Denied

[pacmanx1]

The crazy one here, I will not go into any personal rant about how screwed up VA is. I will just say that VA will deny any and all claims they choose regardless of the evidence until the veteran appeal their (VA) decision.  It is always best to file a NOD than to file a CUE claim but if you have the evidence and you have gone beyond the time of filing a NOD then definitely file a CUE claim and get a qualified attorney.  IMHO (IN MY HUMBLE OPINION) a veteran is a better advocate than a VSO but a veteran does need some assistance with getting through VAs' red tape if s/he is not familiar with it. Keep in mind that VA make decisions because they are in the position and have the power to do so. Getting angry/Yelling at them/Cursing them or even Correcting them can cause retaliations that could cause problems in the veterans claims. VA can be very vindictive and it is the veterans livelihood that suffers.  Just passing the word on. Never Give Up.

P.S. We have not mentioned it in a while but there are VSOs and VA personnel lurking around these boards and with any good thing there is always bad things in there mitts.

[stinger]

Wow...pretty hardcore and opinionated against any and all VA. I have had good treatment, good representation from my rep. Everybody is different.

[Andyman73]

pete992,

Was that a gauntlet being thrown down? Or just an observation by JAFO?

Semper Fi

[Guest]

Truth is truth, we must realize that we all have had some victories and some loses. That is why we searched and found sites like hadit.com and there are other sites as well.  Something happened with our claims that led us to do research and lo and behold here we are. I don't think it is hardcore, I think it is calling it like it is straight down the line. I am not challenging anyone I am just informing that there is always some bad things lurking around in good things.  In battle information is key. If any veteran thinks that s/he is not in battle with VA for their benefits then I don't know what to say.

Edited June 2, 2016 by pete992

[MarineSSgt]

pete992,

You said it!  The VA denied me on my initial claim for two injuries that happened in service and is CLEARLY documented in my service medical record!!! They denied me because I didn't have residual effect from the injuries... Really!!!??? At the very least I should've gotten a 0% service connection. But the poor ol' rater felt I didn't deserve a SC.

The price we pay to keep the people at the VA safe to do their jobs! Maybe we should send them oversea's to a combat zone to see how they would like it. I guarantee they would change their perception about Veteran's!

Edited June 2, 2016 by MarineSSgt

[Buck52]

I agree with ya pete992

When a Veteran has all his evidence and is clear that his injury or disease  happen or manifested while in military months or years later  and submits his/her claim  the VA can & will deny....its almost like they want us to beg for our earned benefits.

Usually if the Veteran don't ever give up  he /she will Win....for us older Vietnam Vets Our time is running out or not much time left for most of us to enjoy our benefits when we do finally get them.

[OldJoe]

Well, at least you didn't do what I did and think that the VA was going to be fair when I filed my initial claim 20 years ago.  It is only 20 years later with the assistance of sites like these a vet becomes empowered with a lot of knowledge. 

Twenty years ago (and earlier) you had to have some insight how the system worked or knew someone that did.  Or, like so many others, and myself, have the erroneous impression that it was basically a one shot deal, or didn't have the resources to effective appeal a decision in an effective manner.

One thin gossamer piece of silver lining to this is that with more information out there and sites like this veterans now have access to stand a better chance of getting better ratings than if the VA had "played fair" and gave decent ratings to begin with.  If they would have "played fair" it would have lead to fewer appeals because so many vets would have thought it was too much effort to get a better rating.

Now with the information and the media stories about the VA scandals, it draws more vets in to see if they themselves got the shaft.  Many of which most undoubtedly have in some way or another if not simply not realizing that they could get their rating increased or that there are such things as secondary conditions.  It's not like the VA sends out fliers advocating getting checked out to see if you qualify for a rate increase or you have a secondary condition that can be covered.

Heck with all of the research I have had to do I am now contemplating another disability claim that I had no idea I had the symptoms of.  Still need to get it checked out before I go off half cocked (did that one too many time already).  But it is strange what you think is nothing of consequence and find out that it is something that can be quite serious.  Twenty years ago I thought it was just simple silly thing of vertigo watching friends play a first person shooter video game, I would get quite nauseous to the point that I had to stop watching them play.  Now, every-once in a while I get woozy and light headed, never thinking it could be something else.  Always thought I had just gotten up to quick, low blood sugar, ...  (Still could be, that's why I need to get it checked).