VA Disability

[Nick060200]

I spent time in and got a combined rating when I left. I recently went to a vso and really wanted to gather information. By the time I left she had filed a few claims after discussion. It wasn't filed correctly because a signature was missing. During the time I went to my appointment and found out it wasn't filed correctly I did more research and decided I wanted to change what was filed.

I'm aware I can file myself and I understand navigating the va website. I'm just wondering if it's worth just hiring one of these companies that kind of does all the work for you. Has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with these companies? I believe a nexus will help with one claim. I think I'd have to pay for that anyway, so why not just have them handle everything is my thought process. My primary won't do a nexus.

Any information is appreciated.

 

[LegionF]

If you use a service I recommend finding one in your area. I never needed more than the VSO. It was "slower" than hiring someone but it was also no cost to me and got my issues properly dealt with. Many of the guys on base have had mixed results from the advertised services but have found a couple of local VA attorneys who were actually solid. Its a crap shoot like any of it.

 

[heckler7]

using the VSO is just as good as hiring a law firm, the law firms will file 50 claims and you will spend the next 4 months going to exams and maybe get one claim accepted. The VSO you will see in person and they may make mistakes but usually will get it processed correctly. I would stick with VSO. Did you work with chemicals?

 

[heckler7]

Are you a member of VFW or foriegn legion? you can ask them if they have someone that will help you file claims

 

[Riff54]

I have dealt with 2 different VSO ,one stae and the other American Legion neither did much, if you just do a little research and find some help with Ai and just ask your doctor's to write a nexus for your claims, get some lay/ buddy statements from people you served with and from close relatives that can vouch for your claims all that should help and go alot quicker than going through so, as for paid company your paying for not a garuntee and something you can do yourself with a little work, thats my take

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[Cypher]

Whatever you do, DO NOT hire one of those for-profit “Claim Sharks.” Fuck those guys. They’re looking to make money off Vets who are already dealing with enough bullshit.

Get yourself a good VSO or find an organization like the Military Order of the Purple Heart to take on your case. Get someone in your corner who actually gives a shit about helping you... not some for-profit outfit circling your claim like a fucking vulture.

 

[SamPedd18]

I went through a VSO and the one that did my original claim was and idiot. Find a reputable law firm that has experience filing VA claims. Usually a reputable law firm only get 20% of your back pay on a successful claim. They don’t get paid if you don’t. I went through an attorney and went from 10% to 60%.

 

[Nick060200]

using the VSO is just as good as hiring a law firm, the law firms will file 50 claims and you will spend the next 4 months going to exams and maybe get one claim accepted. The VSO you will see in person and they may make mistakes but usually will get it processed correctly. I would stick with VSO. Did you work with chemicals?

Some chemicals. But not really part of my MOS. My main concern is really the fact that I may need a nexus and I don't see way around paying for that at the moment. I can submit without a nexus but then if it gets denied I'm back to square one anyway.

 

[Nick060200]

Are you a member of VFW or foriegn legion? you can ask them if they have someone that will help you file claims

I'm not. There is a Marine corps league actually right down the street from me. I may have to stop in and see if anyone can point me in the right direction.

 

[Nick060200]

I went through a VSO and the one that did my original claim was and idiot. Find a reputable law firm that has experience filing VA claims. Usually a reputable law firm only get 20% of your back pay on a successful claim. They don’t get paid if you don’t. I went through an attorney and went from 10% to 60%.

Was yours local or did you just find them online ? Mind sharing who you used ?

 

[SurveyDan]

I did everything for myself. Filled out the personal statement forms and did lots of research to link my disabilities to things I was diagnosed with and injuries from the military. I was out of the military for 16 years before I ever filed a claim with the VA. If any veteran needs help and wants to do it themselves I would be more than willing to help answer any questions if I can. Im not a part of any business or anything. Just want to see fellow veterans get everything they deserve for giving a part of their life and body for this country.

 

[SurveyDan]

Some chemicals. But not really part of my MOS. My main concern is really the fact that I may need a nexus and I don't see way around paying for that at the moment. I can submit without a nexus but then if it gets denied I'm back to square one anyway.

Never understatement the power of a week written personal statement. Look up other case files with the same situation and make a reference to that claim.

 

[Nick060200]

I did everything for myself. Filled out the personal statement forms and did lots of research to link my disabilities to things I was diagnosed with and injuries from the military. I was out of the military for 16 years before I ever filed a claim with the VA. If any veteran needs help and wants to do it themselves I would be more than willing to help answer any questions if I can. Im not a part of any business or anything. Just want to see fellow veterans get everything they deserve for giving a part of their life and body for this country.

I appreciate the offer brother !

 

[Whon068]

I used the DAV, a Vet Charity. One hour visit, done. They know the system like the back of their hand. Your part is having your DD214 and all your services info. The DAV can access a lot of your records.

My brother in law is/was pretty messed up from his service. He dreaded the paperwork and put it off for year (this was about 2006). I advised him to contact his local DAV office. Got an appointment in 1-2 weeks, they did the paperwork and boom, he was on his way. Things went at a quick pace after that and in about 3 months he got nice check for back disabilities.

Just remember them and give them a nice donation when its all said and done. Disable Veterans of America aka 'the DAV.' They do a lot of great work for our vets.

 

[Cypher]

I used the DAV, a Vet Charity. One hour visit, done. They know the system like the back of their hand. Your part is having your DD214 and all your services info. The DAV can access a lot of your records.

My brother in law is/was pretty messed up from his service. He dreaded the paperwork and put it off for year (this was about 2006). I advised him to contact his local DAV office. Got an appointment in 1-2 weeks, they did the paperwork and boom, he was on his way. Things went at a quick pace after that and in about 3 months he got nice check for back disabilities.

Just remember them and give them a nice donation when its all said and done. Disable Veterans of America aka 'the DAV.' They do a lot of great work for our vets.

Great option as well.

 

[Riff54]

Also alot of VSO are overwhelmed and have alot of other veterans they help so you can get lost in the shuffle, i like doing it myself bc I know exactly what I submitted and when , like I said AI can help also and just a little bit of research can go a long way, im at 30% working on other claims , from what I can see need a nexus and some lay statements from anyone backing up your claim, helps alot, if you just explain to your doctors you see for your problems they should have np helping, i like to get a template of a nexus letter for my claim and let them know this is just for reference so you know what wording to use , you can copy this or write your own ,no hurry thanks so much, so far this has worked, im not high up there on the ratings yet but im sure ill get there just takes time, remember they are wanting you to give up just keep going you will reach what ever your goal is

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[heckler7]

do you have your medical records? you can request those online thru the VA portal they will ship you a CD with all your records scanned.

 

[Bando]

I did everything for myself. Filled out the personal statement forms and did lots of research to link my disabilities to things I was diagnosed with and injuries from the military. I was out of the military for 16 years before I ever filed a claim with the VA. If any veteran needs help and wants to do it themselves I would be more than willing to help answer any questions if I can. Im not a part of any business or anything. Just want to see fellow veterans get everything they deserve for giving a part of their life and body for this country.

Man that’s good stuff there. And same here. Except I waited 18 years lol. I am a total disaster now and had such a hard last couple years that I will never fully recover physically and mentally from this trauma. But I can’t pin my current issues all on my time in service. But I can conceivably link it all together in my head from when and where that trauma started.

Anyhoo, big day for me today. I’m zero percent disabled as of now and have been since I got out in 2009. But I finally am filing something with my local VSO this morning at 9am. And he has a great reputation for getting things done. I’d literally be ecstatic from just 50% disability. And I’m so broken atm that just a tiny bit of good news like some residual income would literally floor me to tears lol. We actually submitted the claim back in like February so if I were actually approved for anything I would get a lil backpay from then. Whoop whoop!

Seriously I may sound gay as shit, but I am actually grateful to be able to apply. And I definitely have some documented stuff in my records in basic stuff like hearing loss and a prostate injury years ago in service, but my main claim is PTSD and I would have never considered it had I not reached out to them for their substance abuse programs first and gone through all that and heard from my other shipmates in a similar situation. I wasn’t technically “combat wounded” so I guess I just kinda considered myself not worthy of a handout of any kind from the time I got out after 8 years. Just had that mentality for some reason. Pride maybe? Idk. But today is important for me in this area so it’s cool to see this thread right before I leave for my appointment lol. If yall only knew half of how hard the last couple years have been for me. Like seriously, any bit of decent news would feel like a huge win after the beating I’ve taken as of late (not service related).

Stay strong bros! We can do this. I think maybe lol

 

[SurveyDan]

Man that’s good stuff there. And same here. Except I waited 18 years lol. I am a total disaster now and had such a hard last couple years that I will never fully recover physically and mentally from this trauma. But I can’t pin my current issues all on my time in service. But I can conceivably link it all together in my head from when and where that trauma started.

Anyhoo, big day for me today. I’m zero percent disabled as of now and have been since I got out in 2009. But I finally am filing something with my local VSO this morning at 9am. And he has a great reputation for getting things done. I’d literally be ecstatic from just 50% disability. And I’m so broken atm that just a tiny bit of good news like some residual income would literally floor me to tears lol. We actually submitted the claim back in like February so if I were actually approved for anything I would get a lil backpay from then. Whoop whoop!

Seriously I may sound gay as shit, but I am actually grateful to be able to apply. And I definitely have some documented stuff in my records in basic stuff like hearing loss and a prostate injury years ago in service, but my main claim is PTSD and I would have never considered it had I not reached out to them for their substance abuse programs first and gone through all that and heard from my other shipmates in a similar situation. I wasn’t technically “combat wounded” so I guess I just kinda considered myself not worthy of a handout of any kind from the time I got out after 8 years. Just had that mentality for some reason. Pride maybe? Idk. But today is important for me in this area so it’s cool to see this thread right before I leave for my appointment lol. If yall only knew half of how hard the last couple years have been for me. Like seriously, any bit of decent news would feel like a huge win after the beating I’ve taken as of late (not service related).

Stay strong bros! We can do this. I think maybe lol

Good luck today. And remember you are one of very few people that gave their life and swore an oath to commit to this country. No one can take that away. And don't let someone else judge you because your injuries are not "combat" related.

 

[heckler7]

Some chemicals. But not really part of my MOS. My main concern is really the fact that I may need a nexus and I don't see way around paying for that at the moment. I can submit without a nexus but then if it gets denied I'm back to square one anyway.

the pact act makes it easier to claim illness from handling chemicals, if you career field had you handling any dangerous chemicals you dont have to prove a nexus the VA concedes that you were exposed and your condition is service connected. You probably heard all the camp Lejune commercials or burn pit commercials, but it includes all chemicals.

 

[SamPedd18]

Was yours local or did you just find them online ? Mind sharing who you used ?

I PM’d you