Wife Representative

[gp747]

ok i have filed a nod and sent in a form 9 to contest my eed. i have had it with vso's and what have you. they did not do s--t to help me win my claim,if anything they cost me .

because for years i thought they were working on my case and one day i called and they did not even know who the hell i was. i panicked and immediately found hadit and got the ball to rolling and would have lost if i did not interveine.

now when i sent in the form 9 asked at the bottom who was representing me and i put n/a .

i am thinking of my wife as my representative ,is that a problem?

[tagandbag]

POA, is just power of attorney and that is it. Definition " a written statement legally authorizing a person to act for another ". That being said, I never felt comfortable with a VSO, being my power of attorney, Now I have a lawyer as my POA for my claims and feel much more comfortable. But, I still have a pro-active role in what is going on. My experience with the FSVSO was anything but enlightening and totaly non-stimulating and just complete non participation in the claim, except for filing something that I had prepared and for them to send. The VSO have know monetary gain involved and there is probably a small amount of them that really are veteran advocates. I could be wrong, but it is my opinion.

t&b

[john999]

Skunk

Since you are trying for a much earlier effective date I think a lawyer might be your best bet. He will be motivated by the 20% he could get. If you are going to the BVA and have to really argue the law I would get a lawyer if I qualify and can find one to represent me. I would not cut off the present VSO until I decide about a lawyer. VSO's are ok as minor players in your claim. You and your wife are the main players. You are the ones who stand to win or lose money.

[Berta]

I finally found the reg I referred to:

"Non-licensed individual Can represent a claimant on a one-time, one claim basis per the provisions of 38 CFR 14.630.  The individual may only represent one VA claimant unless a request is made to the VA’s Office of General Counsel."

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/...amp;b020205.doc

Edited August 29, 2009 by Berta