DAV vs VA Claims Insider. Which is better at advocating for us as a VSO?

PFC Joe McCallister — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 16:18:28 -0500

So I’m using the DAV as my VSO because I can’t bring myself to pay VA Claims Insider 6x my monthly increase for 6 months. My bosses dad recommended DAV because how aggressive about finding claims to file and how good they are at helping you win your claims. Do any of you have experience with VA Claims Insider or the DAV? Which would you choose and why?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 1 at 2020 5:10 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 17:10:23 -0500

If they charge you a fee, they are not a VSO and I would be highly suspicious of anything they promise. It's like getting a lawyer out of the back of the Army Times. I used the DAV to help me file my claim. It went reasonably well and they were very helpful. I separated at Ft Carson. They had an office on post. I sat down with my records and the rep. We talked for a while and help worked the claim while I sat there. Once we were in the same page he walked me down the hall to the VA rep. I signed and filed on the spot. The VA stamped my claim as filed and the day after I retired (official ETS date) my claim was awarded. No quibbling over service connection etc as it was filed while I was on AD in my last 90 days.

Don't pay someone to do this. If you don't like DAV, go to the VFW or American Legion for help. You Need to ensure The organization is a 501c non profit

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 1 at 2020 5:30 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 17:30:15 -0500

DAV, VFW, etc... are all very good about VSO. If someone ask you to pay them for help you on a VA claim, run away from them like the devil from the cross! They are scammers. I filed prior to retirement with the help from the VFW; no issues.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Jan 1 at 2020 6:13 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 18:13:36 -0500

Had an advocate, never received correspondence, didn't inform me he had moved out of state, so fired him joined DAV got immediate results and advice.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 1 at 2020 6:23 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 18:23:22 -0500

Look the VSO, are trained and doing it to help fellow Vets, they have been in your shoes. Paying someone to do the same thing is crazy (to me)

Response by SPC Dale Wilken made Jan 1 at 2020 7:11 PM

SPC Dale Wilken — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 19:11:49 -0500

I had the DAV for 4 years and never herd a word from them I was basically handling the case myself until 2011 when I asked for my cfile and they ask what was wrong. They screwed my case from the beginning filed wrong forms never followed up on anything I filed all my own from 9s. I would check with the VVA. I am on my 17th year and still waiting for a remand.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jan 1 at 2020 7:22 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 19:22:09 -0500

I use VA Claims Insider and have used a VSO. You get what you pay for. The VSO(s) I have had weren’t worth a shit. VA Claims insider has actually taken an interest in my VA claims and given me sound advice. They have a dog in the fight. They do not get any money until you don’t.

Response by PFC Joe McCallister made Jan 1 at 2020 8:34 PM

PFC Joe McCallister — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 20:34:33 -0500

Thanks for the info gentlemen. I sent a request for a phone call from VA claims insider before thanksgiving and haven’t heard anything from them yet. I was supposed get a call on the 18th of December. Didn’t happen. My DAV VSO has been on me like flies on poop to get my stuff filed. I am glad I went with the DAV. My final decision is supposed to be made by 4Dec2020. Hopefully that will happen a lot sooner. But I’m also ok with a years worth of back pay.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 1 at 2020 9:05 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 21:05:54 -0500

The only individual who may charge fees for their services are ACCREDITED LAWYERS & ACCREDITED CLAIMS AGENTS. These 2 never charge fees to file claims. It's illegal. These 2 may charge fees for appeals and MAY charge up to 33 1/3% of any accrued or back pay, if you will. Fees of 20% plus expenses are considered customary and over that can raise flags with the VA.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jan 1 at 2020 9:53 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 21:53:46 -0500

Met with DAV.. started using acronyms and the Rep could not follow me.. So I did it myself.. now at 194% ..VA calculator. Learn US code and VA regs.. regarding disability.. Lawyers have to learn it
So can you all on line, especially Schedule of Disabilities.

Response by 1SG Thomas Jasak made Jan 1 at 2020 10:23 PM

1SG Thomas Jasak — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 22:23:01 -0500

I used the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to be my representative 2 1/2 years ago and still use them and was very happy with their assistance. I also heard the DAV, VFW, American Legion are good depending on your area.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 12:36 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 00:36:29 -0500

AMVETS was great!

Response by Cpl Antonio Jefferson made Jan 2 at 2020 8:20 AM

Cpl Antonio Jefferson — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 08:20:08 -0500

DAV was a bad experience for me personally. I never heard anything back from them had to do everything my self. But the moment I got approved there was quick to take their cut though. But like I said this is my experience

Response by MSgt Christopher Ford made Jan 2 at 2020 10:47 AM

MSgt Christopher Ford — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 10:47:54 -0500

I joined the VFW and became a VSO - always learned by doing and helped a lot of fellow veterans along the way... On that note you get what you pay for, nobody cares about your claim as much as you do so educate yourself and seek guidance from as many resources as possible. If you have your ducks in a row and hands on all of your paperwork - should be fine, if not, it can be a struggle. Best place to start is your County and State Veterans Service Officer, they can assist greatly- next choose a VSO trained by the VA or your state. I personally refuse to pay anyone to assist with claims, there are just to many free resources to be had...

Response by CPT Peter Grafton made Jan 2 at 2020 10:43 PM

CPT Peter Grafton — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 22:43:29 -0500

I filed long after I retired at my wife's urging. I knew the staff at my local county VSO and they were very helpful. No reason to pay anyone IMHO. VSO is the right and easy answer as they are highly trained, and vets themselves.

Response by PFC Martin Pitcher made Jan 4 at 2020 1:11 AM

PFC Martin Pitcher — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 01:11:46 -0500

I had DAV myself and was approved in less than six months.

Response by MSgt Anton Nava made Jan 20 at 2020 9:44 PM

MSgt Anton Nava — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:44:15 -0500

Thank you ALL for insightful information.....just one thing though, ...what positive comments I’ve read mostly have to do with ‘today’s ‘ Military which have been fortunate enough to have had their medical problems entered into their Records..... Unlike Us Vietnam Veterans who had no such luck, not much can be done in the middle of battle or in some outpost or FOB ....We mostly are from another generation in mentality,...We did not ask or expected anything in return for our service....at least until now, specially when Agent Orange has come back to hunt Us after all this time....those of Us that thought we ‘dodged the bullet’ got it wrong....All we ask is for someone to help Us ....it’s clear the VA doesn’t want to have anything to do about our plight....so who does?....many VSOs don’t either, it’s too much work or bother for them...and most don’t even know what we went through.....what’s left? Die maybe....sad but true....if anyone out there has any contacts or information as to where to find a good DAV/VSO....PLEASE let Us know....We ALL Thank you

Response by SrA William Hallman made Feb 2 at 2020 7:14 PM

SrA William Hallman — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:14:06 -0500

Im a Viet Nam vet. Used the county vetrep. Got me 10% Filed appeal. Denied. Local VA doctors used to literally laugh at me. Said geez we get guys at 100% that dont even have half the problems you got. Went to DAV. 10 became 70% DAV said, no, appeal that. Now at 90%. DAV also told me i should file for reimbursement for pharmacy copays. Got a check for reimbursement of 18 months of copays. 76 bucks a month for 18 months. Im now a DAV lifetime member and cant say enough good things about them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2022 4:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 04:22:36 -0400

Folks need to be aware of VSO’s who claim to help but charge. They are scammers. I was getting ready to get out in 2019 and was contact by email then called by a man claiming to be retired Infantry wanting to help me “get the most out of my VA Claim” with a fee. His military lingo and demeanor was spot but everything about the claim sounded very suspicious. I never emailed back or answered his calls. When you separate call VFW, DAV, or your nearest VA to get a VSO who will assist you submit your claim free of charge.

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 19 at 2022 8:57 AM

SSgt Mathew Cummings — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 08:57:08 -0400

First off... there are 9 organizations right now that provide free filing and representation under the constitutional charter. They CAN NOT charge you. Anyone or any organization that charges you is a scam. That being stated, an organization like the DAV, VFW, American Legion, etc... is just that, the individual that you elect to represent you is still an individual. I am a VSO for the VFW. I know some VSO's that I wouldn't let pet my dog. I know some that I should have filed with when I got out. Pick your poison, the representing organization is not the solvency, the individual is. I will never pay a dime for what I earned the hard way. Best of luck to you.

Response by Patricia Dodge made Apr 19 at 2022 5:30 PM

Patricia Dodge — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 17:30:52 -0400

DAV lost my husband's claim. The guy retired and my husband's claim got lost, they took ABSOLUTELY NO ACCOUNTABILITY. We lost TONS OF TIME, IMPORTANT TIME WASTED. My husband was on his own. It was a nightmare crap show, to see how incompetent, lackadaisical, and frustrating to see the degree of run around due to the above. MILITARY INCOMPETANCE UP THE WAZOOO. LOST RECORDS, BURNED RECORDS, GOOD LUCK TRACING YOUR 22 YEAR MILITARY SERVICE...AND WHEN YOU DO, ALL YOUR DUCKS ARE FOUND, REFOUND, AND IN A ROW...YOU QUALIFY FOR 10% HEARING LOSS, BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE EMPLOYED BY THE VA, HE WAS SENT TO ANOTHER STATE, AT HIS EXPENSE, FOR THE SAME RESULT. NOT AN EASY TASK, SHAME ON THE DAV AND THE VA. AS HIS WIFE, IT TOOK ME LETTERS AND REQUESTS TO FIND THE LOST AND BURNED RECORDS...CRAP SHOW. HE WAS IN ARTILLERY FOR GOD SAKES, OF COURSE HIS HEARING IS FUKED BIG TIME! FRUSTRATING INDEED!

Response by PVT James Shanta made Nov 17 at 2023 11:25 AM

PVT James Shanta — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:25:27 -0500

I have used DAV as my VSO, file claims,etc. VACI was not very helpful, they did connect me to TeleMedica for my Nexus stuff, I still had to pay out of pocket $500-700 for that, they have nearly Never followed up w/me or my Claim, But would like to have $8,000 of my backpay and claim money if I get to 70%, (Imagine That..!!!) Very Disappointed in them. I could NEver recommend VACI in good faith. DAV has been good, but only to a point, they're not helpful on any advice, or the in the Weeds, stuff vets need. YEs, can they see easier with the VA system, Yes. In my experience, DAV has been helpful, but would rather have Concrete assistance in my Claim and process. I'm exploring the Legal Route, but unsure if I can. Chisholm , Chisholm & Kilpatrick, do VA stuff, but they declined, and gave no Reason. Hill & Ponton would not either, because I am still working.