Aid and attendance run around...Will it show up on ebenefits site..? And

[msh2930]

if a VA social worked faxed everything to the RO, how long before we get a decision...? I thought it would appear on the claim section of ebenefits, but it's not there. The VA social worker said he faxed everything July 21, I would think something would show on ebenefits. that aid and attendance was filed for...? The social worked said it's out of his hands now, and he said we will get an answer before he will... I just thought it would at least show on ebenefits as being filed at least...? 

[GBArmy]

MSH2930 Welcome to Hadit. I don't know what your claim is, but the social worker is correct in that he won't know before you get a letter from the VA. July 21 is more that the required 10 days before you can call , so call "Peggy" at 800-827-1000 and see what you can get out of them for status. Ask for a copy of whatever they sent to you. If this is your first claim, ask for a notification letter and what is your "Claim Number." If you get one, you know that it is at least in the system. I would suggest you search out a Veterans Service Officer, VSO, who has the ability to look into the VA claims system by using what is called the VSM. Ask questions to see if the VSO you are considering is competent and will work with you. It doesn't cost you anything but provides some guidance on the process. 

[broncovet]

Ebenefits is often unreliable, out of date, or wrong.  Did you give POA to your social worker?  

If they dont have POA, they can not represent you. I have actually not heard of a social worker applying for VA benefits; not that its impossible for a social worker to also be a VSO.  A brain surgeon can also be a licensed plumber, but the two of these together are unlikely.  

Im a "little suspicious" of a "social worker" filing for VA benefits.  There are something called "pension poachers".  

What they do is find a Veteran with the required period of service, file for pension for him/her, then collect a large fee, when a VSO would do so for free.  You should not have to pay thousands of dollars for someone to fill out a pension form which should take under an hour.  

Its also possible for a "poacher" to get you A and A.  You should not have to compensate your social worker, but many times poachers have us sign stuff and people dont read what they are signing.  

If you find out this is the case, my advice would be to go to your local VA medical center, find a VSO (one with VBMS access is best, ask him/her) and, consider revoking social worker POA by granting POA to a VSO with VBMS access.   While you are at the VSO''s with VBMS access he and you should be able to see exactly what is going on..that is, did someone really file for you and do they have your POA.  

VBMS, aka "efile", is the current status of your claim, similar to the ones rating specialists use.  

Your social worker may be on the level, but its worth checking out.  In fact, its possible your social worker is also an experienced VSO, its just that both of these "should" require extensive training.  (Many VSO's skip the training, and do OJT, and you could be their first). 

Edited August 11, 2021 by broncovet