Question:
Jim. I am 100% PTSD and 70% lower back fusion all service connected and I'm Perm & Total. I took up leather craft for therapy and can sell the items online and make around $10k-15k year. I live in house of (5). 2019 poverty is $25,750 for (4) of us and $4,420 for (1) more. The leathercraft doubles as therapy and I can work 100% at my own pace and can attend therapy of any kind if needed and it would be my own small business. Would I be ok? If so what process should i go through to make sure? Thanks.
Jim's Reply:
If you are 100% schedular, and it sounds as if you are, you don't have any work restrictions. If you are 100% TDIU (unemployability) then you're restricted to work that earns you less than the poverty level in your region. Either way you're good to go and you shouldn't run into any trouble with VA. You should incorporate as an LLC in your state if you plan to run your therapy hobby as a business and keep your business tax records handy in case VA should ever ask. There isn't any process to ensure this is all OK at the VA. While the SSA has a formal return to work program, VA depends on us to stay within the rules and you're doing that so...I wish you success!