Disability Compensation

I have talked to many Ex-POWs who still are not rated at 100% permanent, many have the unemployability rating at 100%. Those rated at 100% permanent and whose other disabilities add up to at least 60% automatically receive “House Bound.” This means additional dollars in your VA Check. For an Ex-POW, including an allowance for the wife, his check would be for $3062.00. This will increase by 5.8% as of 1 December 2008.

If you are among those losing out it is recommended you reopen your claim for PTSD by sending a very short note with your C-number and SSN to your VA Regional Headquarters. Ask them to reopen your claim for PTSD because your condition is getting worse. They will set an appointment at your local VA Hospital via C&P and that will give you a shot at increasing your disability to 100% permanent. If you do not have enough other disabilities to add up to 60% then reopen a claim or open a new claim for one of your disabilities.

Submitted by Shorty Estabrook