Is it helpful to visit Veterans Affairs, or am I better off finding information on my own?

SPC Michael Stanko — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 07:59:54 -0400

How many veterans have gone to their local Veterans Affairs office for help with setting up benefits or help with find a job? Are they worth going and talking with or is it better to find the information on your own? Any information would be helpful both positive or negative.

Response by CPL Felipe Silva made Apr 14 at 2014 9:57 AM

CPL Felipe Silva — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:57:07 -0400

SPC Stanko,

I have had the same problem with getting information to help me setting up benefits. Keep at it. Getting the 30 point preference will help you in getting a government job (if that's what you're looking for). I have been trying to get into the VA hospital for about 3 years now.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 14 at 2014 10:27 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:27:16 -0400

I would recommend that you meet with a Veterans Service Officer. I have attached a link showing the offices in Illinois. I'm sure they will be able to give you the information you need. I would never recommend anyone try to navigate the bureaucracy of the VA on their own!

http://www.iacvac.org/

Home - Illinois Assocation of County Veterans Assistance Commissions

The Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions was formed as an overseer to assure that the veterans services promised in the Illinois Military Assistance Act are provided and that...

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 14 at 2014 11:47 AM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 11:47:18 -0400

Be prepared for an exercise in futility. The local offices want to help, but the Regional offices are a morass of regulations and can't get out of their own way.

I've been waiting 3 years on an appeal, 7 years since I first filed for an action.

Response by SPC Michael Stanko made Apr 14 at 2014 11:54 AM

SPC Michael Stanko — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 11:54:24 -0400

I was looking online and found a website that looks like it can be used to track your claims though the VA. Has anyone used ebenefits? It looks like it might be a lot of help.

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/‎

Response by SSG Jeff Principe made Apr 15 at 2014 10:22 AM

SSG Jeff Principe — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:22:44 -0400

in addition to this great advice find a VSO Veterans Service Officer. They are usually in one of your county buildings. They are retired military as well as trained to know how to say things and what forms to put it on. The one I worked with had an 80% success rate. My advice is look through the phone book under the county listings for Veterans Service. They are great people and are usually filling out your form while you talk.

Response by Cpl Jimmy Taylor made Apr 17 at 2014 9:00 AM

Cpl Jimmy Taylor — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 09:00:55 -0400

Well it is always good to ask someone if you cant find the answers for yourself. If there is not a local V.A. close to you then you can always contact your Regional VA by calling [login to see] , this number will connect you to the closest VA and they will be able to anwser any question you have.

Semper Fi

Response by MSG Jim Gawne made Apr 17 at 2014 10:56 PM

MSG Jim Gawne — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 22:56:05 -0400

Michael - I strongly suggest that you contact your State Veteran's Services office, the US Department of Veteran's Affairs, and your local Vet Center. Also, if you are even considering filing a VA Disability Claim, you should contact a Veteran's Service Officer at your local Disabled American Veterans office. These are usually co-located with regional VA offices, or you can go to this website for assistance http://www.dav.org/veterans/find-your-local-office/

Don't be discouraged if things don't move as quickly as you would like. There are lots of us out there looking for these services

Find Your Local Office - DAV

Military members separating from active duty should talk to a Transition Service Officer. Find your nearest TSO here. DAV also offers Mobile Service Offices, to reach those veterans with mobility prob...

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 17 at 2014 11:41 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:41:59 -0400

There's a lot you can find online. I hate waiting on the phone forever...the nearest VA office is an hour and a half away

Response by Sgt Daniel V. made Apr 18 at 2014 5:45 AM

Sgt Daniel V. — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 05:45:00 -0400

Ebenefits.va.gov is essential to vets who have filed appeals or want to get benefits its a central resource center for all your vet needs it takes a phone call (call during non peak hours) and you can have an account set up with in a few minutes and be drowning in information.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 20 at 2015 9:41 PM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 21:41:40 -0500

Dealing with the VA is like discovery learning. I would, however, definitely recommend you contact your local VA and state VA representatives. They can be very helpful, and dealing witht the VA can be frustrating.

Please read my other post (response) on this if you can find it. I did pretty well as I retired with the retirement physical and benefits information, but it was not perfect. I also realize as a Colonel, I got treated differently. Once I retired, and needed to appeal some benefits decisions tied to my retirement physical and disability compensation, going it alone was a waste of time. I was told more than once to go to a VSO (Veterans Service Officer), but I did not listen. Finally, when I was getting no traction with the VA on the appeals and reconsiderations, I contacted a Missouri State (State VA Rep) VSO who has been great. They know the system, and I am told the VA responds better to the VSOs than individual veterans. That is for disability compensation tied to retirement, and I suspect medical retirements. If you have a question about things like SBP... you need to see an investment advisor you trust.

Response by CSM Patrick Durr made Jan 5 at 2016 1:17 AM

CSM Patrick Durr — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 01:17:40 -0500

Even after 32 years active duty, I resisted. I eventually joined a local Veterans organization and found it fulfilling. They've assisted me without end with every VA claim to date. Efficiently and effectively...do it, join.