Good Morning. Maybe it's time to diversify

I just had the craziest idea....maybe I should think about working 2 part time jobs. Our contracts may end soon and while the boss says he will keep me on and find something for me, he doesn't know what that something is yet. Well, if we can either keep our insurance but put it under DH's name, I could go part-time and maybe find something else to do that I'm interested in...like maybe VitaminShoppe or perhaps the tanning salon. Minimum wage but different. Someone at work mentioned I should go back to the VA and see if I can get disability for my back.  Just brainstorming ways to survive the down economy. 

What's got you thinking outside the box?

--gina
   

This subject is very topical for me.  I'm not sure I want to keep doing this job for the next 20 years--it's become filled with red tape and isn't fun anymore.  I think I'm smart enough to do something else, but I'm not very creative in thinking about what to transition to.

I keep telling myself that I'll start writing, but by the time I get home, my energy and imaginative thinking are shot.  In general I think I'll stick with this job for another 2 years or so, and if I don't feel differently by then, I'm going to look for other opportunities.

Your upcoming situation has put a lot of people into "different thinking mode" .  I know it did me when I had to decide what to do about my job at the PO.  Hard decisions have to be made and possible lifestyle changes. 

The back thing and VA - is there a time limit for filing for that?  I really don't know anything about it.  Would it be the same as a disability retirement?  I know you didn't pay into Soc Sec, but is there a way to claim through there? 

I applied at a clothing consignment shop and never heard back from them.  That was when I just thought I wanted something part time to keep me busy.  The lady said the bridal side of the shop may be needing something - I was ok with that, but never heard.  Oh well...

Heading north today.  Our heat wave broke - think it will be 80 and sunny.  Going up to Mackinac Bridge.  I'd love to go to the island, but we won't have time.

 

Gina,
It would probably be easier to find part time jobs than full time jobs, or it is here anyway.  We have had to cut some of our full time postitions because the benefits are so expensive.  I bet you could find something that you really enjoy doing if that is what you decided to do.  If you did the VA disability, are you eligible for insurance under them?  I always had to keep the insurance on our family because DH's was way too expensive.

When I was walking this morning, I noticed this big older house on one of the pretty streets that people walk on here.  It was a Bed and Breakfast that was for sale.  I got to thinking that when I retire DH and I could do something like that, but not sure if that would allow for travel time or if it would really require you to be at the place.  I guess if it was yours, you could rent it when you wanted to and not when you wanted to do something else.  Just a crazy thought,  I know DH would never want to do anything like that....

Linda

You could definitely get some VA disability for your back.  Maybe 30-40% based on what I know about your back and how the system works.  It won't be a lot but it will help some.

I totally understand where you are coming from.  We are on the last year of our contract too and while I'm hopeful we win the next bidding cycle, I'm acutely aware that I may be making some major changes come next fall.

What might I do???  DH and I talk about this all the time.

1) Move out of California.  It would cut our living expenses significantly!

2)  Find another job.  Won't be a problem because there is a shortage of healthcare providers across the country.  I'm sure I'd lose some pay but I won't be left high and dry.

3) Grow my Weight Management and Wellness clinic and try to sustain being self-employed. 

4) Liquidate and leave the country.  Sounds radical but with the economy the way it is I feel the US is sinking.  As long as I'm with my DH and DD I don't care where I am.

Definitely go back to the VA and have them reevaluate your back!  Any cormorbidities that are connected to your back pain are compensable as well (depression, anxiety, etc...).  The system is designed to re-evaluate your conditions periodically.

You could also go into consulting ... offer your services on a project basis to companies.

Kay

Gina

A very timely post for me.  I am retiring from my work by the end of the year because of the impact the stress has had on my body.  I am very good at what I do, so there will be a significant impact to finances. 

For the first year, I'll be working on getting my health back, and that includes having WLS and exercising.  Then I'm thinking I would work part time somewhere, or even go back to school and get a nursing degree.

For location, I've mentioned before that we're looking to get back out west eventually, most likely Montana etc.

Gina, lots of experience with the VA... DH is 100% disabled and receiving SSD as well. 

Step one is to sign up with a "team" if you haven't already and get in to see a PCP with a list of every single complaint you can think of that can possibly in any way at all be service connected, so that the documentation is started.  That day, if you can, locate the DAV office (usually within the VA Med Ctr) and ask them to help you get a claim started.  Whatever you might get in the future is retro to the date of filing so move on it!  lol  You'll be assigned a patient advocate through the DAV to help keep you on track through the procedure of submitting and apealing.

Make sure to show up for every single appt. they might schedule you for no matter how inconvenient it is for you.  They depend on people falling through the cracks and giving up.

Whenever it's time to send in medical records for review and determination of Ratings, DO NOT send in all your records at one time.  Let them review and assign ratings piece meal.  Unless you are granted 100%, automatically appeal and include another piece of documentation and let them bump you up a little more and a little more (hopefully). 

It's a time consuming (& somewhat labor intensive) process, but when it's absolutely as good as it's going to get, you'll get your pay retro as I said. 

When it's on record you are disabled (or even somewhat disabled) through the VA, go ahead and file for disability through SS.  Cross your t's and dot your i's no matter what research it requires, and see what they can do for you.  If you were to get 100% through the VA, the SS is almost always likely to automatic as long as you are complete and accurate in the application process.  We personally went to an attorney who specialized in SSD cases.  The fee was 25% of whatever the retro "settlement" would be and, for us, it was worth it.  If only because of the one time that something had to be faxed immediately in order to slide in under a deadline we hadn't known about.

Best of luck to you!  I would get started on it right away if there's even a CHANCE of getting a disability rating... that retro settlement can be sweet.

Sorry Ruthie but I'm going to have to throw in my 2 cents here (ok maybe it will be 10 cents)...

Do not claim things that are not service related.  Yes, you served our country and I am eternally grateful but that doesn't mean that I, as a taxpayer, should have to pay you for things that are NOT clearly related to service.

Perhaps I've become hardened to it because in my job I see so many veterans who claim things like hemorrhoids, arthritis, STD's, scoliosis, hypertension, etc.   You would have most likely gotten those things whether you were in the service or not.   Or - frequently they had them before they went in the service but it didn't get documented on their entrance exam so the military buys it. 

Please don't misunderstand me though - I'm not saying your DH did this because I don't know his unique case.   It's just that I've seen hundreds of VA disability ratings and I can tell you that about half of them are ridiculous - borderline ludicrous!  I've also seen some that have gone the other way - they have a truly disabling condition but didn't know how to present it properly and got screwed.

Also - consider what kind of work (if any) you want to do in the future because sometimes your VA disability is "proof' that you are unable to perform certain job duties.  If those are essential job duties then you would not medically qualify for certain positions.

For example - I saw a gentleman who has 100% VA disability for PTSD.  He applied for a Police Officer position and got all upset, claiming discrimination, when I couldn't medically qualify him for the position.  You can't have your cake and eat it too.  Either you're so mentally unstable that you are considered 100% by the VA or you're a picture of mental health when being evaluated for a safety sensitive position.  But not both.

Anyway - I totally agree that you should be compensated for conditions that are truly service related...just don't get carried away with it and throw in other stuff to see what happens.

The only thing I have is my back which was operated on at Walter Reed and I retired 2 years later. I was a little curious about osteoporosis though. I tested with osteopenia soon after I retired. Is there any correlation or should I pursue a connection between the fractures in my back and the osteopenia? They sure didn't test my calcium, do a dexa scan or anything after my back surgery. What do you think?

Thanks