gdsnide

Does anyone think this will speed up the claims dept. as they may be afraid MSNBC might do a specisl oon them or will it be business as usual.Thought that was unique the 3 star General gets fired in comes a 2 star & he gets fired & they put the same 3 star back at the same office. But, Oh well, if they do a good jobor business as usual they still get paid.See why they're in the Military because if they were in the Civilian World they'd be in the Unemployment line. GARY

Ralph, Never did like those Officers & now I know why. GARY

Vickie, I worked my claim by myself for 7 1/2 years & went as high as the Court of Veterans Appeals. All to no avail......Hired a Lawyer & within 18 months ( Reason it took 18 months he had to get it back to the BVA) was 100% comped T & P at 100% with back pay from the time I applied.

Terry...U gave me some good advise on Lawers & where to find a good one & I followed what U said & U were right so U have my vote for knowing what your doing. NA, can't bring myself to HATE U. lol

Stretch....I agree 100%. Before I found HADIT I was like a Lamb in the woods & the VA was the BIG BAD WOLF....Since finding HADIT I have been comped at 100%, of course, I had to use an Attorney. Seems thats all the VA & SS listen to....I read where some Vets succed on their own but check the records at the BVA site & see the percentage of VETS that lose as opossed to the ones that win who employ a Lawyer. Sure he gets part of the money but one gets comped & gets 75-80% of back pay.

Terry, Called Joe & he said as soon as I get my "DENIAL" from the BVA get back in touch with him. Feel I have a very strong case but wish to be prepared in case I do get a denial. Also, I sent in VA Opinions & IMO's to the RO who sent them to the BVA of which I have copies. ( Berta has been my MENTOR since I found this site & I have learned a lot from her) Think this was or maybe wasn't very smart but I held back an IMO where the Neuro say's I have Mild Dementia Reason being if I get turned down I hit them with that. I'll check with Joe first ( As I am not oppossed to paying a Lawyer to get comped) I also have a couple other IMO'S & if turned down will get plenty more because the first time I filed for SC it took me 9 years. My own dumb fault as I didn't get a Lawyer Clark Evans had to get it kicked back from the Court of Veterans Appeals back to BVA to work with it. From start to finish with him was about 18 months & I'm 100% T & P Filing for SMC GARY :)

When I filed for SS I was turned down When I filed for SC I gor turned down I got a Lawyer & got both claims approved ( Which were at different times) Does anyone out there agree with getting a lawyer after a BVA denial or to go by yourself? Seems to me government Agencies wake up when a Lawyer is introduced into the scenerio & get a lot more friendly Sure U pay 25% but that's better than 100% of nothing plus U are SC. Any opinions? Thanks for reading post GARY Seems to me the VA is able to brush off a single Vet as oppossed to a Vet with a Lawyer in his corner

Now that U are SC I would check out the """FREE"""" 10k insurance policyone is eligable for when they get SC. They offer another 10K policy also but seems the rates area bit high. GARY :)

Alex, Found the name of the Lawyer U sent. Have so damn many folders sometimes I get lost in them. Also, Thanks for sending me the Lawyers name GARY gdsnide@hotmail.com

Terry. Thank U very much for the response. Here's the situation Filed for SMC & have all sorts of opinions of VA Doc opinions which are positive & have some IMO's which are also. Also, held back some IMO'c (& can get more) in case of denial. Here's the scenerio..... Filed claim at RO & was denied ( So what else is new) & filed NOD to BVA. Called the 1,000 number after a couple of months & told I was approved & would hear from them in 5 days. Waited a bit more time than that & called back & was told I was not approved Called BVA & person told me it would be some time yet before it was settled. Can I use a Lawyer before I get denied by the BVA as it seems there is something amiss here? Used CLark Evans before ( Who is an excellent Lawyer & won 100% T & P for me) but am unable to contact him & have heard he is sick. Also, the BVA has a babit of taking a long time at times in approving or denying claims no matter what is said about them getting quicker. Figure my only chance is a Lawyer which I had to use before with the VA & also with SS. I'm just a Layman but from the evidence it looks like a Slam Duck Claim but like I say " I'm only a Laymen & all my knowledge of the VA has beed accumalated from HADIT "( Which I will be eternally grateful for the people on here that put up with all my questions especially Berta. ( Thank U again,Berta for all your time) My first claim I tried to work myself ( Which was a joke) & Clark took over & in about 18 months ( Or less) got it settled Entire time from filing till 100% was 9 years so U can see why I have trust in Lawyers. Probably would have been a lot less time but I had went as high as the Court of Veterans Apppeals & he had to get it back to BVA. Terry, I will contact Lawyer U suggested & post what happens. Thank U very much for your time. GARY gdsnide@hotmail.com

OK... Need some help here Called the 1,000 & was told I was approved & would hear from them within 5 days. Didn't hear from them. Called the 1,000 number back & was told I wasn't approved yet. Called the BVA & they said it hadn't been approved & would be some time yet, Anybody have any idea what some time means? lol What I'm wondering is if the 1,000 # gives out wrong info very much or I'm in the middle of a big SNAFU or what? Kind of inclined to believe the BVA as they do decide what one sends there so guess I'll just sit & wait like I did on my last claim. Question...... Since I have filed a NOD with the BVA do I have to wait for a denial before I can get a Lawyer or what? Thank U for your time. GARY

Alex, Talked to U some time back & U gave me the name of a Lawyer U had dealt with & was satisfied with. Problem being I lost his name. Would U be so kind as to send it again? Thank You GARY gdsnide@hotmail.com

Tower Rat, A Lawyer can be a Vets best friend in trying to get SC GARY

Vickie, I tried on my own for 7 years to get SC. Finally I got a lawyer. Within 2 years I was SC at 100% t & P A lot of people don't like to use Lawyers as they get part of your money. But, what is better. 75-80% of the retro pay or none at all? Had the same problem with the VA I may be wrong but it seems that government Agencies have a lot more respect for a Lawyer. Mine told me that as just a single Vet claiming the could string me along forever but he was a Nasty Little Lawyer out of AR who knew their rules. He told me up front we would win but I was wondering if that would happen. They didn't loeball us or debate the retro date. Maybe if one brings in a Lawyer the VA knows that by burying U in paper work & all the other things they do will be to no avail. Also, I would think they know U mean business & it's not just a frivlous claim. Would give U my Lawyers name but he seems to be sick as I can't contact him for a claim I have going at present. Alex, who is on the board, gave me the name of a Lawyer he has respect for so will use him if need be. Be careful of some of these Lawyers as some are a lot better than others GARY

Leroy, I was finally granted SC after 9 years. 100% P & T From when I first put in a claim my Daughter got a Masters Degree & the VA sent her a check for 11k. It depends on how far back they rate your claim.If U are not happy with the date file a NOD I'm unaware if the person it applies to has to write said letter but this may be an avenue to explore I also lost a Grand Daughter in 1995 that was 10 years old. I remember her laying there & praying to chage places with her but to no avail. I have since joined the Catholic Church ( Don't go as much as I should) but I am beginning to have faith & especially have a Father that I can communicate with. Why do these things happen I have no idea. But, maybe just maybe someday it will be clear to me. If the VA denies a claim on your son file a NOD & if the BVA turns it down get a Lawyer. Took me 9 years & a Lawyer & immense help from Berta. GARY Don't give up no matter what happens or U lose.

I have to agree with Berta 100% about the VA. A lot of the things they do seems sorts of moronic or just spiteful or whatever. Maybe a Rater had a bad day so U get a bad decision But, if one persists & doesn't quit things usually come out rather well. One has to admit a lot of the claims are down right dumb & the person writing it is just trying to get a few bucks but realises he/she has almost no chance to prevail. This may be, just guessing, the hostility on the part of some of the raters. & then some of the raters would make GW look smart. lol GARY They read ignorant claims & then start to thinking they are all like that.

Dorthy, Yes, my Seizures are & have been for a long time where I need assistance from others or I have no idea what would happen. Usually when I get to the Hospital I get shot full of Valium & that seems to settle the Seizures down for a while. When I had the Status for 12 hours straight they went into my Juglar Vein with Valium. My Wife had to sign a waiver that if they killed me to bad. I also have a couple of other Doc Opinions I didn't send in ( Ya,have a bunch) with this claim. Figuring if more evidence was needed I would have it. Have an IMO that says I have Dementia that has been caused by all the Seizures I have & I have one or two more but can't remember what they are. I have a container ( TupperWare Box) I keep them in so they are there & don't feel like looking thru all them till I find out what sort of ( If any) rating I get out of this.

Dorthy, Put your answer in wrong panel but U can see what I mean. Thank U very much GARY

Dorthy, Have been told by VA Docs if I didn't have people around I'd have to be in a home, Shrink has got my GAF ( Or whatever it is) saying the same thing Believe it's 35 Have all sorts of VA Docs saying i need help so guess that will help. Oh ya, think I was comped back to 1997 so does that keep the VA from trying to take my compensation away from mr? Only problem here I filed claim in 1996 But, would appreciate information on the 10 year period I have heard of. I'll call the Talking Heads at the 1,000 # again Monday & see what they say. I should know by Friday as the Head said I'll get a letter within 5 days. Thank U one & all again for your advice GARY

Don't forget to get your "FREE" Life Insurance Policy when you get SC