I think I am going to need help after all!!!

[ADodge]

I became disabled in 1997.  It never dawned on me to file with the VA for compensation.  I filed with Social Security and was approved.  For years I have struggled on get getting by with my family at times.  Then recently when things got real bad a friend said I should go see the VSO in our city. Maybe I could get some help from them.  So I did and come to find out there was a Veterans program in the state that helps out disabled Vets.  He also suggested that I file for a service related disability claim.  He gave me the paper work, I filled it out and he sent it in.  I really didn't think much would come of it since so much time had passed and just figured the Navy would deny everything.  Months went by I forgot about having filed and suddenly I got a letter from the VA asking me to come in for an exam and also giving me more information about registering on the ebenefits site.  So I did all that went in for the exam. during this time I also filed for other service connected injuries.  From the time I sent my initial claim in to the time it was approve it was all of 9 months I guess. And I was approved at 60%.  That was for the lung condition and everything else was rejected??? Well I really haven't thought much about that, thinking that the claim was approved so quickly that I really didn't have time to send all the necessary information into them.  But after reading a lot of these inquiries and questions on this site and also other sites I am beginning to get the real picture here.  See it did seem rather strange to me that the lung disability was approved right away with the information the had which given some of the other claims that were service related and happened around the same time as the damage to my lungs so the initial medical history would be in my old navy health record same place where they found the information regarding the damage to my lungs.  So why reject those claims?  The information is right there and the civilian doctors I see and am treated by are all at the same hospital where they also have my permission and those doctors names to contact and get medical histories and information from.  So now I am asking myself why didn't they schedule appointments for me to be seen and checked out back then for those injuries too?   I went on the ebenifits site and looked up some info for medical interview and found some really screwy information pertaining to the medical exam or interview I had at the VA.  The person I saw or the person who filled out those forms stated that there was no reason why I couldn't work!!! That there was only one lung condition when in fact  I have 3 lung conditions I take medicine for and am treated for.  Social Security doesn't even think I can work!!!!  So what the hell was that person's issue.  But when I think about it, no one ever asked me anything about working.

So this is my question.  I was going to get someone to help me when I refiled or reopened my cases this second time.  but then thought well I just take it as it goes.  But now I am realizing that is NOT a GOOD IDEA!!!   When I tried to find someone other than an Attorney in my area (North Shore of Boston) I couldn't find anyone.  So I was wondering if there is someone on this site that knows of a person that is not an attorney in this area that can help me.  Or if you know of a Lawyer that can actually be trusted???  (Oxymoron word!) to help me with my case.  I just know it is going to get real messy and I just don't have the strength to fight city hall by myself anymore!!! Know what I mean? Thanks  to anyone with any kind of advice.  AMD

[jbasser]

Benefitsagent@comcast.net 

John Dorle. He is a great advocate and he don't have to be local.

BTW If you are on SSDI for the lungs, Then the VA may have err'd in the decision by not granting you individual Unemployability or pay at the 100 percent rate.

 

J

[eagle1012004]

ADodge:

I sent a private message to you about a registered agent in Massachusetts. She helped me in my claims and is very good!!

Check it out and let me know what you think...

Greg

[pwrslm]

Hi, you came to the right place.  Folks here really do their best, and some of them are very good, at helping other vets.

 

Its good to have a VSO, however, it is better for you to have a good knowledge of what the system is, how it works, and what it takes to make that happen.  I keep links to sites that have detailed info, one of them is Ask Vets First (  http://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/index.php?pg=kb )

This is a pretty detailed site, and brings lots of info into a compact area, has all the ABC's before you get into complex stuff.

Edited October 25, 2015 by pwrslm

[ADodge]

Thank you very much for all of this information!!! I know it will help a great deal.  I have already found out something I need to do that will quite possibly move my claim along faster.  Again Thanks so very much.  

[Andyman73]

ADodge,

Welcome to Hadit, and thank you for your service.  You came to the right place for help. There is more knowledge here than at the VA.  Also, if you dont have it, request a copy of your STR, that way way you can begin reviewing it for your other claims.  Also request your C-file, which is super important, especially since you've already been denied SC for contentions that occured while you were serving.  

Semper Fi.

Andyman

[ADodge]

What is the STR  I know what my C-file is just don't know what my STR is