Mikemiskell

[mikemiskell]

What is a supplemental statement of the case

[brokensoldier244th]

It is a statement of the case that is provided during a remand, after submission of new evidence, or due to a partial grant with other contentions still undecided. M21-1 7.D.2.a, M21-1 7.D.4.a

[broncovet]

SOC, and SSOC (Statement of case, and supplemental statement of case) are a good example of mostly useless paperwork, and largely result in unnecessary delays.  There very premise is flawed.  

The VA is supposed to "state the Veterans case".  Its a conflict of interest.  Its like asking your opponent at law's attorney to help you win.  

Its based upon mostly a false narrative:  The VA suggests that VA is not out "to get the Veteran" but rather to assist the Veteran to get his/her benefits.  

If the above sentence were true, why are there about 500 attorney's who wait their turn to be assigned "against" a veteran who is appealing.  

Instead of the VA hiring attorneys to "grant the Veteran fewer benefits" (preferably none, for the VA), attorneys should be provided to "help" the Veteran, not the VA.  Its a conflict of interest, for example, for the VA "to have control of the evidence" and its only released to the Veteran "on the VA's schedule", or sometimes not at all.  

Its also an conflict of interest to allow the VA an unlimited amount of time to process Veterans claims, but have a "strict" time frame for Veterans to appeal.  It should be exactly the opposite.  The VA should have a deadline to grant or deny Veterans claims, and the Veteran should be able to appeal "on his/her schedule", not the VA's schedule.  

The Veteran should be able to "state his own case" not have the VA (the VEterans opponent at law) state his case for him.  Generally, the SOC and SSOC are time wasters.  

"Sometimes" the Veteran, however, can nail the VA for "failure" to supply a SOC or SSOC, even if, the SOC OR SSOC is useless.  

Edited May 27, 2023 by broncovet