Gordon & Doner (injuredveterans.com)

[ShuMan]

Any one ever used Law Offices of Gordon & Doner (injuredveterans.com). Everyone I have spoke too so far there has been great and they agreed to take my case. 

I just wanted to see if anyone else has used them in the past?

 

[Berta]

This vet did at the BVA. It was the only BVA case with them on the POA that I found at the BVA web site:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp12/Files5/1234371.txt

Obviously, when you read the case and the Remand, apparently the veteran never got any C & Ps and the remand calls for stuff that I feel the attorney should have advised the vet to get,prior to the remand.

They might have some more BVA cases they won, or maybe CAVC cases, that are listed at their web site.

 

 

[ShuMan]

Thanks Berta,  I never thought to check the BVA web site . Great idea!

[ShuMan]

Hey Berta, I was reading over the case and I'm confused.  What actually happened in that case? It looks like some got denied but what happened to the other disabilities.

[Berta]

Maybe the veteran provided the nexuses he was missing or an IMO and maybe the RO awarded them.

Best to ask Gordon and Doner...they might know. We dont have any way to see how remands turn out...aside from those here who have had remands.

What is wrong in the denied claims is that the veteran failed to adequately send to VA, the evidence they needed, after ample opportunity and proper VCAA notice.

It might be situation where the vet relied too heavily on expecting  the lawyers to do it all.

Neither vet reps or lawyers can make claims succeed.

Only evidence can do that.

The denied claims lacked probative evidence.

 

 

[ArNG11]

Well rationalized evidence is king!

[ShuMan]

Berta,

"It might be situation where the vet relied too heavily on expecting  the lawyers to do it all. "

That is a great quote. I do think that lawyers can help but Its not stopping me from seeking out doctors that perform IMEs. (The only thing that's doing that is the VA, dragging there feet on getting me my C-File..lol.)

Berta and ArNG11,

What has been your experience working with lawyers? Have they been worth the 20% retro pay they receive?

[ArNG11]

I don't want to bad mouth my former attorney.  He has been successful in other cases and claims. However, in my particular case, I knew too much and was too involved in my own case for his own comfort level.

I am not saying that I know more than an attorney by no means.  I went after what I thought was right.  I went after what I could prove by medical rationale, SMR's, private medical records and medical nexus connecting my injuries and disease's to service.  Turns out I have been right thus far, even if my actions were against his advice.

I did the same with my DOL claims and injuries.  Similar experience and the attorney missed out on an easy 4 grand for very little work.

I believe that if you utilize an attorney at the right time they can be of a great help, however, there has to be a good business relationship and good communication between both parties. You know, having the same goals and the same desired outcome.   That is just my opinion. The decision is ultimately yours to make and control.

[Berta]

"Berta and ArNG11,

What has been your experience working with lawyers? Have they been worth the 20% retro pay they receive?"

I have been a claimant multiple times for over 2 decades and also a successful FTCAer and never had any attorney represent me,in any VA related matter   except for NVLSP, who represented all claimants who filed under the AO Nehmer regs, who they were aware of ( I had posted their contact info here as soon as the 2010 Nehmer info came out,)that included 3 new AO presumptives, in 2010.

NVLSP is a pro bono law firm and no one under the Nehmer regs who received retro had to pay them anything.

I do feel that as broncovet said here and others, that paying 20% of something is better then

paying no legal fees ,for a claim that needs a lawyer's help,and ending up ,again, with nothing.

If VA provided accurate decisions all of the time, and if veterans provided VA with the exact probative evidence VA describes they need ,for each specific claim they have,and took the time to understand the regulations that control their claims, we would not even need lawyers or vet reps.

There are plenty of good lawyers who represent vets.Someone posted a list of them here recently I think, in response to a widow's recent topic.

I would think a good Vet attorney would want good feed back from their client,that could potentially help their claim.

I found that it is some of the vet reps and VSOs out there who think they know it all , and often disregard input from their vets,holding their POA.

Reps get paid regardless of what they do or dont do for a vet.

Lawyers have the financial incentive to do a good job.