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What happens when your attorney drops you during an appeal?

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USMCVMO

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Hi,

I have had an appeal waiting for a judge for a couple of years now.   During this wait time my attorney closed his office and sent me an e-mail withdrawing his representation for me. 

Do I need another attorney or just wait and see what happens with the appeal?  

Thank you.

 

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I think the veteran stated the lawyer send a letter  withdrawing to him that is the proof.

What more would he need.

Best advice is to call an find out if you are waiting on a hearing or decision an go from there

But I would upload the letter to stop any payment to him if you get retro 

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12 minutes ago, Mr cue said:

I think the veteran stated the lawyer send a letter  withdrawing to him that is the proof.

What more would he need.

Best advice is to call an find out if you are waiting on a hearing or decision an go from there

The veteran also posted the status of his pending appeal, since there is no current decision, it's nothing wrong with calling the 1 (800) number but the veteran will still have to send in the former POA letter/statement and how he chooses to go forward, with or without representation. This is normally a signed document whether uploaded or faxed.  

https://content.invisioncic.com/r264491/monthly_2023_01/image.png.f346458ccb71af377e2f254a9527a1c0.png

Edited by pacmanx1

My intentions are to help, my advice maybe wrong, be your own advocate and know what is in your C-File and the 38 CFR that governs your disabilities and conditions.

Do your own homework. No one knows the veteran’s symptoms like the veteran. Never Give Up.

I do not give my consent for anyone to view my personal VA records.

 

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33 minutes ago, pacmanx1 said:

but the veteran will still have to send in the former POA letter/statement and how he chooses to go forward, with or without representation. This is normally a signed document whether uploaded or faxed.  

Ok I will let this one go but the lawyer was to send all that to the VA.

To withdraw from the appeal. not the veteran 

Yes if the veteran choose to get new help they have to do a new poa with the veteran. An they send it to the VA nit the veteran.

My opinion is that is a bridge to cross one he find out if the lawyer did the paperwork to withdraw. An what stage the appeal is in.

 The lawyer may have just send him a letter and still try to get paid by not fiing the paperwork with VA to  withdraw. My opinion 

That why I would upload the letter. An a statement so he don't get paid.

Now the call is just for the veteran to see were the appeal is wait on a hearing or bva decision.

So they can make the choice of if they want a new poa at this point.

Or just wait for the bva decision. I just don't see nothing more to it.

This is my opinion and I thinking we all are  just stating our opinion to help veterans.

 

 

 

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 The problem or issue is we do not know what the lawyers did, the post states that the lawyer closed his office and sent him an email. There are too many variables of why the lawyer closed his office and there is no way of knowing or thinking that the lawyer is still trying to get paid. Keep in mind that most agreement clause is no decision/ no win, you/the veteran do not have to pay. If the lawyer withdrew his representation that means the veteran is allowed to hire a different or new representative. Saying the lawyer is trying to get paid is putting the cart before the horse, since there is currently no decision, there is currently no payment/charges due to the lawyer. Also, the veteran did not say that the lawyer sent him a bill and as for the VA, they will not consider paying any agreement if no decision was made. 

On 1/6/2023 at 12:12 PM, USMCVMO said:

During this wait time my attorney closed his office and sent me an e-mail withdrawing his representation for me. 

 

My intentions are to help, my advice maybe wrong, be your own advocate and know what is in your C-File and the 38 CFR that governs your disabilities and conditions.

Do your own homework. No one knows the veteran’s symptoms like the veteran. Never Give Up.

I do not give my consent for anyone to view my personal VA records.

 

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The lawyer is not asking for money.   He sent a polite letter saying he had a few tough years and couldn't keep the office afloat.  Within that e-mail he withdrew his representation.    He is sending my case file for free.  At this time I am going to wait because I do not think this is waiting for a hearing.  its waiting for a judge to decide the appeal.  I am not going to give another attorney money to do nothing.    Iwill contact the VA to see what evidence they need to take my prior counsel off my file.

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47 minutes ago, USMCVMO said:

its waiting for a judge to decide the appeal.  I am not going to give another attorney money to do nothing.    Iwill contact the VA to see what evidence they need to take my prior counsel off my file

Yes contact them an make sure he has withdraw with the VA. A email doesn't withdraw him with the VA.

If he hasn't  withdraw with them an you win your case the VA will pay him 20% of any back pay.

 

Good luck 

 

 

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