About
Where to start? I am a Persian Gulf War era disabled veteran. The Navy retired me after 14 years of service, on Christmas Eve 1996. Since then I have worked with Veteran Service Organizations and the Department of Veterans Affairs. During this time, as a result of my efforts, I’ve helped veterans and their families get over $1 million in benefits they’ve earned. It’s not the money I’m focused on. It’s the vast improvement in the quality of life for the veterans and their families that drives me.
My mission is to help veterans, and their families, navigate through the never-ending red tape at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I have learned over the years, the VA often isn’t helpful when someone has questions about benefits. Typically, they will refer you to the VA website, www.va.gov, or they’ll mail them the Federal Benefits handbook. Either way, the information doesn’t actually tell those inquiring if they are actually eligible or not for the benefit.
Another reason for this blog is to help people develop their claims. When dealing with the VA, if the VA finds you are entitled to a benefit, the VA has to pay the benefit. But they won’t tell you what questions to asks, or tell you how to ask, for the benefits. I will focus on what questions should be asked and why.
I am an accredited Service Officer. I have argued claims at the VA, at Discharge Review Boards, at the Board For Correction Of Military Records, and on behalf of the service member at Physical Evaluation Boards. So yes, I like argue.
I will provide the source of my arguments. I want everyone to know where to find the information. The information is public, but the public isn’t told where to look. Veterans should not be required to be research experts to obtain assistance or simply get answers to their questions.
Yes, there are Veteran Service Organizations who provide assistance. One advantage I have is that I do not rely on the contributions of members to stay in existence. You do not have to worry about me answering the phone. I don’t have a phone. However, I always have my computer with me and can answer questions from anywhere. And in this forum, if I answer a specific question, others can see the answer which might help them. Therefore, everyone wins. Even the VA wins by having well-developed claims that can be processed quickly which will help reduce the almost 1,000,000 claim backlog.
Dec 11, 2011 @ 22:18:09
Great service, sir!
Dec 12, 2011 @ 07:10:09
Thanks MJ. It truely is my pleasure providing this service.
Jan 06, 2012 @ 09:41:15
First off. Thank you for your CONTINUED service to your country. This is great info. My company modifies vehicles for people with physical challenges and veterans are big part of our business. As a veteran myself I’m shocked at the amount of veterans that have no idea what they’re entitled to. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had a veteran who actually new. They are quite happy when I explain to them what their benefits are. How can I put veterans in touch with you?
Jan 06, 2012 @ 18:37:39
David – Thanks for your kind remarks. You’re much too generous. It is sincerely my pleasure to try and make things easier for my fellow veterans to obtain the benefits they earned. As a disabled vet myself, I know the frustrations veterans experience.
The best way to get veterans, or their family members, in touch with me is to have them check my blog. I do reply to comments and will often send them private emails. If it is a topic that can help other veterans, their topic may be helpful to other veterans.
Enjoy your weekend. David
Jan 11, 2012 @ 14:46:16
Thanks David. I’ve saved your blog under my favorites and will pass along if I have anybody with questions. Please feel free to have any of your veterans call me if they have questions regarding vehicle modifications and what may be out there for them. My number is 603-216-3923. If they’re not local to me (Mass/NH) I will answer their questions and get them set up with a local modifier. Where are you based out of, and are you a prosthetics chief?
Thanks for all you do.
Jan 14, 2012 @ 09:01:09
Jan 17, 2012 @ 02:11:56
David,
I would love to hear more about what you do and talk to you a bit about our organization. Judging from your blog, it looks like you do some incredible work and I want to commend you for it. Also, I want to thank you for your service. Please email me at your convenience so we can exchange further information and begin some correspondence.
Jan 17, 2012 @ 06:51:22
Thanks. I’m just trying to help my fellow veterans. I’ll have more time tomorrow, Wednesday, if that works for you.
David
Jan 17, 2012 @ 12:18:38
Sadly tomorrow is rather busy for me. Just email me whenever you have the chance at militaryoutreachgc@gmail.com
Jan 22, 2012 @ 00:07:51
I just recieved test results from the va. i have not been to the va since 94 when i rated at 20% for knees. hear is the results. the left knee on the ap view there is significant lateral subluxation with almost bone to bone contact of the medial compartment and marked marginal spurring of the patellofemoral and lateral compartments. there is no joint effusion. the right knee shows moderate degenerative changes mostly involving the medial compartment with minimal marginal spurring patellofemoral joint slightly narrowing. no joint effusion. first off i dont have a clue what this means. aithough i do know my knees hurt like hell.what can expect to happen next with the va? should i get re rated?
REPL
Feb 08, 2012 @ 21:14:58
I have a question for you. I have a patient who says he transferred his GI Bill to his children. After he transferred the benefits he had a stroke and cannot remember his CAC pin to go online to ensure the benefits were transferred. His wife doesn’t know how to fix the CAC pin issue. Where can I turn to help him?
Apr 01, 2012 @ 15:51:26
Hi David,
Thank you for the service. I am learning a lot. I recently received my notice of award 1 week short of a year after I retired from the Navy last year. I was approved but at a pretty low rate. Looking at the evidence listed on the notice, it appears that some very important evidence I submitted about 3-4 months after the claim was filed never was received or at least never made it to the rater. Looking at your post of January 2, 2012, the personal meeting with the rater sounds like the way to go but I have a few questions. Can I email you a few questions on that?
Thanks again,
Apr 13, 2012 @ 00:38:07
I have a question about the Cola. I was told we where supposed to get it back in January as I read on one page here, but Its april now and I still havent gotten it. Will they pay it retroactive? When are they actually planning on paying it. My wife was layed off so now my VA check is How I support my family of four. Im 100% service connected, and even at that rate it’s not much when raising kids. My house is falling in disrepair, and I was ganna try and use that raise money to fix my home little by little. Any clues? Help would be appreciated
Jun 18, 2012 @ 14:58:17
Eric here it is middle of june and still no colas for lots of vets i have called and called with with same ole negative results were still working on and don’t know when they will finish the files. so looks like we’ll have to wait and wait maybe by next year we will here something for it looks like nothing is going to be done this year 2012.
Sep 17, 2012 @ 15:55:04
Is VA late paying the clothing allowance? I have not received my allowance yet and everytime I call VA states that it have not been processed.