When my wife died on 100202, I applied for Social Security early retirement and received same in late 2003. The V.A. denied me the opportunity of receiving both the V.A. benefit I have along with Social Security retirement. I do receive a benefit of 157mo. from the V.A. as a benefit; However, I was getting full benefit of 600 from the V.A. and when I started to get my early retirement benefit, the V.A. told me it was their practice not to have both. I am now forced to try and live on 881month.

I think this is not right to have me forfeit both.