Veteran Services: Top 10 reasons for not applying for VA com...

Thank you for your post Michael Compeau!

What former military people fail to realize is that they may or may not have symptoms of a health-related issue as they are mostly younger people, but when they age, these health-related issues become increasingly to the forefront and need to be addressed... Whether it is PTSD, broken limbs, broken limbs with metal pinning, eye issues, hearing issues, and a litany of other issues...

First, one needs to employ the use of someone dedicated to help a veteran through the rigors of applying for a disability application and screening... There are lawyers and companies who assist for a fee, but that is totally unnecessary in my view. There are great organizations around our country that work to help Veterans at no cost to the veteran and they know the ins and outs, what is needed and what is not. The Disabled American Veterans is one of those organizations and is National in scope.
I say that because I am a Disabled Veteran and I am also a DAV Chapter Commander. I have been through the rigors of the process and it can be seemingly vigorous and time consuming, but the DAV National Service Officers (NSO's), DAV Chapter Service Officers CSO's, who are also Disabled Veterans fight for you at no cost! They will advise you what you need to do and how to do it... They will submit a Veteran's claim packet for you if necessary and you sign him or her up to be your Power of Attorney for your claim (thus they can speak and do for you on your claim). If something is needed by the VA Claims Department, your NSO or CSO will advise you and work with you to provide what is needed. These dedicated National Service Officers are very well trained in handling VA claims, and it makes it easier on the VA to get a "Clean and organized" claims package, minimizing process times...

There are some key elements that should never be overlooked by any Veteran who even thinks about filing a claim...and by no means is this list meant to cover all situations...
1) Keep all your military records, deployments duty stations, MOS or other job designations, etc.
2) If you are ever treated in a military or civilian hospital for anything during your military service, keep and maintain those records.
3) If one is not computer literate, it is not totally necessary, but is a great asset, because many of the records and forms are available online through "eBenefits.com", and other military and VA secure websites! Your NSO and CSO can help there as well.
4) Search your memory for incidents that may have occurred in your Tours of Duty, no matter whether you think they are relevant or not.
5) Be patient, as things don't happen overnight... work with and have faith in whoever is your Claims Power of Attorney.
6) As a Military Veteran with a good service record, if you need medical help right away, go to your local VA Hospital or clinic and begin the general application process for healthcare...and your NSO or CSO can assist you if necessary.
7) Don't be afraid to ask questions!!! As some of my mentors have said many times over the years..."The only bad question is the question that is NOT asked!"
8) Maintain a professional attitude! Remember you are seeking help, and no one wants to work with a wise guy or wise gal! A positive attitude will help you in many ways...
9) Be prepared to take notes when necessary so you don't forget what was said to you... If you are computer savvy and can use online help, use it to assist! Keep all your files in easy to find folder on your computer if you have one...
10) Lastly, just as a note of experience, one of my very long-time friends from grammar school through high school was accepted to the US Naval Academy, graduated and began a six plus year commitment as a Navy officer... in one of his assignments He became a USN River Patrol Boat Captain during the Vietnam War... His job was to patrol the Mekong Delta wherever needed and that included some difficult areas where agent orange was being or had been used... He was a young man at the time, but much later in life he developed Parkinson's Disease... and Agent Orange was proven to be a trigger in Parkinson's Disease among other diseases... He is now (at 76) is fully covered by the excellent VA medical staff...

I hope this helps some my fellow veterans with health issues to make the move to apply for healthcare and to file their claim with the VA for debilitating problems...
Kerry F. Harkins
Commander, DAV Chapter #90,
Norwood, Massachusetts




Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSG Byron Howard Sr Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Robert Thornton CWO3 Dennis M. LTC Wayne Brandon Sgt Deborah Cornatzer PO3 Bob McCord CW5 Jack Cardwell TSgt Joe C. SFC Stephen Lucas SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC Mark Huddleston LTC Stephen F.

Red tape is the kicker but seems to be improving.

Reason 1A. Part of not trusting government. Not wanting the "label" of mental illness. Especially not wanting a government label. So many people / politicians are pushing for removing rights of the mentally unstable without due process, people don't want to volunteer themselves.

I know for a fact I could have been rated for PTSD. Luckily my symptoms are mild and manageable. I made damned sure I did NOT get that included in my claim, just to be safe. I was pretty sure I was going to come back with a 80 or 90 rating without it, and a 100 with it, but it was worth the loss to be sure I protected my future self.

(I was exceptionally surprised to get a 100 rating, anyway - looks like I made the right decision.)