Va Takes Giant Step Backwards In Helping Vets

[broncovet]

NO more informal claims. This probably will lead to denials of an earlier effective date for me. This is all we need, MORE FORMS, more confusion, more complexity. I guess the VA is not complicated enough, that they have to complicate it even more.

http://www.vetlawyers.com/3192015-veterans-disability-lawyers-new-gulf-war-illness-research/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BergmannMoore+%28Bergmann+%26+Moore%29

[Slick]

I just got an e-mail from "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs <veteransaffairs@public.govdelivery.com>" with a link to "a new way to file' http://explore.va.gov/file-claim?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_campaign=claimsandappeals&utm_content=18marchB

As I dug through it I found it interesting they added "an intent to file form." Immediately I thought about "effective date" and included on the form "If you give VA a completed application for the selected general benefit within one year of filing this form, your completed application will be considered filed as of the date of receipt of this form."

Am I missing something or does this seem like a good thing? File intent and gives you time to get all documents together and establish an effective date while that happens

[broncovet]

I got the same email. Now, we dont have to file an "intent to file"...we just file an informal claim. The Vet needed only file ONE formal claim, all the others could be written on a napkin as someone said.

So, if you file a informal claim, and dont follow up with an "intent to file", your claim is abandoned.

There is no benefit to the "intent" file..its another deadline we have to meet. Reiterating, ""If you give VA a completed application for the selected general benefit within one year of filing this form, your completed application will be considered filed as of the date of receipt of this form."

This means you have to file some other stuff within a year or lose out. The old way, you didnt have to file anything else..if you had already filed your initial 21-526 the formal claim. Just evidence. It means if we file an informal claim, it will be meaningless and nothing happens until we file the "intent to file" form.

[Navy04]

Thanks for the info, VA is always looking for a way to cut off the short cuts, and force us the awful long route!!!

[Buck52]

what is the form number on the ''intent to file '' form?

I understand this goes into effect this month?

...........Buck!

Edited March 21, 2015 by Buck52 (see edit history)

[rdnkjeeper]

How do I get on that email list?

[JT24usn]

Intent to file

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0966-ARE.pdf

It's my understanding they are trying to get on same page as other govt facilities and have standard forms and applications. Jmho

http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2634

Edited March 22, 2015 by JT24usn (see edit history)