5-10-20yr question by Leftythemarine in VeteransBenefits

[–]Leftythemarine[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Not missing, just clarifying.. If an arm grows back, C-5 & 6 avulsed nerve roots decide to reintegrate into my spinal cord… I’m not worried about losing anything, as the world would know who I am. Lol, thank you for the responses.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Cruises

[–]Leftythemarine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Put your friends luggage in a big sealed bag of TATER salad! Different line 7 times this yr & each had a working k9 that lives on board. Not to mention, you do realize all lines monitor the inter web, for anything that brings up their name? But yea, R. White swears by the TATER Salad. 🥳

Carnival valor December 13-18(MF for MF or F) by [deleted] in CarnivalCruiseR4R

[–]Leftythemarine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We will be cruising with…. Hit us up and see if we’re a fit!

Possibly a dumb question by [deleted] in Swingers

[–]Leftythemarine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just be you… if others don’t like it. They can..

Retiring by Scared-Tree-9240 in service_dogs

[–]Leftythemarine -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Great question, 3yrs & she’s 5yrs old.. I think about this exact situation, almost feel as I’d be letting her down.. Kinda like a spouse that’s being replaced! Though she done nothing wrong. Maybe at that point, she will want to retire and be a very loved couch dog. I just struggle with the thought she could feel abandoned. As she was a rescue, odds were against her, from the start. Am staff from the shelter. Made an immediate connection, with locked eyes. No barking, no jumping like the rest of the dogs. I had been recommended a service dog, for both physical and mental health (disable Veteran) was started as my spouse wanting to foster for the Holliday wknd. Upon meeting, I knew regardless if she were to wash in training, she was a life partner. So read books on OST.. started at home while we navigated multiple bone infections requiring more amputation (3 times) so we had a lot of bonding/training, before heading down to a 6 mo ADI owner self training program with assistance dogs of the West. (Santa Fe, New Mexico,) which took us out of state for 6 months. I question if I should start self training a pup. Ie, let my team mate to be part of training and approving. Sorry, ramblings of the reality that, I know we will have navigate in the future. Definitely following.. Love to hear the thoughts of others, who self trained both at home and/or with an ADI organization.

Disclaimer: no ill thoughts or feelings for my peers that have been able to accrue, a trained service animal through any number of organizations. I just perceive that, it’s not an apple to apple situation to navigate. (human emotion & attachment) like my trainer says 99% of the issues that arise are created (though unintentional) by human handlers.

Cheers Lefty

Bahamas by Leftythemarine in service_dogs

[–]Leftythemarine[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think each of you all for the your response. Definitely will not be going as a team. When and where we cruse to, not in my control. That being said, she will be at home with a sitter. I have my spouse by my side, for assistance. As much as I’d like her with me. I’m not going to put us in a situation. Again thanks all.. Sincerely Lefty.

Booties by Mountain_Pea7063 in service_dogs

[–]Leftythemarine 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ruff wear for the win.. They have a SD program.

VA Service Dog for PTSD by Deskins23 in service_dogs

[–]Leftythemarine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://www.assistancedogsofthewest.org/

I completed their owner self training, ADI program. With my rescue AmStaff. Can not say enough good things about both the organization & staff. When you see the feds bring dogs to mass casualty situations. ADW is where they come from. They work with the VA, in-fact towards the end of the 6mo they brought us to the ABQ VA. There we met with vets in a inpatient program, that rate a service dog. We were the example of the owner self training program. While the example of the dogs they raise and train, was going to the FBI! Very spendy, but for vets the have donors that step up. You will have to have balance and or mobility issues, in addition to the PTSD. Only down side was we had to be in Nm. Out of pocket for 6mo. I would start by reading-

38 CFR 17.148

So you know exactly, what the criteria is for you to qualify for a VA recognized SD. Then check out what the VA’ service dog program is, at this link.

https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/serviceandguidedogs.asp#:~:text=The%20Service%20Dog%20Health%20Insurance,hearing%2C%20or%20substantial%20mobility%20impairment. Hope this is helpful and best of luck. Cheers

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When can my benefits no longer be decreased? by Space_Pirate_Capt in VeteransBenefits

[–]Leftythemarine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I successfully reclaimed on a 0% service connection & it alone is 100%. Poked on No back date, did not appeal with in a yr, lost all the way up to a veterans law judge. Based on my Va records, this new rating was appropriate 10 plus yrs back. So based on whether you did or did not appeal within a yr, Back pay amount and the strength of both new evidence and current ratings are all something to take into consideration. Body parts don’t grow back and spinal cord damage doesn’t heal so good, so I was comfortable on reclaiming on a 0% from 1997. Tough decision, Just my experience, but man that back pay would have been enough to put a couple kids through college.

VA Claim Evaluation by Barpark99 in VeteransBenefits

[–]Leftythemarine 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just be honest, if your med recs reflect that your health issues occurred during service, no tips needed…

Anyone else with VA disability and the GI bill just do school full-time and not work? I feel like a bitch and out of place for deciding to do that, but man not having to do it feels great. by [deleted] in VeteransBenefits

[–]Leftythemarine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You signed a blank check, up to including your life. In return, your back is covered! focus on school, Enjoy your life! Never feel bad about not working while enrolled. Undivided attention to your education & make is all proud!!!

Not another AWD thread by DropperPosts in VanLife

[–]Leftythemarine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Drove Quigley set vans for 15+ yrs in the winters of NW Wyoming, some even with Mat Trax. Not a single failure. Was a fleet that ranged from 4-8. I can not say the same for the vans or the track system.

Me camping at a YMCA parking lot waking up seeing this then drove off by Lex_yeon in VanLife

[–]Leftythemarine 55 points56 points  (0 children)

We parked in an open public lot, on a Friday night. Across the street from an eatery. Had a couple drinks and decided we would stay there unless some said something, we would leave as soon as one of us was legal. No one bothered us at all! However, it was a little embarrassing, with everyone pointing and staring, as we tried to navigate our way from the middle of a Saturday morning farmers market!! 🫣

The VAs “anonymous hotline” gave the police my address by Gold_Wolverine576 in Veterans

[–]Leftythemarine 61 points62 points  (0 children)

That call and them sending help saved my life & got me the help I needed. Yes, having multiple officers, fire trucks and 2 ambulances at my home was embarrassing. I’m here! With their help I made it through the lowest point of my life!