (I'll bet) be grandfathered in. (JD) 10/26/20
A6: The question is not much of a surprise for I am in the same boat at 90 percent with 10 percent IU. I have held back on some conditions that have worsened and if the VA takes away my UI to save 50 percent for each veteran they pay out to. Have seen it with others that turned over 65 and were denied and I guess we need to all get ready to get a lawyer or law firm to represent us and sue for age discrimination for that is basically what it is. I for one will get an attorney and sue while reopening my claim for when they take that away then the survivors benefit to my wife is in at risk as well so they save even more. The officials in the VA do not care for it is probably just like every other government agency get bonus checks for when ever they save the government money. Write to your congressman after the election and get them on the case and explain the situation and what the VA has pulled and expect them to pull over the next few years. That is one of the reasons the VA does not base decisions on veterans in the same units or ships having the same conditions and related while approving some and denying others. They would love to have us all go into Old Soldiers Homes and with inferior health care and treatment would save them money that way as well while leaving our families to suffer for it as well as us. Better to contact all your buddies you are still in contact with and the ones that are left to do the same. Maybe they should shrink the officials in the VA's paychecks down to minimum wage with no benefits as well and see how they like it but don't imagine that will ever happen. If nothing else the IU of 10 percent accounting for half of the rating should not be figured like it is and be accepted as the whole 100 percent and reduce it by 10 percent. So if you have 100 pecent now at $3,200 then it would be at 90 percent $2,880. instead of $1,800 that would at least be more fair to all veterans but who expects the VA to be fair never has been and never will be. Best of Luck to You and the other veterans like us that are in another war against our own government. (JM) 10/26/20
A7: The annual budget always tries to eliminate various VA programs. Each year, multiple agencies fight to keep the program going.
With that being said, I do believe that eventually the VA will adopt a program which will pay IU until you reach Social Security age. Then they will pay one or the other, whichever is higher. This is not law yet but I do believe I can see it coming.
You should lobby your congressional representatives every year to fight for your own benefits. Emails, calls and letters. If you can personally visit them in their home office or in Washington DC, it can really make the difference. (RJ) 10/26/20
A8: If I understand you correctly, you were awarded 100% service connected compensation by the VA- which included Individual Unemployability. Any way you look at it, you are 100% service connected. Congratulations. But I do not understand why you would file for an increase when you are already getting 100%? That will not add any monthly money (unless you are entitled to SMC) and you would not gain any other VA benefits. BUT BE FORWARNED -- if you file for an increase, you are giving the VA the legal right to re-open your file to review all the disabilities you are getting service connection for-- including your IU and then YOU WILL STAND A VERY GOOD CHANCE of THE VA REDUCING YOUR 100% AWARD BY ELIMINATING YOUR IU and REDUCING ANY OF YOUR SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES. It is true that the VA is making IU far more difficult to obtain now - but law has not changed to allow them to remove it altogether. You already have your IU awarded - but if they reduce it to less than 100% you will lose money and benefits. Then In order to get it restored to 100% without IU, your service connected disabilities would have to be raised up to add up to 100% ----BUT THE VA HAS FUNNY MATH so they would require far more than a mere 20% to get you back to 100%. Why chance losing what you have already gained. You should go to a County Veteran Service Officer for advice and assistance - we work for you and we do not charge you for our help. (KF) 10/26/20