Who do you believe represents Veterans with Comp & Pension reviews at the VA? Do you think it is DAV, PVA, VFW, or others?

PO2 Robert M. — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:59:55 -0500

Response by PO2 Geoffrey Surprenant made Feb 20 at 2017 2:07 PM

PO2 Geoffrey Surprenant — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 14:07:21 -0500

My understanding is that the DAV is the best advocate if you need to file a claim. I've been told that they are the only ones the VA actually fears...

Response by MSgt C Madd made Feb 20 at 2017 2:31 PM

MSgt C Madd — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 14:31:01 -0500

PO2 Robert M. I used AmVets and was very happy with their service.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 2:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 14:36:27 -0500

I was not happy at all with my VFW rep. They were super flaky and hard to get ahold of. My experience might not be representative of the organization as a whole, but it definitely left me with a sour taste and I don't think I would use them again.

Response by SSgt Timothy Smith made Feb 20 at 2017 2:36 PM

SSgt Timothy Smith — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 14:36:31 -0500

I used the VFW and the local VA Rep in my home town. They had my claim filed and approved in less than six months.

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 20 at 2017 6:02 PM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 18:02:12 -0500

really does not matter... so far they have done an AFU Job... from the Top Down...

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Feb 20 at 2017 6:27 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 18:27:46 -0500

I'd talk with other vets in your geographic area. In Pennsylvania we have a strong representation by county veterans offices that are part of the County government. That said, it really all depends upon the individuals you are working with. For me, the County office did a good job, but they had a personnel change and the new people are not as attentive. Ended up switching to DAV (who I've heard good things about in many areas) and they seem to have a strong program. Your fellow vets would have experience and could probably make a good recommendation

Response by SSG Donald "Don" Lloyd made Feb 20 at 2017 6:36 PM

SSG Donald "Don" Lloyd — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 18:36:28 -0500

Took me 1 year to try and raise my percentage, 1 month for the VA to deny. 30 months on appeal and approved. I had the DAV and Congressman.

Response by SFC William H. made Feb 20 at 2017 8:04 PM

SFC William H. — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:04:07 -0500

Lawyer specializing in VA disability with Congressional help. Good luck to you.

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Feb 20 at 2017 8:15 PM

GySgt Melissa Gravila — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:15:33 -0500

GO THROUGH THE DAV PEOPLE!!! We have service officers specifically trained to assist with comp & disability pension benefits. For the record, your disability can be reviewed every 3 years FYI

Response by SFC Derrick Harris made Feb 20 at 2017 9:03 PM

SFC Derrick Harris — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 21:03:14 -0500

I am a member is DAV,VFW,American Legion,Iraq and Afghanistan I did my on foot work I am 100% VA and SSD and PT these organizations let me down big time they are drinking they alcohol and beers instead of helping Veterans sad

Response by LCpl Shane Lillard made Feb 20 at 2017 10:00 PM

LCpl Shane Lillard — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 22:00:43 -0500

I've only worked with the DAV, they are horrible, and on several occasions have been treated VERY rude! Including being told it's my fault and I'm lazy because my Rep will not respond to calls or messages.

Response by CPT David McDonald made Feb 21 at 2017 10:29 AM

CPT David McDonald — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 10:29:41 -0500

I hope the answer is none of the above. Not one of those organizations could help me when I sought their help to get my pension correct.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Feb 21 at 2017 12:33 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 12:33:59 -0500

In my experience as a DAV service officer, we succeeded in the vast majority of our claims and had very few that even needed to do an NOD if the claim was legit. The rub laid in where we knew claims were not going to get approved but were required to submit them anyway...

Response by Sgt Shannon Barradas made Feb 22 at 2017 10:02 AM

Sgt Shannon Barradas — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 10:02:10 -0500

DAV helps preparing the claims but the actual Comp & Pension is done by the VA. All service groups try to help prepare the veteran for the C&P exam.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Feb 22 at 2017 10:55 AM

SFC Andrew Miller — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 10:55:18 -0500

These organizations are just like any other. You have the good, the bad, and the ugly within the group. A service officer from any of these organizations is there to assist, advise, and advocate when needed for the veteran or their eligible dependent. They DO NOT adjudicate, only the VA does.

Statistics show that a veteran who uses a VSO to represent them will receive on average 50% more compensation than one who files on their own. Obviously, there are exceptions.

Having gone through training sessions with multiple organizations, I can tell you that DAV and NACVSO have the best trained service officers. That does not always equate to "good", but at least they have a leg up.

Always start with ensuring that the person you are working with is accredited with the VA as a VSO representative or attorney.
https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp

OGC - Accreditation Search

Download Complete Lists of Accredited Attorneys, Claims Agents, or Representatives in Excel (please close excel before downloading)

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Feb 22 at 2017 12:57 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 12:57:48 -0500

DAV

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made Feb 22 at 2017 2:04 PM

TSgt Dawn Premock — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 14:04:22 -0500

I used a state representative.

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Feb 22 at 2017 5:39 PM

CWO2 John Markiewicz — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:39:40 -0500

They all will represent you and they all will do a pretty good job. The DAV tends to have much better and lengthier training as well as an excellent National Service Office Staff that reviews and forwards all of the claims to the VA. They tend to do a better job of tracking them as well. Of course they have no more control than any other Veterans Service Organization over the VA Bureaucracy and about the only way they can expedite anything is by ensuring the claims are fully developed before they reach the VA raters.