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War Pensions

General chat about Military Finance, Pensions, etc.
Yorkie Malone
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Post by Yorkie Malone »

Jim, You can get the RBL in now if you want, at least it is a contact point.
The Doc that sees you is older than Methuselah and useually retired.

They now have started to visit you in your own home. I wont let them come anywhere near our house as it is not a place to carry out a medical examination.

I do not trust them either for useing this method as at home you are in a relaxed state and as you know your way about etc then they get you to do things which you would not normally do.

DO NOT TRUST THEM I DON'T

Ask for a "proper" appointment

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Mutley
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Post by Mutley »

Have you seen that the Government are looking at limiting ALL CLAIMS (to save money).
According to the press report I read ('Telegraph' over the weekend) they are getting touchy about the volume of claims and the amounts of money involved.

They think we are all just jumping on the claims bandwagon - sounds to me like Princess Tony is starting to crank up the labour PR machine.

Perhaps they would prefer that we should all go through civvy courts - then I wonder how much coin would be involved.
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"some remedies are more grievous than than the perils" (no not Horace this time - Syrus).



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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mutley on 2002-03-12 14:33 ]</font>
Yorkie Malone
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Post by Yorkie Malone »

The old cost cutting again.

In the early 1950's they did it. You went in for your medical, Doc said alright, reply yes.
Lost WP.

They changed the rules in 1993 with the hearing. Before you could put in for a claim and were given the tests and you got a lump sum for under 20%. It may have been a one off payment but you as an ex service got it.

Stopped that they only pay out now over 20% For that you have to be realy deaf.

They are always trying to find ways of cutting back on your money.

The other one Lower Standard Of Occupation Allowance. That was once paid once you were over 20% if you had a job that paid less than you were getting in the services.

Now 40%

It is all penny pinching. BUT if they looked at the whole of the system and did it with an open heart and mind, instead of some cloak and dagger. If you know how to claim it you can, if you don't tough attitude.

Then we get like it as well and tell everyone we can.

They don't like it also that now we speak and are open about claiming pensions etc, whereas in your Grandads day, it was something you didn't shout about as everyone had been in the war. Not a lot of WP about then, who were willing to talk.

Soapbox again Yorkie... shut up time for RMA meeting

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ratso
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Post by ratso »

It is funny that in the governments eyes we servicemen and women are not as good as the bobby on the beat. Their scheme costs the tax payer billions a year. An ex-girlfriend had a fall in the line of duty she left a year later and at 37 went onto a full pension of over £600 per month.
Perhaps having a union has its benefits in some ways, plus they get to have a strike now and then....lol
can just see the RM having a strike that would be something to see...
Jim T
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Post by Jim T »

Had my medical for a WP today. I was surprised that the doctor had no knowledge of the military, let alone RM and didn't know anything about the FI.

Very non-committal. asked if I had ever seen a shrink. When I told her that the only advice I had ever been given in the Corps was to go out and get drunk, I don't think she believed me!

Was finally told that the WP agency would be in touch in the next 6 weeks.

Jim T
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Post by Yorkie Malone »

Sounds like par for the course.
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Mutley
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Timeframe

Post by Mutley »

Having just changed Docs (didn't like previous ones attitude) I recommend to anyone its worth looking around. This one spent almost an hour going over my med docs with me, talking through everything etc.

He has picked up a couple of points which he was uncomfortable with - and has started the ball rolling for me to see a civvie specialist and to redo scans. On the basis that he was unhappy with RNH reports, apparently at one stage they couldn't even agree which leg it was!!!!

This highlights 2 points, Yorkie's previous advice about getting the Doc on your side - yes, this one fully supports the idea of making a claim and has offered to write as many reports as it takes. Secondly, the tendency that if you don't make a fuss, they'll write you off with another prescription...

Jim T, how long did it take between you sending in the form and getting your medical? I have only just got mine in the post.
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Jim T
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Post by Jim T »

Well I sent my WP application off in sept 2001 and heard nothing until Feb 2002 when I was offered a cancelled examination the next day!. I refused this as it was not convienient and was given the 26th March.

I don't know why, but I believe that this is only thre begining of what will be a long battle to get what, I hope, I am entitled to!. The problem is is that claiming is so alien to many of us and it seems wrong. As my wife points out some of the kids friends parents have NEVER worked a day in their lives let alone fought wars!. Some were even in prision when we were 'Down South' and they still claim benefits today!!!

I'm with Yorkie on this one CLAIM! CLAIM! CLAIM!.

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Mutley
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WPA Now VA

Post by Mutley »

The War Pensions Agency is now known as the Veterans Agency.

The web address is: http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk
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If you`re not happy with your assesment

Post by Si Capon »

If you`re not happy with your assesment, I would say that you need to appeal. I had a little freefall moutain training experience which meant a medical discharge wiith a War Pension. They base the pension on the doctors notes/write up., without actually looking at you in person.

I was seen off big style!!

I appealed some 2 years later and finally got a face to face medical.

They saw that I was far worse than the doctors had said, and my pension ws increased.

Result

Always appeal if you`re not happy.
Once....................... Always...tup, three
Yorkie Malone
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Post by Yorkie Malone »

To go through my story.. I was med dis with trenchfoot after the Falklands, also hearing loss and damaged shoulder.
I was assesed in the first instant at 20% which I was not happy with so appealed, they dropped me to 9/15% so I appealed, (I had the two appeals running at the same time)and eventually after 4 years they assesed me at 30%. Note that they then had to back datethe payment of the 30% for the whole 4 years.

I then cracked up and went into RNH Haslar and I asked for another claim for PTSD and this came through rather quickly as I had the back up of Haslar and my own GP who had picked it up in the first place.

Yes you do have to get up and shout, and fight for your right, cos no one else will do it for you.

In fact when I was doing my leaving routine I went to see the Impresed Holder (we'd been cpl's together) and said what am I entitled to. Don't know Yorkie I only look after you whilst you are in, it's not in my job description, but when I come out I'll ask you cos you'll know everything about it.

I don't blame him as it was not his job.

But I do blame the system as it skims over a lot of what you should be told. AND they basicly said see the British Legion.

What I wanted was someone who had been in my position to guide me through. Luckilly I managed to find my way through by puttingin for everything I could, and ended up with my 60% and my lower standard of occupation allowance.

Yes go for everything and if in doubt appeal.

You've paid your stamp and it's time to collect the insurance payout.

Because basicly the WP is the sort of personell/accident insurance for the armed forces. BUT THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT

SyY
Jim T
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War Pensions

Post by Jim T »

Just to update you all.......... I had my medical for a WP on 28th March and was told that the WPA would be in touch within 6 weeks with the result of my examination. Guess what, I haven't heard a dicky bird!. I will chase them up next week by phone and in writing.

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Post by Mutley »

Had my Med last week; I let him into the house because I think better on my own ground.

Reasonably open and frank, admitted it was a nonesense as all of the questions could be answered by my medical docs..... so I didn't even try and said can't remember or gave vague dates and treatments etc. He just went through the form bit by bit.

He was keen to establish how far I could walk, on the FLAT, IN THE OPEN, WITH NO OBSTACLES, and unimpeded, after a bit of to-and-frowing I think I settled too high as I agreed to half a mile "with cushioned sole shoes on".

Gave quick examination, based on the requirements of the form. Spent more time examining my shoes for uneven wear (evidence of limp) than examining me? Read back everything he had written.

Then said quote
I do not make any conclusions, or recommendations, I just report the facts and the result of my examination
So now its wait out
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Jim T
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Post by Jim T »

How did you get them to come out to your house Mutts??

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Post by Mutley »

Jim,

Yorkie said previous, thats where they want to come. Some are comfortable with that (i.e. me - let me set the stage), some aren't (i.e. - Yorkie). I am not sure if there is any difference to them......

As my claim is for limitation to standing, walking, driving, boogeying, skiing, climbing, rugger, bik-bok, and hang-gliding naked off the north pole, you know all the normal day to day stuff, it seemed logical to let them come to me......
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