Supplemental Claims and E-Benefits

[KansasNavy]

Good Morning,   Do Supplemental claims ever show up in E-Benefits?  Using my DAV he submitted my supplemental claim thru the Muskogee OK VA.  Had a C&P already and VES was the Dr.  Will it eventually show up in E-benefits website?  Thanks

[brokensoldier244th]

Claim should, but ebenefits is not a direct portal to your file. It just scrapes some data. We certainly don’t use it. If VES did your c and p you’ll need to request it from them or your vso. It won’t show  up in blue button cause that’s only for Vamc records or personal stuff if you share records with your private doctor. 

[KansasNavy]

Thank you

Thank you

[broncovet]

Ebenefits, as broken soldier says, is "willy nilly".  Sometimes it will, sometimes it wont, sometimes it does and is wrong.  To rely on ebenefits for information to plan out your finances is a recipe for disaster.  Sadly, its often the best source available.  

But, there is a way:  Check your VBMS file.  You have to have an attorney or VSO with VBMS access to do that, tho.  Yes, that is frustrating.  Its part of that "cozy relationship" between VA and the VSO's.  You know the one...the one where VA "gives" the VSO's free rent in VAMC's and VARO's.  Oh, and remember the saying, "there is no such thing as free rent"? 

Quote

Yea, that is why VSO's often tell us stuff like "Naw, why would you want to appeal that?    Your appeal will probably be turned down anyway.   You could be reduced instead.  Better not rock the boat, settle in for less than you deserve, and get comfortable being in poverty the rest of your life. After all, it makes life easier for VSO's and VA employees if you dont appeal.   But, thank you for your service!"

....I hear stuff like this all the time.  What they dont tell you is the truth.  The truth is that, at the BVA, only about 1 out of 5 appeals are correct and denied.  This means you have about an 80 percent chance of either an award at BVA or a remand.  (which often leads to an award).  Further, there are zero regulations which support reducing Veterans who apply for an increase or additional benefits.  The criteria for reduction is always that you have had "actual improvement under ordinary conditions of life".  (For Vets who have been rated over 5 years or are P and T).  Temp ratings can be reduced, but reductions can happen regardless of, and independent of, whether or not you file an increase.  

Sources:  https://www.bva.va.gov/Chairman_Annual_Rpts.asp  and

Scroll down to "statistics" section.  Your odds of approval are "even better" when you hire an attorney, up to 90 percent, in some years.  Reductions:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.344  

Edited December 7, 2020 by broncovet

[brokensoldier244th]

Its got nothing to do with 'free rent" or whatever. A private POA that isn't co-located in a VAMC or RO can access the same stuff- so if you have an attorney,etc they can see your file, too. They just may not always know what they are looking at unless they are experienced with vet claims.