Is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) a Scam or legit?

SGT Chris Birkinbine — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 21:40:38 -0500

I recently received a "welcome packet" in the mail from the DAV with my "Temporary Membership" card and a list of all the benefits they offer for a one time life time membership cost of $250  I went through their list of "free benefits" which seems to be a joke in more than one way, and noticed that every single benefit is something that is already offered by the VA itself, or the Wounded Warriors Project, and a few other organizations for FREE (IE no membership costs) It seems to be that the DAV is charging veterans for benefits they already can receive elsewhere for free. Do any of you have any experience with this orginization?

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Nov 19 at 2013 3:26 PM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 15:26:39 -0500

DAV is a legit organization. I do know that their "benefits" are probably not worth it outside the fact they can and will represent you in cases of unfair hiring practices etc etc.

Response by SPC Michael Hunt made Mar 17 at 2014 1:08 PM

SPC Michael Hunt — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 13:08:46 -0400

Thank you SGT for your service.  Yes, the DAV is a very "legit" organization. I have never given them a dime, yet they have worked tirelessly on my VA claim for more than 5 years. Some of their people are paid, but a lot of them are volunteers, but almost all of them are brothers and sisters... Veterans just like you and I lending helping hands to improve the quality of life for other Veterans coming home.

Response by CWO3 Bryan Luciani made Jul 27 at 2014 2:04 PM

CWO3 Bryan Luciani — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 14:04:51 -0400

The DAV acts as my representative to the VA. I am absolutely jealous of those above that have been properly represented by the DAV. I have not. My calls are not returned after they ask for me to leave a message. They are always "gone on training". When I finally reach my "Service Officer", he's short-tempered and rude. I'm owed $6000 that accumulated over the past three years due to a VA admin fubar, and these guys have been useless (as the VA is). This is completely my own opinion and I hope my fellow veterans get way better treatment than I have.

Response by SPC Darin Taylor made Aug 6 at 2014 9:18 AM

SPC Darin Taylor — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 09:18:00 -0400

The DAV was a great help in assisting me with my VA Service-Connected Disability Claim. I did not have to become a member to receive the assistance from the DAV. But after seeing what the DAV does for it's fellow Veterans in the community, I decided to become a lifetime member and learn to be a Service Officer to help other fellow Veterans. I have been a Chapter Service Officer since 2010 and have taken on the roll of Chapter Commander for DAV Chapter 7 in Jackson, TN and 8th District Commander of DAV Department of Tennessee. Becoming a DAV member to get assistance is not required, but I do encourage membership and Chapter participation to help keep the great work of the DAV going in your community.

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made Aug 11 at 2014 11:32 AM

SGT Chris Birkinbine — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 11:32:11 -0400

Thanks for the information everyone. From what I have put together here, they are a legit organization, however because they seem to charge the veteran for services, I think I will stick with the free ones I have been using and have not yet let me down.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2014 6:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 18:44:50 -0400

The DAV helped me with my disability paperwork. The fee, I believe would be to become a member. You do not need to become a member in order to get their help.

Response by LtCol Dave Jonas made Aug 25 at 2014 11:16 AM

LtCol Dave Jonas — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:16:27 -0400

DAV is as legit a veterans organization as they come. I am a life member myself. But what you need to remember is that one of the key functions many of these organizations provide is to lobby Congress for you so that you can receive the benefits you have earned. If you were awarded a disability by the VA, for example, as the budget problem worsens, many may propose cuts to VA benefits. If you don't think so, just wait a few years for when we are really broke. DAV will fight for you and for all benefits that go to disabled veterans. Unlike most organizations, they only offer a life membership, I believe, but it is a very reasonable price. I just paid my life membership to the American Legion and it was over $800. But I just hate being billed annually! I hope that helps.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 14 at 2015 8:16 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 20:16:37 -0500

I used these guys when getting my VA stuff squared away. They did a fantastic job for me. I didn't have to pay anything. I wasn't a member when they helped. I think like most organizations, it depends on who is helping from the organization.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 11:45 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 23:45:55 -0400

DAV is most certainly NOT a scam. It is an organization that helps veterans file disability claims with the VA. They get funded through donations and memberships.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 6 at 2015 11:46 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 23:46:04 -0400

I'm a life member of the DAV. And I did not join because of the free bees.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 10 at 2016 3:43 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:43:57 -0500

It's Legit, they helped me with my disability increase.

Response by PO2 TheTOTHF . made Mar 22 at 2016 10:00 PM

PO2 TheTOTHF . — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 22:00:45 -0400

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ward, Photojournalist
I don't believe you read well at all Chris Birkinbine. The reason for me saying this is "where did you ever get the idea that the DAV ever charges for any benefit?"
Click on this link to see what benefits DAV offers their members:
https://www.dav.org/membership/membership-benefits/
After reading the benefits in the link write down the benefits we non-members already have; following you doing this, then write down the benefits, "every single benefit, is something that is already offered by the VA itself;" Write exactly the benefits that you say they are charging for that we as non-member don't charge for. The DAV is as legit of an organization that you will ever find.

Bottom-Line: Let's cut to the chase: Wounded Warriors Project compared to Disabled American Veterans - Let's let a professional organization settle if the DAV is liget. The name of the organization is Charity Navigator, a charitable organization · charitynavigator.org - The organization is an American independent charity watchdog organization that evaluates charitable organizations in the United States.
First, Wounded Warriors Project:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12842#.VvHZkvsrLIU
Second, Disabled American Veterans
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7589#.VvHZXfsrLIU
My conclusion is, support these service groups, see them as one for one purpose which is to serve us disable American warrior veterans, and praise them all for standing fast for us active duty, us retired military, and us veterans. I'm thankful we have all of them. God Bless them all...

Oh, the DAV doors are and have always been open to helping and in great support to support and help us veterans, regardless if a veteran is a members or no a membert, ever since 1933 when they first and have always have opened their doors to us veterans. What you have me believing is that you never in fact ever received a "Welcome packet" from them, that you made it all up, and now you are to 'proud' to admit it...

DAV.org - Veterans Benefits for Membership.

Veterans Membership Benefits in the DAV include access to a wide range of money-saving and life-enhancing benefits for Veterans and their family.

Response by PO2 TheTOTHF . made Mar 22 at 2016 10:06 PM

PO2 TheTOTHF . — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 22:06:20 -0400

DAV.org - Veterans Benefits for Membership.

Veterans Membership Benefits in the DAV include access to a wide range of money-saving and life-enhancing benefits for Veterans and their family.

Response by PO1 James Campbell made Nov 5 at 2016 11:08 AM

PO1 James Campbell — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 11:08:44 -0400

Hey out there, I received a phone call from a number in Austin, Texas. I don't recall if they told me who they were. They were soliciting money for disabled veterans (DVs). When I told him that I was a disabled veteran, I don't even know if he heard me, he then asked for a $15.00 donation. I know that as a DV you get paid, so I don't know what kind of scam this is. The number is [login to see] . I hate it when people use our military and veterans to scam people. They need taken for everything they own and then have it spread out to help homeless vets. When you look up the number it should tell you who they are, if legit. This kind of stuff makes my blood boil.

Response by SP5 Joe Hyatt made Aug 23 at 2017 3:51 PM

SP5 Joe Hyatt — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:51:37 -0400

I am currently in need of assistance with a V.A. claim. However, DAV will not help me unless I pay for a lifetime membership. I have a letter from them stating so. So yes, it is a scam. They care more about money so they can play golf at the country club than they do about the veteran. It's best to avoid them at all costs.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Mar 14 at 2018 10:42 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 10:42:20 -0400

i’d Be careful of that pkg.... contact A D.A.V. Chapter near you and find out for sure if pkg is legit.... take it with you and show them. ..s’thing doesn’t read right !... I’m a D.A.V. Life member and haven’t read of them doing an pronmotion such as this
Verify it!

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 30 at 2018 11:29 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:29:16 -0400

DAV assisted with my claim and did an outstanding job

Response by PO2 Peter Kurganov made Apr 28 at 2018 12:39 AM

PO2 Peter Kurganov — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 00:39:38 -0400

I just became interested by what they have to offer, and signed up for membership. I'm pretty confident that I won't regret.

Response by SFC Jerald Bottcher made Jul 11 at 2018 4:10 PM

SFC Jerald Bottcher — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:10:54 -0400

It is a very legit organization. The lifetime membership is only $250. I joined after I had already received my disability determination. I joined as it is above all a volunteer group with my fellow veterans. We as a chapter spend a lot of money we raise on charitable projects, such as supporting our veterans transportation network, we have built ramps in houses, paid for houses to get re roofed, new water heaters and furnaces, etc. We only use about 15% of our funds for the chapter (sending people to conventions, seminars, we do buy meeting refreshments for out monthly meetings - coffee and donuts) our biggest chapter expense is our newsletter that we send out twice a year.) We do many more activities for our fellow vets, and it seems like there are costs to everything

The NSO (National Service Officers) will represent a veteran whether they join up or not. I have found that our service officers have done great work at getting vets the benefits they are entitled to.
I do not consider the membership fee's (250 for lifetime membership) as paying a fee to get a service, The American Legion is $45 a year or over $1200 for lifetime, and I do not see any services a member gets from them. The $250 lifetime membership is really just money to keep the national organization going and viable for the future. (DAV part life membership is $20 a year and goes towards your lifetime membership)
I have found that membership in the DAV is like anything else in life, you get out what you put in. I am active in my chapter and take part in all aspects of the organization. This includes a lot of volunteer work, hospital visitation, helping out fellow veterans and choosing how we spend our money. It also includes raising said money from various activities.

There are some who only look at what and organization will provide to them, They will not take part in the organization except to get what they want, but ask them to volunteer a little time and they say they do not have the time. (these are the ones who complain about the service organizations not being legit by the way)

Response by LTC Felipe Lara made Sep 17 at 2018 12:06 PM

LTC Felipe Lara — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:06:01 -0400

I asked DAV to helped me with my resume and with a VA claim after me medical retirement. They asked for over $100 for the resume assistance alone, I did not bother to ask for anything else. I went with another veteran organization in my area and received assistance free of charge for both services.

Response by CPO Matthew Way made Sep 19 at 2018 8:46 PM

CPO Matthew Way — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 20:46:48 -0400

I recently became a life member with the DAV. My member number is [login to see] 548. While I was paying my membership I misplaced my credit card on file and was contacted about three times from the DAV about my payment. I soon after got that situation straight and my membership is paid in full. I have since emailed about three time in reference of getting assistance in getting an increase and I can't get the DAV to respond. Seems like this organization only wants the membership and not willing to assist you with any help. Sad but this is my first impression.

Response by SP5 Robert Bigsby made Feb 13 at 2019 12:48 PM

SP5 Robert Bigsby — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 12:48:25 -0500

The DAV in Brandon, Fl., is absolute garbage. I have a local chapter that closes for the entire year unless the snow birds that run it area in town. I went tot he next closest chapter in Tampa and it took them WEEKS to just pick up the phone, and then they just said whatever, you could tell it was staffed entirely with self serving old people. A garbage organization that does nothing but cash checks from veterans while only serving the VA

Response by SP5 Alex Kovac made Feb 14 at 2019 10:36 AM

SP5 Alex Kovac — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 10:36:01 -0500

Chis,
On the contrary, not only legit, DAV is among the top three (VSO's) Veteran Service Organizations comprised of dedicated Veterns with a goal of helping their fellow mankind- Veterans. The DAV as other VSO Organizations have paid Service Officers with an responsibly of assisting Veterans with their claims, however not only do they have paid SO'

Response by MSgt James Jones made May 29 at 2019 9:41 PM

MSgt James Jones — Wed, 29 May 2019 21:41:15 -0400

DAV will charge. They say "it's a donation ". WWP is much. better.

Response by SPC Richard Lehmann made Sep 28 at 2020 10:16 PM

SPC Richard Lehmann — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 22:16:35 -0400

DAV is a legit organization. Although I've only been an active Member in a local chapter for 3 years, I've been a Life-Member for 30 years now. Like other old-line Veterans Service Organizations (American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, VVA, etc) it struggles to remain relevant with younger Members...but that doesn't take away from the importance of its Mission...and the free services it provides to all Veterans.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 9 at 2021 6:28 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:28:51 -0500

DAV is a good charity according to Charity Navigator. 95% of the money they raise goes to their charitable missions. Their fund raising can be seen as aggressive or irritating. I send them a small amount each year

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2021 9:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:04:09 -0500

The DAV helped with my disability paperwork and I never became a member.

Response by SSgt Ronald Bennett made Mar 23 at 2021 8:07 AM

SSgt Ronald Bennett — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 08:07:32 -0400

I was a member of DAV for many years. They would flat out lie to me about my rights and do nothing to help. DAV is a subsidiary of the corrupt VA. DAV has wiped countless claims of Veterans.

Response by SPC Joe Sullivan made Dec 23 at 2021 2:58 PM

SPC Joe Sullivan — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 14:58:04 -0500

I did have experience with the DAV since 2010 to present date. As soon as i can I'm dropping them they have done nothing for me. I filed for increase in my VA. I was told if i lose the appeal i have to wait 7 years to file again. So i had to hire a law firm to help me get my disability increase just waiting to find out what the VA says. I know i will join the American Legion before i let the DAV do anything for me ever

Response by SPC Joe Sullivan made Feb 5 at 2022 9:52 PM

SPC Joe Sullivan — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 21:52:22 -0500

SGT Birkinbine hopefully you see this stay away from the DAV.I had them as a POA from 2006 to 2/4/2022. Every time i put in for upgraded on my disability i get turn down. I call the DAV in Indiana i was told if i lose the appeal i have to wait 7 years to reapply and starting over. They did nothing for me whatsoever i had to get outside help to get my VA rating from 30% to 70%. And then i get a letter from them saying it our honor being your POA. There usless

Response by SPC Daniel Alexander made Feb 10 at 2023 8:38 AM

SPC Daniel Alexander — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 08:38:14 -0500

DAV is a great resource for veterans. There are some bad people working for them as there are everywhere. For me I started working with one of their people and quickly realized he was not going to try much to help. I went with another of their people and she not only helped me through the process but called and updated me frequently. The organization is legit there are of course people who shouldn't be working for them but you get that everywhere if you talk to more than one it is easy to find DAV workers willing to help all they can.