What Exactly Do Service Officer Do For Vets?

[63SIERRA]

I am trying to find out what exactly the system is, that the service officers do/ Ok for instance. My claim is at the waco va, on re open.

The service officer is in the same building with the va. Somewhere in the va, lies my claim. I know my service officer has access to my c-file, because he has my power of retardee. So now what. I was told there are 15 service officers in waco for my service org. I would imagine they are assigned cases, based on whatever, such as complicated, or simple based on thier experience.

Im just trying to picture what is actually going on,. Im envisioning a service rep sitting at a desk in his office., And im envisioning the va personell on thier side of the building, , doing whatever it is they do. So what happens, does the Service officer basically wait around until the time comes that my case Is actively being worked by the ro, then get engaged and work with them to try and improve my position, or are they working on my case on thier own and doing research and confering amongst themselves, as to how best move forward.

ANYBODY KNOW?

Some letters I get from the service org say that my claim is with the " appeals team". So that sounds like people who would know what to do at that level.

When asking my service org how things work, they are very limited in what they will say. its very need to know type dialogue. real generic answers.

Im not trying to be critical but I just dont ;like following anyone but Jesus in blind faith., I dont think knowing how the process works is too much to ask.

[broncovet]

The problem with VSO's is that the "good" ones are often to busy to take your claim. So, you are forced to wait or take the next available VSO. The VSO's with a poor reputation have few clients and much time on their hands to take your claim.

So, the Veteran asks for a VSO, and the Secretary says:

"I can give you an appointment with Johnny newbie tommorrow, or would you rather have Mike Badreputation this afternoon?"

You respond, "Well, how about Jim Great Reputation?"

Oh, he is booked up until 2014.

[63SIERRA]

I have no trouble contacting my VSO, but its like talking to a 5 year old , you just cant get much information out of him . Like its a need to know basis type thing. no strategy, no gameplan, no anything. Maybe I can get a newscrew to meet me at the va, and we can do a story called, " a day in the life of a VSO?. " maybe then we can find out exactly what they do all day.

When I was a contractor and a customer asked me what my plans were, I would give them great explainations, details, explain things in laymans terms if needed, so my customer felt comfy with me, and trusted that I knew what I was doing.

[carlie]

I have to add my 2 cents for what it is worth. I am a veterans service officer, going on 8 years. I volunteer 3-4 days a week and I do more research on claims than I believe the VSO's/NSO's located at the VA do I have a VBM on my nightstand next to my bed where I read a few pages everyday. The hospital on Fort Knox provides an office, furniture, computer, printer and any other logistical support that I might need to assist active duty personnel getting ready for retirement, ETS and/or a medical board retirement and/or separation.

I spend a lot of time reviewing cases at the BVA, when I am not with a veteran. I have learned a great deal and from that I can pass that info on to the individual setting before me. I assist the individual in formulating their claim. If something needs clarification, or perhaps an additional ROM testing or whatever is needed to put the finishing touches on the claim, I do it. Then I submit the claim as a fully developed claim. I will not submit anything else and I explain that to the individual. I have had great success in the claims that I submitted by doing the research that needs to be done before submitting a claim.

I am not in the back pocket of any official from the VA, I do not go golfing or have any type of association with any member that works in the VA. I do happen to know a few individuals that work in the Louisville and Ranoke VARO's. Individuals that I have served with over the years while on active duty. Again, I'm not in their back pockets. I never ask an individual if he or she wants to become a member of the organization that I volunteer for. That's not my job, I could care less if they are members or not. my whole purpose is putting their claim together in the best possible way that I can. I have been asked on several occasions why I do what I do. Why go to the depth when VA is going to deny it anyways. I hear that a lot. I had a great deal of assistance with my claim when I was being medically boarded. It is because of them, I am here passing on the same attributes. Since being here on this site, I also have learned a great deal. I have researched many topics on this site and have been impressed with the information provided! This information has also been very helpful when putting claims together. I love what I do and only hope that the Good Lord above continues to bless me and provide me the strength and wisdom to continue as long as I can.

This isn't about me, it never has been nor will it ever be. It is always about that active duty person, that retiree, that medical retiree, the widow or widower that comes seeking assistance and me giving them my undivided attention. I saw 937 individuals and submitted close to 600 claims to VA in 2012. This year, I am up by 7 in the individuals that I seen at this time last year and while the number of claims are a few lower, I will always continue to do what I do in the best possible way that I can.

I'm not perfect, I've made some mistakes but I take those mistakes and learn from them that they are not repeated. I guess I get upset when I hear words "stay away from the VSO's and get a lawyer". There are some VSO's that have no business doing what they do. I have found that there is a huge difference in VSO's. The volunteer's and those that get paid for what they do. I have seen VSO's just put down what ever the vet wants and submits a claim. Then when the veteran returns to the office with a denial, that so called VSO will be the first one in cussing out the VA because they don't know what they are doing. It just pisses me off to no end. The volunteers (most I believe) will go the unconditional 2 miles because they want the vet to receive what they are due. But there are those volunteers that only work one day a week and in some cases one day a month. My advice to folks, stay away from them. You have to have a working knowledge on what your doing. I'm going on 8 years and I've seen a lot of changes myself, more than I can count. You have to be on top of those changes to effectively assist those that are seeking your assistance.

many times, I see, forget the VSO and get a lawyer. You have to give the system a chance to work itself first. Yes there are times that a veteran will need a lawyer, I have assisted a few of those myself. I have recommended the NVLSP and those that have come back, told me that they were successful in their plight.

Well, I'll get off my soap box now, but I would like to leave you with this one thing in mind; all vso's are not the same!

have a great day,

Rick

meghp,

Buddy - you just keep on doing what your doing,as my hand is out to shake yours.

The negative VSO posts you are reading are pretty much generalized and do not

pertain to va/vba educated individuals, that truly care and work to help VBA claimants,

obtain their pre-earned benefits.

[63SIERRA]

these people on this site that are giving out great info , LIVED the situations they are speaking of. Your not going to find better 1st hand knowledge than that. I appreciate you all for what you do.

Meph, thanks for all you do, and keep fighting the good fight, we need you.

Im not trying to come off as a VSO basher, ALL im trying to do is find out what the details of thier job is.

I am beyond taking anyones word for much nowadays, as ive been screwed way more than any veteran ever should be. knowledge is power, and im harvesting as much as I can.

Edited October 29, 2013 by 63SIERRA

[carlie]

Im not trying to come off as a VSO basher, ALL im trying to do is find out what the details of thier job is.

63,

You can google any of the Service Organizations and read what they say they do,

vba claims help, mission, etc . . .

What they say they do - should answer your question's.

[63SIERRA]

Well just saying they help veterans file claims, isnt what im really wanting to know. once on appeal do they confer with alttoneys or supervisors abt the issues?, they obviously lost the first round? in order to win the second time around, it would seem something has to be done, other than " help the veteran submit a claim". Do they work face to face with the rating officer? Do the service officers confer with medical professionals to try and clarify medical descriptions and issues? How many claims does one service officer handle at one time, .

Is the service officer very familiar with MY particular claim? Will my service officer call me before he makes any agreements with the va?

how long has my service officer been a service officer, and exactly what pertinant training has he or she had? whats his or her track record, win or lose?

Does a service officer really get paid if I give him power of attorney over my claim?

If I went hire an attorney I could get all of the above information, probably off thier website, without even asking anyone.

Things like these, that should be very transparent but arent, unless im looking in all the wrong places.

Carlie can u tell me exactly what they do? From 8 to 4 or 9 to 5 , how does their day work, ? whos priority? whats priority? what is the modus opperandi of thier system.

Service officer reports to work, sits at his desk., I call in asking if he was able to retrieve and review my file, answer is he will go to the records desk and check. Hes gone abt 2 minutes., He comes back, and says they arent ready to release my file to him yet. this has been going on over a month. So now what is he doing for my case. The clock hasnt stopped, the days keep passing?

So Ive had him as a service officer for close to 4 months and hes never seen my file and doesnt know me from george washington,

.. how is this helping me by having him?