Everything you ever wanted to know about how
the VA benefits system works but were afraid to ask.
Welcome to the
The Users Guide
VAWatchdog Dot Org
VAWatchdog Dot Org
PAPER Evidence Records
and Claims All Go Here
V A Claims Intake Center
PO BOX 4444
JANESVILLE, WI
53547- 4444
Toll Free Fax:
844-531-7818
Military Records DD 214
Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs)
Official Personnel Folders (OPF)
Can VA Disability Compensation Be Used
to Calculate Child Support or Income?
Veterans' disability benefits are compensation for
the veteran's impaired earning capacity and are intended to "provide reasonable and adequate compensation for disabled veterans and their families." They are not supposed to be for the sole support of the veteran, but can be counted in child support calculations to provide for the veteran's dependents as well. If the veteran wasn't disabled, he would be earning an income upon which the court would base child support; since disability benefits replace that income, child support can be based upon it.
Why You Need An IMO!
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
Accuracy of Claims Decisions Involving Conditions of the Spine
The OIG determined that VBA incorrectly processed more than half of the 62,500 veterans’ claims.
Processing errors included improper evaluations, missed secondary conditions,
and evaluations based on inadequate exams.
You've Arrived at the VAWatchdog Dot Org!
Welcome Home
We've been keeping veterans informed of news and events important to them since 2005.
You'll find all you need to file your claim and referrals to professionals who can help you when things don't go well.
What you won't find here is unending chat or opinions from strangers who like to think of themselves as experts.
Our goal is to ensure that you are awarded the benefits you earned with your service to our country.
We're here to help you take charge of your benefits, and that is all.
There is no fee to use the VAWatchdog.
We don't ask that you register or give us any information.
We don't ask for donations, you can't find a way to give us your money.
We aren't tracking you and using your personal information.
We don't have a mailing list and we won't email you unless you email us first.
We are supported by the advertisers you see on the pages of the VAWatchdog.
Because there are ads, we aren't asking you for your hard earned dollars.
Please show them some respect, thanks.
If you'd like to advertise with us, our rates are very reasonable.
Email Jim to talk about your ad here <jim912@gmail.com>
Filing your VA and/or Social Security disability claim is not a spectator sport.
We believe you are the best person to manage your claim. You're smart enough to hold an honorable discharge, then you're smart enough to fill out some forms and put those forms in the mail.
You must be involved. If you expect someone else to do the grunt work for you and for FREE, you lose.
This web site can provide you with all you need to file and win your well grounded claim. But we can't file that claim for you.
Yes, your VA is supposed to help you. No, your VA will NOT help you. You're on your own.
Research your claim as you file it, do it right the first time. We're here to help.
Questions and comments can be sent directly to Jim.
<jim912@gmail.com>
No, we don't use the phone very much. We won't call you, we don't publish our number. We prefer to use email for the security and record it gives us when we are reviewing your claim or evidence.
The veteran or a family member must contact us by email. We can't reach out to veterans, the veteran must contact us.
The fellow above is Larry Scott.
He founded the VAWatchdog in 2005. Larry and I started aggressive advocacy efforts together in 2006.
Larry passed away some years ago from a non-service connected illness.
I promised Larry I'd carry on the tradition of helping veterans to obtain the benefits they've earned.
I'm Jim Strickland.
That's me above, at my VA clinic in Savannah, Georgia. I edit and contribute to the VAWatchdog. I'm a veteran of the Army 1967 - 1970. I served in Germany at the 98th General Hospital. I'm retired from a career in health care that started at Ft. Sam Houston.
I use VA services just like you do. I started working with Larry Scott at VAWatchdog in 2006.
Jim at work editing the VAWatchdog
The Military Veteran's Disability Guide - 2006
Let's see what I was writing 12 years ago.
About the VAWatchdog Dot Org
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< jim912@gmail.com>
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Contact Us
<jim912@gmail.com>
Fax 1-888-658-5058
You're now at the most informative veterans disability benefits site anywhere. Welcome Home!
Since 2005 the VAWatchdog has been keeping an eye on VA...because somebody has to.
The primary goal of VAWatchdog is to educate veterans. It's our philosophy that a veteran should understand the reality of what he or she faces when dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other, similar agencies. Rather than handing your Power of Attorney (POA) over to a stranger who may or may not have any particular skills, education of training, we believe that you are equipped to manage your own VA claim. All you lack is the information about how the system really works. You'll find that here in the pages of VAWatchdog.
As the site grows, navigation becomes more of a challenge. Finding what you need on any busy site can be a problem. We're working hard to try and make it simpler for you. You must devote some time to the task. Many veterans believe that they can hand their benefits issues over to a representative and that the rep will take care of it for them. Nothing is further from the
truth.
The vet who expects a representative to handle their claim is in for a disappointing adventure. We teach DIY...Do It Yourself. A new veterans claim begins with a VA Form 21-526EZ
.Completing that form isn't rocket science. The quality of your outcome is largely up to you. The time you devote to learning how this works will impact the result when you get the award letter.
Our mission, goals and values are simple. We are all about educating veterans.
We do that by providing a headline news aggregation service for veterans and their families. We believe that an informed veteran will fare much better in life.
The benefits we earned through our dedicated and honorable military service can often be complex and not easy to obtain. VAWatchdog provides you with simple instructions that you can use to manage your VA benefits. We believe that most veterans should take a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach to handling VA benefits claims.
VA does not require that you have a "representative". The fact is that VA would rather work directly with the veteran to adjudicate a veterans disability claim.
Veterans disability claims are often challenging but once the veteran understands the Veterans Administration rules, the process of managing your benefits is much easier.
Nobody cares about your claim the way you do.
You may be filing a disability claim about obstructive sleep apnea, prostate cancer, agent orange related benefits or you may want information about any of the hundreds of other VA benefits that are available to you. We don't shy from the more controversial topics like marijuana and the VA or your rights as a veteran to own a gun, pistol or to be given a concealed weapons carry permit.We avoid rumors. We aren't here to bash the VA.
We publish the facts that we believe are the most correct and of most use to you. That's all.
Urgent Care Centers
One of the most important benefits you have today is
the authorization to use an urgent care center
near to you. But first, you have to
to take with you. Don't wait until you need this
benefit to prepare for it. Read this now,
print your papers and be prepared!
Top Searches
The moment that you file a claim someone will be waiting to schedule you for a Compensation and Pension (C & P) Exam.
The C & P exam is the precise point where so many claims go south. The C & P examiner is often not qualified to render an opinion of the condition in front of them. I recently received an email from a veteran who I had advised to file a claim for his carotid artery disease as secondary to his service connected diabetes. His claim was denied because the C & P examiner opined that there was no medical evidence that diabetes caused or contributed to carotid artery disease. That it is well known that diabetes is a leading cause of atherosclerosis didn't phase anyone at VA and now we have to have a doctor and a lawyer get involved in a lengthy appeal.
Think about it...the veteran was denied service connection because the VA examiner reported that there is no medical evidence that diabetes causes carotid artery disease. Now read this.
Months ago when I first advised the veteran to file the claim for a secondary condition, I didn't advise him to get an IMO. I couldn't have believed that VA would deny a vascular condition as secondary to DMII...it defies all logic. But here we are and it's become very apparent that if you want to avoid an appeal, you'll get an IMO as you file the initial claim.
The report above is a confirmation of this...the VA does a very poor job of C & P exams. Avoid the fuss of an appeal...get an IMO.
your disability claim
If you’ve filed a claim for disability compensation, you can continue uploading more evidence for up to one year to support your claim. Evidence may include supporting documents like medical test results, doctor’s reports, and other records. Upload your evidence online now.
Overpayment? VA proposing to claw back
money from your benefits? Submit a Compromise Offer to the Debt Management Center.
Create or update your will today – fast and 100% free
Make your will with FreeWill today
We have advance healthcare directives, healthcare proxies, living wills and durable financial power of attorney.
All are free to use.
Is your disability pay fair game in a divorce?
(Yeah, it is...)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Launchpad
App for Veterans (VA Launchpad) contains select VA applications (apps) for Veterans and their Caregivers.
New apps will automatically appear in the VA Launchpad when they become available. Organizing VA health information and resources into five categories, it quickly accesses and launches the VA app of your choice. With VA Launchpad, VA intends to save you time and help you better integrate available VA apps into your life.
The Schedule For Rating Disabilities
If you're thinking of filing a claim or initiating an appeal of a denied claim, this is your new best friend. The details of exactly what you need to meet a rating are here and in use every day. Yes, it's complex. Yes, it's cumbersome. Yes, knowing how to use The Schedule is a necessity if you want to file a successful claim. Go for it!
Presumptive Benefits...what are they?
When you claim that a disabling condition is caused by military service, you have to prove that allegation.
Or do you?
How to Fight VA Debt
Military members know that when DoD gives
you too much money, it will come back for it.
The VA is similar, but the system is worse.
It Could Reduce Your Social Security Benefits
Think twice before taking on certain loans.
Answers to the top five questions about urgent care
How about Medicare Parts A and B?
Maybe Part F+? Part D?
Oh, unless you live in
Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Confused? Just wait until you hear about
programs such as Medicare
Part C or a Medicare Advantage policy.
It's Your Right To See Your Medical Records.
It Shouldn't Be This Hard To Do
At a time when many insurers and health information technology companies are busily assembling databases
of hundreds of millions of medical records, Americans
find it difficult to get access to their own.
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
Additional information needed to support claim
Direct Deposit - May I apply by telephone?
Do You Need Medical Care
RIGHT NOW?
You are already authorized
to use an urgent care clinic!
Jim Strickland is a Vietnam era Army veteran and nationally recognized expert on VA disability benefits
and a member of the Stateside Legal Website Advisory Board. Jim's Mailbag, is a regular column where veterans,
servicemembers, and family members can ask Jim their questions about VA and Social Security disability benefits.
You can browse all of these Q&As here, and search the Jim's Mailbag archives for helpful answers.
Email Jim your question for a quick and confidential reply. jim912@gmail.com
Google Tracks You
and we don't.
DuckDuckGo apps block
Google's hidden trackers.
Get unbiased results
outside the Filter Bubble.
Robert Wilkie <robert.wilkie@va.gov> 855-948-2311
'How To Lie With Statistics'
Other-than-honorable discharge?
You’re still eligible for VA mental health care
To Loneliness And Isolation For Seniors
Did you know that hearing loss and tinnitus are the
most commonly rated veterans disabilities? Did you
know that hearing loss and tinnitus can cause
other secondary conditions, particularly mental
health problems like depression and loneliness?
Scheduled For A C & P??? Filing A Claim?
This is a must read for you!!!
I've been posting this again and again over the years
and it's still one of the best ways I know to win
your case. Published in 2002 the principles and much of
the verbiage still applies and is in daily use at the VA.
How to download VA benefit letters
To receive some benefits, Veterans need a letter proving their status. Access and download your VA Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called a VA award letter) and other benefit letters and documents online.
What You Should Know about Disability and Debt
There Are Protections...When it comes to debt collection, disability income enjoys special status.
Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website
We’re there to provide comfort during difficult times
Medical Marijuana Card
Tell the doctor you saw it on VAWatchdog
and ask about veterans discounts!
Government Accountability Office
Focus Needed to Prevent Disqualified Providers from Delivering Patient Care
The VAWatchdog
doesn't ask for donations, we don't have fees, we don't ask you to register...you can't find a way to give us your money. We're supported by advertising. When you shop via the VAWatchdog,
we'll get a small piece of that.
You get top quality at a good price and you support our mission.
Thank you!!!
Have you been denied a claim for a condition of the spine (Or any condition???)
Inadequate (lowball) rating?
4 Facts About Your Social Security
Benefits You May Not Know
Arming yourself with knowledge about the
complicated benefits process will
help you better prepare for retirement.
Vets being duped by Social Security rumor mill
Owe VA Money???
How to get Social Security disability
Getting Social Security disability benefits when you’re unable to work can be challenging. Last year, more
than 2 million people applied for Social Security
disability benefits, but two-thirds of them
were denied, because most applicants fail to prove
that they’re disabled and can’t work. Here are some
steps you can take that can help improve your odds.
Get your VA medical records online
Our online tools can help you view, organize,
and share your VA medical records and personal
health information. Find out if you’re eligible
and how to sign in to start using these tools.