VA Benefits....what are your thoughts on them?

SPC Jeffrey Jones Sr — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 15:50:47 -0500

I am currently 70% disabled and I am waiting on the VA to fix some things they missed in my clam. I was just wondering what your thoughts were on, the time it takes to complete a clam and the time it takes to fix a clam once they have messed up on something.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 3:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 15:51:39 -0500

They are part of the mix, in otherwords they are inducements to join, education, retirement, etc.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 8 at 2014 3:56 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 15:56:45 -0500

I think personnel should not be allowed to leave Active Duty until the VA has completed the final disposition on their claims. Whether that's a week, a month, a year, or a decade, you will remain, and continue to draw your paycheck (and percentages to your retirement if it adds enough time to your TIS) until your VA paperwork is DONE.

You'd best believe the DOD would light a FIRE under the VA's butt if they had to pay for the VA's incompetence/errors/inefficiency...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 3:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 15:59:49 -0500

I am paying $13k to the University of Illinois in Chicago because of the VA.... If they would have told me that my son was not eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill before he made it through 4 months of college it would have been nice.... Could you sign my petition?

http://www.change.org/petitions/university-of-illinois-in-chicago-christopher-is-not-responsible-for-this-debt

Response by SrA Lee G. made Mar 9 at 2014 12:12 PM

SrA Lee G. — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 12:12:46 -0400

The VA has been improving over the past few years. Sadly they're dealing with new members to the VA as well as old members dated back from the Vietnam era. So just imagine 100,000+ claims being taken care of by just a handful of people. Especially with the national debt and the government shutdown that happened a while back; they are falling behind greatly.

I agree with one response that stated that we should continue to stay in the military until we receive our benefits, but its sadly unrealistic. They won't light a fire under the VA's butt if the government can't set a fire under their own. once we get out of this debt then you will see more money going to organizations across the nation.

Never the less the VA has improved. New members are priority and will see a faster response, but old members will usually see their new claims results in about 1 to 2 years.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 18 at 2014 10:34 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:34:05 -0400

Jeffrey,

I am currently going into my 3rd year of my appeal to errors of my original claim, so it is a longer process for the appeal than the initial claim. I wish you luck with your appeal and hope it all works out for you.

Response by SPC Terrence Wallace made Jun 10 at 2014 12:55 PM

SPC Terrence Wallace — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:55:36 -0400

There are many VA benefit programs that you may not be aware of. These programs are designed to provide financial assistance transitioning into civilian life. The VA can pay for your licensing to get started in the Insurance and Financial Industries field. As a fellow Army veteran, I can help you take advantage of these programs. Farmers Insurance and Financial Services offers a great opportunity for veterans to own their own business. Contact me at 206-FARMERS and I'd be happy to discuss it further with you.