211
211
0
Filing a claim for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is actually quite simple. It is what comes after you file that can cause much headache, heartburn and consternation for the veteran and/or their family members.
One of the things you must know out the gate is that the VA is obliged under law to assist you in obtaining all pertinent information regarding your claim. The VA can assist in obtaining your medical and service records. It is its job to do so. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, due to the requirements of the service member’s job (MOS/AFSC) those records may not always be readily available. This is especially so if your duties involves Special Operations units. Those records many times are classified and extra hoops must be jumped to get access. This also applies to medical records. It is not impossible but it can be more difficult. If you are/were a special operator, you need to be aware of this up front. That is one of the more difficult aspects of getting through the VA claims process.
Most of the time, navigating the VA is not that difficult but it is time consuming. Even the simplest of claims can take several months. More difficult cases have taken years. That is sad because in the interim, the veteran and his family may suffer from continuing issues, financial strains & stresses that can compound matters leading to other more serious problems. You, the Veteran, needs to educate yourself and have as much info as possible before you begin. If the VA needs more information, it will ask you for it.
The first thing you can do if you are in the military now and something I suggest to everyone considering the military for either a one or two term enlistment or a career, keep a copy of every, EVERY piece of paper that you get that has your name on it. Whether you file those papers away in a hard file or scan them into a computer, KEEP IT ALL! You never know when it might come in handy or necessary. On a personal note, keeping my very first passport helped me prevail on a claim as it proved I was boots on the ground in Vietnam.
The VA started out as a very honorable venture. "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan" (Abraham Lincoln).
Since that time the VA has blossomed and ballooned into one of the largest (and most bureaucratic) organizations dedicated to veterans in the world. In spite of its size and capabilities it does not know everything about you, your health, the bases or posts you were assigned to or the things done at those installations.
The military is usually pretty good at keeping records and even better at keeping things secret. That does not mean things cannot be found out and uncovered. A common phrase I hear is, deny, deny, deny until we all die. This is where your tenacity comes into effect. You must keep fighting for your due. You must keep fighting; keep looking for that one missing piece of data that will win your award. As long as you respond within the timeframes given by the VA, your clock on that claim keeps running. The old adage, the sooner, the better, is a rule to live by. You have absolutely nothing to lose by filing a claim for disability benefits. Every day you wait is a day missed that you could possibly be compensated and cared for by the VA. You have to prove your case to the VA but they also must help you.
You do not have to bear this battle alone. In addition to the VA and your own personal records and knowledge there are other resources available to help you. All of the fraternal service organizations, the VFW, American Legion, DAV, AMVETS, VVA, etc. all have service officers to help you with your claims. You also DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER of any particular organization to use its service officer. Most counties and parishes across the US have service officers that do nothing but assist veterans. In addition to these resources there are Accredited Attorneys and Accredited Claims Agents who also assist veterans in the claims process. Filing a claim costs you nothing…nothing but your time to do the paperwork. I also recommend you look for a service officer, attorney or claims agent in the same manner you would buy a car. Find someone with whom you feel comfortable. Then proceed from there. If at any time you lose confidence in that person, look for another. It costs you nothing to change your representative in filing a claim.
James “Jim” Gilmore is a 100% rated Disabled Veteran from the Vietnam War. He is a VA Accredited Claims Agent. Jim lives in Thailand with his wife Lisa and helps serve the US Veterans residing in Thailand and surrounding countries.
One of the things you must know out the gate is that the VA is obliged under law to assist you in obtaining all pertinent information regarding your claim. The VA can assist in obtaining your medical and service records. It is its job to do so. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, due to the requirements of the service member’s job (MOS/AFSC) those records may not always be readily available. This is especially so if your duties involves Special Operations units. Those records many times are classified and extra hoops must be jumped to get access. This also applies to medical records. It is not impossible but it can be more difficult. If you are/were a special operator, you need to be aware of this up front. That is one of the more difficult aspects of getting through the VA claims process.
Most of the time, navigating the VA is not that difficult but it is time consuming. Even the simplest of claims can take several months. More difficult cases have taken years. That is sad because in the interim, the veteran and his family may suffer from continuing issues, financial strains & stresses that can compound matters leading to other more serious problems. You, the Veteran, needs to educate yourself and have as much info as possible before you begin. If the VA needs more information, it will ask you for it.
The first thing you can do if you are in the military now and something I suggest to everyone considering the military for either a one or two term enlistment or a career, keep a copy of every, EVERY piece of paper that you get that has your name on it. Whether you file those papers away in a hard file or scan them into a computer, KEEP IT ALL! You never know when it might come in handy or necessary. On a personal note, keeping my very first passport helped me prevail on a claim as it proved I was boots on the ground in Vietnam.
The VA started out as a very honorable venture. "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan" (Abraham Lincoln).
Since that time the VA has blossomed and ballooned into one of the largest (and most bureaucratic) organizations dedicated to veterans in the world. In spite of its size and capabilities it does not know everything about you, your health, the bases or posts you were assigned to or the things done at those installations.
The military is usually pretty good at keeping records and even better at keeping things secret. That does not mean things cannot be found out and uncovered. A common phrase I hear is, deny, deny, deny until we all die. This is where your tenacity comes into effect. You must keep fighting for your due. You must keep fighting; keep looking for that one missing piece of data that will win your award. As long as you respond within the timeframes given by the VA, your clock on that claim keeps running. The old adage, the sooner, the better, is a rule to live by. You have absolutely nothing to lose by filing a claim for disability benefits. Every day you wait is a day missed that you could possibly be compensated and cared for by the VA. You have to prove your case to the VA but they also must help you.
You do not have to bear this battle alone. In addition to the VA and your own personal records and knowledge there are other resources available to help you. All of the fraternal service organizations, the VFW, American Legion, DAV, AMVETS, VVA, etc. all have service officers to help you with your claims. You also DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER of any particular organization to use its service officer. Most counties and parishes across the US have service officers that do nothing but assist veterans. In addition to these resources there are Accredited Attorneys and Accredited Claims Agents who also assist veterans in the claims process. Filing a claim costs you nothing…nothing but your time to do the paperwork. I also recommend you look for a service officer, attorney or claims agent in the same manner you would buy a car. Find someone with whom you feel comfortable. Then proceed from there. If at any time you lose confidence in that person, look for another. It costs you nothing to change your representative in filing a claim.
James “Jim” Gilmore is a 100% rated Disabled Veteran from the Vietnam War. He is a VA Accredited Claims Agent. Jim lives in Thailand with his wife Lisa and helps serve the US Veterans residing in Thailand and surrounding countries.
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Healthcare
Disabled Veterans
Vietnam War
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Healthcare Disabled Veterans Vietnam War
Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 74
1
1
0
Some times it is easy and other time you just want to shit yourself
I was at the VA and they called the ambulance to take me to the survey in the hospital. That was 2.5 years ago and I am still trying to get them to pay the bill
I was at the VA and they called the ambulance to take me to the survey in the hospital. That was 2.5 years ago and I am still trying to get them to pay the bill
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Then why can I not get anyone to help me fight for my benefits with the VA and I have been trying for years and get nowhere? I joined the DAV as a life member as someone said they are great at helping I have emailed for someone to call and meet with me to at least go over my service, what I have and what I don't and direction to go in and no response.
At this point I am hurt, angry, disappointed beyond belief that my country and government have deserted me when I need them; sorry no faith in any of them anymore. I love this country - I served with honor, as my entire family has since 1060 AD with William the Conqueror, to my Great Grandfather Lt. Willaim Brace who fought with George Washington during the American Revolution (DAR), my grandfather in the World War, my Uncle in Vietnam, myself in Desert Storm, my daughter trying to go in as a combat flight nurse and my youngest next year as OD; I am proud of my family, our military heritage and this country and will until my death as there is none like her.
I am open to ideas and help if someone can give some that will be a true resource in getting me true assistance, resources, and help but at this point won't hold my breath from this government. God Bless this country, our military and veterans to whom we owe everything.
B Brace (Dsgt)
At this point I am hurt, angry, disappointed beyond belief that my country and government have deserted me when I need them; sorry no faith in any of them anymore. I love this country - I served with honor, as my entire family has since 1060 AD with William the Conqueror, to my Great Grandfather Lt. Willaim Brace who fought with George Washington during the American Revolution (DAR), my grandfather in the World War, my Uncle in Vietnam, myself in Desert Storm, my daughter trying to go in as a combat flight nurse and my youngest next year as OD; I am proud of my family, our military heritage and this country and will until my death as there is none like her.
I am open to ideas and help if someone can give some that will be a true resource in getting me true assistance, resources, and help but at this point won't hold my breath from this government. God Bless this country, our military and veterans to whom we owe everything.
B Brace (Dsgt)
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Yea, it's simple to file. It is also simple to be treated with disregard and disrespect from the Va once you do.
(1)
(0)
1SG Charles Coleman
SSgt Jim Gilmore I was going for an increase from 80% due to neck surgery related to military service and I had to go for another C&P exam. The Dr was a complete idiot and didn't even listen to my answers and was writing on a piece of paper. Luckily I have had multiple exams over the years and knew what it should have been like.
I got a call a week or so later from the VA for a survey about my care and I completely thru the guy under the bus. I gave them his name and told them exactly the way I was treated and said he was a disgrace to the VA.
Well a few days later I got a call from the nurse at the same local VA here in MA to schedule a new C&P exam! I was shocked.
I went for the new exam and I sailed thru easily. The Dr said the other guy was new at doing the exams, but he would not be conducting any others. They sent him back to Podiatry since he was a Podiatrist. He was about 60 yrs old and was just a jerk. If I have a foot problem I will probably go to the VA in NH and not that one.
I guess those annoying surveys from the VA really do have a purpose, at least in my case.
I got a call a week or so later from the VA for a survey about my care and I completely thru the guy under the bus. I gave them his name and told them exactly the way I was treated and said he was a disgrace to the VA.
Well a few days later I got a call from the nurse at the same local VA here in MA to schedule a new C&P exam! I was shocked.
I went for the new exam and I sailed thru easily. The Dr said the other guy was new at doing the exams, but he would not be conducting any others. They sent him back to Podiatry since he was a Podiatrist. He was about 60 yrs old and was just a jerk. If I have a foot problem I will probably go to the VA in NH and not that one.
I guess those annoying surveys from the VA really do have a purpose, at least in my case.
(4)
(0)
SSgt Jim Gilmore
1SG Charles Coleman Glad you had a good experience from your survey. It's not good to be jerked around when trying to get help.
(3)
(0)
1
1
0
I have classified portions of my records. For example I have no places listed it just says classified. It has nothing for combat either? You say classified has more hoops what are those hoops Vietnam Veteran been battling for years?
(1)
(0)
SSgt Jim Gilmore
In Vietnam, many operations marked classified also included medical records for those periods and the USAF, especially, kept poor records to even allow a guess as to where they might be found.
(2)
(0)
LCpl Douglas Elfving
The common lie told to friends (and particularly girlfriends and wives) by Vietnam War wannabes (a group that continues to outnumber actual in-country Vietnam War veterans by twenty to one [f1], is that they cannot produce a DD-214 or other military-issued documents confirming their (heroic/valorous) service in Vietnam because their military record files "remain classified" due to their "top secret" assignments in Vietnam.
Of course, those of us who actually served in Vietnam and held equal or higher than SECRET security clearances know well that security classifications were/are always on a need-to-know basis as well as sharply defined and limited to specific operations or assignments. And never, in any case, is/was a military 201 jacket (or individual personnel file) classified in full. But what many Americans don't know is that all Vietnam War records have been de-classified for over 13 years since 1994... and there is no, repeat not a single, Vietnam War incident, operation, mission, or military person who's activities remain classified since 10 November 1994.
Of course, those of us who actually served in Vietnam and held equal or higher than SECRET security clearances know well that security classifications were/are always on a need-to-know basis as well as sharply defined and limited to specific operations or assignments. And never, in any case, is/was a military 201 jacket (or individual personnel file) classified in full. But what many Americans don't know is that all Vietnam War records have been de-classified for over 13 years since 1994... and there is no, repeat not a single, Vietnam War incident, operation, mission, or military person who's activities remain classified since 10 November 1994.
(1)
(0)
LCpl Douglas Elfving
Executive Order 12937 on Bulk Declassification
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States ofAmedca, it is hereby ordered:
(1)
(0)
LCpl Douglas Elfving
Can you post a copy of that record that says "classified"... I'll get the actual document for you via FOIA...
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Forget the Lt's and Cpts, you're gonna need a handful of hard-charging Sergeants to navigate the VA.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
The VA in my area, Battle Creek, Michigan, has gotten much worse with the passing of time. Example; I had recently hurt my back severely enough that I felt it warranted a trip to the ER at the VA. Of course, the usual questions arose; have you ever tried committing suicide, are you contemplating hurting yourself or others, etc., to which I respectfully declined to answer stating those questions had nothing to do with my back. I asked the nurse if I would be refused treatment based off my refusal in answering those questions. She assured me that wasn't the case. Because I wouldn't answer, the nurse told me I would be subject to a mental health exam before I could receive treatment. The physician came in, and asked about my hesitancy in answering those questions. First, I told him I was also a doctor, which he didn't believe initially, partly because of the way I was dressed, (shorts, tank top, and sneakers). After being treated so poorly, I got up and left, leaving my fiancé in the room while I got the car. When I went to pick her up, she calmed me down enough to coax me to come back in; which I did. The doctor apologized for treating me so poorly and we continued the exam. He then left to get my prescription written so I could leave. In the interim, another knock came on my door. It was the shrink. Being of the same profession, we chatted for close to an hour. During this conversation, he let it slip that he would let his staff now know it was okay to proceed with my treatment until final release. This solidified the fact for me that I'll NEVER go to a VA clinic for anything ever again to be treated with such willful arrogance, disrespect, or mistreatment again.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
just got my VA disability rating (70%). I am retired active duty 20 yrs. Am I eligible for concurrent receipt? And am I missing anything else??
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
What does one do when they were sent TDY but no orders were ever cut? It happened to me, as I'm sure it happened to plenty of others. A friend of mine who was stationed in country, in Korea, was sent TDY for a while to the demilitarized zone. It is one of the areas Agent Orange was used. There was no TDY orders cut, and now he's had a heart attack and developed other heart related issues, and even though he has signed statements from others there with him including his CO, and also photos, the VA don't believe him. He's been fighting with them for years, so far to little avail.
(0)
(0)
SSgt Jim Gilmore
Buddy letters copies of travel vouchers, personal photos all help. Find a good VSO willing to fight.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I have been trying to get assistance from the VA here at Togus since 2003 and have not had ANY HELP at all. They just turn me down and leave me hanging.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Hard part is finding a doctor willing to review medical records and sign off on it. I have been denied by family doctor and specialist to review my documents.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google