Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

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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...  To find an answer to a specific VA benefits question, use the VA Watchdog search engine... click here... 

Be sure to use Jim's:  "A to Z GUIDE OF VETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS" click here...  

And, for answers to questions and great advice, go to Jim's discussion board, "STRAIGHT TALK FOR MILITARY VETERANS" click here...

Follow Jim on TWITTER here ...

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by Jim Strickland

NOTE:  Letters in my Q&A columns are reprinted just as they come to me. Spelling and grammar are left as is and only small corrections are made to improve readability, ensure anonymity or delete expletives that may offend some readers. This is not legal advice. You should always seek the advice of an attorney who is qualified in Veterans' law before you make any decisions about your own benefits.

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Denis E. Oliver, Veterans Service Officer for Steuben County in Bath, NY was kind enough to drop me a note. Denis is also Vice-President, Western Region - NYS County Veterans Service Officers Association Service Officer, 7th District - The American Legion Department of NY and a very involved advocate.

Denis wanted us to know of a site he's following and it's certainly worth your attention. He told me, " ... The website compiles a wide range of legal information for those serving veterans in the claims system. The resources include examination of relevant laws, precedential court decisions and other key facets of information."

Click
www.veteranslawlibrary.com

A great find. Thanks Denis!

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Jim;

Hello, i am sending you this email because your website really helped me alot on my claim, i am 33 yrs old, i served in Iraq 2005, i am a Infantry Soldier and always will be. I filed my claim for PTSD and Depression by myself back in June 2007, i sent everything that u said to send that would help my claim. On Jan 19 2008 i was found to be 90% disabled by the rating of VA so in March i filed for 100% schedular and was approved. I still had problems of my own so in May 2008 i went for help at the VA, i was then inpatient for about 6 weeeks and my Dr. would not sign my paper work to go back to work and requested i file for SSA so i did on July 27 2008 and on September 10 2008 i received a letter from SSA that i was approved for benefits, thanks.

Then Oct 2008 if filed for back pay 12 months, i simply wrote them a letter stating i was mentally exhausted of paper work and was tired and unstable to go thru an appeal if you approve this fine if you don't then fine you won't ever hear from me again, guess what i was approved for 12 months back pay. I then applied in Feb 2009 for P&T and received a letter in June 2009 that stated i was still 100% disabled but not P&T. So in Oct 2009 i sent a NOD like you said and on Jan 7 2010 i was found to be 100% Permanent & Total. Thanks to your website. if you would like to make changes to this thats fine with me like i said i was Infantry not a english teacher. This is for everybody out there, get off your ass and get your enemy (VA) in your sight and take them out with paperwork of your service to prove to them that you have a problem. If you can't then get a job and stop bitching at jim about your claim, I did it by myself with the help of Jim's website.

Reply;

Thank you sir. Thank you for your courageous service serving our country.

Yours is the first email I've opened this Monday morning and this is a great way to start my week. You and your brothers and sisters are why I do what I do.

You've given me the energy to carry on the mission.

Good luck to you sir.

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Jim;

Maybe you remember me ? You were kind enough to look over the result notes from my C&P exam a few weeks ago. If you think that this is note worthy Jim I would like to stress to your readers the importance of the way there C&P interview is conducted. "Always be aware of the way you are presenting yourself" at these exams.

I was scheduled for my exam in Gainesville Florida. This was a very through exam that required the interview & exam of several doctors. One doctor in particular had notes in my exam that showed my interview started long before I actually went into his office. It was very busy in the waiting room that day and the doctor I would see latter on in the day came out several times to get other veterans for there exams before it was my turn.

Jim I have to tell you to my surprise this was the absolutely best most through and fair exam I have ever received from the VA. The doctor was very knowledgeable of my records he had in front of him ( you could see he actually read them ) and you could see he genuinely was concerned for my well being. Anyway after reading a copy of my C&P exam from the (Freedom of information's Act) I noted that the doctor had notes in there that went as far back as to each time he entered the waiting room to call on a veteran as there turn came up. The doctor noted, My posture in my wheel chair, did I look comfortable, was I shifting my weight in my wheelchair, if I was alert or seemed very tired, was I talking to anyone, was I sleeping , did I look irritable ,who accompanied me to the exam, how long I was there prior to my exam with him ,who was filling out my paper work and so on. Just wanted to tell your readers that there exam doesn't always start in the exam room, it could be anywhere any time.

Best regards to you Jim and thanks again for you time and all you do.

Reply;

Thank you. That is great stuff, very nice of you to share. You bet I'm using this...your comments are HUGE and so very on target.

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Jim;

I have so benefited from the absolute service of your blog: great info, sage advice, and when the spirit would flag throughout my PTSD service connection claim, your unflagging righteous ferocity and compassion would help me forge on.

My BVA case supposedly was heard this past month (I just received remand notification yesterday from the San Diego VARO) I know that I should be receiving the formal document from the BVA within due time, but I want to be prepared.

Where do I find the texts to BVA decisions made within the last 2 months? I've searched high and low and can't find it.

From deep within my heart, I thank you for all that you do for us!

Reply;

Thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate that. Keep fighting! If you ever feel the need for community and good people to encourage you, come visit us at http://groups.google.com/group/straight-talk-for-military-veterans

The appellant's name is often not listed...privacy concerns. Try this http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.html  and this http://www4.va.gov/vbs/bva/contactbva.htm

Please let me know if that works. If not, we go to Plan B...whatever that is.

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TOPICS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Jim Strickland, Veterans' Advocate,