What is your personal experience with DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit? Is it providing services adequately across the country?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:59:21 -0500

Share your thoughts in a professional manner.

What is your personal experience with DAV?

Is it providing all of these services adequately across the country?

DAV Services:

DAV assists over a million veterans annually through their services, including helping them navigate the complex VA claims process to access earned benefits.

DAV actively lobbies on behalf of veterans in Congress to improve legislation related to benefits and healthcare access.

They provide local support networks and transportation services to help veterans access VA medical appointments.

DAV is recognized for its strong commitment to veterans and has a high rating from charity evaluators.

Thank you,

COL (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
CEO,
Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Mar 5 at 2025 4:16 PM

MSgt Dale Johnson — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:16:11 -0500

My local VSO is a DAV person, she has helped me review my Medical information to make sure I had valid claims, file initial claims and also with the paperwork for the claim that was denied. With her help my claim was eventually awarded in my favor.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Mar 5 at 2025 5:25 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:25:31 -0500

I received a letter from them today. I always like reading about the good work they do.

Response by SSG Benton Miller made Mar 5 at 2025 5:51 PM

SSG Benton Miller — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:51:43 -0500

The DAV helped me fill out my initial claim when I was getting out

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 5 at 2025 6:09 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:09:55 -0500

A couple of the members of our VFW Post are also members of the DAV and I've seen the work they do, supplementing our County VSO's. Seem like a fine organization to me.

Response by SPC Joseph Kopac made Mar 5 at 2025 6:25 PM

SPC Joseph Kopac — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:25:59 -0500

Life member. They helped with my Agent Orange claims. Have a 8 AM appointment with VES tommorow. Veteran Evaluation Services. They set this up for me. Had a few cancer surgeries recently. I wish someone would have told me about the travel pay though. I lost claims from August to December. They only go back 30 days. I received 9 travel checks in the mail yesterday. The VA lost my banking info but now it's ok. VA disability compensation and travel pay are separate when it comes to banking info.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Mar 5 at 2025 8:56 PM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:56:52 -0500

I don't care much for their thrift store, but I'm sure experience varies from location to location. I think they're a good organization with a good intent behind their existence.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Mar 5 at 2025 9:05 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:05:32 -0500

Good evening COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this. DAV is an excellent organization. I've been donating to them since 2023. They also assist with V.A. claims as well.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 6 at 2025 7:07 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 07:07:48 -0500

Not much to share except I filed a claim with the va the DAV helped me file got rejected for my claim because nobody from the DAV ever showed up to fight for me,FYI lifetime member only have received three magazines in five years I pretty much have given up on the DAV. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Response by Sgt Jim Belanus made Mar 6 at 2025 2:05 PM

Sgt Jim Belanus — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:05:31 -0500

At 73 I just got on the sys. So far i am pleased with the service. I've been using a rural clinic as the hosp. is 180 miles from me. So far I have no complaints and seem to be treated as family.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2025 2:35 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:35:19 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I am a life member of the VFW and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). I have had VSOs from both organizations help me with my VA claims. I donate money to both of these organizations along with DAV. I know that the DAV provides great assistance to veterans, so I also support them with donations.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 7 at 2025 6:44 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 06:44:44 -0500

I’d be more than happy to share my thoughts, I filed a claim the DAV helped me with the application however no one ever showed up to support my claim from the DAV signed all the paperwork over the internet the DAV sent it to the va, it was denied, FYI I have a heart disease because of agent orange it can’t be fixed. So anyway I just gave up.

Response by SMSgt Keith Stephens made Mar 10 at 2025 8:41 AM

SMSgt Keith Stephens — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 08:41:35 -0400

Proud life member of DAV, DAV helped me probably more than I will ever know. If you want a solid organization to belong to DAV is my choice and might be right for you as well. Check it out, you never know.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Mar 11 at 2025 8:25 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:25:46 -0400

I haven't used the services. I am a supporter.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2025 7:23 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:23:21 -0400

I'm a DAV member and supporter.

Response by PO2 Michael Beaumont made Mar 12 at 2025 8:39 PM

PO2 Michael Beaumont — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:39:57 -0400

I would recommend them in a heart beat, they were extremely helpful with my claim for Kidney cancer.
Naval air crash crew, exposed to PFOA, PFOS, the cause of many different types of cancer.
My local Seattle DAV, helped with paperwork proofing claim forms, offering new approaches when the rejection letters arrived. They were very responsive to phone calls and emails.
With the help and encouragement, the loss of both kidneys, we did finally receive my 100% rating.
I joined as a member, in my opinion they deserve all the support possible.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Mar 17 at 2025 4:14 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:14:41 -0400

I have not had any personal experience with DAV even though there are a few chapters close to my location. I never really considered them as I'm not designated as "disabled". Maybe that was short sighted on my part. I should look into them more as there may be benefits/assistance they can provide I'm not currently receiving.

Thanks for all you do COL Mikel J. Burroughs in trying to get information out so Veterans can be as informed as possible.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 20 at 2025 6:56 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:56:00 -0400

NO NOT IN FLORIDA

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 22 at 2025 6:51 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:51:14 -0400

I support the DAV and am a lifetime member however I never get a magazine from them tried to ask for help that didn’t go anywhere but I sure there are a lot of people that need help more than me, so I just stopped asking and go it alone, it does seem to work.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 25 at 2025 9:12 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:12:06 -0400

Funny how my post on this subject gets deleted.