SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Questions & Answers
INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question carefully. If you are able to answer question appropriately use the form below the question to respond. Your name will not appear on the public answer page. Only your initials and date of your response will be visible.
Q561: I’m not getting any help from my VSO. I gave him documents for 6 service-connected claims to the VA, but he only put in one for me. He said it was his opinion the other five I gave him did not warrant a service-connected claim. I didn’t know it was his job to make that determination. I got service-connected for tinnitus at 10%. My VSO refused to turn in my claims for diabetes, skin rashes, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, and arthritis. I’m a Vietnam veteran who served over a year in Vietnam I’m sure my problems are the result of being there. What can I do to convince him to turn in my medical documentation to the VA?
If you have a question about benefits, compensation, pension or VA related issues please submit here.
Use Form Below To Respond
A1: I hate to say it but this is pretty much the norm with VSO's. My advise is to take charge of your own claim process and get logged into eBenefits and file your own claim. As a Vietnam vet some of your conditions are presumptives for Agent Orange exposure so they should be no problem. FYI, I've helped other veterans file claims through the eBenefits system, many of them with more than 15 disabilities on a single claim. So, take charge of your future and cut out the middleman. Please feel free to contact me directly and I will be more than happy to assist you through this process. Good Luck. (TB) 11/3/20
A2: Go to another VSO. I used the DAV, other VSO's are viet nam veterans, VFW and American Legion. You may have to produce documentation from an outside doctor for your conditions or from your primary care doctor which I do not recommend. (BF) 11/3/20
A3: Your VSO is not the only one who can file your claim. Just go to someone else, like the VA Hospital, and other veteran organizations. (LC) 11/3/20
A4: I would have to disagree with answer A1. Your situation should NOT be the norm.
I am a VSO with over 10,000 claims under my belt. When I assist a veteran, I explain the rating criteria for each item the veteran wishes to claim. Once the veteran understands the criteria, often they decide to not file the claim.
However, if a veteran comes to my office and wants to file a claim saying the military turned him into a bologna sandwich and he insist, I will help him file the claim. I will also ask if he preferers mustard or mayo.
It is the veteran's claim, it is NOT the VSO's claim. Nor am I the middle man. I am a professional veteran's representative who is very proud of the work that I do and the success we have in our office. When you come to our office you will depart well versed in VA law and how your claim will proceed.
When A1 says to cut out the middle man, in some situations you are cutting out a lifetime of experience and training in the law and the VA compensation system.
Instead of cutting out the middle man, I would suggest you fire your current LAZY VSO, report him to his superiors and then find an advocate who will work for you. Find a new VSO here.
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search (RJ) 11/3/20
A5: Your VSO needs to be reported to the National Veteran's Administration. As a former VFW Post Commander and Service Officer trained in several courses of said services, the first thing a VSO is taught is that he/she does NOT make the decision of whether or not a health issue is or is not Service Connected, the VSO IS COMPELLED to send in the forms on your behalf. That is it! Your VSO needs to be reported, and replaced. You can contact an attorney who deals with VA appeals to back up what I have just stated. There is one or more always listed in the VA Magazine, and at most VA Hospitals there are several VSOs from different veterans organizations ready and willing to assist you. The guy that told you NO needs to be retrained or sent to the curb! This, especially if you are a Vietnam veteran. Also, your US Senator or US House Rep office within your state often has a Veterans Liaison Officer who is well trained to advise and assist. Best of luck and keep your chin up for the challenge. Glad you made it home. (DH) 11/3/20
A6: Your diabetes is it 1 OR 2? 2 is linked to AO. ED linked to diabetes. If you were in Nam you were exposed to AO. Look up presumptive disease. (DH) 11/3/20
A7: You have a vet advocate that sounds like he is making his own decisions, not good for you. What i would do is find another Veteran's Advocate at your local V.A. facility, or your local American legion, or your county of the aging. You need someone who is on your side. Good Luck. (EM) 11/3/20
A8: He needs to find another service officer. (RS) 11/3/20
A9: change to another VSO. (JC) 12/11/21
A10: As a former VFW Post Commander and Service Officer (trained very well in Sacramento, CA), one of the first things I was taught as a veteran's service officer is that you as a VSO, have absolutely no right to tell an applicant of a health situation that he or she should not apply for a service connected health issue, or that he or she will not get it if submitted. Your VSO is totally off on that one and should be reported to the responsible VA officials either in your state or in Washington, DC. He or she needs to be properly retrained or let go. Absolutely irresponsible. (DH) 12/11/21
A11: I contact the patient adovacate, I would submit them online. I do not trust some VSOs. One used his position to claim unwanted compensation. (MR) 12/11/21
A12: You're right, it wasn't his job to choose what you file for. He can guide you as to what is written about certain things. The solution is as simple as you think it is - fina another SO. (KD) 12/11/21
A13: Drop this VSO and contact Disabled American Veterans (DAV), then allow them to file claims for disability for you. They are professional, thorough and place the veteran's (you) interests ahead of politics. (LM) 12/11/21
A14: You are correct. Our job is to advise you of what you need to do. We do not file any fraudulent claims, but we file for everything the veteran feels are related to their service and should be service connected. We also advise the veteran on claims we feel should be service connected by direct or secondary service connection. You should probably seek council from another VSO. Find out who their supervisor is and explain what's happened to you. (DS) 12/13/21
A15: It is not the job of the VSO to determine what claims to file and what not to file for. You can contact another Veteran Service Organization and see if they have VSO and get them to file your claim. (GR) 12/29/21