Vso Topic/forum

[cannoncocker]

It would have been very helpful to me and I suspect many others to have a resource based on members experiences and recommendations on which to base their selection of a Veterans Service Organization specifically rating the members assistance received on their claim from the organization.

Not a place to flame any particular organization but to give specific examples and facts both good and bad. I have found that once you have chosen a VSO and signed the power of attorney it is difficult if not impossible to change organizations.

I could have saved myself much grief had I known from the beginning what to expect and the experiences of others, in particular in specific geographic areas since service would vary from VARO VSO Office or even local chapters.

That would have saved me much time and money had I known then what I know now. I hate for that knowledge to go to waste. I am sure many members have much to contribute in this area.

Just a suggestion

[Philip Rogers]

Yes, impossible but that is such BS, cuz it's only because they're lazy. I have no use for "any" of the national orgs VSO's, 'cept maybe the VVA's but I've had no experience w/them. The others, in my opinion, SUCK!!!!!! And are not worth a penny they are paid. Actually, I have no use for the most of the national orgs as they sh*t on us when we came home. jmo

pr

It would have been very helpful to me and I suspect many others to have a resource based on members experiences and recommendations on which to base their selection of a Veterans Service Organization specifically rating the members assistance received on their claim from the organization.

Not a place to flame any particular organization but to give specific examples and facts both good and bad. I have found that once you have chosen a VSO and signed the power of attorney it is difficult if not impossible to change organizations.

I could have saved myself much grief had I known from the beginning what to expect and the experiences of others, in particular in specific geographic areas since service would vary from VARO VSO Office or even local chapters.

That would have saved me much time and money had I known then what I know now. I hate for that knowledge to go to waste. I am sure many members have much to contribute in this area.

Just a suggestion

[cannoncocker]

You are my genius of the day! And that is exactly my (not very) covert point. They are lazy useless SOB's in my experience. I just wish I could have gone to this forum and looked up XXXX VSO and gotten the drift that you are on your own and if you expect someone on God's green earth to help you other than the members here, for free I might add, you iz sadly mistaken, wasting your dwindling cash, an deluding yourself. I think people should know and that information should be readily available.

I have a DRO coming up. I would be as well off sacraficing a goat in my back yord to the lord of VA's than call my VSO, as if he'd take my call. They will send you a letter on ocassion when you won on your own.

No Phillip, that is not just your opinion, as a matter of fact the majority of vets I have spoken to agree with that assessment.

Edited August 30, 2009 by cannoncocker (see edit history)

[Pete53]

Actually the VSO at the RO's are usually a lot better than the ones who hang out at the VAMC's

I think that Hadit is my bible but I still have a VSO. If Larry becomes one I will switch to him

[cannoncocker]

what you say is undoubtedly true about the VSO's at the RO's are more informed and in a physical location to help you. Further just because I had a bad experience would be really stupid of me to paint them all with ze broad brush. My personal problem is from the get go, the local DAV cmdr. applied for my claim on the wrong form. Ok fine, no harm no foul, but at that point i really had no idea about this system and how/where/what made it work. So in fact I needed someone to hold my hand through this maze. I would hope you can tell by my writting that I am not arrogant nor do I think I know it all. I am not and do not. Bt I am smart enough to know when I am out of my league. So I sent in documentation, SMR's and VA record via cert., return rec. requested till they were ready to water board me. They flat out told me not to respond to the VA, I asked them do not respond, they said you will know what to respond to etc. Do not send them any more paper. Now none of this would have occured had they responded to my phone calls, or faxes. So they just ignored me till it smowballed into a big mess. I submitted a claim for one thing. Somehow it turned into about 11 items, some of which like residual from the flu or similar. I told them I didn't even know what that was.

So now I have no choice but deal with the guy at the DAV Asheville VAMC since the guys I sent all the money to will not answer my calls unless I go to their supervisors supervisor. I pay for that. I wish some place somebody had wised me up to that scenario. I would have researched this then moved on it. I learn fast so I doubled my rating out of the gate. Not being what I initially claimed. That is what I am DRO Hearing for.

Back on topic, we really need, or more accurately, it would be beneficial to many people that were in my position to determine what is best for them. I have contacted other organizations but as soon as they hear the DAV has my power of attorney, click, game over.

Hear I am, getting ready to defend myself and the DAV is nowhere to be seen. Would you reccommend them. Even if they are put out with me, as long as I am civil, it seems to me they are obligated to assist me since they have my money and done zero for me. Seems like a refund would be in order. If someone from the DAV reads this then feel free to pm me and I'd be happy to provide you the facts.

I am glad you have found a source of definitive info but you already pretty much know what you need to know. I can assure you that is the exception and not the rule, and the DAV could not care less.

Need a place to put this and opposing views, which I hope are out there.

[Philip Rogers]

Personally, I believe you are your best advocate! As previously stated I have no use for VSO's. I started my claim back in early '89. Dealing w/the DAV, I learned the hard way. I moved to where my RO was located. Back then, no internet access. The VA set me up in a room w/M-21, which was on a cart about 8ft long. I learned. Had they given my what I was due, I'd have gone quietly away. Alas, they didn't. As of now, I've helped at least 30 other vets get 100% or TDIU. Shame on them! I took the NVLSP's mail order advocate course. I already knew more than the course taught. About 5 yrs back I was going to take the VVA's VSO training but there was concern that I'd lose my 100%. I'm 20 yr protected now and worn out. I don't have the interest now. I only post here when someone else can't answer or misinformation is mistakenly given.

You don't need anyone. You can find everything here but you should spend the $135 for a 2009 copy of the Veterans Benefit Manual(VBM), from either LexusNexus or the NVLSP. Everything you need to know is in there.

pr

what you say is undoubtedly true about the VSO's at the RO's are more informed and in a physical location to help you. Further just because I had a bad experience would be really stupid of me to paint them all with ze broad brush. My personal problem is from the get go, the local DAV cmdr. applied for my claim on the wrong form. Ok fine, no harm no foul, but at that point i really had no idea about this system and how/where/what made it work. So in fact I needed someone to hold my hand through this maze. I would hope you can tell by my writting that I am not arrogant nor do I think I know it all. I am not and do not. Bt I am smart enough to know when I am out of my league. So I sent in documentation, SMR's and VA record via cert., return rec. requested till they were ready to water board me. They flat out told me not to respond to the VA, I asked them do not respond, they said you will know what to respond to etc. Do not send them any more paper. Now none of this would have occured had they responded to my phone calls, or faxes. So they just ignored me till it smowballed into a big mess. I submitted a claim for one thing. Somehow it turned into about 11 items, some of which like residual from the flu or similar. I told them I didn't even know what that was.

So now I have no choice but deal with the guy at the DAV Asheville VAMC since the guys I sent all the money to will not answer my calls unless I go to their supervisors supervisor. I pay for that. I wish some place somebody had wised me up to that scenario. I would have researched this then moved on it. I learn fast so I doubled my rating out of the gate. Not being what I initially claimed. That is what I am DRO Hearing for.

Back on topic, we really need, or more accurately, it would be beneficial to many people that were in my position to determine what is best for them. I have contacted other organizations but as soon as they hear the DAV has my power of attorney, click, game over.

Hear I am, getting ready to defend myself and the DAV is nowhere to be seen. Would you reccommend them. Even if they are put out with me, as long as I am civil, it seems to me they are obligated to assist me since they have my money and done zero for me. Seems like a refund would be in order. If someone from the DAV reads this then feel free to pm me and I'd be happy to provide you the facts.

I am glad you have found a source of definitive info but you already pretty much know what you need to know. I can assure you that is the exception and not the rule, and the DAV could not care less.

Need a place to put this and opposing views, which I hope are out there.

[cannoncocker]

I can afford that and understand exactly where you are coming from. I am not whining they won't help poor little me. I agree 100%. Who needs em. They can keep the money they ripped me off for but yes I'll get the book, the nexus ltr. and move on. Just hate to see history repeating itself, that of course is how they make aliving, dangling the bait, well bait and switch seems to be appropriate. but no, I don't need them and I tell anybody that slows up not to waste their money. They will take your cash and feed you to the sharks.

And no that is not just my humble opinion. That is many's humble opinions. I doubled my rating and did they lift a finger, no! they told me to stop sending them paper and don't respond to the VA. Excellent menu for failure.

[matt]

I agree that most organizations do near to nothing for the benefit for the veteran. I will say that I work with a local county VSO, that has been a huge help to me. not only has he given me mental and emotional support thru the process, he has also served my best interest. i do believe that the best advocate for you is yoruself.

he has told me that being a Local VSO is not the best paying job, but the work he does to help vets get what is rightfully theirs, is a great reward tot he job. every vet that is service connected put's money in his jar each time we see him. He gives that money to homeless vets and vets for bus far and helps them buy necessities like toothbrushes soap with it. i am proud and greatful for what he does. There is an opening coming up in his office and has asked me if i would be interested int he position.

Now with that said, i will say that he was one of my troops for many years and we had a relationship prior to him becoming my VSO, however, I think he gives the same service to all that come thur his door.

That is my take on local county VSO's. they work for the veteran not the VA....

Matt

[Tbird]

i have had bad and great ones, my last one was from the dav, not much on the calling back, but right on the law and claim a win with him, and my current one is american legion, and if could clone my american legion one, we would be in good shape.

[cannoncocker]

I agree that most organizations do near to nothing for the benefit for the veteran. I will say that I work with a local county VSO, that has been a huge help to me. not only has he given me mental and emotional support thru the process, he has also served my best interest. i do believe that the best advocate for you is yoruself.

he has told me that being a Local VSO is not the best paying job, but the work he does to help vets get what is rightfully theirs, is a great reward tot he job. every vet that is service connected put's money in his jar each time we see him. He gives that money to homeless vets and vets for bus far and helps them buy necessities like toothbrushes soap with it. i am proud and greatful for what he does. There is an opening coming up in his office and has asked me if i would be interested int he position.

Now with that said, i will say that he was one of my troops for many years and we had a relationship prior to him becoming my VSO, however, I think he gives the same service to all that come thur his door.

That is my take on local county VSO's. they work for the veteran not the VA....

Matt

Cpt. Matt:

That is interesting in that I just posted that I had met a VSO and I did state his good intentions. I am not arrogant enough to think I know the intentions of all VSO's at all levels. I can only speak to my experiences in NC, as opposed to Panama City Florida, Bay County years ago who truly cared and won a C&P claim for me I didn't even know I had coming, much less how to go about doing. I had just learned there was a VA from an old timer a few years before while working for Defense Contracting (now look who is calling who old timer). They just had me sign some forms, I went to some exams, and done. But this recent experience, and I am almost certain, on the VSO side, they are overwhelmed with claims, but that doesn't change the fact that I have found one out of many that would not run from the thought of taking on another claim. All other organizations (in my experience) that once they hear power of attorney has gone to another organization, game over. The county rep here has a very negative reputation and that would not repond unless you went to the county commissioners. Only my experience. Certainly not meant to be derogatory to people who care and do their best. They know who they are and as you have shown you know one when you see one.

No broad brush here. Though example: the VAMC rep said the VSO VARO office had a list that would be of assistance. He gave me the number. I called, the answer was nope, don't have one of those, click. No inquiries. Just responded as though the phone was lava.

I am glad you have had that positive experience! I have not been so fortunate. By my writing I would hope you can discern I am not unreasonable, but I am not their dog, and not stupid. I know when you inquire and they hand it back to you without a single thought. I worked at the Corp Safety Office and attended /conducted safety briefings at the staff meetings. So I am well versed on the dodges an games played, well playing is not what they were doing for sure, but I know when they are blowing me off and couldn't care less. They are not speaking above my head so I am not misinterpreting their intentions or meanings.

So much for that and sir your point is well taken.

[vmo]

Point and counter point. The good, the bad, and the ugly. County Veterans Service Officers, Service Organizations VSO's, yada, yada, and more yada. There are good dedicated service officers in all of the above. The "problem" is finding a good dedicated one to stick with you for the entire claim. However, the worthless lazy CVSO's and VSO's are far more plentiful, which is a fault of the organization they are employed by. Lack of leadership in the organization, (sound familiar??). Attorney's are a great resource/recourse if needed---but some of them are good, bad, and ugly with the representation they provide. Also, some attorney's are great. **What this all boils down to:

1. The chances of finding a good service officer are very slim, sometimes impossible.

2. As someone prior mentioned. Purchase a copy of NVLSP's "VETERANS BENEFITS MANUAL". I'm not sure when the new edition 2009 comes out, but some one on Hadit will, I'm sure. When you get a copy, read-read-read. Keep in touch on Hadit as there are some great people here waiting/wanting to help. You may then choose to go it alone with some help from above.

3. When denied and all else fails, you are still confused, just get an attorney. Attorney or not, keep reading Hadit posts and hopefully your new copy of the VETERANS BENEFITS MANUAL. In closing, be careful of any time limits mentioned on any VA correspondence you receive.

[matt]

TBIRD< CANNONCOCKER and VMO,

It is unfortunate that not all receive the same treatment.

[Testvet]

It is said that you have a hard time chaning SO's well that depends I started in 2002 with an American Legion Rep, by Dec 2003 I learned that he had lied to me and the people here told me what to do and I did it, I filed my own claim in Dec 2003, with my wife's help I am 100% SC back to dec 2003, and if I do what you all tell me now about informal claims I CAN win back to Nov 2002 when I first wrote Principi, but I ran into a DAV SO in Sep 2004, he was interested in my claim as a Edgewood test veteran, and he took my POA, and he was a good rep, but his replacement was useless, he wanted me to drop my heart claim and start over asking for a 10% hypertension claim with a 2007 date NO WAY, then I went to PVA, that SO was useless, he flat told me that I would never get my cardiac problems SC as secondary to my PTSD, well you all know how that turned out, I had to get a lawyer in 2007 but in April 2009 I won the claim at BVA......I think you need a SO to facilitate paperwork but not always it doesn;t hurt to have 2 minds on your problem but as a rule SOs are useless, they do NOT return calls, and meet with you an hour before DRO hearings or BVA heairngs and nithing in between, they are to BUSY and I don't know why veterans think they have to join a vet group to get them to represent you you DON'T have to, I had a DAV rep tell me after I won my 100% for PTSD that I should join the DAV, I asked him why they hadn't done anything for me, my letetrs to Bush got me 50% and my letter to Cheney got me the 100% why should I give 4 or 5 hundred for a life membership to the DAV they didn't write the letters, and spent to much effort trying to get me to drop the cardiac claim back to 2002 fluck em fluck em all

[dclayton57]

Wow. I'm glad this was posted. I was a little unsure of reopening my claim on my own, but now I'm glad I did. I have found everything I needed (and lots more) on Hadit, or links to what I needed. Thanks to all posters on here! David

[john999]

I had a VSO from one of the NSO tell me when I got home that he had been in combat for four years in WWII, and that RVN vets were cry babies. I would like to know how any soldier could survive combat for four years. The average time infantry served in combat in WWII was about 90 days before being KIA'ed or WIA'ed. If you lasted 6 months you were an old timer.

[Testvet]

John they counted the time they were away from home as "combat" most of them don't even know if they ever shot anyone let alone killed them some of them never fired their rifles, one of my parents friends was a Bataan death March survivor his experience in Japan was far worse than most soldiers endured during WW2, then their was the Army Air Coro they sustained heavy losses from flak and being shot down on bombing runs over Germany my step father who was in the same unit as the Memphis belle, tried to watch that movie when it came out, he liked the crew members and said the pilot was a prima donna, he could not watch that movie due to his PTSD the first scene of flak took him back to WW2, no veteran spent their entire 4 years in combat one of the longest "battles" was the Battle of the Bulge and it was what 100 days? and the greatest line of the war came out of that engagement "Nuts" I actually think the Korean war was worse than WW2 for marines and Army Infantry troops that war was actual shooting for the entire time over 2 years... most of them are beyond serving as SOs now thank god, I remember when Vietnam vets hated going anywhere near the VA, wasn't that the reason they created Veteran Centers?

Edited September 1, 2009 by Testvet (see edit history)

[cannoncocker]

I had a VSO from one of the NSO tell me when I got home that he had been in combat for four years in WWII, and that RVN vets were cry babies. I would like to know how any soldier could survive combat for four years. The average time infantry served in combat in WWII was about 90 days before being KIA'ed or WIA'ed. If you lasted 6 months you were an old timer.

RVN crybabies? OMG. "he had been in combat for four years in WWII" I am sorry but that is not mentally or physically possible. Like they haven't studued that little item to death! I do know my father was a tanker in WWII and his brother came back with bad shell shock but from the horses mouth he said he would take Germany and Patton in a tank over a jungle trail on foot. I've known folks in the Korean War but not in depth but that 4 years in combat is not possible. What you may define that as is up to the individual. BS is what I call it.

On another subject I meet this young woman/kid at the VA today and she was totally lost on how to begin her VA journey. Fortunately I had run across hadit so was able to lead her to the water. I wish somebody had done that for me. But Like I said before an oldtimer wised me up that the VA and C&P's even existed. So the circle is complete. Now she has her oldtimer story. No, I'm not that old but to her I'm ancient. I also told her that others have had varying experiences with the NVSO's. She just had to find here own niche and it would not be easy and further nobody cared about her problems as much as she did. That seemed to ring true to her. So that would probably lead her here. I hope.

I'm at the yada yada point now. Different strokes and different scenatios for each of us but one thing does remain constant: Do it yourself and you will be assurred all that can be done is being done.

Thank you whoever posted the VSO meeting with you one hour before the DRO hearing. In my case they would probably chose to set aside more time, what with the water boarding and all. In all seriousness I really don't think the DAV would show at all.

Give them money! You have got to be kidding!

Off topic: could somebody give me any general idea what a local IMO from an Osteo/Neurologist/Chiropractor would cost (any). Any ball park figure: I have SMR's/MRI's 2006 and 2008/MRI radiology evaluations/Neurology consult for December 2008.

Does need to be precise, just a educated guess for lumbar injury. I just want to know what I am jumping into, since my billfold isn't quite as deep as the US Treasury.

Thanks everybody. I just wish everybody had a good experience with VSO's but the reality on the ground does not reflect that.

[Berta]

The new 2009 VBM is coming out on September 15th, 2009.

YIPPEE!

If I had depended on the DAV (1994 -1997) and NYS Division of Vets Affairs since and until they gratiously dumped me last yeare (thank God) I would still be in the

Crapper!

The VBM from NVLSP helped me to succeed in all of my claims and it is always open on my PC desk when I am here at hadit too.

I think I know Nehmer Court Order (Afor AO vets and widows )like the back of my hand but the VA has caused me to even question what I know so I always check the VBM for Nehmer issues.

[cannoncocker]

Actually, I better go back and make sure I got the latest and greatest (The new 2009 VBM is coming out on September 15th, 2009) now that you mention it since to me it is costly. Necessary but costly.

[carlie]

Off topic: could somebody give me any general idea what a local IMO from an Osteo/Neurologist/Chiropractor would cost (any). Any ball park figure: I have SMR's/MRI's 2006 and 2008/MRI radiology evaluations/Neurology consult for December 2008.

Does need to be precise, just a educated guess for lumbar injury. I just want to know what I am jumping into, since my billfold isn't quite as deep as the US Treasury.

cannon,

I'd say roughly $400. - $1,000. would be about right.

jmho,

carlie

[cannoncocker]

cannon,

I'd say roughly $400. - $1,000. would be about right.

jmho,

carlie

Thanks for the estimate: cancel the rest. Just silly feel sorry for myself junk. As you were.

Honest. I was/am concerned about several things in my up coming DRO Hearing.

1. That being pretty close to the top, the cost of a decent rebuttal to their non exiestant claims.$400. - $1,000 is doable, so that is ok.

2. It is getting harder and harder to be as mobil as I was and this requires me to go hear and there, do this and that. The meds for my sinus tachycardia/arrythmia hypertension aren't as effective as they once were and being light headed and short of breath is being more of an obstacle. Not to mention the point at hand, being the lumbar injury, with the concomitant pain a reduced range of motion, which just makes riding in the car anunpleasant experience. Plus it is getting harder to concentrate.

3. Just as worrisome is my concern about them reducing the benefits they have just increased. There would be no medical reason for the DRO to do that since I am only requesting the hearing on the lumbar injury, which they denied, but I don't see anything interferring with their vindictive nature to do that. Yes I have a family that will care for me but do I want to be a 100% drain? Well, of course not.

It is a hard decision to make. Go ahead and fight like I should or accept their decision a duck like a coward.

Just being honest and I know I am not the only one to wrestle with this dilema.

Plus I know I am in this by myself. Believe me when I tell you the W-S DAV will not provide any assitance to me at the DRO Hearing 225 bucks or not.

Edited September 2, 2009 by cannoncocker (see edit history)