Thousands of Arizona veterans face backlog on disability claims

4 comments:

• Rhema posted at 9:07 am on Tue, Oct 30, 2012.

  Posts: 1

  I am a U.S. Veteran experiencing the same issues with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I have come to learn the reason for our problems with the (VA) and that is the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has power to deny VA benefits no matter how solid the medical evidence is and also power to deny proper redress in the U.S. Federal Courts. There is a law 38 U.S.C § 511, which gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs power deny veterans DUE PROCESS and CIVIL RIGHTS concerning their VA benefits. Mr. Torres can join in on our fight to get this law revoked by signing the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-congress-and-senate-i-want-them-to-revoke-38-u-s-c-511, which is a law harming the VA processing of benefits. If the link doesn't open up to be signed, he can email me at: pointman1960@nycap.rr.com or call me at: 518-528-9553

  
  

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• Arizonan posted at 9:12 am on Tue, Oct 30, 2012.

  Posts: 5

  I tried for years to deal directly with the VA to no avail. I was fortunate enough to be pointed at DAV and told they would handle my claim for free. They did a great job. I urge anyone seeking compensation to use one of the service organizations like DAV, AMVETS or VFW instead of fighting VA directly. I liken it to useing a lawyer instead of defending yourself in a major court case. They all have offices in the same building as the Regional VA in downtown Phoenix.
  Best of luck!

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• Mom O 4 posted at 10:25 am on Tue, Oct 30, 2012.

  Posts: 2

  As a Veteran they are also NOW calling Veterans in to be reevaluated so their benefits can be reduced. This is a very shady way of doing things to people like myself who loved our country enough to volunteer ! Who do we speak to about that?

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• samkat posted at 5:03 pm on Tue, Oct 30, 2012.

  Posts: 1163

  After 36 years of fighting the VA, I can attest to the foot dragging. For years, I couldn't figure out why they kept denying my claims until I had an opportunity to review my military medical records. They were in a complete state of disarray and many pages were missing altogether. Fortunately, I had made a copy before I retired in 1976. since my copies were beginning to fade, I scanned every page into my computer and now ask each medical provider for a copy of my office notes and lab slips which I promptly scan into my computer. As a precaution, if you do this, make a back up copy in case the computer crashes, is stolen, etc. That way, you always have a back up copy.

  Arizonan: That was good advice. For years, I tried representing my self with little success. I was referred to the DAV several years ago and they have done a good job of representing me. Their major problem is the national organization does not provide enough service officers to adequately staff the local offices. Consequently, the office is always full.

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