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.

[63SIERRA]

The real point im making is, I am not having blind faith in ANYONE ever again, it has cost me way too much.,
Theres too much at stake, for any more MISTAKES. If people or organizations have nothing to hide, they should not be offended when you ask questions abt how they operate/. Its not the proprietary recipe for bush baked beans were asking for here, its basic information,

[Dinnard]

My husband was a Veteran Benefit Rep under the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs therefore employed by Kentucky State Government. Texas also has this. You can find out the locations and more information at the link below.

The Texas Veterans Commission is nationally recognized for its expertise in helping veterans get the most benefits they are entitled to. The agency has more than 75 claims counselors accredited by the VA to represent veterans with disability claims and appeals. Counselors also help veterans and their families with questions regarding benefits, survivor and dependent needs, filling out VA paperwork, and medical issues.

http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Claims.aspx

[carlie]

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?,

Maybe sometimes, they have no requirement to do so.

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?

Maybe sometimes, they have no requirement to do so.

Do the service officers confer with medical professionals to try and clarify medical descriptions and issues?

No - only the va decision makers communicate with the va / contracted C&P examiners, they instruct them

on what to do.

How many claims does one service officer handle at one time, .

They could have 1, 25, 50, etc. . .

However many they are assigned, it varies and I think the number of issues each claim

might come into play.

When you talk about a claim - it's important to be aware of how many issues are involved

in that one claim.

Is the service officer very familiar with MY particular claim?

Maybe sometimes - many times a claimant has never even MET the service officer that is

representing them at a personal hearing with a DRO - they may offer to meet with you an HOUR prior

to the hearing and you find out they do not know jack sheet about your claim/issues and just got your

file the day before. - YES, this happens.

Will my service officer call me before he makes any agreements with the va?

Maybe - but probably not - they have no requirement to do so - you have already

authorized them to do - or not do, what-ever.

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?

ASK THEM

They have a certain amount of hours they must take and a test for some type of certification.

They can tell you whatever they want for their track record.

Example:

Claimant goes to an organization ,signs the 21-22.

Issues submitted for SC are:

Hearing loss

Tinnitus

TBI

Sleep Apnea

Amputation of both arms and legs.

Rating decision arrives: SC for Hearing loss granted evaluated as non-compensable.

Service Organization says to claimant and prints in their monthly magazine -

YEA - we helped another vet obtain their benefits. Look how great we are.

This shows that they won something for the claimant,

but look at what they lost for the claimant.

This example is SOP.

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

The ones that are hired for paid positions - get a paycheck, win or loose, they get a paycheck.

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

No - the majority of the questions you have posted, in this particular post won't be answered at

an attorney's website.

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.

They do - what ever they do or don't do, just like most any job.

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?

First off - your lucky if he answered the phone - whether or not he could answer your questions, he answered the phone.

Did someone post having him was helping you ?

JMHO - more reply below - carlie

63,

Apparently you have not either 1)read or 2) understood the small print in the form YOU signed,

to appoint them as YOUR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE for VBA purposes.

When you sign the form it is YOU who is giving them carte blanche authority

TO DO . . . or . . . TO NOT DO . . .

whatever they want or decide to do OR NOT TO DO.

Form 21-22

APPOINTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION

AS CLAIMANT'S REPRESENTATIVE

I, the claimant named in Items 1 or 6, hereby appoint the service organization named in Item 3A as my representative to prepare, present and prosecute my claim(s) for any and all benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on the service of the veteran named in Item 1.

I authorize VA to release any and all of my records, to include disclosure of my Federal tax information (other than as provided in Items 12 and 13), to my appointed service organization.

I understand that my appointed representative will not charge any fee or compensation for service rendered

pursuant to this appointment.

I understand that the service organization I have appointed as my representative may revoke this appointment at any

time, subject to 38 CFR 20.608. Additionally, in some cases a veteran's income is developed because a match with the Internal Revenue Service necessitated income verification.

In such cases, the assignment of the service organization as the veteran's representative is valid for only five years from the date the claimant signs this form for purposes restricted to the verification match. Signed and accepted subject to the foregoing conditions.

NOTE: As long as this appointment is in effect, the organization named herein will be recognized as the sole representative for preparation, presentation and prosecution of your claim before the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with your claim or any portion thereof.

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-22-ARE.pdf

[63SIERRA]

Yes, I did give power of attorney to my service organization, but I wasnt aware I would be represented in a " maybe" sometimes." manner. And with most of the questions you answered " I dont know would have been better, because you really dont know the answer, because you say, maybe, sometimes, ect, ect.,

And I dont think im lucky that my service officer answered the phone, its his JOB. This type of mentality is why things get worse, because its accepted behavior. The day I cannot reach my SO with 48 hours is the day he wont be my rep anymore.

Thier representation may be free, but if its free, and it sucks I dont want it.

Edited October 29, 2013 by 63SIERRA

[carlie]

Yes, I did give power of attorney to my service organization, but I wasnt aware I would be represented in a " maybe" sometimes." manner.

That's what I thought - you weren't "aware"of what you signed and authorized.

And with most of the questions you answered "

I dont know would have been better, because you really dont know the answer, because you say, maybe, sometimes, ect, ect.,

I do know the truth and posted it - "Maybe sometimes" IS the truth and reality.

And I dont think im lucky that my service officer answered the phone, its his JOB. This type of mentality is why things get worse, because its accepted behavior.

Well I guarantee that most here will agree - their SO does not answer nor even bother

to return calls.

It's not a sense of mentality - it's reality.

The day I cannot reach my SO with 48 hours is the day he wont be my rep anymore.

Thier representation may be free, but if its free, and it sucks I dont want it.

If that should be your decision one day, then just be sure to rescind the POA in writing

with your VARO or they WILL remain your POA.

carlie

[meghp0405]

Guys, I agree whole heartedly that your claim is your claim and you should be heavily involved in your claim. When you submit a claim, you can put what you want on the 526, no one can tell you no! Again, it's your claim!

When you deal with human beings, there will be mistakes, its just human nature. Not one of us are perfect!

63SIERRA, I have no idea why you were told no. No VSO/NSO can tell you not to submit a claim. Did you have a copy of your sleep study with you? I advise each and every individual that when submitting a claim, have the medical documentation to support your claim. Obtain the documentation and submit a FDC, this is the best way to go with the VA these days.

each claim that I do, I put myself in that veterans shoes with those disabilities. may sound weird, but it helps sometimes in what direction I believe the claim should go. What would I do if this were mine? I never do anything that the veteran doesn't want to do. I can assure each and every veteran that if I do not know the answer, I know where to find it, or who to call.

Chicago, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Oakland are the worst VARO's right now. although the two in Texas are in the top 10 the aforementioned are the worst.