Rant not a question

[Riplip]

Well I have finally caved in. After many years of fighting without SMR's I have finally hired a lawyer to fight for me. I am tired of it. I know I have lost years in my life dealing with the stress of the VA. I got myself up to 90% but the last 2 tries for Sleep apnea have been denied and I'm over it. I only say this here because I know I am not the only one but 20% of any award or backpay is worth it for me. I am not looking forward to more shitty C&P exams where NP and barely trained people get to over rule an actual Dr. in the field for years but I am going to win this fight (hopefully). Just now it is going to be with help. Keep fighting my friends. 

[Whodat]

Amen brother. I had to do the same. 

[Dot09]

That’s where I’m at with it. I’m checking out and letting my attorney deal with it. Best of luck with yours.

[pacmanx1]

For those veterans that can't get their claim granted or their claim is denied, or the BVA low balls their rating, I say try and continue to fight until you get a BVA denial. After the BVA denies your claim/appeal, the veteran can then hire an accredited attorney free of costs/charges and if the attorney loses the veteran does not have to pay but if the attorney wins then the VA pays the attorney fees under the EAJA (EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT). This way the veteran does not have to forfeit any of his/her retroactive benefits. 

Edited October 5, 2023 by pacmanx1

[Dustoff1970]

According to current and former VSO, VA raters on another forum the attorneys are in no hurry and drag things out in appealing your denied decision as they supposedly benefit financially from this.  How I do not know and may be more BS from the other forum.  Someone who has used an attorney may provide more info.

[Dot09]

Dustoff

i agree with that. Attorney do drag their feet. I probably should have skipped the whole process of an HLR. They are pointless and a waste of time. I should have sent it in to the BVA right away. Anyways after 20 years of battling the Va I have lost a lot of the fight to go against the Va. The last thing that I need is SMC s housebound because I’m already 100 percent scheduler p/t. 
 

P.S. I know we had a spute in the past. I apologize. I was in a bad place. Hope there’s no hard feelings.