Hired Lawyer

[gp747]

i am sick of the whole mess i hired lawyer sent papers today. these vso's act like you are a pile of s--t when you try to get info out of them.i am sick of it ,they are worthless and more likely are to damage your claim rather than help. legal help for vets

is who i got . they were kind enough to extend my time for holding my files and i decided on them ,michael viterna.

if i do not hire lawyer i am going to really get screwed . this vso s--t isn't worth a damn and i am tired of their condescending e-mails when i want a simple answer.

i have no faith in vso's anymore and do not see what purpose they serve they sure haven't helped me ,what i have got was on my own.

they should be barred and let lawyers step in from the start,that would stop the backlog. the lawyers could get it right from the start and cut down on appeals .

[RetiredVet]

no your case does not get decided any quicker BY USING A LAWYER HOPEFULLY IT GETS DECIDED BETTER!!

i just had a dro hearing back in february with my lawyer I'M still waiting after dro promised he would work on it real quick

UM HUM AND THE DEVIL HAS A DUNKIN DONUTS FRANCHISE IN HEAVEN

the va has a standard fee they pay to "all" lawyers IT IS 20% OF ANY VA MONEY OWED TO YOU THE VETERAN

AT THE TIME OF THE AWARD THE LAWYER IS PAID I BELIEVE DIRECT DEPOSIT TO HIM

LETS USE EXAMPLE OF A DRO HEARING WITH PRIVATE LAWYER HIRED BY VET BEFORE THE HEARING AT varo

you go to a dro hearing

so lets say you have retro issue the lawyer gets 20% of any retro IF YOU WIN

also at the dro hearing you have an smc issue the lawyer gets 20% of that IF YOU WIN

lets say also at the dro hearing you have a clothing allowance issue lawyer would get 20% of that

why a lawyer not the DAV or any NSO?

The VA is very clever at responding to veterans THEY KNOW YOUR BROKE, NOT A LAWYER AND THEY FIGURE IF YOU ARE SOME WHAT SMART YOU WILL GO WITH THE DAV OR SOME OTHER NSO GROUP

the VA responds to the Veteran using case law and federal case citation.

The DAV uses canned briefs and poorly trained quasi case workers.

The VA realizes vets have no money no lawyer so they are forced to accept an NSO or go it on their own . LIKE AT A CRAPS TABLE I SAY GOOD LUCK MIGHT WIN MIGHT NOT

when you have a good PRIVATE lawyer NOTICE I said a good private Lawyer hes going to write to the VA before the DRO hearing usually 1 month before

the lawyer will write a INDEPTH INVOLVED legal brief with legal opinion and case law THE VA MUST ANSWER THE LAWYER

NOW VA HAS TO GO DO LEGAL RESEARCH AS IN A LOT OF LEGAL RESEARCH DEPENDING ON HOW GOOD A LEGAL WRITER THE LAWYER TRULY IS

the VA right off is going to go and really HAVE TO hussle to answer the lawyer before the hearing or on the day of the hearing

most good lawyers can punch serious holes in the VA claims sytem WHY? BECAUSE ITS SCREWED UP AND VIOLATES VETS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS and win their clients an award

theirs an old saying in the legal system "ITS BETTER TO GET SOMETHING, THAN NOTHING"

i HAVE NOT SEEN ANY STATISTICS YET ON HOW THE PRIVATE LEGAL INDUSTRY IS DOING AGAINST VA

WHEN I GET THE RESULTS OF MY DRO HEARING I WILL POST THEM

THE LAWYER I USED WAS RECOMMENDED BY JIM STRICKLAND

BECAUSE I HAVE A COMPLEX MYRIAD OF ISSUES ACTUALLY ONLY A FEW WHERE DISCUSSED AT THE DRO HEARING BEFORE VA

IT WILL BE HARD TO DISCUSS HERE AND I WOULDNT DOUBT SOME VA EMPLOYEE'S VISIT THIS SITE

LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS

WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS OKAY

Yep, I got a lawyer. I think that is the best way to go.

[poolguy11550]

no your case does not get decided any quicker BY USING A LAWYER HOPEFULLY IT GETS DECIDED BETTER!!

i just had a dro hearing back in february with my lawyer I'M still waiting after dro promised he would work on it real quick

UM HUM AND THE DEVIL HAS A DUNKIN DONUTS FRANCHISE IN HEAVEN.............the va has a standard fee they pay to "all" lawyers IT IS 20% OF ANY VA MONEY OWED TO YOU THE VETERAN.........AT THE TIME OF THE AWARD THE LAWYER IS PAID I BELIEVE DIRECT DEPOSIT TO HIM...........LETS USE EXAMPLE OF A DRO HEARING WITH PRIVATE LAWYER HIRED BY VET BEFORE THE HEARING AT varo..............you go to a dro hearing............so lets say you have retro issue the lawyer gets 20% of any retro IF YOU WIN................The VA is very clever at responding to veterans THEY KNOW YOUR BROKE, NOT A LAWYER AND THEY FIGURE IF YOU ARE SOME WHAT SMART YOU WILL GO WITH THE DAV OR SOME OTHER NSO GROUP...............the VA responds to the Veteran using case law and federal case citation.........The VA realizes vets have no money no lawyer so they are forced to accept an NSO or go it on their own.............LIKE AT A CRAPS TABLE I SAY GOOD LUCK MIGHT WIN MIGHT NOT.................when you have a good PRIVATE lawyer NOTICE I said a good private Lawyer hes going to write to the VA before the DRO hearing usually 1 month before...................the lawyer will write a INDEPTH INVOLVED legal brief with legal opinion and case law THE VA MUST ANSWER THE LAWYER...............NOW VA HAS TO GO DO LEGAL RESEARCH AS IN A LOT OF LEGAL RESEARCH DEPENDING ON HOW GOOD A LEGAL WRITER THE LAWYER TRULY IS.........the VA right off is going to go and really HAVE TO hussle to answer the lawyer before the hearing or on the day of the hearing........most good lawyers can punch serious holes in the VA claims sytem WHY? BECAUSE ITS SCREWED UP AND VIOLATES VETS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS and win their clients an award...........theirs an old saying in the legal system "ITS BETTER TO GET SOMETHING, THAN NOTHING"...........i HAVE NOT SEEN ANY STATISTICS YET ON HOW THE PRIVATE LEGAL INDUSTRY IS DOING AGAINST VA...........WHEN I GET THE RESULTS OF MY DRO HEARING I WILL POST THEM..........THE LAWYER I USED WAS RECOMMENDED BY JIM STRICKLAND...........BECAUSE I HAVE A COMPLEX MYRIAD OF ISSUES ACTUALLY ONLY A FEW WHERE DISCUSSED AT THE DRO HEARING BEFORE VA.........IT WILL BE HARD TO DISCUSS HERE AND I WOULDNT DOUBT SOME VA EMPLOYEE'S VISIT THIS SITE........LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS

WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS OKAY

Grent- your all across the board on this. What the heck are trying to say here? You hope your writing answeres questions with this poorly writtin mumbo-jumbo back and forth statement- wrong. At best you confused some folks. Know the facts before you make a comment on a subject and wrtie consistantly on it without waving all around. Your own problems with the VBA might just be caused by your own lack of effective and clear communication.

[gdsnide]

"i have no faith in vso's anymore and do not see what purpose they serve they sure haven't helped me ,what i have got was on my own.

they should be barred and let lawyers step in from the start,that would stop the backlog. the lawyers could get it right from the start and cut down on appeals "

I agree sort of-

if the vet orgs canned their SOS and reps the moneys saved could be used for lawyers fees.But that aint gonna happen.

The best vet rep you will ever have is who you see in the mirror.

We know our claims in and out ( or at least we should)

and even the good reps and SOs out there (and I believe there are many) have hundreds of claims compared to one claim or a few that we have pending.

Some of the lawyers in my opinion-dont have a clue either-

the new lawyers who got on the June 2007 lawyer reg bandwagon are not up to speed.

It has taken me over a decade to know what I know about VA claims- and during that decade the regs have changed many times.

The 1,100 FNGs that the Ros have hired to help wih claims-while they might be well dedicated people hoping to do a good job-are absolutely unqualified for handling anything beyond the basics of VA 101 and we all know every claim is so unique that I feel their training will only be worth it after they have had years on the job.

A vets advocate and I discussed the AO outside of Vietnam situation at length the other day-and he suddenly sighed and said to me ----this stuff is so HARD!

Yes it is.It is time consuming and exhausting and the VA knows full well that they have put on disabled veterans much more then they should.

We really cannot rely-in my opinion-on any rep or lawyer-

to provide the VA what they state they need in the VCAA letters.

If we can give them what they ask for, and as long as they do not lose or destroy this evidence- we dont need reps or lawyers to succeed.

Berta

As U know know I was lost in all this VA hoopla till I got in touch with U. Me & my PO ( Who thought the VA tried to help the Vets) (HA) played tag with the VA for 7 Years till I got Clark Evans (VA Lawyer) to assist me & between 18 months & 2 years I was 100% T&P & back pay was correct.

Also your service has been invaluable in me getting to where I am at by answering my uncountable questions.

I think most Vets don't want to pay the 20% on back pay to get a Lawyer but who has more reason to get something done? The PO or the Lawyer.

80% back pay & compensation is better than all the paper work the VA will run U thru till U get tired,miss a dead line or die & wind up with nothing but crates of papers.

I have said this before & am unsure where I read it bur according to what I read only about 8% of Vets file a NOD when turned down so that is a very good reason (If true) for the RO's to Rubber Stamp denied on most of the claims.

I have a question (HA) same as always & seeing as U are my Mentor who else do I turn to?

OK...At present am 100% T & P & can U explain the 10 years rule as I was approved on 100% in 1997?

Right now I am 100% & L1. Proud of that L1 as I did it myself. HA

OK Right now I have VA Docs saying " I have Dementia & am Incompetent so check is electronically mailed in her name, Oh ya, I also have her on SMC.

That was background so here's the question.

Would I be putting my entire compensation on the line if I tried for a higher SMC Rate?

Really I am satisfied where I am now but they keep putting all these Diseases on me & telling me I'm goofy so that's why I'm wondering.

Raining here in the Mid West today & may turn to snow. How's the weather in New York?

Once again Thank You for helping me try to achive what I think I deserve.

My Wife is telling me to leave it alone but was wondering what your EXPERT opinion is.

Sincerly,

GARY

[grent]

Grent- your all across the board on this. What the heck are trying to say here? You hope your writing answeres questions with this poorly writtin mumbo-jumbo back and forth statement- wrong. At best you confused some folks. Know the facts before you make a comment on a subject and wrtie consistantly on it without waving all around. Your own problems with the VBA might just be caused by your own lack of effective and clear communication.

Sorry but i can only relate what happened to me i have paralized arm and right eye is gone ill just keep my comments to myself in the future thank you

[Capt.]

Hello,,,,,, I just wanted to add that I have used the DAV, and the VVA . I now have a lawyer. My C file is HUGE. Partly because of all the evidence I turned in which included large medical files, records and the fact that I have multiple health problems. My lawyer has filed the NOD BEFORE the one yr appeal limit. It will be with a DRO on a reconsideration notice. I agree with some of the other comments. A lawyer lets the VA know they are going to following 38cfrs and the case laws thruout the journey. It makes the VA put their "best" ....lol.....people on it so I do believe that you will not or should not have to put up with the runaround that they give to the veteran and his "VSO" or without a lawyer. I am not saying that they still will just cave in to the Vets claim , but it will eventually end up in the COVA. I enjoy be able to have someone "calm" me down after looking at the buffoons at the VA and what they don't do. It is also comforting to know that you have someone helping you and that you can still research and get your evidence to your legal representative and let him or her decide if its valid and can help your claim. I am sure that all veterans have had to go thru this anxiety of dealing with the VA and its only natural that ALL VETs have done things that really, probably didn't help their claim early on. I did it too by making it more complicated and I have talked to other Vets that also have done that. But in the long run I think it will,,,,,as stated already, result in a better chance of succeeding. I wish you well in your endeavor and above all......NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

[gp747]

well people i am the guy who first posted this and when i hired the lawyer i had already had a claim in for increase. after they found out i had the lawyer i got a call that they wanted confirmation on the phone to go ahead with claim at ro and they said it was an emergency as my claim was the oldest.

i knew they had found out that i hired lawyer and if i had won with lawyer at appeals management they would have had to pay a lot of retro. so they got off their ass and processed my claim and i got from 30% to 50% immediately. i had to call the lawyer and ask them to forget about the case and they were kind enough to say i did not owe them anything.

"lawyers for vets " michael vincent was my lawyer they are wonderful people ,they also are going to send me the disk of my c-files they requested for free.

i was shooting in the dark and did not know what i was doing but i finally got what i thought was appropiate for my case.

believe me they are respectful of the lawyers.