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MAIL CALL! YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS, JIM STRICKLAND
HAS
ANSWERS -- Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland
answers questions from VA Watchdog readers.
Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland provides
regular columns for VA Watchdog dot Org.
If you would like to contact Jim about his
columns, you can email him here...
The archive of Jim's articles
is here...
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A Reader's Question:
I recently put in a claim for Individual Unemployability (IU). Do you
believe that letters from friends and/or ex co-workers can help on
claims?
My Answer:
These are 'Statements In Support of Claim' or “Buddy Letters”. You will
find the VA Form 21-4138 here
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-4138.pdf . They may help if
they are from impartial observers who can attest to facts, not feelings.
If we asked your mom if she is sure you're disabled, we can guess what
most moms (wives, husbands, Ministers, Rabbis, Priests, siblings) will
say for you. What works are letters from people you served with who will
say, "I was there then and I personally observed the conditions that
resulted in the injury (condition) of Sgt. Veteran and here is how that
happened." The decisions are made on hard evidence of an event having
occurred. People who testify for you should be able to make eyewitness
account statements. People who come along later or who are emotionally
close to you may not be credible.
A Reader's Comment:
As a retired VA Rating Specialist I have to say that you are absolutely
correct. Your advice is excellent.
My Reply:
Thank you sir. That means a lot to me coming from someone with your
experience. I preach this often...the VA works well overall but like any
business, it isn't perfect. It's almost funny the amount of VA bashing
sites on the web and the mail I get accusing me of being a traitor
whenever I praise VA. Today's most pointed message referred to me as
"Hanoi Jim" sent in by some deluded fellow who must think I'm as
attractive as Jane Fonda. Bashing is easy, pin-pointing and fixing the
problems is tough. Thank you very much for your devoted service to
Veterans. I hope you're enjoying that retirement!
This Reader's Follow-Up:
I've seen your picture. You don't look at all
like Jane.
The balanced perspective is what I like about your work and the
VA Watchdog site. I have been on
both sides of the VA as a Benefits Counselor at a VAMC and as a Rating
Specialist. I was also the POW Coordinator for a while which I felt was
a true honor serving our most deserving. As a Vietnam vet I have been
through both the C&P and Education benefits claim processes. Sure some
things are broken and desperately need fixing, but I don't know of a
better VA system in the world. With the exception of a few, everyone I
worked with was definitely pro-vet. When I was trained I was told that
if you are going to deny a claim, take another hard look at it and see
if you can't find a way to grant. In my mind the key to a successful and
timely claim is research what it takes to get the benefit your after, to
do your own leg work with obtaining records, and try to submit
everything that will make the rater comfortable with signing the
decision.
I look forward to reading the
VA Watchdog site with my morning coffee and always look for your
articles. Thanks for your hard work helping vets.
A Reader's Comment:
Integrity and Honesty are all we have as soldiers. Those that would lie,
cheat or steal would sell anyone down the "creek" for their own benefit.
It seems after being a part of that "soldier" system from '66 til '92
and then becoming involved in seeking help from the VA for treatment and
claims adjudication in '00 I have come to the conclusion that there are
several categories of "Veterans". Those that really served and are
deserving and those that lie out their ass to get a benefit they believe
they are entitled too. We have a guy who brags about a 100% PTSD claim
and he served in Iceland. (Vodka and Blonds) One who was issued ammo
only once in his entire military career after basic while on guard duty
on the DMZ in Korea. 100% PTSD Never under fire yet scamming the system.
I have asked my doctor to put me in group therapy only to be told he
would be facilitating murder, and he is right. I am convinced that "our"
VA wastes to much money and time helping too many veterans that should
be prosecuted for fraud and sent to jail!!! Someone I know that was the
patient affairs officer for 26 years stated that he believed that 30 -
40% of the people receiving benefits were not entitled at the (Home) VA.
Too much emphasis placed on friends and family but people in charge.
Our VA has "bent" the requirement for financial need so much that they
had to move the girl that was in charge to being a receptionist in the
Dental clinic. I believe it's time to review every claim for its basic
requirement, that the Veteran served, and then go further if required.
Sounding off and thanking you for the last article you wrote for
VA Watchdog!!!
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Larry Scott --
