Who has submitted for VA Benefits? Need advice.

So submitting my benefits package and need some advice. I'm currently working though a representative "Five Star Veterans Disability" but I haven't submitted the paper work to give them permission to represent them.

TBH, I don't feel comfortable having someone represent me and feel I can get my claim done on my own but wanted feed back from those that have worked with the VA.

How did you submit your claim and what should I avoid, etc...?

 

Old Vietnam Vet with diabetes, found out about 4 years ago that I could claim VA benefits, Agent Oranges exposure. I filed a claim online and got approved in about 4 months for a 20% disability, never saw a VA doctor, they used my private doctor's records. This past May I talked my doctor into once a day insulin pen to help get my A1C down, this had the potential for a 40% claim, filed online, got called in for a exam for nerve and kidney damage, they found nerve damage and I ended up with a 90% benefit in the end. Never used anyone for claim help, did it all online on VA's site. It would depend upon your claim as to if you need representation, I have friends that used several different groups and they think it helped.

 

Awesome, thanks for the input. The agency I'm talking with doesn't charge unless the VA denies the claim, then they charge %20 of your benefits or something like that. I don't see much risk but I'm skeptical. I feel my claim is a slam dunk; diagnosed with DDD, bludging disk, herniated disk, under a military doctor with MRI

 

I did the claim work on my own. I wouldnt pay someone to do it. One, there are services that will help you for free. Two, with as many issues the VA is having with info security, i wouldnt want to have a third/fourth party having access to it. It took a while for them to get everything worked through because of the backlog. Use your local VA rep office for any questions (free) and assistance in getting things filed (also free).
I am rated at 80% but am currently awaiting my appeal to be processed. I also have DDD and other spinal issues with a long list of doc notes and scans from when I was on active. Get as many issues as you can put into your first filing. While it will take a little more time, it also makes it easier to handle those issues if they become worse in the future.

 

Yeah, I might go that rout. The service I'm considering is free unless the VA disapproves my claim. Then they fight the VA and what they win for me, they get %20

 

If they get 20%, for how long, benefits end up usually for life, that could add up to quite a bit of money.

 

Is it 20% of one month? 20% of backpay? 20% every month for the rest of your life?
If you have a clear record of injury in your military medical record, it is much less likely to have an issue. They will set you up to see a VA or contracted doctor to review your record and probably get a new MRI and x-ray. They will check your range of motion and overall effect of the injury.

 

I think its 20% of the back pay (what they win for you) but benefit pay from there on is yours. I need to call them Monday to clarify some of this...

Anyone on here have someone represent them during the claims process?

 

Talk to the local Disabled American Veterans chapter. They're amazing, they will fight for you and it's free. They are not part of the VA system.

 

Good call, I think I have one in Suffolk. I'll look them up next week, thanks for the reminder!

 

^DAV is definitely a valuable resource to have access to.

 

You need to find a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). Most large bases have one. I went through Keesler Air Force Base. Here is a link to VA VSO locations http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/dvs/locations/ They are volunteers, it is free and they will review your forms and medical record to insure you didn't leave anything out. There are aliments you can claim you didn't even know about. Once reviewed you can either self submit or go through DAV or State Veterans Board (there are others) to submit your package. You'll need to sign a form giving them the right to fight your claim with the VA. I went through the state board. I'm not an expert but went through this when I retired in 2013. It was, for me, a painless process. Good luck. PM me if you wanna talk offline. All of this is free for veterans. I have never heard of somebody taking a percentage of your Compensation & Pension disability. That sounds sketchy.

CWO3, retired.

 

I worked with one when I was getting out but they advised I wait until I'm affiliated with the reserves before submitting a claim so I did. TBH, I was hoping my visits to the pain management clinic at Portsmouth would help; and it did; but I still have pretty limited movement.

 

I cannot offer very much help. I have only dealt with the VA a handful of times. The times I have dealt with them though, it was a total shitshow and a half. Be prepared for a long and lengthy process.

 

And ALWAYS get copies of your military medical records!!

 

especially throughout your time in...saw a few out here in OK who had things mysteriously "disappear" from their records shortly before they were getting out.

 

I got 3 copies

 

FYI, this is where I submitted my claim and was contacted by Five Star Veterans Disability. I thought it was a claim straight to the VA

https://www.disabilityapplicationhelp.org/Veterans.aspx?dn=0

 

So talked to a local VA Chapter and they recommend using the service. They guy I talked to said its a "cake walk" with an advocate representing you and more times than not, your claim is processed much faster and you are more likely to actually get approved. Here is the break down:

By law, their service is free unless you wish to dispute the VA either because they rated you lower than you believe or because they denied your claim. Either way, you would want/need an attorney to represent you (according to the guy I talked to).

If they represent you in a dispute with the VA, you are charged %20 of your first check you receive from the VA, should they win the dispute. If they lose, you pay nothing.

Seems like its beneficial for them if you claim is denied initially so they can represent you and collect the %20... Besides a good conscience, what's their driving force to maximize your claim and benefits?