SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Veterans Share How They Won
Robert DiFilippo, Air Force Veteran
I was medically retired @ 80% from the Legacy Program in 2010. It took me a month to see the CVSO. When I did, all she did was fill out a few forms and mailed it to the VARO. She told me that one of the VSOs at the VARO will be in contact with you. So she basically passed the buck to them. I received one letter from them saying they received the paperwork from the CVSO. When I called the number and asked for the person who signed the letter, I was told that she will not be handling your case. So I talked to them and he basically told me that he was too busy to do anything and that he only took the VSO job was so that he could try to increase his own claim. Later on I changed my election to the American Legion, however the VARO never changed it, so it was still the DAV. Personally, I think that they are all the same, useless and clueless. So I do not even fool with them anymore. I filed all of my paperwork myself for my claim. It took almost 3 years to get a rating. But it was worth it because I was rated at 100% plus I received one SMC too.
Nick Paczkowski, Navy Veteran
I received my disability in what many would consider, record time. Only 4 months from the filing. During this time, I found so many vet friends who had been in the system for months and months without even getting a C & P exam. I studied, and became an independent accredited representative, and starting looking into many of these claims. As friends started coming to me with denied, 10% and 20% ratings, I found that so many were represented by Veteran Organizations local "Service Officers". I believe that their intentions were honorable, but they didn't bother to search out every possible solution when trying to complete a claim for a veteran. Even some of the representatives in the Regional Office didn't really bother to pursue these claims with any degree of passion. During the 12 years I represented veterans, I won 99% of claims for 100%, that qualified. That means I had complete reversals of denied claims, and increases in benefits from 10, 20 and 30% ratings to 100% or at least 70% Unemployability. The later paying the same as 100% and with the same benefits.
My advice to those who are doing claims or having someone represent them is, first, be informed and be realistic.
Stories of inspiration and education
