A Lay Person Claims To Be Vets Advocate

[halos2]

Not looking at this morally or ethically is this legal for someone to do this? Apparently calls self "advocate" not a VSO and is versed in the claims process and appeal process. Don't know this person, and someone asked if he can legally do this? Don't know if he is a vet or not either. He has assisted a few vets and they give him a small fee for his work.

Is this legal? He does not set a fee, just does some minimum wage amount. These vets were not complaining, but were so glad to get someone to help them. I don't know if this is a side business or what either. Is there such a business someone could be doing this if not a lawyer?

I know there are volunteer VSO's and paid VSO's for agency's but is it possible for someone to do this or take the VSO training and open a legit business?

I just didn't know how to answer these questions, as I never heard of anyone doing this before?? Answers appreciated to pass on to these guys. Thanks.

[broncovet]

Veterans can pay people to cut their grass, too, even tho there may well be people out there who will cut your grass for free, too.

I think Vets deserve a choice. Pay someone to help you. Get free help. Do it yourself. While it is certainly true there are several organizations that offer help to Vets for filing claims, sometimes, getting something for free is not always the best bargain.

Hypothetical example:

You ask VSO for help. VSO is swamped, and has 9000 claims pending at the same time. Your paperwork gets lost in the shuffle.

"Lay Person" charges you $100, is competent and not overworked..getting all your I's dotted and T's crossed, getting your benefits quickly the first time. (Lets assume for a minute the VA does not mess it up, and, of course, that is a ficticious falacy. That being said, its better to at least get the paperwork to the VA right the first time, and you can take your chances that you will be in the 4% who gets their benefits the first time). Sometimes a "free" VSO is not a bargain.

Its always a judgement call.

Caveat: There are all kinds of scams on the internet. Dont put it past scammers to target Vets, and offer to help them with their claims..just send name address, social security number, phone, mothers maiden name, bank and credit card numbers with expiration dates. Yea right...

[hurryupnwait]

Several times I have considered hiring a researcher to search the National Personnel Records for some missing medical records that they are saying was sent to the VA. I hire people to assemble paperwork all the time.

I agree with Broncovet

this seems to be another service that expands our options. I like more options.

Paul

Edited November 18, 2010 by hurryupnwait