My Vso Is Useless! Any Advice On What The Va Wants From Me?

[Akaymik]

Hi,

My VSO is completely useless. She never returns calls or emails. It's makes this frustrating process even more frustrating.

Anyway, I received a letter from the VA and they state that they want "any orders that you have showing your duty status after 7/3/2012 and prior to 4/16/2012".

So I uploaded all my orders I've ever received from the Army. I also uploaded my last DD214 (I'm a reservist, I have a few) that states "nothing follows" and releases me to my reserve unit. I also uploaded my last active duty report. Other than what I've uploaded I have no idea what else I need. Does anyone have any ideas of any other possible document I should provide them? Have you been in the same boat? The letter also said they would make a decision on my claim within 15 days if I chose not to upload these documents....and even though they asked my unit for this information it is ultimately my responsibility.

Thanks,

Amanda

Edited May 19, 2014 by Akaymik

[ArNG11]

Good luck with that. Sometimes it is best to be proactive in your own claims. Although some VSO's are very helpful some can be a detriment to your claim. JMO. Curious what is/are your current claims? Since it looks like it is recent service periods, are you claiming anything related to gulf war issues or something similar?

[Navy04]

This claims in general can be so difficult when someone is a Reservist. When I was Active Duty Navy, I entered in Active under a program Called TAR, which stud for Training Active Reserves, it was later named FTS, Full Time Support. So basically my 10 years in the Navy, all my Commands Trained a lot of Reservists. I would go to OIF/OEF and even the Navy thought I was a reservists, when I was Actually Active Duty for 10 years. I have had to help so many Reservists over the year, what a pain you guys have to go thru. Good luck

[Stretch]

I got tired of my VSO years ago.

VSO's make good filling clerks. Lable your information/with brief discription, and ask your VSO for a reciept for each piece. This way if they lose or shred the document you will have a copy and proof that you gave it to them.

I reclaimed my POA (Power of attourny) from the DAV years ago. I had to become pro active in my claims.

[john999]

If I had a serious claim I would either hire a lawyer or do it myself if I could with help from Hadit. I would not trust a VSO to do it. VSO's have caused me a world of hurt. The VFW even filed an appeal with the BVA on my behalf years ago claiming I was a personality disorder. I lost , of course. I don't trust them to file papers on time. There is nobody at the VA that I trust except when I get a decision in writing and money in the bank.

[Akaymik]

I'm claiming a few things I expect nothing for (it's just nice to have 0% if that's possible).

The main purpose of my claim is anxiety due to MST and also for a skin rash.

[ArNG11]

I'm claiming a few things I expect nothing for (it's just nice to have 0% if that's possible).

The main purpose of my claim is anxiety due to MST and also for a skin rash.

Don't think in those terms, otherwise you will already have lost. If you have the evidence, in service medical records and a paper trail, if you also have continuity of treatment then you have the right ammunition for a claim. Don't shoot yourself before you have begun your fight.