Don't Know Where To Find Claims Help

[Capenuke]

Hello,

I am reading these forums as I can, but there is so much info it is almost confusing to navigate. I already receive VA (80% SC) and had help from a service officer in Seattle. 2 years ago i moved to western MD and now I have no one to speak to. I'm not sure where the closest service officer is that has time to speak to me. It is very difficult for me to go to Baltimore.

I need to speak to someone to find out my claims current status, get a new exam, advise me on a SS claim etc...

I know the service officers are swamped, that's why it takes me so long to ask for help.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

Larry

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit

[john999]

If you are not able to work then you should file for TDIU. Your SSD claim has nothing to do with the VA. If you want to file a claim just call SSA and tell them you want to file for SSD. They will send you the paperwork and schedule you for an appointment. You probably can get a lawyer for the SSD by just opening the phonebook. You don't need a VSO to do a claim with the VA. You just need evidence.

[Capenuke]

ok, i understand i need to file and that I can file without a VSO. That reply doesn't exactly help though John. If I follow your logic about not needing a VSO to file with the VA then VSO's really aren't needed at all which is of course wrong.

In the past vso's would walk me through what forms and to help with filling them out etc... They know the jargon and what the va is exactly looking for. They are invaluable for advice, they also know what other vets have done and advise on SS to a small extent. I guess I was looking for a way to find a VSO in western MD, northern WV or South western PA.

Maybe someone on the forums has input.

[broncovet]

Unless you are willing to invest a significant amount of time learning the system, you should get a VSO who does.

Most of the time a VSO will be available at your VAMC. You can inquire there.

Apart from that, to get a local VSO, there are several routes to go:

1. National VSO such as DAV. Knowledgeable but always swamped, poor at returning calls.

2. County VSO. Usually available, but inconsistent or poor training. Use with caution.

3. VAMC VSO...These are usually a combination of the above..swamped like national VSO's, but not necessarily trained like national.

Since these alternatives are not great, this is why many prefer to do their own claims. We dont have phone numbers for you because we dont know where you live. In a nutshell, if you like "DAV" you can google

"Disabled American Veterans Service Officer Indianapolis Indiana"...or your city and state.

If you find a very competent, highly trained VSO, he will probably be so busy he wont be accepting new claimants. However, you might get lucky.

Edited October 5, 2011 by broncovet