Hi Jim,

I recently attended New York State Division of Veteran's Affairs Refresher Training. The VA Regional office is really starting to push DBQ's in a big way. The Regional VA is under pressure to complete claims and increase their number of Fully Developed Claims. As a result, they are pushing the DBQ's.

From time to time I run into Vets who filed their own original claims and want advice on an increase or secondary conditions. Often, these claims are done very well and we are happy to help even if we don't take Power of Attorney. I could care less about taking POA so long as the Veteran or Dependent gets a fair decision. My brother lives in Florida and I often file a claim for a neighbor, co-worker, or family member every time I go on vacation. Taking POA over a claim is overrated.

However, sometimes I run into a Vet that tried hard but made a mess of things.

Please remind Guys and Gals that nothing is more important than taking your time and doing it right in the first place. I will gladly help clean up a mess. I'm a Vet and truly love being an advocate. Try to avoid doing VA form 21-4142's for release of medical records. Get medical records yourself and/or send them with a completed DBQ. Make it easy for the VA to approve your claim. Do not submit partial claims. Submit complete claims with all appropriate supporting information. Make it so the VA has everything they need to make a decision. Plus, brevity is appreciated.

Also, do not be afraid to ask a doctor to write a letter of complete a DBQ. We often forget the doctors work for us and not the other way around. Sometimes Doctors do a poor job on VA form 21-2680's or DBQ's. Veteran shouldn't be afraid to ask the doctor to do it again or go back and answer all the questions. Be firm but polite. Sometimes you have to be patient and stand up for yourself if you want to be treated fairly.

If you choose to work with a County or State VSO, make sure they are accredited. Don't be afraid to talk to a few VSO's before you file your claim. You should trust your VSO and be confident that they are very good at what they do.

However, be wary of the "Traveling VAN VSO's". I don't like most those guys. Certain Service Organizations will send a Van around towns once or twice a year and make all sorts of promises to Veterans. In my experience, the take power of attorney and may send in a few forms but then they disappear. They don't return phone calls or help develop claims. The Veteran is then left to fend for themselves. In my opinion, most of those dopes do more harm than good. It isn't often that a properly done claim can be done in one visit in the back of a van.

Thanks again. Have a Great Weekend!

Reply:

Thank you. That is the best advice we can offer to veterans. I've been preaching similar thoughts for years. If a veteran has a well grounded claim, if the veteran has even minimal evidence of the event or circumstance that caused or contributed to the claimed condition and if the veteran can show a current diagnosis of a disabling condition that is somehow connected to the history of the injury or illness, the veteran will prevail.

Most vets don't get it. Most vets want to walk into the office of anyone who represents themselves as an expert and they want to hand all the grunt work over to a stranger. Most vets have a strong sense of entitlement and they don't want to hear about laws, rules or regulations.

Doing the claim right the first time is more than just a slogan. I've never seen a well written claim (or "fully developed" claim) that wasn't awarded the appropriate rating...eventually. No matter how well developed a claim is during 2013, I caution vets to plan on a 2 year wait for a decision. If the decision gets to the veteran in 2 months rather than 2 years, great. But no veteran should build their future financial plans thinking VA will send them a check tomorrow and solve their problems.

This system isn't as difficult as most want to portray it if a vet will put just a little thought and effort into it.

Finally, although you're a VSO and one of the best, I will always recommend that most veteran do their claims themselves. A reasonably intelligent veteran who is willing to spend 2 or 3 hours of learning a few rules and posting a letter or two can do as well and usually better than any VSO. There will always be veterans who need your help but most really don't. When a vet gets snarled up with a less than competent VSO, that meeting can foul up a simple claim for years.

Nobody cares about your claim the way you do. DIY and get it done right.

It just isn't that difficult.