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VETERANS' BENEFITS INTERNET SOURCES - UPDATED

FEENIXFEENIX Member Posts: 10,559 ✭✭✭
edited April 2012 in US Military Veteran Forum
Some great information to share with everyone. Below are web-sites found that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you -- and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.

Eric,

Can you please replace the Veterans Benefit Internet Sources on the the sticky. Unfortunately, none of those links no longer work when they upgraded them. I do not have a new one so I compiled some below. Hope this helps. Thanks.

Ed



Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) Resources. VR&E's Internet based career planning, job readiness and job search resources for veterans, counselors and employers.
www.vetsuccess.gov

You can apply through the Internet for VR&E and several benefits by going to the VONAPP website at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

To print an official blank VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application for VR&E, go to http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-28-1900-ARE.pdf

To find out the address VA Regional Office nearest you: www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.

VA's new veteran health portal specifically designed for veterans, their advocates and their families. It provides one stop shopping for VA benefits, special programs, health information and services.
www.myhealth.va.gov

Military to Civilian Transferable Skills Identifier (TSI):
http://online.onetcenter.org

Locate VA forms, publications and information about all VA benefit programs.
www.va.gov/about_va

Find federal employment opportunities.
www.usajobs.opm.gov

Apply for determination of eligibility for health care services.
www.va.gov/healtheligibility

One-stop shopping site for people with disabilities.
www.disabilityinfo.gov

A nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives.
www.bls.gov/oco

Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative is to ensure access to high quality education and training materials that can be tailored to individual learner needs and made available whenever and wherever they are required.
www.adlnet.org

Learn about typical wages, employment trends and requirements fro most occupations. For job seekers, employers, human resource specialists and workforce development specialists.
www.acinet.org

Allows the customer to find the nearest location delivering valuable job, career and training assistance and information.
www.servicelocator.org

A portal providing easy access to the features and tools of America's Job Bank, Career InfoNet and Service Locator.
www.careeronestop.org

Learn about the training programs and services administrated by the Department of Labor
www.doleta.gov

Provide one-on-one information about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) job accommodations and employability of people with disabilities.
www.jan.wvu.edu

A collection of articles covering various specific and general issues dealing with the state of the nation's workforce and projections for the future.
www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/indexL.htm#Labor_force

A powerful source of continually updated information on job requirements and worker competencies.
www.doleta.gov/programs/onet

Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) mission is to carry out the President's New Freedom Initiative by getting technology and other tools to Americans with disabilities, so they can enter the economic mainstream.
www.dol.gov/odep

Access free, commercial job boards to post your resume and apply online for civilian jobs.
www.recruitmilitary.com
www.jobcentral.com
www.hotjobs.com
www.indeed.com
www.simplyhired.com

Sites offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA)
www.sba.gov/VETS
http://pro-net.sba.gov

Sites offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs
www.vetbiz.gov
www.vetbiz.gov/library/eligible.htm
www.vetbiz.gov/StartBusiness/financing.htm

Department of Labor
www.dol.gov

Department of Defense TransPortal
www.dodtransportal.org/dav/lsnmedia/LSN/dodtransportal

VA Veterans Industries
www.va.gov/vetind

Disabled Sports USA
www.dsusa.org

ADDED BELOW:

ALL VETS SHOULD COPY THIS

Comment: Someone has gone to a lot of trouble. If this helps one person, then it was worthwhile. Please pass this on to all Veterans on you e-mail list.
Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.

Appeals http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc
Board of Veteran's Appeals http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Commission http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Draft National Plan http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105
Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
Center for Veterans Enterprise http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm
Center for Women Veterans http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html
Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6 /ch07.doc
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page http://www.va.gov/
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm
Due Process http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc
Duty to Assist http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/
Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
Environmental Agents http://www1.va.gov/environagents/
Environmental Agents M10 http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002
Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC and http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1158
See also, Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC
Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE http://www1.va..gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206 Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR, http://www1.va..gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm
Forms and Records Request http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
General Compensation Provisions http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.html
Geriatrics and Extended Care http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/
Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm
Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf
Gulf War Subject Index http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A
Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q& As http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf
Hearings
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc
Homeless Veterans http://www1.va.gov/homeless/
HSR&D Home http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/
Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htm
Ionizing Radiation http://www1.va.gov/irad/
Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA http://www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/
M 10 for spouses and children < http://www1..va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007
M10 Part III Change 1 http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008
M21-1 Table of Contents http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html
Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130...DOC
Mental Health Program Guidelines http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094
Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
My Health e Vet http://www.myhealth.va.gov/
NASDVA.COM http://nasdva.com/
National Association of State Directors http://www.nasdva.com/
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4_124a.doc
OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/
Online VA Form 10-10EZ https://www.1010ez..med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/
Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf
and, http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/
Peacetime Disability Compensation http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1131
Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.html and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.html
and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_.html
Persian Gulf Registry http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003
This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005: http://www1..va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232
Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1006
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans'_Illnesses_Appendices.doc Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf
Phase I PGR http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1004
Phase II PGR http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1005
Policy Manual Index http://www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htm
Power of Attorney http://www.warms.vba..va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03.doc Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) http://www1.va.gov/shad/
Prosthetics Eligibility http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=337
Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/
Public Health/SARS http://www..publichealth.va.gov/SARS/
Publications Manuals http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4
Publications and Reports http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htm
Records Center and Vault Homepage http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html
Records Center and Vault Site Map http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html
REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT'S RECORDS http://www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName=3288-form.xft
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002 http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.doc
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses
http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendations_2004.pdf
Research and Development http://www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfm
Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partiii_chapter35_.html
Title 38 Index Parts 0-17
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl
Part 18
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl
Title 38 Part 3 Adjudication Subpart Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl
Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief (also ? 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here) http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl Title 38 PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart B--DISABILITY RATINGS
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38
Title 38 ? 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on un employability of the individual. PART 4 SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart General Policy in Rating http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1..96.11&idno=38
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims http://www.vetapp.gov/
VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) http://www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD Manual final 6.pdf
VA Fact Sheet http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html
VA Health Care Eligibility http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp
VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF) http://www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.html
VA Life Insurance Handbook Chapter 3 http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm#310
VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans http://valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfm
VA MS Research http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
VA National Hepatitis C Program http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/
VA Office of Research and Development http://www1.va.gov/resdev/
VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War http://www.va.gov/OAA/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp
VA WMD EMSHG http://www1.va.gov/emshg/
VA WRIISC-DC http://www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/
VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address http://www.va..gov/oig/hotline/hotline3 .htm
Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service http://www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htm
Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page http://www.vba.va.gov/
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/
VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/
VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13 http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/UrlBlockedError.aspx&gt;
VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page http: // www.publichealth.va.gov/
VHI Guide to Gulf War Veterans Health http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp
Vocational Rehabilitation http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/
Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc
VONAPP online http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
WARMS - 38 CFR Book C http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html
Wartime Disability Compensation http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1110
War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey http://www.wri.med.va.gov/
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site http://www.gibill.va.gov/
What VA Social Workers Do http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3
WRIISC Patient Eligibility http://www.illegion.org/va1.html

Print this and save it in your VA files. There may be a need for its use in the future.
Share with fellow veterans!

Comments

  • RevolutionJimRevolutionJim Member Posts: 594 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are dealing with the VA it is best to use a private attorney
    rather than a service org like the DAV or Am.Legion in my experience.

    KENNETH M.CARPENTER, ESQ.
    CARPENTER CHARTERED
    1525 S.W. TOPEKA BOULEVARD
    P. O. BOX 2099
    TOPEKA, KANSAS 66601-2099
    TELEPHONE: (913)357-5251
    FAX: (913)357-4902

    or you can try webpage of private attorneys.
    http://www.nvo.org/attorneys.html
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by RevolutionJim
    If you are dealing with the VA it is best to use a private attorney
    rather than a service org like the DAV or Am.Legion in my experience.

    KENNETH M.CARPENTER, ESQ.
    CARPENTER CHARTERED
    1525 S.W. TOPEKA BOULEVARD
    P. O. BOX 2099
    TOPEKA, KANSAS 66601-2099
    TELEPHONE: (913)357-5251
    FAX: (913)357-4902

    or you can try webpage of private attorneys.
    http://www.nvo.org/attorneys.html


    Thanks for the info RJ...
  • RevolutionJimRevolutionJim Member Posts: 594 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Edit: I checked with the Social Security about the below extra
    military SS benefit, they demonstraited on paper that it is
    automatically figured in through the IRS records. It requires a trip
    to the SS office to for them to show you this, mine was 60 miles
    one way. say la vee. [:)]

    MANY VETERANS QUALIFY FOR LITTLE-KNOWN

    SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT

    "Special Extra Earnings for Military Service"

    can be added to your Social Security account.

    All veterans should take a look at this Social Security benefit to
    see if they qualify.

    When a veteran applies for SS benefits, they should take their DD-
    214 with them. SS then computes the extra benefit and it is added to
    the monthly payments. In many cases, the SS office asks for a DD-214
    and this benefit is computed automatically. But, not always.

    If you are a veteran who is collecting SS and you're not sure
    whether you are receiving this benefit, call your local SS office
    and ask them to check your account. If you are not getting the
    benefit, take your DD-214 to your local SS office and apply. They
    will compute your new benefit and you will receive a larger monthly
    check plus retroactive benefits computed from the time you started
    collecting SS.

    Remember, military retirees and government retirees who use military
    time to compute "time in service" do not qualify for this benefit.

    Social Security information here...
    www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm
    www.vawatchdog.com/07/nf07/nfJAN07/nf011907-10.htm
  • ObiWanObiWan Member Posts: 1,054 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good info! Thanks.


    Note: Change in special military service credits.
    In January 2002, Public Law 107-117, the Defense Appropriations Act, stopped the special extra earnings that have been credited to military service personnel. Military service in calendar year 2002 and future years no longer qualifies for these special extra earnings.
  • ChukpikeChukpike Member Posts: 19
    edited November -1
    I noticed the first responder thought it is best to use a private Attorney. Sounds like an attorney to me. What he didn't mention is that you can't use an attorney to file your orginal claim. He also didn't mention both the Veterans fo Foreign Wars and the American Legion both have paid professional Services Officers who can help you file claims from the start. There are no fees or commisions to either organization and membership is not required. The motto of the VFW is "Honor our dead by serving the living." The VFW hotline open 24/7 365 days a year is open to ALL VETERANS. Phone # is 800 VFW 1899. (1899 is the year the VFW was chartered). Surpised neither organization was listed in the orginal topic. You can go to VFW.org or legion.org for more information
  • drfosterdrfoster Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I`m a new member here, but work as a physician and specialize in pain management. I help vets for free to the best of my abilities.

    YOU DONT NEED A LAWYER FOR YOUR CLAIM - THATS CRAZY. Go talk to the dav or your local vfw benefits counselor officer. Do hire for ssdi claim.

    Let me know if I can help you how to communicate with the VA or your physician. Please dont send me ssi numbers files or other personal info. Just stick to the subject to keep you safe.

    Robert
    drfoster a medscape com
  • gmherpsgmherps Member Posts: 13 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If any of y'all ever have Q's of me just shoot'em over. I work for VA and work Post adjudication. The info I have been seeing is good info for the most part,, but some of it is way off base.

    Nice to meet y'all!!!!!
  • QMCwasmeQMCwasme Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello all!! New to the site here. As a diasbled vet myself I just wanted to throw out the invitation for anyone needing any info to drop me a line. I am a fairly recent Navy retiree as well, I also am the Enrollment and Elgibility Coordinator for a large VA facility and very conversant with VA regulations and instructions. If I don't know the answer I can at least direct you to the right place. But, there is a wealth of information on this page as well.

    Be safe and talk to you soon!
  • hkmp5hkmp5 Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
  • hkmp5hkmp5 Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm 20% disabled vet, service connected. I've been in this w/chair since sept 22, 98. I got out of the Marines and two months later I had a wreck that caused me to be in the chair. I was service connected for some other reason, I had a motorcycle wreck in 97. Can any body help me out to increase my %. Many thanks
  • COBmmcmssCOBmmcmss Member Posts: 1,174 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here are two more links that helped me.
    Thanks to the Vietnam Era GI Bill and Voc Rehab, I got my Juris Doctorate. The programs are there for us, use them.


    http://www.dfas.mil/about/Contacts.html

    http://kepler.pratt.duke.edu/USNRibbons.html
  • COBmmcmssCOBmmcmss Member Posts: 1,174 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here's another site that may have something for a vet...

    http://www.nvf.org/?gclid=CIGB28X4qJECFQ0BiQod0jooWQ

    This the the National Veterans Foundation.

    I haven't used any of their services but they appear to have quite a bit of variety of services.


    COB
  • Jim DoranJim Doran Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    "If you are dealing with the VA it is best to use a private attorney
    rather than a service org like the DAV or Am.Legion in my experience.

    KENNETH M.CARPENTER, ESQ.
    TOPEKA, KANSAS 66601-2099
    TELEPHONE: (913)357-5251

    Mr. Carpenter, I couldn't agree with you LESS. But at least you belong to the CAVC BAR. I've been a Veteran Service Officer since 1998. I've been CEO of an Independent State Veteran's Advocacy Agency in the Mid-West, I've been an Officer of the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers, I've been National Service Director of a "Big 6 VSO" and a member of the CAVC Bar. I got bored and came out of retirement in 2009 and heve been accredited with the VFW, AL, WVDVA, MCL, NACVSO, FRA and others. My assistant and I see about 148 vets a month and our 2012 average annualized awards are over $1.2 million per month. I have as a minimum 360 hours of classroom training and CEUs. I have found a number of things to be true about lawyers in this business.
    1. They do not belong in the business below the CAVC level, they just slow the already slow process down
    2. Those that do get involved below the CAVC level, for the most part do not give the veteran claim the amounbt of time it deserves because it's not the most lucrative case for the lawyer.
    3. When a lawyer gets involved VA locks the file and only the lawyer or the veteran can access the folder. The vet doesn't know what he's looking for and the lawyer is seldom available when the vet calls.
    4. The last 5 cases I've seen, lost by lawyers at the BVA level, could have been won by anyone who's knowledgeable about 38 CFR 3, 4 and 14.

    Folks if you want REAL veteran issues handled by knowledgable and trained personnel who are also VETERANS, shop the market. Every state and major Veteran Service Organization has an office in the VA Regional Office. Every State DVA has local offices in county seats of major population centers. Most states have a County Veteran Service Officer located in the Court House. The best trained of these, IMHO, are those who belong to the NACVSO. The states with the best CVSO programs, again IMHO, are NJ, OH, MI, IL, FL, NE, NV, and CA. If you need a referral to one feel free to contact me at James dot W dot Doran at wv dot gov[;)]
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 57,893 ******
    edited May 2023

    It is obvious a lot of time and effort was put into this thread, and that is greatly appreciated.

    However today,11 yrs. later (2023) so many of the links provided are no longer valid.

    That causes even more headache and confusion when trying to find a source.

    With that this thread is being removed as a sticky but will remain in archives.

    If anyone has current, valid links feel free to start a new thread and it will be considered to become a announcement.

    Thank you.

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