Is It Best To File A Nod Or Recon Myself Or With A Vso?

[pilgrim01]

Your thoughts? Should I submit the 21-4138 myself directly to the VA or is it best to sumbit it through a VSO? Are my chances of success better with which one? Thanks!

Edited February 24, 2010 by pilgrim01

[Berta]

A Reconsideration Request should include new evidence or highlight evidence they already had yet failed to consider.It must be evidence that is relevant to the claim and not accumulative.

A NOD can cover the same thing but sometimes a reconsideration request, prepared with a strong basis and more evidence, can bring a faster decision.

In my opinion it is a good idea to have a VSO to have one more way to prove your evidence was submitted to the VA as the VSO will keep a record of it's submission too.

[Berta]

PS

-the reconsideration request does NOT stop the year NOD clock.

If they dont act on it and the year deadline draws near,then a NOD has to be filed.

"Are my chances of success better with which one?"

The only thing that awards a claim is evidence.

it might take them months or even years to read it but if it is exactly what they asked for in the VCAA letter you got-and/or you have a strong medical opinion- then success will come.

[broncovet]

To VSO or not To VSO that is the question.

I recommend you look at your specific situation to answer that question. Ask yourself:

1. Do you think you can do a better job than a VSO? You probably can if you are good with the internet, are willing to invest the time and money in research, are organized and have file cabinets and a good place to store copies of documents, and have good follow up.

2. However, if you are not good with the internet, or dont have access to a computer, or are unable or unwilling to invest time into research, then you probably should consider strongly a VSO.

There are many, many people who can do a better job than a VSO. I dont think there is a VSO in the world that knows more about Veterans claims than, say, our own Berta. However, there are many, many people who should have a VSO..homeless people with no place to store documents, people with no computer, people with poor reading/writing skills etc.

[*Bergie*]

Your thoughts? Should I submit the 21-4138 myself directly to the VA or is it best to sumbit it through a VSO? Are my chances of success better with which one? Thanks!

Pilgrim,

I have learned that no-one care about you better that you. With that said, I "ALWAYS" file my own claims. What if the VSO loses or "misplaces" the documents, you have no way to prove what you turned in, and the clock continues to tick! If you file yourself you have the opportunity to ask for a time stamped copy of the documents you are turning in. This is your only proof and it speaks volumes when at a hearing you address one of these documents and the DRO says "I don't have that document is it new evidence", and you say Oh no, you should have a copy because I turned it in, see the time stamp. This lets them know you are well prepared and organized, it did for me.

JMHO,

Bergie

[pilgrim01]

Pilgrim,

I have learned that no-one care about you better that you. With that said, I "ALWAYS" file my own claims. What if the VSO loses or "misplaces" the documents, you have no way to prove what you turned in, and the clock continues to tick! If you file yourself you have the opportunity to ask for a time stamped copy of the documents you are turning in. This is your only proof and it speaks volumes when at a hearing you address one of these documents and the DRO says "I don't have that document is it new evidence", and you say Oh no, you should have a copy because I turned it in, see the time stamp. This lets them know you are well prepared and organized, it did for me.

JMHO,

Bergie

I really want to do this myself. I was given a 10% rating on my ankle for DJD. At the C&P, the doc didn't do a ROM test, yet one was annotated that said I had full ROM with pain at full ROM. What a lie! In my SMR there were 3 different ROMs done that would have my ankle in the 30% range. I also have another ROM scheduled for March 4th.

How long does it take to get a time stamp? I requested my C-file in March 2009. I received it 3 weeks ago.

[Vync]

What is more recommended? A stamped copy of the documents showing you dropped them off or a certified mail receipt?

Also, when they stamp the documents, do they only stamp one or all of them?