An accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you gather evidence, file a claim, or request a decision review. They can also communicate with VA on your behalf. Their services are free and they have taken training offered by the Veterans Administration. They are then tested on their knowledge on VA claims and decision reviews. Some are accredited and some aren’t. Organizations such as The American Legion, DAV and VFW often have someone trained and can assist you. If they don’t have someone they can help guide you to someone who can.
There is no cost to the veteran to see an VSO. Along with what is mentioned above, VSO’s can give you updates and access to your claim file. However, you can’t view the content online. You would have to ask them if they could print out information. It can take 2-3 business days for details about your claim/appeal to be filed for you to show up online. Some VSO’s are paid for their time (they are accredited), others aren’t. That being said, you can switch VSO’s from one organization mentioned above to another organization. In addition to all 50 states having accredited VSO’s. Washington DC, Europe, Peurto Rico, Mexico, Philippines and the Virgin Islands are also included.
You will need to sign a VA form 21-22 so the VSO can be your representative. You will also need to bring all your paperwork relating to the claim you want to file. I refer to evidence needed to convince the Veterans Administration Claims you have a case.
Benefits of using an VSO are:
- Support Veterans in navigating benefits and emergent needs
- Educate Veterans and their families on earned benefits
- Respect Veterans and their military journey
- Value Veterans through empathy and assistance
- Impact Veterans lives positively
- Connect Veterans with local, state, and federal resources
- Empower Veterans to thrive in their lives during and after service
- Death/Survivor Benefits
- Education and Employment
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Miscellaneous
- VA DisabilityCompensation
- VA pension
Eventually you may need to seek a lawyer because they have legal knowledge on helping with claims. My attorney was paid a certain amount from the VA Claims. After your claim is approved you will be giving them a percentage of the retroactive money you get once the claim is approved and you receive the money. The total amount that is considered fair falls under Title 38 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. Laws are always changing so when you apply, you need to make sure the above terms of what the lawyers can charge and when they can start charging hasn’t changed.
Also, the percentage depends on what you are awarded in your vlaim. I gave them the information to get direct deposit. The way I looked at it, what you pay the lawyer is worth it. They will need to be a lawyer in good standing with the bar association for the VA to allow them to assist a veteran filing a claim.
With this in mind, it would be best to make sure they have knowledge and experience helping people navigate the system. If they are accredited they had specific training. You can count on their assistance when the VA recognizes them as accredited. Keep in mind those who aren’t recognized as such, aren’t well-versed in these areas.
