First, I don’t know where my income came into this picture, but no, I did not exceed the limits. I proved that to the VA (I keep detailed records), and they denied it anyway. It wasn’t until my tinnitus diagnosis and approval did that become a mute point.
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Don’t know what it is you proved.
VA income is HOUSEHOLD INCOME and it has nothing to do with the IRS. The IRS definition of income IS NOT USED BY THE VA.
For example, you have a Roth IRA and you withdraw money from that. This is not taxable income. The IRS ignores this. It’s not income. But the VA does NOT ignore it.
VA income is money that comes into the veterans hands and is available for healthcare, as its top priority. This means no deductions can reduce income. Mortgage interest deduction? Nope, VA does not allow that. The income is not reduced. That money is in your hands and can pay for healthcare as top priority. Mortgage interest is 2nd priority or 3rd or whatever.
This is why VA healthcare is rare for guys pre retirement. They have a salary. It blows past the income restriction (which is now about $69K I think). But come retirement, $69K is rather a lot of Soc Sec.
Oh, and then there is the wife, or maybe her mom lives with you. That’s HOUSEHOLD. Both their incomes count.
Your 10% tinnitus award got past that.
The income restriction is $41,000 (ish), and I was regularly paying for many of my medical supplies, especially my CPAP stuff. All totally, my medical expenses were to the tune of about $3,000 - $4,000 annually. Take that amount from the $41,000 and I fell well below the limit. And no, I had no other income other than my government salary, and I live alone.