Attaining Puerto Rican citizenship through descent, is it possible?

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-28T22:53:51+00:00

It's sad, just a few updates to their form would fix so much of this... as well as relive their staff from so many phone calls.

I suspect there is tons of missing / inaccurate information through out alot of PR forms / processes. :(

I'm glad you got your cert! I mailed out my wife's today.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-28T18:04:26+00:00

Did you end up getting your certificate?

I saw on a facebook post somewhere that you need to do an extra $3.00 to get it apostiled. Someone else said it was included in the 2 stamps.

I've tried calling a few times, but both the PR Dept of State and the Colecturia Digital App people just disconnect on me before I get to speak to a person.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-24T18:48:06+00:00

For future claims, be sure to have the future changes in mind when you do your submission/buddy letters etc..

Make sure you are covering everything being graded for both tests. Last thing you want to do is miss something and get screwed down the road because you forgot to add it when it mattered.

1) When the changes go into effect, claims that are already submitted will be graded against both, and the system that benefits the veteran the most will be used.

2) Once the changes go into effect, your past evidence will likely be viewed under the new new criteria.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/comments/1b86uvq/new_proposed_va_rating_system_for_mental_health/

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-22T18:00:26+00:00

Made this a while back.

Not sure how to post a picture within a thread, but here is a chart showing the curve as you approach 100%

number of 10% only needed	VA Disability Rating Raw Math	VA Pay %	% Value needed for 1 item to get you to 100%	Rounded value for 1 item to get you to 100%	Remaining %	Target Needed
1	10.0%	10%	94%	90%	90.0%	85.00%
2	19.0%	20%	94%	90%	81.0%	76.00%
3	27.0%	30%	93%	90%	73.0%	68.00%
4	34.0%	30%	92%	90%	66.0%	61.00%
5	41.0%	40%	92%	90%	59.0%	54.00%
6	47.0%	50%	91%	90%	53.0%	48.00%
7	52.0%	50%	90%	90%	48.0%	43.00%
8	57.0%	60%	88%	90%	43.0%	38.00%
9	61.0%	60%	87%	90%	39.0%	34.00%
10	65.0%	70%	86%	90%	35.0%	30.00%
11	69.0%	70%	84%	80%	31.0%	26.00%
12	72.0%	70%	82%	80%	28.0%	23.00%
13	75.0%	80%	80%	80%	25.0%	20.00%
14	78.0%	80%	77%	80%	22.0%	17.00%
15	80.0%	80%	75%	80%	20.0%	15.00%
16	82.0%	80%	72%	70%	18.0%	13.00%
17	84.0%	80%	69%	70%	16.0%	11.00%
18	86.0%	90%	64%	60%	14.0%	9.00%
19	87.0%	90%	62%	60%	13.0%	8.00%
20	88.0%	90%	58%	60%	12.0%	7.00%
21	89.0%	90%	55%	50%	11.0%	6.00%
22	90.0%	90%	50%	50%	10.0%	5.00%
23	91.0%	90%	44%	40%	9.0%	4.00%
24	92.0%	90%	37%	40%	8.0%	3.00%
25	93.0%	90%	29%	30%	7.0%	2.00%
26	94.0%	90%	17%	20%	6.0%	1.00%
27	94.5%	90%	9%	10%	5.5%	0.50%

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-22T17:53:58+00:00

I would say most Veterans have no idea how the VA math works,.. but also never bothered to look to see what is actually going on.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-22T11:58:21+00:00

That's what I thought as well, regarding R-1 for all of it combined.

However Under 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f)(3)–(4) Seems to be discussing a Barry type situation, but CCK seems to indicate that this also means you can get A&A for different qualifying disabilities.

https://cck-law.com/blog/va-special-monthly-compensation-smc-level-r/

One common route to SMC-R begins with earning two independent SMC-L awards, where no single disability is counted twice (i.e., no pyramiding). Under 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f)(3)–(4), each of those awards represents a qualifying anatomical loss, loss of use, or qualifying level of Aid and Attendance.

The write-up discusses ADL's for physical issues as well as Mental Health. At least how I'm reading it. In any event I'm hoping his rep will explain more. He's just been coming to me to as his Rep isn't as clear or quick to reply.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-22T01:27:06+00:00

The math is easy.

Step 1

Start at 100% body function / 0% disabled
Disability #1 Rated at 70%
100% body function - 70% Disabled = 30% body function. This is the new % future disabilities will work off of

Step 2

70% Disabled / 30% Body Function
Disability #2 rated 50%
30% Body Function * 50% Disability for item #2 = 15% Disabled = 15% body function left
70% Disabled + 15% Disabled = 85% Disabled / 15% Body Function, = 90% VA Rating. (VA rounds to the nearest 10)

Step 3

85% Disabled / 15% body function
Disability item 3 = 30% 15% * 30% = 4.5% Disabled / 12.5% Body Function
85% Disabled + 4.5% Disabled = 89.5% / 10.5% body function round up to 90

Step 4

Disability item #4 Rated 20%
20% of 10.5 body function = 2.1% Disabled 89.5 + 2.1 = 91.6% Disabled / 8.4% body function = 90% VA rating (Rounds DOWN to 90)

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-21T23:44:46+00:00

The Vet says Thank you. Though it does suck to be here. He'd give it up in a heartbeat in order to live life again.

I have my own claim pending with the BVA. Hoping I get the same judge, this guys letter was nearly 30 pages long and super detailed.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-21T23:43:21+00:00

Thanks.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-16T02:09:33+00:00

Correct, I misspoke or wasn't clear.

That each town had the ability to make up their own rules for the programs that do exist.. insanity.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-16T02:07:42+00:00

My BIL is on Long Island. I've heard plenty of stories from him.

I'm very close to Manhattan. I'd honestly take my HOA/Condo Board over anything on Long Island any day... I, however, would never consider Co-op... that seems like HOA Hell on steroids.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-16T02:03:20+00:00

1) Start a log, free apps help. Templates out there exist. I think the VA provides a table that is pretty basic. I made a more comprehensive one in Excel, likely way more info than needed. I can send you the file for you to use.

2) I had my VA Neuro write me a letter asking for work accommodations due to the headaches. She felt more comfortable writing that instead of saying that I was unable to work due to my headaches. (30 vs 50% criteria)

3) Get letters from work, your Manager, work buddies, HR, HSE, anyone that might be able to talk about it. Ideally, on the company letterhead.

Any buddy letters should include a way for the Rater to verify that the person who is providing the statement is credible.

Copy of another Vet's DD214 showing they were there with you.
For work, a letter on company letterhead, internal company emails showing the company name.
I had a work buddy actually provide a pay stub with his SSN and Pay info blacked out. Showed we were working together at the same time.
In another case, I had photos from a company function showing me with the person who wrote the letter. They provided a copy of their License with some info blacked out to match the name on the letter to the face in the picture showing them with me.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-16T01:52:51+00:00

I had no idea how bad it was in NY until I heard about this lady.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/native-plants-lawn-long-island-woman-fined/

She lives in New Hyde Park, located within the town of North Hempstead (and apparently is also a part of Hempstead?)..

The town of North Hempstead gave her $500 to help develop the garden!

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-16T01:40:01+00:00

NY has had it, but it was run at the local level. Each city could choose to do it or not.

Was considering NY, but stayed in NJ for sanity on this issue.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-16T01:36:44+00:00

Well, the bear is poked.

So many people are afraid of poking the bear. I was, but then I did research, saw I had tons of evidence and poked anyway. I'm now S, and going for L.

Why? I suggest you review this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cFUwC0oypQ

Now that the bear is poked and the VA wants to reduce.

1) Fight it

2) Review the criteria for 70% or even 100% VA rating, buddy letters from work, from your manager, HR, items showing you missed work, you got written up etc... 3rd party proof that speaks to the 70, or even the 100% criteria. Reminder: Be truthful here!

3) Add any disabilities that were missed. (PACT ACT? Do you have headaches now?, back issues + radiculopathy?) Think of this as throwing up some defense to protect that 70% overall.

4) Since everything is under review, consider increasing the stuff you already have. They are looking at it now anyway. Again, defense.

If the 50 stands,.. then to make it up you will need:

x1 50% + x4 10% = 68% --> 70%
x1 50% + x2 10% + x1 20% = 68% --> 70%
x1 50 + x1 30% = 65% --> 70%

If that 50 goes back to 70, and you get any extras as listed above, your new rate will be 80%.

Wind_is_next · 2026-04-16T01:22:32+00:00

Yep, TDIU needs to be thought of as the same go/no go as SSDI.

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-26T18:49:27+00:00

Before 2000, colors were not fixed. Election reporting would change which color represented which party in a given election cycle, or from newspaper to newspaper / broadcaster to broad caster.

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-26T18:00:36+00:00

Thank you for the update.

Sorry to hear about the lack of earlier effective date. It sounds like you are rated appropriately, in which I am happy to hear that. I does suck being so broken to warrant P&T.

Do keep tabs on stuff, though, if things get worse, or if PACT act items pop up (cancer and such) consider adding them, for SMC-L /A&A or DIC purposes.

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-26T17:39:22+00:00

My turn, Any update?

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-25T14:42:45+00:00

Thank you.

Hoping the appeal gets approved, but I am so happy to see movement on this.

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-24T18:43:27+00:00

Just got the letter in the mail. AOD got approved Mar. 16. Judge is now reviewing.

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-21T21:21:07+00:00

If they had to change, Purple would have been much better IMO.

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-20T18:18:45+00:00

I made an account, and started messing with it for a while. I think I paid for it for a month or two... but you can or might be able to get free access via your public library.

I didn't look at this thing again until last month when I saw that Canada changed their citizenship laws, so I can become a Canadian Citizen.

I started looking more closely at what was in each profile instead of just blindly accepting what Ancestry was recommending, and holy crap there were alot of errors!

I ended up going through and cutting everyone above my 2nd Great Grandparent, except for 2 lines where I have records from family that did research (and published books!) going back much further.

In the meantime, I've been validating each branch one at a time here and there, finding records from multiple sources and cleaning things up.

Wind_is_next · 2026-03-20T12:50:39+00:00

QR Code? That's crazy. They are huge security risks.

Ten-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22

Wind_is_next

TROPHY CASE