Posted: 10/9/2024 11:27:15 PM EDT
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Anybody here use a third party to file your VA disability claim for you? What was your name experience? Thanks. |
| Unless you are well versed on the procedures and legalities of how the VA adjudicates a claim I'd recommend to always use a veteran's representative organization. There are so many little details that you need to be aware of that it is easy to invalidate your claim due to not having applied on the proper form or having used improper wording, not following up within the proper timeframe, or not understanding the process options. I was awarded 100% TDIU (total disability individual unemployability), I didn't even know that this category even existed. Without going through a legal group that specialized in veteran's issues, I'd of never gotten this award, and my wife was a RVSR (she evaluated veterans claims for the VA) for 10 years. |
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Originally Posted By MontMac: Unless you are well versed on the procedures and legalities of how the VA adjudicates a claim I'd recommend to always use a veteran's representative organization. There are so many little details that you need to be aware of that it is easy to invalidate your claim due to not having applied on the proper form or used the proper wording, not following up within the proper timeframe, or not understanding the process options. I was awarded 100% TDIU (total disability individual unemployability), I didn't even know that this category even existed. Without going through a legal group that specialized in veteran's issues, I'd of never gotten this award, and my wife was a RVSR (she evaluated veterans claims for the VA) for 10 years. |
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https://www.elrodlegal.com/ Cullen was in my BOLC & is a great guy. Regardless where you are geographically he can take care of you. |
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Originally Posted By sharkman6: Anybody here use a third party to file your VA disability claim for you? What was your name experience? Thanks. Use a VA accredited VSO or a VA accredited attorney. Do not use a "consultant" form that wants you to pay. It's illegal to charge any fee for an initial claim (there's no enforcement process so these claim sharks get away with it). VA is starting to disallow medical nexus letters and examinations (DBQs) from these claim sharks same doctors multiple times, huh! But the claim sharks still want paid. Some veterans bad mouth VA accredited attorneys. Attorneys do get paid, by the VA, out of back compensation, for successful appeal actions (i.e. not initial claims). Normally 20% (can be up to 30% if the VA agrees). A good attorney can be a claim saver. My attorney did my initial claim (for things not previously claimed), all was good and they didn't get paid anything (no appeal or HLR) except great reviews. |
Et quant au repos ? Le Caliphate doit être essuyé de la terre.
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Originally Posted By Boisestatefan: I used the DAV. Handed them my records and they did the rest. |
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Originally Posted By chumpmiester: Same here. DAV has been excellent every time I went for a rate increase. I finally got 70% UI within 30 days of getting approved for Social Security Disability. @chumpmiester What was the process like for SSDI? After 18 years they bumped my rating to 100% due to some accelerating health issues and I am wondering how hard it will be to get SSDI? |
Traveled the world, currently living in Indian Territory
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Originally Posted By USCG_CPO: @chumpmiester What was the process like for SSDI? After 18 years they bumped my rating to 100% due to some accelerating health issues and I am wondering how hard it will be to get SSDI? |
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Originally Posted By chumpmiester: It took about 2 1/2 years from the time I filed for SSDI until a judge granted me SSDI. They normally will deny you hoping that you give up. So make sure to file an appeal. I did not bother with any lawyers for SSDI. I just took a copy of all my military and VA health records with me when I went before the judge. He read through my records then asked 3 questions before granting me SSDI. Thanks. I see on the SS website they have a fast-track service for 100 percent Vets, don't know if that's a new thing or not. |
Traveled the world, currently living in Indian Territory
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Originally Posted By USCG_CPO: Thanks. I see on the SS website they have a fast-track service for 100 percent Vets, don't know if that's a new thing or not. |
DAV lifetime member
NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Rolled my own. If you understand it's a legal process not a medical process you'll get less butt hurt. Take the easy high value claims and pass on the 10% because I deserve it route and you'll be better off. Watch combat craig, first civ div and prestige medical for decent info. Good luck. |
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Originally Posted By heat762: Rolled my own. If you understand it's a legal process not a medical process you'll get less butt hurt. Take the easy high value claims and pass on the 10% because I deserve it route and you'll be better off. Watch combat craig, first civ div and prestige medical for decent info. Good luck. But if you can get yourself 27 separate 10% ratings you get in the "hundo" club. 
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Combat Crag on youtube puts a lot of things in prospective. Remember not all VSO are created equal. The one in my home town was a good guy but like 100 years old and did not know much of what he was doing.. he was kind of like " o well the VA gives you what the VA gives you " kind of guy.. A buddy of mine hooked me up with a VSO on the other end of the state ( closer to Ft Bragg) that he knew, and she knew what she was doing. I would try a good VSO first since it is free. After that an Accredited law firm that specializes in VA Clams because the more you get payed the more they get payed. |
| They did mine before I got out , got out at a 60 percent mostly for 5 broken vertebrae and a shoulder that was torn out of its socket that never healed right , years later more issues started popping up from my broken back , started loosing feeling in my extremities. Doctor recommended I file for an increase and they gave me 100. All through the VA , if the issues are physical and severe it’s easy to file yourself, it’s the people with subjective issues that have a harder time I’ve noticed. |
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Approved earlier this year. From start to approved, it only took me 3 months. 1. Lengthy telephone interview. Health issues, meds, income, how health effects ability to work. 2. SS requested VA health records (100% P&T) 3. SS thorough Doctor's exams. 4. Few weeks laters awarded SSDI. No lawyers or anything. |
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I've had bad experiences with DAV and VFW... I used the Virginia Department of Veteran Services. State agency, has an office at the local VA hospital. They were very helpful. As a sidenote, the Salem VA is very good, in my opinion. I'm sure experiences may differ. |
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Originally Posted By rifleman2000: I've had bad experiences with DAV and VFW... I used the Virginia Department of Veteran Services. State agency, has an office at the local VA hospital. They were very helpful. As a sidenote, the Salem VA is very good, in my opinion. I'm sure experiences may differ. The last time frame was 2005-2007. The reason it took 2 years to go from 70% to 70% UI was more from waiting on SSDI and the fact that my last employer kept dragging their feet on submitting the requested forms to the DAV rep and VA. |
DAV lifetime member
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