Posted on Aug 29, 2023
PO3 Shauneille Peoples
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I had most of my injury surgies at Andrews AirForce base hospital. The VA is saying that means I get no benefits for my injuries. I find that hard, and they won't go to Andrews to get information saying I had the surgeries.
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Responses: 89
MSgt George Murray
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You need to talk to a VA advocate. They can get the ball rolling for you.
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SGT Charles Maggart
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Facebook. VA claims insider. Better than an attorney. Only pay if you get a rating. Check them out.
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PO1 Shauneille Peoples
PO1 Shauneille Peoples
>1 y
I have a phone interview tomorrow with the VA Service that is supposed to help. I will see what they say.
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SPC Ken Enright
SPC Ken Enright
>1 y
This company is a claim shark and is not accredited. I would not recommend using them. The Texas AG is suing them.
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PO2 Builder
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Lawyers charge 20% of back pay. DAV is free.
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TSgt William Meyer
TSgt William Meyer
>1 y
I look at it like this, I pay them 20% one time, but I gain more money in the long run with my increased disability rating for the rest of my life. So who comes out the winner at the end, me or my lawyer?
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PO2 Builder
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TSgt William Meyer I would say I came out the winner for getting an V.A. accredited Lawyer.
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CPT Board Member
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updated your topics for greater reach
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PO3 Shauneille Peoples
PO3 Shauneille Peoples
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Thank you, the upgrade got a lot more traction.
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CPT Board Member
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PO3 Shauneille Peoples - Happy to help!
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MSgt Neil Greenfield
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At least in Ohio, the various counties have their own Veterans Service Commissions.
These commissions provide free services such as helping Veterans get access to VA benefits. An example of one is below:
https://vets.franklincountyohio.gov/

Check your state.gov site for something similar.
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MSG Sitting
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Here are some links I would recommend you check out first: https://www.legion.org/
or https://www.dav.org/
or, long shot https://www.va.gov/POST911VETERANS/
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SP5 Larry (Lawrence) Pitman
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When I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer (Agent Orange, Vietnam), I had the surgery done at City of Hope. When I later applied for VA disability benefits, I began to receive $56 a month. It seemed like a trivial amount for losing an organ that is necessary for having children. A few years later, I met a vet who was part of an organization that provides free legal service to vets with disabilities. I signed up and went for an interview. He asked all the right questions and I discovered that many of the maladies that I have were service related. They filed the paperwork with the VA and I now get $657 per month. I suggest you contact Gold Coast Veterans Foundation email: [login to see]
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SPC Michael Budzinski
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For any to say an organization like the DAV or the American Legion is an excellent choice is purely based on their experience. Unfortunately it all comes down to the person despite the VSO. There are compassionate people, intelligent and resourceful individuals and of course there are ignorant POS’s too that simply fill out forms. It all comes down to you advocating for yourself and keeping in contact with whoever is assisting you asking what is needed. Please read my other post. It’s a long difficult process for most, plus when get where you want? It’s often not worth the price paid. Why suicide rates are so high. I would do anything to go back to a 50% health.
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LTC George Monsson
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I'm late to the discussion, it just popped up for me 5 months after you originally posted. Are you still in need of assistance?
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SGT Kerry Sommers
SGT Kerry Sommers
2 y
yes, 1 year and still waiting. VBA has a new story every time I call them.
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LTC George Monsson
LTC George Monsson
2 y
Sorry to here that. I'm not sure what state you are in but most states have a Veterans' Assistance Office that may be able to help you. Also, reach out to the offices of your US Representative and US Senators. Sometimes a query from a member of Congress will make beaucrats snap to attention.

Also, make sure that you have your story, what documentation you have, what documetation you need and what you want at the end (for example: 50% disability rating from the VA) organized in a logical order to present to someone who is unfamiliar with the situation. Make a timeline chart and list and note which points along the timeline need documentation. For example "Item 12: 2 MAR 2015, Entered Andrews AFB Hospital for surgery on left knee. Stayed 5 days. (Need documentation of entrance, procedures performed, and release date)"

Good luck and I hope this helps.
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PO1 Shauneille Peoples
PO1 Shauneille Peoples
2 y
Yes, I am trying to figure out how to get the medical records from Andrews Air Force Base
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SPC David C.
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Deuterman got results for my wife in two weeks flat. That's after the VA spent three years telling her to take a hike and DAVE proved themselves to be absolutely useless. Not sure if they stretch out to your area, but a private law firm that deals specifically with the VA is the way to go and totally worth their weight in gold.
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SGT Kerry Sommers
SGT Kerry Sommers
2 y
any recommendations on law firms??
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