Vso Or Not

[Me1984]

Wondering if having a VSO is really necessary or not. I actually didn't go through a VSO for my new claim nor the claim I just got reevaluated for yesterday. I currently have all of my one medical record from outside provider and just submitted it. Does that affect the VA's decision whether or not if you have representation. I just remember being in the army in my Meb stage and never able to reach my PEBLO which was frustrating. How does everyone else feel about this? To have a VSO or not to have a VSO is the question.

[Navy04]

Good advice given above. Most VSOs are worthless in my opinion. I had one last year that said I would stay at 80% VA. Now on my own, my VA is 100% and SSDI granted on my own too. There are good VSOs out there, I just feel that they fill out a form, sit back, and they have too much faith in the VA. I too went thru the PEB/IDES program last year when I was Medically Retired, and I had 5 different PEBLOS, and too could never get a dern one to answer the phone. You are doing better than you think on your own. God Bless and good luck

[TiredCoastie]

There are good service officers out there, but they are hard to find and seemingly few and far between. Most appear to be overwhelmed by just trying to get stuff submitted. I think they can be of assistance in handling a claim but more often than not there's no value add or worse. It completely depends on who the service officer is.

I fired my last VSO and have been through two. Each had their strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, I had to write a letter to my last one and officially pull back the POA.

Like the consensus above, read a lot and go it alone/with the community.

[Barbamatt]

I used a VSO, but I could have done it all myself. He just handed me the form to fill out after that there was no contact. I don't see much use for them...maybe there are good ones out there who will take the time to review records with you. The one that I had did not do all of that. He actually told me that my claim was up to me. I guess he was right it is up to me...but a little help would have been appreciated.

[Mikemmlj]

I have heard good things about Military Order of the Purple Heart as a VSO.

[MarkInTexas]

I use the American Legion, and am also a member. You don't have to actually be a dues paying member to utilize their services, but I just love getting the monthly magazine that has the advertisements for comfortable shoes and the cell phones with the large buttons.

They haven't helped me much, with the exception of being able to get in touch with a human on the phone a little faster than the VA's numbers, and are usually a little more updated than eBenefits.

I also have faxed things to them to make sure that the evidence is "received" by the VA, by them running it down the hall. They usually call back to let me know it's done. I think the service has improved slightly over the years with the guys in Houston.

Knowing that something has been received and filed in my C-File by being told is much better than the empty feeling of not knowing, even if a "green card" arrives back from the USPS. (I have had them lose documents even after signing for them at the Houston VARO.)

Just my own thoughts on the subject.

Mark

Edited August 2, 2014 by MarkInTexas

[Pete53]

Don't depend on VSO to do any hefty lifting. They basically hit the high spots. Many of them pretend to know everything but in reality your best bet in my opinion is to double check everything and discuss your plan on Hadit. You would be surprised how much you can learn here.

As far as having a VSO I have one and they serve a purpose.