Time For A New Vso?

[NavyWife]

Even though I am doing all the legwork and filing my husband's claim myself, I still would like to have a VSO because they have direct access to VBMS through SEP (Stakeholder Enterprise Portal). They have a higher level of access then the vets do through a Ebenefits and can retrieve more information.

Since December I called three weeks in a row and no one would ever answer the VSO phone. Finally a few days ago a secretary started answering the phone. Unfortunately the answer to most of my questions is "I don't know, I will have to check with the VSO.

I think it may be time to switch VSO's. I currently have VFW out of Oakland.

Anyone have any recommendations for a competent VSO that actually answers the phone or responds to emails?

I would prefer to have one that works out of the Oakland VARO, Or at a minimum has some contacts there.

I have heard good things about Purple Heart. Can anyone join them or is it only for vets in receipt of a Purple Heart?

[Loose Cannon]

Thanks john999 for the backhanded compliment. Like I said, everyone's experience is different. Not sure how many times I've got to say it but I promise this will be the final time I EVER comment on the DAV :

1) The ONLY assistance they gave me was back in 2005 when they filed my initial claim paperwork...EVER!! Never returned my calls, phone messages, letters, etc.

2) When my claim was decided, NOBODY called from their organization to tell me the good news or if they thought the VA low-balled me on any single condition. I got the news from the VA in their decision packet by mail.

3) Had to educate myself on how to file a FOI request in order to receive a copy of my QTC C&P Exam.

4) The DAV switched my assigned representative out TWICE without even telling me.

5) Joined DAV as lifetime member. Paid in full...check cashed...still no effort to contact me.

6) Over SIX MONTHS I tried by various correspondence to reach the last woman assigned as my representative...NOTHING!!! I'm not talking about demanding that my case be given priority. I WAITED SIX MONTHS FOR THIS PERSON TO CALL ME or at least make contact with me...NOTHING!!!

Who in their right mind is willing to let 6 months go by without wondering WTF is going on???

7) Approx 2 weeks ago I sent their office a fax REVOKING their POA. I mailed them a copy as well. THIS WAS A FOUR SENTENCE FAX and it said:

My Power of Attorney is currently held by the (DAV) Disabled American Veterans.

Effective immediately, I revoke any and all Power of Attorney held by this organization or any individual person from this organization.

I will notify you, in writing, if I choose to give Power of Attorney to another Veterans Service Organization. Until then, I will continue to seek just and fair processing on all aspects of my claims for VA benefits under 38 CFR and the United States Code thru self representation.

In response to my fax...the DAV provided my RO with a letter on DAV letterhead that contained one sentence..."This letter is to confirm Mr. XX is affirming his POA with the DAV."

Guess who signed it? This "mysterious woman" who was assigned as my representative...The same one who NEVER returned my calls, letters, etc. is now sending me this letter AFTER she took it to the RO Intake Processing Center.

So if there is ANYONE who wants to defend the actions I mentioned above or suggest that I overreacted, didn't give them a fair amount of time, or any other BS excuse that's fine. But don't bother wasting my time with it. The woman who wrote and signed that letter, making it a permanent part of my C-File should lose her job. No excuse for misinterpreting my 4 sentence fax for anything other than it was. This is the epitome of incompetence!

This is the opinion and the experience of someone (me!) who has lived through the nightmare of the past EIGHT YEARS as having been represented by the DAV.

This whole thing got started by someone's legitimate question of "Is it time for a new VSO" and I have tried to relate my experience to answer that question in this thread as well as several others. In the midst of this thread, some choose to berate others by saying a lawyer is a must. Maybe. Maybe not. But please don't sit there and tell me I'm a fool for representing myself. After all, it was my research, questions, and learning about the "claim process" that got me to 100% IU P&T.

The DAV had nothing to do with my claims being successful. Remember, they just filed my original paperwork back in 2005. This "fool" is the one who pursued the claims on his own, without a lawyer. Now I sit back and wait as the VA takes the next few weeks, months, or years to decide my remaining 3 "non-rating" claims including over 25k in retro according to DFAS. In the meantime I hope to pass what I know on to other visitors to our site, to be active in fighting for veteran's rights, and to learn as much as I can about PTSD & TBI. No hidden agenda here, and you?

I need a beer or 12 now...this crap is off my chest. Good night to all. I'll try it again after some sleep.

Semper Fidelis,

LC

[Minnysoda]

As a past 20 year VSO, I hear what you are saying. It is like any profession, you have good ones and you have bad ones. In our profession though, it is crucial that they ALL be good, attentive and competent. My advice would be to interview the prospective VSO/NSO/POA. What may be a good DAV office in one VARO, may be a lousy one in another VARO. I just use the DAV purely as an example, all NSO's can be plugged into that. So, call and interview the American Legion, DAV, MOPH,VVA......Express your concerns. Your County should also have a CVSO that could be the "one" as well.

If you want more info, feel free to PM me :)

[john999]

If the VSO does not return phone calls that is an indication they are worthless. I have used Al, VFW and DAV. I don't have too much good to say about any of them if you have a difficult claim. They are not up to it. Hire a lawyer. You have to wait until you claim for full possible benefits is denied to hire lawyer. You file NOD then you can hire lawyer.

[Berta]

Minnysoda (John Dorle) is Dr. Bash's right hand man in many ways and he is "good, attentive and competent" but for many of us, we learned long ago, that we are the best rep we will ever have, and when one needs a lawyer, then that is who they should call......

I assume that the IMO you have has never been considered yet and fully complies with the IMO format here at hadit in our IMO forum.

I would email John Minnysoda if I were you ....He has been on many SVR radio shows here with Dr. Bash.

Edited January 12, 2014 by Berta

[Loose Cannon]

Even though I am doing all the legwork and filing my husband's claim myself, I still would like to have a VSO because they have direct access to VBMS through SEP (Stakeholder Enterprise Portal). They have a higher level of access then the vets do through a Ebenefits and can retrieve more information.

Be careful...I think your above statement may be misleading or you were incorrectly informed...LC

the volunteer vso's no longer have access. that stopped about 5 (?) years ago. Now, if you are a paid VSO, they have access to the VBMS...

[Loose Cannon]

As a past 20 year VSO, I hear what you are saying. It is like any profession, you have good ones and you have bad ones. In our profession though, it is crucial that they ALL be good, attentive and competent. My advice would be to interview the prospective VSO/NSO/POA. What may be a good DAV office in one VARO, may be a lousy one in another VARO. I just use the DAV purely as an example, all NSO's can be plugged into that. So, call and interview the American Legion, DAV, MOPH,VVA......Express your concerns. Your County should also have a CVSO that could be the "one" as well.

If you want more info, feel free to PM me :)

Best advice ever!!! Couldn't say it better...

LC