Spouse (wife) as A&A Aide? Or only trained medical personnel?

[gulskjegg]

I have been rooting around the BVA archives and I found at least two appeals where the wife was designated as the caregiver. Both claims I saw did not state if the spouse was a nurse, but who knows? I will be speaking with a lawyer that specializes in veteran A&A law on Tuesday. I guess I will find out for sure at that time.

I assume the lawyer will not take the case if he does not feel there is a chance he can win, and thus get his pound of flesh. If anyone has any input, please let me know. I will also post what the lawyer tells me. I am upbeat because the secretary of the law firm asked me to explain my situation, in general terms. I did, and she said the lawyer will definitely want to speak to me. Best of all, the first phone consultation is free!

 

[Fit2009]

your wife, nurse or not can be the caregiver

[gulskjegg]

Thanks!

[pologal1979]

but any "wages" paid to the spouse for caregiving = countalbe income. that doesnt work.  if you pay another family memeber, such as an adult child (who is not a dependent on award) for caregiving services, then that is ok. 

[Fit2009]

I believe in this case, although my memory may be failing me that gulskjegg is trying for SPM not non-service connected pension with A&A, so he does not need to meet any income requirements, just need for attendance related to service connection and, therefore, he is not looking to deduct any care costs.

[pologal1979]

fit09 -ahhh yes you may be right there.  its hard to answer the question sometimes when it is not specified or clear to me if they are talking about comp or pension. good answer!

[kayellen]

ATTORNEY OR ANYONE ELSE CANNOT CHARGE YOU for assisting in getting any kind of VA help.  Against the law. That is why it is so hard to find help.

If someone is charging you for their services  --- something is wrong with their creditability.  Almost anyone know this rule.  The doctors office cannot even charge you for copies, nor the hospital etc.....

Best way is to just print all the documents from the Veteranaid.org site and fill them out accordingly.