  The Nation's #1 Independent Veterans Web Site VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 12-10-2006 #1 |
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The Nation's #1 Independent Veterans Web Site VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 12-10-2006 #1 |
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"ATTORNEYS FOR VETERANS" LAW PASSES CONGRESS -- But, reports differ on exact provisions of legislation.
As the 109th Congress hurried to leave town, the Veterans' Choice of Representation Act was included in an omnibus bill. So, we know that veterans will now have the right to hire an attorney to help them with the claims process. But, because the Daily Record hasn't been posted, we don't know exactly what was in the provision that was passed. One report, in the Air Force Times
said: "...includes a controversial provision allowing attorneys
to be hired to help veterans with all stages of filing disability
claims." That story here... At about the same time, Rep. Steve Buyer
(R-IN), outgoing Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
issued a press release that said: "The bill includes an
historic provision allowing veterans to hire an agent or attorney to
represent them after a notice of disagreement has been filed."
Full press release here... So, can veterans hire an attorney at the very beginning of the claims process? Or, do they have to file by themselves, or with Service Officer help, and then can only hire an attorney when they get a denial of the claim from the VA and then go to file a notice of disagreement? We'll have to wait and see on this. Some other questions arise. Does this law take effect now, or does it begin in six months as one version stipulated? And, will Service Officers be held to the same rules as attorneys when it comes to filing frivolous claims? We'll try to sort this out for you as soon as possible. However this goes, this is a great improvement for veterans. The VA claims process is so difficult and adversarial that it only makes sense to have an attorney on your side. Here's some background on the issue...
And, here's some pro-and-con on the issue from the DAV (opposed) and from an attorney who represents veterans... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20JUN%2006/newsflash06-08-2006-8.htm More coming up on this issue........... Stay tuned............... --------------- email Larry PGP key on request |
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