Billr a question

[Andy]

Bill,

I have yet another question for you. As I think you know I?ve had A.O. caused cancer for 6 years and the wizards from Harvard used me as a large lab rat with very positive results. The cancer has moved once, from the lymph nodes to the bone marrow and there?s a 50-50 it will happen again, sometime down the road. But right now I feel great.

My question is this, I?m rated as permanent and total, 100%. If I got a part time job could I loose the disability? We?re not rich but I don?t really need the money, however, I need to get on some kind of a schedule. I have been doing some volunteer work with new cancer patients and also man a hot line one night a week. What would the VA do if they knew I was, lets say working part time for a newspaper?

Stay healthy,
Andy

[Packo]

Andy,

Billr will know this better than me....but I think if your rated 100%due to unemployability....you can't work. If your just rated 100%, you can work. He who knows all, will have the correct answer. I do know for a fact that if your rated 100% for a psychiatric disability, you are allowed to work. They figure you won't work long.

I'm confused.....you gonna deliver newspapers or sell them on the street? Certainly no Mass paper would hire a right leaning ex-cop who ain't even Irish.

Paco

[Andy]

Yes, I was going to buy a bike and deliver evening papers in our neighborhood.
Actually we were out having a real Italian pizza and saw the editor of the local new paper. He said if I ever wanted a job covering local politics or doing court reporting I had a job and could name my hours. Sort of an insider getting behind the scenes for stories. After having recently seen a few local stories really butchered it didn't seem like an all together bad idea.
No I would never be allowed to make comments on social issues. The paper has no place for right wing radicals. Hell I EVEN believe the FBI should be allowed on the U. Mass. campus without being required to first register with the local police.

Oh, my paperwork does say unemployable. As far as PTSD, if I check into the psycho ward, like they keep demanding, I lose my right to firearms. That is not an option.

Stay healthy,
Andy

[billr]

Andy - If you have been rated as a "schedular" 100%, working would have no effect on your VA compensation.
If you are rated at less than 100% but are receiving compensation at the 100% rate due to Individual Unemployability (IU), then employment becomes a consideration. You could still work as long as it is considered "marginal employment".

VA defines marginal employment as:

"marginal employment generally shall be deemed to exist when a veteran?s earned annual income does not exceed the amount established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, as the poverty threshold for one person. "

The current amount of the poverty threshold is about $9,200 for a single person.

You would still qualify for the IU but it does raise flags with VA and they will ask for clarification of your employment status.

[BLUEHAWK]

Billr, or somebody?

Can you say what effect, if any, collecting Social Security has on any VA benefits? Is it considered income in VA terms?

[Keith_Hixson]

You could out here to Washington, I could use you as my Alpha pastor. I need a cop like authority figure to keep the congregation in line.

Keith :re:

[sn-e3]

Keith Maybe Andy could get a job out here as door gunner for the rev. Cassey treat. what say you. the man has body guards and a helicopter. and a TV show

[ArtySgt]

Andy, pay attention to Billr's last paragraph. A part time job may cause you all kinds of problems at this time. JMHO

[billr]

Social Security Benefits have no effect on VA compensation benefits.

VA does have another program called Non-Service Connected (NSC) Pension that is an income based program and Social Security does have an impact on this program.

[Gimpy]

It would as well "raise some flags" with social security disability benefits (total disability) IF an individual currently receiving this benefit were to return to work. So there is a two fold danger in returning to work (part time or otherwise) that could affect these benefits, correct??