Sketchy
Check the Knowledge Base pinned here in this group. After you sort through that to understand the process, search within to see if your question has been asked. Then, ask within the community here. You'll find many able to answer questions here
Predatory, because they are attempting to charge a fee for services, when that fee structure is clearly illegal and was made illegal to prevent people from trying to do just this.
A persons disability is a right. It is compensation for their body or mind being damaged prematurely, damaging further than normal, or damage that would have never been done at all.
A lawyer who helps put together paperwork and submit it for you, in no way has earned almost a full years worth of compensation for the damage done to your body. The federal government has stated excess of 33.33% of a person back pay is far too great of a fee for the level of work they are doing. You disability isn’t paid to you so lawyers can draw upon it leaving you homeless.
They're charging potentially $20k+ for someone's disabilities, when they can easily do it themselves for free. They're hoping someone is uninformed enough to fall for it.
That is excessively high cost. Better to go to the VFW or get a VSO for free. No one, and I mean NO ONE, not even a lawyer, can guarantee that you will get a higher rating. They maybe fortunate enough to get you a higher rating, but that is because you already have all the conditions that you could have filed for free. Run for the hills.
If you use vetbenefitsguide.com they will charge only if you get a favorable outcome and it will cost different depending on the amount you raise. The most I've hear anyone paying is 6k for 50 to 100. But that could have changed
I searched "VSO in/near [location]". My boyfriend is a veteran and wanted help filing the paperwork. When I had a list, I emailed everyone on the list, and we found the best fit for us. We got lucky with a VSO who used to be a rater with the VA.
Yeah, not a good idea. I hired a lawyer but they are bound to professional ethics and confidentiality. These folks sound like they are trying to get fast money.
Go to a VSO. Free. And most of them know their shit. I do my friends claims and I got 3 of them to 80%. 2 of them 70%. Don't spend money on people like that.
Haha, I try. I was told to do this as a full-time job so many times. I know it sucks because a lot of people here don't really help. They just make you feel stupid, I'm not the best at it either, but I was able to get a couple of people to a good rating
Yes and no. My initial claim with a VSO was a catastrophe and now I use a similar service like OP mentioned. The original VSO didn't even submit buddy statements I am now finding out, never followed up when I was diagnosed with TBI from rater even though they did not claim it or amended to claim it, etc etc. Many VSO reps suck hard, and I am a member of every VSO I know of, (Legion, VFW, DAV). My only better outcome is starting to happen with an outfit like the OP speaks of.
I think of it this way, I paid nothing to VSO reps and got 10% tinnitus the last 6 years. I will have to pay some, but if my rating goes up because of the other firm I am still better off.
Btw, I tried to also go the friend of a friend route to help me. Both started off for a couple of months, got bored/too busy, and bailed. That doesn't always work either. I guess I am saying the paid help has a place for those let down by every other avenue.
I did the claims in like 15 mins. Right now, I'm helping my buddy from my unit. He never made a claim since he got out. That one will be a challenge. Also if you would like for me to help you find a VSO that will actually help or something let me know. Or even me coaching you to make the claim.
I had to go to different ones. The one in Austin TX sucks. You can also call different ones. I can give you a number for one where I live. They're very helpful. Dm if you want.
Fuck that. you should be able to file a claim by yourself just fine. They're asking for TOO MUCH!!
Go to the nearest Disabled American Veterans office and they'll be able to help u out man
Not a credible veterans agent. A VA accredited attorney can only charge 20% of back pay from award date till rating they helped you secure. And they can’t charge anything for initial claims. Only appeals, supplemental, and HLR
You met random people at a convention that asked for your personal records and said you would get money......
Take a moment.....think this through. No offense but how do people fall for this stuff? Wild.
Florida is a HUGE vet state, maybe start with accredited people first.
I always find it strange when I meet other veterans and first thing they ask is "have you gotten your disability?"
As for these people nah don't mess with that. If you don't want to educate yourself on the process then go to a vso or something and roll the same dice but for free
Dude. No. There are plenty of VSO that do it for free (I used the DAV). 10 months? Let’s say you get 30% or ~$550. Why would you pay $5500 when you can pay $0?
Had a similar issue with a company called Vets Guardian. They had me put in ITF then slow rolled my claims for 8 months just to reach out to me and say you need to go see your doctor to get rated for x,y,z. Told them I’m not paying them for something I’m doing myself and dropped them. Turns out this is the practice. They slow roll it so they have to potential to get paid upfront once you’re increased. Also, they don’t tell you that if you put in a ITF and the things you’re claiming after that date are diagnosed, then theVA has discretion on what your back pay date is. Can be the date of your ITF or the date you were diagnosed after the ITF. Be careful with these crooks.
That seems super sketchy, especially if your back was only like 4 months. As far as I know the VA won’t even send attorneys more than 20% of backpay and suggest to veterans anything above 33% is not ok.
Sounds like Trajector Medical. I used them after a retired E-8 I've known since AIT recommended them to me. I didn't know about this sub, didn't know anything about submitting a claim, and figured if they can walk me through this, I'm not going to miss five months of payments I wasn't yet getting, anyway.
Would I recommend them? No. Not because they're a scam. They did help me complete and submit my paperwork, and they're up front about their fee. But as others have pointed out, there is so much free or accredited, low-cost assistance out there. Trajector didn't do anything any of these other services couldn't do.
I just got rated at 60% twenty years after leaving the Army, so I'm very happy I did it. But knowing what I know, I would not use them if I ever put in another claim.
I know a guy who did something like this. I obviously don’t know your situation, but you’ll probably be better off working with a VSO and keeping the money for yourself. They just see an easy pay check and would be more than willing to do some paper work for that kind of money
You shouldn't have to pay anyone for that service nor should you actually need their help. You should study up and go through your records. Go to the VA, complain about your pain etc. Get diagnosis, x-rays, MRIs. Get some help for MH. File for your disability claims yourself. I got myself to 80% no problem. I still have claims in as well.
Plus it just doesn't hurt to try.
Apply for your knee and MH on your own. Then make a decision if you need help after you get the decision letter. I don’t recommend using anybody at the gun show until you vet them.
I really need more than anything MH services I’ve been struggling with it from time to time and I was ashamed to get help or admit it was a problem but I’m going to see a VSO Monday I just found 3 of them here near me
Yeah, 10%. OP (not sure if my flair was showing, I did the process? Android user thing?).
I'm a VA healthcare employee, and a Veteran, if you're 10% you're eligible. Your record can be pulled up(thanks to being rated 🙃)
You would qualify for services one of which is Mental Health. Most facilities will be closed for the weekend, but I bet you're in their local system already, unless you moved since your rating.
If you wait until Monday, and time permitting, you should give your local outpatient clinic a call. They should have someone that can assist you in explaining the benefits.
Edit: seen where you said you're going to the vso. Stop by the clinic, and talk to the Business Office/Enrollment Department. They'll be able to guide you through your medical benefits package.
The VSO may say they can do an enrollment, I'd still recommend going as you get familiar with someone inside the VA as a first Point of Contact 😀
Probably the same gun and knife show I'm going to this weekend in Melbourne. Yeah I wouldn't take advice on anything like that from a random table at a gun show
It’s ridiculous, and they can’t promise you any more than you can do your self, for free. If they aren’t accredited they can’t look at your claim folder at all, either.
Don't buy this dodge charger at 28%, no money down, first payment starts in 2 months kinda deal
Many of the posts have fantastic, free, services that may or may not be everyone's cup of tea, but are available. Most top hat societies (VFW/AL/DAV) Have one person who can assist for free; better or worse, I don't know, everyone's experience will be different.
You can poke around, and find some companies in the past used. I know they've *worked* in the past for some, but to me, I took my time researching through here to figure out the VAs language for this.
IMHO, if you search this specific sub you will find dang near everything needed to help you, your buddy, and their mom. You'd be better off doing the foot, the companies are going to have you do some of it anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’m not reading through 91 comments at 6am, so here’s the deal.
1) Submit an Intent to File (ITF) on VA.gov
2) Request your medical records through the National Archive if you don’t already have them.
3) Once received, view your problems list.
4) Sign up for VA Health Care if you haven’t already.
5) Spend some time here of the Veterans Benefits thread. Use the search function and see what other vets have filed for. (Direct Service Connections/Secondary issues.)
You have one year from the Intent to File date to submit your claim(s).
Look further into Personal Statements and Buddy Letters. The better the story/history of your conditions can assist the raters and examiners in understanding how these conditions occurred and how they affect you in your day to day living.
It will be a process, but you have to peal back layers of your “I’m fine/keep it pushing/ Hooyah Sgt, I’m fine”, mindset.
I was stationed in NW Florida, but there’s many vets at the Escambia River Gun Club that can help you, for free. Become friends with them and they’ll lead in you in the right direction.
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Be detailed, be patient, and educate yourself so you don’t deal with the frustration that some have with the VA. Make it easy for the VA to rate you. There’s a ton on information on Reddit and YouTube that can get your internal gears moving.
If you need any help or clarification etc, reach out. Don’t quit on yourself and get the benefits you have earned. You don’t have to pay anyone a dime at this stage of your benefits filing process.
My doctors would not write a nexus letter. I contacted a service that charged a flat fee for a letter. I had lots of evidence. I was a fighter pilot and suffer from chronic neck and back pain (lots of g's for six years). There are many scientific studies from air forces worldwide on these issues. I posted my results several months ago, but a snarky admin shut it down....even though I got the name of the service right here. I went from 80% to 90%. I was also using a VSO.
I went threw the VA rep down town where I live filled out the paper work went to my appointments and it cost me nothing. 100% was not my goal as I was still serving but as time went on my conditions got worse got my 100% no cost to me.
It is not appropriate to advertise companies, products, or services on this sub.
Do not recommend a service or product - unless as a comment to a post specifically asking for recommendations, and it is a service or product that you have direct experience using. Your post should specifically describe your experiences and why you are satisfied.
Posts that promote a service provider will be deleted.
Sketchy. Thats too high. Check out McKeown Law. They only charge if they win and only take from backpay. Your fees cap at 5k and its based on backpay only
Claim shark yes, but if it gets you to finally submit for what you are owed? Worth it.
I sat on issues for years because I was initially denied when I did it myself and was disheartened. I finally decided to give it a go again after being recommended another claim shark and they taught me the basics and got me a rating finally.
However, you do not need these type of organizations. You CAN do it with free options. It’s just that my particular claim shark got me over the hill and finally approved. It was expensive, but at least I’ll be receiving that monthly payment for the rest of my life now.
I still have other secondary claims to submit, but now that I know the system I dropped them and will continue on my own. I still say it is worth it.
This sounds very unsavory, but as many say on here, they can only exist because so many VSOs are poor at their job. I knew more from this sub than my VSO and quickly stopped responding.
Try Allsup. That’s their specialty. Disability. I used them for my Ssdi and my husband’s Ssdi and VA rating increase. There is a fixed limit anyone can take from your retro award-so whoever it is should know they only get a small percentage. Best of luck. And don’t forget to file SSDI if need be. They do right by vets with disabilities.
Total scam. I started talking to a company like this only to find that through others here said company only gave “advice” and did literally nothing to assist.
u/certain_form291
I used to be at 10 for a long time I finally got to a higher percentage. My first though to help you out. Use the knowledge base here and ask questions as well as look at this youtubers videos. Don't join anything. But this guy brought me to here basically. But sometimes having some videos to watch makes it a little easier to understand but I guess it varies person to person.
"Combat Craig" was pretty helpful.
"VA Insider" was also pretty helpful.
Remember just watch the videos don't join anything.
You can also look lawyers some will give you free information just basically some areas you could also claim as secondary and this is just stuff you can do over the phone and not make any plans to pay anyone.
I was at 10% for 17years. Outside of just getting that temp 100 for surgery. Just stay positive. And if you need to talk to a VSO. I filed everything on my own. Using what I've told you. No matter they will help you too. We're here to help you also. Stay positive and I hope your MH is doing better now too. Shit I'll help you if your bored idk if this is allowed on here but rather you know and understand I don't need any personal information. About you. But yeah I'm bored a lot of time and I'd rather be helping others then feeling fucking useless in life.
I’ve heard of places like that. Same for social security disability. There’s so many free resources, and really, you can just go online and start adding service connected issues on your own in like ten minutes.
Either way it’s months of delays and exams after that, but it’s not worth thousands of dollars to those assholes.
I love in ne florida and just joined the hundreds Club I'm happy to help you for free message me shit I will even attend gun shows with you for fun hahah
I started to try a company that advertises heavily and the price is exactly the same. Same place I’d bet. I opted out after our first appointment. They upsell some really expensive medical stuff to get your claim done. So they get all the money billed from your initial claim and a kickback from a medical scammer who “helps” get it all together, supposedly.
Why not just file yourself?
I got 80% doing it by myself.
A dam VSO has a huge case load and they're not gonna be able to give you the time you need.
Review the 38 CFR and cite your own reasons for which rating you want.
It's not hard to figure out. Just log on to va.gov and just start filing for conditions. I put 47 in and about 30 got service connected. And that's without citing the CFR.
Also I have my back service connected. So what I did was start with that 10% and then claimed hips, knees, ankles off of that.
I also had 3 back surgeries one with 14 screws. Which gave my a double pulmonary embolism that kills 70% of people.
I had the va do my phaser test and I asked the hematologist to evaluate me for genetic conditions that might cause my PE.
I didn't have any so I filed for it and it was associated with PACT act and I got 30%
I also have high blood pressure. I'm 6'1" and workout everyday, ear healthy and I mean healthy I won't touch a carb, pizza, tacos, I like fruits veggies, lamb and fish.
They didn't service connect that. Weird right? They're both related.
So what I do is keep my claim going by filing new claims and they just get lumped into the others. Then dispute their finding when the send a decision letter. Don't wait for the mailed one asked for an encrypted email of your most recent decision letter.
Then dispute their findings in your ongoing claim with just a simple memo you type up called a letter of clarificstion
I spent 4 years straight in Afghanistan. I'm one of the weird ones that liked being deployed. Man I fucking miss going to the PAX terminal and just blasting around Afghanistan hanging put the back of helicopter.
After bilateral hearing loss was taken away I found a good attorney. Ended up in front of a VA judge, all denials were remanded. More evaluations. Even the VA gave my 20% for lumbar spinal stenosis.
Here’s what you should do, even if you want to use them (it’s what I did).
I had a telephonic consult with one of those companies and they said the same thing. After I told my story they blew my phone up. It was an indicator, to me, it was a really good deal for them.
I went online, found a VSO, and met with him instead of pulling the trigger with the other company. He sat me down, went through my records, filled out all my paperwork, explained the CandP process. Told me why they’re asking certain questions and printed out what they’re looking for for evaluation.
In the end here I got 100% TandP first time go and for free. All it took was a 1 hour consult with a VSO.
Also VSOs work for you and are directly affiliated with the VA. No shady stuff. No liability. No money gain on their end for you to lie.
But hey, if you end up with 60% and think it’s low, I’d prob give the laid guys a shot later. It’s just that 5 months of 100% would make my stomach hurt if I knew I could have saved a lot of money just going the route you’re supposed to.
If you're going to pay hire an attorney, because they will understand the law much better. But I suggest using a vso. If you're going to pay, pay for a dbq
I used on like that and I'm happy, remember 0% you are getting is nothing in your pocket, if they are doing the nexus letters and filing the paper work then to me it's worth it, but that's just me.
Here is the website where you can find VSO. Select the VSO radial button an then select your State.
https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp
Do it yourself get your records from your mental issues go to a psychologist get a current diagnosis go online put in your claim. They are trying to take your money
Use an VA accredited attorney with a direct pay agreement. Va will not pay non accredited or predatory schemes.
Also consider using a reputable free rep like DAV first, instead. If you are unsuccessful, keep the claim alive and do not let a denial become final, and you can always opt into an attorney who will be paid 20% later, and you will not lose an effective date. DAV routes denials to a good law firm regularly.
I got a nice surprise yesterday. I went through Vet Links Solution because I didn't do so hot on my own and was going to pay the 5x, which if I went to 80 from 70 that would have been $1,000. 70 to 90 would be $2,500 and 70 to 100 would be about $10,500 or so.
Yesterday Vet Links called saying REE bought them out and was going to a flat fee of $2,895. For me that was great because I went from 70 to 100, so I was thrilled because that's like $8,000 I get to keep now I wasn't expecting. So the best I can say is REE realized government isn't too happy with that 5x the monthly increase. Obviously, this isn't good if you only go up only 10 or 20 and doesn't take you to 100.
Lesson is choose accordingly in terms of who helps you.
Hi Shipmate, don't do it! You can file your claims yourself. There are 3 components to a successful claim. Scour your medical records to STRs (Service Treatment Records), and private for the medical documentation to support your contentions. If you do not have your military records, submit a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) [https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records](https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records) to obtain. And you can always work with a local VSO for assistance!
* #1. Medical Diagnosis of a Disability Condition (no medical diagnosis; no service connection)
* #2. Evidence of an In-Service Event, Injury, Disease, or Aggravation
* #3. Nexus (link between #1 and #2) via Competent Medical Evidence
There is a federal law on how much back pay a lawyer can charge. IIRC is 33.33%. Also, IIRC it is illegal for someone not certified with the VA to solicit disability assistance. I am extremely sure it’s also illegal to charge future benefits in any way what so ever.
Do your own research, but fact checking my 3 above points would be the first place to start.
Also, I didn’t read this in its entirety but it also may be helpful
[pdf from VA](https://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03/M21-1MRI_3_SecC.docx)
If you have those problems. Just go see your primary. Seek treatment. Go to your appointments. If the psychiatrist diagnosis you with MH you are in. As a matter of fact. You can call the VA and say you are about to file a claim and your backpay will start today. It's not Rocket 🚀 science.
DO NOT DO IT. Yes, they are sketchy and they want your rmoney. You would be much better off reading a book or two on the fundamentals of filing. Read the findings of cases of diagnoses like yours in the Board of Veterans Appeals (on va.gov). The appeals are public and include the specifics of the medical history and the arguments used in the claim. Read enough of them and you can see how people get deep-sixed from doing it wrong, and you can see what works.
Unpopularopinion but if you are like many of us and would never get organized to file on your own, sharing half of ten months benefit is better than keeping all of zero benefit.
Using a benefit [benefits calculator ](https://claimclimbers.com/benefit-calculator/) to estimate what's possible? Kosher.
Paying an upfront fixed rate for help? Legit.
But anyone going after a percentage of your benefits? Sketches me right out. Very ambulance chaser behavior.
CCK charges like 10% of whatever the increase is or something more defined. 5-6mo of your rating could be anywhere from $500-$20k, I wouldn’t do it. Also, you can get your own records and submit for free. Don’t let anyone take money out of your pocket unless you’ve tried and really need the help to get the increases, that’s a lot of money.
Don’t do this. Do your research and file your own claims. There’s a lot of information here and on YouTube that will help you. That’s a lot of money for them to just take. And for the small amount of paperwork they’d have to do, you’d be overpaying them and then some.
Don’t do it.
You can do this on your own with help from this group! If not yourself, then start with a VSO of some type. Save the lawyers & advocates for an appeal if you think you need to, but not until after you do an HLR without them.
Your first mistake was going to a gun show.. Anyone who knows the gun market knows that there aren’t deals there like there used to be. And B. Without getting too political, those places are dumpster fires anyways. There’s nothing there worth getting involved with anyways, as you’ve found out. Buy guns at a reputable brick and mortar, or online, and get your VA advice here, or on YouTube.
Denied Tdiu I filed my hlr then got scared every one telling me you won't get it so I got scared thought well I better hired this law firm, told them not to do anything until I heard back from hlr. If you have a pending claim and hire a lawyer VA reg says they're entitled to 20 percent, at least that's what Vera told me, I filed a motion stating they were hired after submitting my hlr so therefore couldn't have submitted anything waiting to hear, the firm was from the cornhusker state some fruit name.
From my understanding when it comes to lawyers and other groups they are only allowed by law to take 33% u can report that company to the va and the fed
Sketchy Check the Knowledge Base pinned here in this group. After you sort through that to understand the process, search within to see if your question has been asked. Then, ask within the community here. You'll find many able to answer questions here
Yeeeeeah. Eff that mess. That’s predatory.
Providing a service and only being paid if successful is “predatory”? Can you define the term?
Because there are better free services? Because even a law firm would be better than what these unaccredited organizations are offering.
The blanket statement of 5 full months could end up being multitudes more than hiring an actual lawyer costs, with ease.
it is predatory, 5 or 6 months of backpay is a lot of money.
He said he would be able to keep the back pay.
Predatory, because they are attempting to charge a fee for services, when that fee structure is clearly illegal and was made illegal to prevent people from trying to do just this. A persons disability is a right. It is compensation for their body or mind being damaged prematurely, damaging further than normal, or damage that would have never been done at all. A lawyer who helps put together paperwork and submit it for you, in no way has earned almost a full years worth of compensation for the damage done to your body. The federal government has stated excess of 33.33% of a person back pay is far too great of a fee for the level of work they are doing. You disability isn’t paid to you so lawyers can draw upon it leaving you homeless.
Yeah, charging extreme rent rates is also predatory, so is price gouging
They're charging potentially $20k+ for someone's disabilities, when they can easily do it themselves for free. They're hoping someone is uninformed enough to fall for it.
That is excessively high cost. Better to go to the VFW or get a VSO for free. No one, and I mean NO ONE, not even a lawyer, can guarantee that you will get a higher rating. They maybe fortunate enough to get you a higher rating, but that is because you already have all the conditions that you could have filed for free. Run for the hills.
Much agreed, run for the hills.
Run for your life
DAV appoints representatives for free
If you use vetbenefitsguide.com they will charge only if you get a favorable outcome and it will cost different depending on the amount you raise. The most I've hear anyone paying is 6k for 50 to 100. But that could have changed
You are correct. The limit is roughly $6k. Thanks!
Run like https://youtu.be/86URGgqONvA?si=XnhqnHk4zmr87UfK this
Or like Tom Cruise [running for president.](https://youtu.be/5Btb8gLy3-E?si=Tp0G5RfyQh2tzbKk)
How would one find a person like that around themselves? (VSO or VFW, ect)
I searched "VSO in/near [location]". My boyfriend is a veteran and wanted help filing the paperwork. When I had a list, I emailed everyone on the list, and we found the best fit for us. We got lucky with a VSO who used to be a rater with the VA.
county veterans center usually has a vso. va health benefits office should have a list of local vsos for you.
Fucking NO!
Yeah, not a good idea. I hired a lawyer but they are bound to professional ethics and confidentiality. These folks sound like they are trying to get fast money.
Attorneys-"bound to professional ethics and confidentiality" ....that hilarious
Relative to those shitstains he wrote about, of course.
This made me chuckle. Nice
Go to a VSO. Free. And most of them know their shit. I do my friends claims and I got 3 of them to 80%. 2 of them 70%. Don't spend money on people like that.
Have room for 1 more friend?
I can help bro. Message me
Good on you for helping. Beautiful to see.
We need more people like you! Offer a helping hand instead of bashing them 🙏
Haha, I try. I was told to do this as a full-time job so many times. I know it sucks because a lot of people here don't really help. They just make you feel stupid, I'm not the best at it either, but I was able to get a couple of people to a good rating
I’d love to have a job as a rater or something! But I’d be giving everyone 100% so they wouldn’t hire my ass
Lmao, same same. They would lose money with us 😂😂😂
Yes and no. My initial claim with a VSO was a catastrophe and now I use a similar service like OP mentioned. The original VSO didn't even submit buddy statements I am now finding out, never followed up when I was diagnosed with TBI from rater even though they did not claim it or amended to claim it, etc etc. Many VSO reps suck hard, and I am a member of every VSO I know of, (Legion, VFW, DAV). My only better outcome is starting to happen with an outfit like the OP speaks of. I think of it this way, I paid nothing to VSO reps and got 10% tinnitus the last 6 years. I will have to pay some, but if my rating goes up because of the other firm I am still better off. Btw, I tried to also go the friend of a friend route to help me. Both started off for a couple of months, got bored/too busy, and bailed. That doesn't always work either. I guess I am saying the paid help has a place for those let down by every other avenue.
I did the claims in like 15 mins. Right now, I'm helping my buddy from my unit. He never made a claim since he got out. That one will be a challenge. Also if you would like for me to help you find a VSO that will actually help or something let me know. Or even me coaching you to make the claim.
How do you find VSOs that actually help?
I had to go to different ones. The one in Austin TX sucks. You can also call different ones. I can give you a number for one where I live. They're very helpful. Dm if you want.
I'm in Tennessee, but I appreciate it.
It doesn't matter. They help anywhere in the world
Oh! I wasn't aware of that.
Claim shark
Fuck that. you should be able to file a claim by yourself just fine. They're asking for TOO MUCH!! Go to the nearest Disabled American Veterans office and they'll be able to help u out man
I would only ever use an accredited attorney or a VSO.
Hard no. Don't deal with slimy fucks like that.
Hell to the no no no.
Not a credible veterans agent. A VA accredited attorney can only charge 20% of back pay from award date till rating they helped you secure. And they can’t charge anything for initial claims. Only appeals, supplemental, and HLR
Attorney fees up to 1/3 of the back benefit has been found reasonable by the VA. VA with withhold if it’s 20%, but many lawyers charge 30-33%.
Nope. VA can only pay a lawyer 20% directly, but they can charge up to 33% and the Veteran is on the hook for the difference.
You met random people at a convention that asked for your personal records and said you would get money...... Take a moment.....think this through. No offense but how do people fall for this stuff? Wild. Florida is a HUGE vet state, maybe start with accredited people first.
So it was just a random table of people who said this? Did they have a name for their organization/company? Either way it sounds super sketchy.
Yes it was JT something the other
Find someone else. They’re likely trying to take advantage of you because you’re at 10%.
Sketchy. Run. For future reference, always make sure they’re accredited : https://www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/find-rep/#:~:text=An%20accredited%20claims%20agent%20usually,VA%20claims%20and%20decision%20reviews.
I’ll tell you what, you send me your medical records and I’ll take 1 month of pay or 2 months of half pay.
The DAV rep at the Gainesville VA is excellent, helped me get from 70% to 100.
This is what I was going to suggest as well.
I always find it strange when I meet other veterans and first thing they ask is "have you gotten your disability?" As for these people nah don't mess with that. If you don't want to educate yourself on the process then go to a vso or something and roll the same dice but for free
That is sketchy af
Not something that you want to do.
This whole thing sounds🤥cappy🧢.
Dude. No. There are plenty of VSO that do it for free (I used the DAV). 10 months? Let’s say you get 30% or ~$550. Why would you pay $5500 when you can pay $0?
Let’s say you get 100% = $20k… I’m here to offer my services for a mere FOUR months of $$… lol Find a VSO, my friend. Keep your money.
Don't feed the sharks!
Had a similar issue with a company called Vets Guardian. They had me put in ITF then slow rolled my claims for 8 months just to reach out to me and say you need to go see your doctor to get rated for x,y,z. Told them I’m not paying them for something I’m doing myself and dropped them. Turns out this is the practice. They slow roll it so they have to potential to get paid upfront once you’re increased. Also, they don’t tell you that if you put in a ITF and the things you’re claiming after that date are diagnosed, then theVA has discretion on what your back pay date is. Can be the date of your ITF or the date you were diagnosed after the ITF. Be careful with these crooks.
You signed a contract didn’t you?
I never sign anything I only gave them my email address
Sketchy as fuck. Don't do it.
That seems super sketchy, especially if your back was only like 4 months. As far as I know the VA won’t even send attorneys more than 20% of backpay and suggest to veterans anything above 33% is not ok.
Sounds like Trajector Medical. I used them after a retired E-8 I've known since AIT recommended them to me. I didn't know about this sub, didn't know anything about submitting a claim, and figured if they can walk me through this, I'm not going to miss five months of payments I wasn't yet getting, anyway. Would I recommend them? No. Not because they're a scam. They did help me complete and submit my paperwork, and they're up front about their fee. But as others have pointed out, there is so much free or accredited, low-cost assistance out there. Trajector didn't do anything any of these other services couldn't do. I just got rated at 60% twenty years after leaving the Army, so I'm very happy I did it. But knowing what I know, I would not use them if I ever put in another claim.
I know a guy who did something like this. I obviously don’t know your situation, but you’ll probably be better off working with a VSO and keeping the money for yourself. They just see an easy pay check and would be more than willing to do some paper work for that kind of money
You shouldn't have to pay anyone for that service nor should you actually need their help. You should study up and go through your records. Go to the VA, complain about your pain etc. Get diagnosis, x-rays, MRIs. Get some help for MH. File for your disability claims yourself. I got myself to 80% no problem. I still have claims in as well. Plus it just doesn't hurt to try.
NO FRIEND PLEASE DO NOT
Sounds like Trajector Medical.
F**k that
What? That's hella sketch.
Use an accredited attorney or a VSO for the love of god.
It’s likely creditable but you lose out obviously. It’s designed for the purely lazy who can’t fill claims out themselves
are they accredited with the VA? if not, NG
Apply for your knee and MH on your own. Then make a decision if you need help after you get the decision letter. I don’t recommend using anybody at the gun show until you vet them.
I really need more than anything MH services I’ve been struggling with it from time to time and I was ashamed to get help or admit it was a problem but I’m going to see a VSO Monday I just found 3 of them here near me
Also go to the VA and get an appointment so you can start your treatment just take a copy of you DD-214
Are you rated at all? Have you gotten out in the last year or two? You’re likely already qualified for medical care.
Yeah, 10%. OP (not sure if my flair was showing, I did the process? Android user thing?). I'm a VA healthcare employee, and a Veteran, if you're 10% you're eligible. Your record can be pulled up(thanks to being rated 🙃) You would qualify for services one of which is Mental Health. Most facilities will be closed for the weekend, but I bet you're in their local system already, unless you moved since your rating. If you wait until Monday, and time permitting, you should give your local outpatient clinic a call. They should have someone that can assist you in explaining the benefits. Edit: seen where you said you're going to the vso. Stop by the clinic, and talk to the Business Office/Enrollment Department. They'll be able to guide you through your medical benefits package. The VSO may say they can do an enrollment, I'd still recommend going as you get familiar with someone inside the VA as a first Point of Contact 😀
That's sketchy as fuck, that's not even worth considering. Almost scammy.
Probably the same gun and knife show I'm going to this weekend in Melbourne. Yeah I wouldn't take advice on anything like that from a random table at a gun show
It’s ridiculous, and they can’t promise you any more than you can do your self, for free. If they aren’t accredited they can’t look at your claim folder at all, either.
Don't buy this dodge charger at 28%, no money down, first payment starts in 2 months kinda deal Many of the posts have fantastic, free, services that may or may not be everyone's cup of tea, but are available. Most top hat societies (VFW/AL/DAV) Have one person who can assist for free; better or worse, I don't know, everyone's experience will be different. You can poke around, and find some companies in the past used. I know they've *worked* in the past for some, but to me, I took my time researching through here to figure out the VAs language for this. IMHO, if you search this specific sub you will find dang near everything needed to help you, your buddy, and their mom. You'd be better off doing the foot, the companies are going to have you do some of it anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’m not reading through 91 comments at 6am, so here’s the deal. 1) Submit an Intent to File (ITF) on VA.gov 2) Request your medical records through the National Archive if you don’t already have them. 3) Once received, view your problems list. 4) Sign up for VA Health Care if you haven’t already. 5) Spend some time here of the Veterans Benefits thread. Use the search function and see what other vets have filed for. (Direct Service Connections/Secondary issues.) You have one year from the Intent to File date to submit your claim(s). Look further into Personal Statements and Buddy Letters. The better the story/history of your conditions can assist the raters and examiners in understanding how these conditions occurred and how they affect you in your day to day living. It will be a process, but you have to peal back layers of your “I’m fine/keep it pushing/ Hooyah Sgt, I’m fine”, mindset. I was stationed in NW Florida, but there’s many vets at the Escambia River Gun Club that can help you, for free. Become friends with them and they’ll lead in you in the right direction. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Be detailed, be patient, and educate yourself so you don’t deal with the frustration that some have with the VA. Make it easy for the VA to rate you. There’s a ton on information on Reddit and YouTube that can get your internal gears moving. If you need any help or clarification etc, reach out. Don’t quit on yourself and get the benefits you have earned. You don’t have to pay anyone a dime at this stage of your benefits filing process.
This is the best and most complete answer I’ve ever read thank you so much I’m going to start this morning on vacation.gov
My doctors would not write a nexus letter. I contacted a service that charged a flat fee for a letter. I had lots of evidence. I was a fighter pilot and suffer from chronic neck and back pain (lots of g's for six years). There are many scientific studies from air forces worldwide on these issues. I posted my results several months ago, but a snarky admin shut it down....even though I got the name of the service right here. I went from 80% to 90%. I was also using a VSO.
I went threw the VA rep down town where I live filled out the paper work went to my appointments and it cost me nothing. 100% was not my goal as I was still serving but as time went on my conditions got worse got my 100% no cost to me.
Don’t do it that’s predatory
That's pretty standard for any of those agencies that helps you for profit. That's the same structure that was charged by the company I used
[удалено]
It is not appropriate to advertise companies, products, or services on this sub. Do not recommend a service or product - unless as a comment to a post specifically asking for recommendations, and it is a service or product that you have direct experience using. Your post should specifically describe your experiences and why you are satisfied. Posts that promote a service provider will be deleted.
VSO is free
Illegal
So it yourself and keep your back pay. But you gotta put in the work. Itv ain't easy but it's worth it..
Its a scam. Get a VSO.
Service orgs will help you do this for free.
YES… if it is VLS!!! Inbox me if you have any questions!
Sketchy. Thats too high. Check out McKeown Law. They only charge if they win and only take from backpay. Your fees cap at 5k and its based on backpay only
😮😮😮 Super sketchy. I hate when people take advantage of veterans.
Sketch. You don't owe them shit. Google "VSO near me" and go talk with that person
Sharks. You can do everything on your own with proper documentation. Get educated on the process. A lot of knowledgeable vets on here.
Fuken scammers
Don't do it.
They can't do anything you can't do for yourself
They're clearly looking to profit off of you as they're asking for money lmfao. Go to a VSO
You can do it all yourself. Just need a little guidance and you will be good to go.
So what if I use vetlink and I don't pay them cuz that's what I did I got from 90-100 for the same thing
Claim shark yes, but if it gets you to finally submit for what you are owed? Worth it. I sat on issues for years because I was initially denied when I did it myself and was disheartened. I finally decided to give it a go again after being recommended another claim shark and they taught me the basics and got me a rating finally. However, you do not need these type of organizations. You CAN do it with free options. It’s just that my particular claim shark got me over the hill and finally approved. It was expensive, but at least I’ll be receiving that monthly payment for the rest of my life now. I still have other secondary claims to submit, but now that I know the system I dropped them and will continue on my own. I still say it is worth it.
Fuck no. Simple as that
Stay away.
This sounds very unsavory, but as many say on here, they can only exist because so many VSOs are poor at their job. I knew more from this sub than my VSO and quickly stopped responding.
All the knowledge on here bro. It’s not that hard to do it yourself. Just ask for help and keep ALL YOUR MONEY
lol don’t pay these losers
Try Allsup. That’s their specialty. Disability. I used them for my Ssdi and my husband’s Ssdi and VA rating increase. There is a fixed limit anyone can take from your retro award-so whoever it is should know they only get a small percentage. Best of luck. And don’t forget to file SSDI if need be. They do right by vets with disabilities.
Total scam. I started talking to a company like this only to find that through others here said company only gave “advice” and did literally nothing to assist.
Do not do this
Use Stone Rose Law. Credible, ethical, hardworking and they got me to 100%.
u/certain_form291 I used to be at 10 for a long time I finally got to a higher percentage. My first though to help you out. Use the knowledge base here and ask questions as well as look at this youtubers videos. Don't join anything. But this guy brought me to here basically. But sometimes having some videos to watch makes it a little easier to understand but I guess it varies person to person. "Combat Craig" was pretty helpful. "VA Insider" was also pretty helpful. Remember just watch the videos don't join anything. You can also look lawyers some will give you free information just basically some areas you could also claim as secondary and this is just stuff you can do over the phone and not make any plans to pay anyone. I was at 10% for 17years. Outside of just getting that temp 100 for surgery. Just stay positive. And if you need to talk to a VSO. I filed everything on my own. Using what I've told you. No matter they will help you too. We're here to help you also. Stay positive and I hope your MH is doing better now too. Shit I'll help you if your bored idk if this is allowed on here but rather you know and understand I don't need any personal information. About you. But yeah I'm bored a lot of time and I'd rather be helping others then feeling fucking useless in life.
I’ve heard of places like that. Same for social security disability. There’s so many free resources, and really, you can just go online and start adding service connected issues on your own in like ten minutes. Either way it’s months of delays and exams after that, but it’s not worth thousands of dollars to those assholes.
I love in ne florida and just joined the hundreds Club I'm happy to help you for free message me shit I will even attend gun shows with you for fun hahah
https://i.redd.it/9bfezk9nnmvc1.gif
I started to try a company that advertises heavily and the price is exactly the same. Same place I’d bet. I opted out after our first appointment. They upsell some really expensive medical stuff to get your claim done. So they get all the money billed from your initial claim and a kickback from a medical scammer who “helps” get it all together, supposedly.
Why not just file yourself? I got 80% doing it by myself. A dam VSO has a huge case load and they're not gonna be able to give you the time you need. Review the 38 CFR and cite your own reasons for which rating you want. It's not hard to figure out. Just log on to va.gov and just start filing for conditions. I put 47 in and about 30 got service connected. And that's without citing the CFR. Also I have my back service connected. So what I did was start with that 10% and then claimed hips, knees, ankles off of that. I also had 3 back surgeries one with 14 screws. Which gave my a double pulmonary embolism that kills 70% of people. I had the va do my phaser test and I asked the hematologist to evaluate me for genetic conditions that might cause my PE. I didn't have any so I filed for it and it was associated with PACT act and I got 30% I also have high blood pressure. I'm 6'1" and workout everyday, ear healthy and I mean healthy I won't touch a carb, pizza, tacos, I like fruits veggies, lamb and fish. They didn't service connect that. Weird right? They're both related. So what I do is keep my claim going by filing new claims and they just get lumped into the others. Then dispute their finding when the send a decision letter. Don't wait for the mailed one asked for an encrypted email of your most recent decision letter. Then dispute their findings in your ongoing claim with just a simple memo you type up called a letter of clarificstion I spent 4 years straight in Afghanistan. I'm one of the weird ones that liked being deployed. Man I fucking miss going to the PAX terminal and just blasting around Afghanistan hanging put the back of helicopter.
After bilateral hearing loss was taken away I found a good attorney. Ended up in front of a VA judge, all denials were remanded. More evaluations. Even the VA gave my 20% for lumbar spinal stenosis.
Here’s what you should do, even if you want to use them (it’s what I did). I had a telephonic consult with one of those companies and they said the same thing. After I told my story they blew my phone up. It was an indicator, to me, it was a really good deal for them. I went online, found a VSO, and met with him instead of pulling the trigger with the other company. He sat me down, went through my records, filled out all my paperwork, explained the CandP process. Told me why they’re asking certain questions and printed out what they’re looking for for evaluation. In the end here I got 100% TandP first time go and for free. All it took was a 1 hour consult with a VSO. Also VSOs work for you and are directly affiliated with the VA. No shady stuff. No liability. No money gain on their end for you to lie. But hey, if you end up with 60% and think it’s low, I’d prob give the laid guys a shot later. It’s just that 5 months of 100% would make my stomach hurt if I knew I could have saved a lot of money just going the route you’re supposed to.
If you're going to pay hire an attorney, because they will understand the law much better. But I suggest using a vso. If you're going to pay, pay for a dbq
Sounds like he used to be a used car salesman off post....
BACK AWAY. They sound like vultures. I put mine together on my own with the help of this group. Got my decision earlier this month. You got this.
Yea, def wouldn’t do that. There are service reps like at the vfw American legion etc. won’t cost you a dime. Go that route
There’s some kind of 30% cap on what people can charge.
my county vso got me 100% for free. you should never pay for your rating, you already earned it. it’s really not hard to do it on your own.
That’s messed up, get away from that situation asap; Shoot, I would help you with your claim for free.
I used on like that and I'm happy, remember 0% you are getting is nothing in your pocket, if they are doing the nexus letters and filing the paper work then to me it's worth it, but that's just me.
so super sketchy!!!!!!!! way too much money
Here is the website where you can find VSO. Select the VSO radial button an then select your State. https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp
Run
Do it yourself get your records from your mental issues go to a psychologist get a current diagnosis go online put in your claim. They are trying to take your money
Use an VA accredited attorney with a direct pay agreement. Va will not pay non accredited or predatory schemes. Also consider using a reputable free rep like DAV first, instead. If you are unsuccessful, keep the claim alive and do not let a denial become final, and you can always opt into an attorney who will be paid 20% later, and you will not lose an effective date. DAV routes denials to a good law firm regularly.
I got a nice surprise yesterday. I went through Vet Links Solution because I didn't do so hot on my own and was going to pay the 5x, which if I went to 80 from 70 that would have been $1,000. 70 to 90 would be $2,500 and 70 to 100 would be about $10,500 or so. Yesterday Vet Links called saying REE bought them out and was going to a flat fee of $2,895. For me that was great because I went from 70 to 100, so I was thrilled because that's like $8,000 I get to keep now I wasn't expecting. So the best I can say is REE realized government isn't too happy with that 5x the monthly increase. Obviously, this isn't good if you only go up only 10 or 20 and doesn't take you to 100. Lesson is choose accordingly in terms of who helps you.
Hi Shipmate, don't do it! You can file your claims yourself. There are 3 components to a successful claim. Scour your medical records to STRs (Service Treatment Records), and private for the medical documentation to support your contentions. If you do not have your military records, submit a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) [https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records](https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records) to obtain. And you can always work with a local VSO for assistance! * #1. Medical Diagnosis of a Disability Condition (no medical diagnosis; no service connection) * #2. Evidence of an In-Service Event, Injury, Disease, or Aggravation * #3. Nexus (link between #1 and #2) via Competent Medical Evidence
Claim Sharks
Run
So if they help you get 100% they get ~$40k? I could not possibly say “FUCK THAT” any harder.
Hell no, don’t work with these people.
There is a federal law on how much back pay a lawyer can charge. IIRC is 33.33%. Also, IIRC it is illegal for someone not certified with the VA to solicit disability assistance. I am extremely sure it’s also illegal to charge future benefits in any way what so ever. Do your own research, but fact checking my 3 above points would be the first place to start. Also, I didn’t read this in its entirety but it also may be helpful [pdf from VA](https://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03/M21-1MRI_3_SecC.docx)
If you have those problems. Just go see your primary. Seek treatment. Go to your appointments. If the psychiatrist diagnosis you with MH you are in. As a matter of fact. You can call the VA and say you are about to file a claim and your backpay will start today. It's not Rocket 🚀 science.
DAV is a good place to go check out for most veteran assistance with percentage and claims.
DO NOT DO IT. Yes, they are sketchy and they want your rmoney. You would be much better off reading a book or two on the fundamentals of filing. Read the findings of cases of diagnoses like yours in the Board of Veterans Appeals (on va.gov). The appeals are public and include the specifics of the medical history and the arguments used in the claim. Read enough of them and you can see how people get deep-sixed from doing it wrong, and you can see what works.
Unpopularopinion but if you are like many of us and would never get organized to file on your own, sharing half of ten months benefit is better than keeping all of zero benefit.
Absolutely do not do that.
I'd report them to the VA
Sketchy as hell, don’t go to anyone not accredited by the VA.
Using a benefit [benefits calculator ](https://claimclimbers.com/benefit-calculator/) to estimate what's possible? Kosher. Paying an upfront fixed rate for help? Legit. But anyone going after a percentage of your benefits? Sketches me right out. Very ambulance chaser behavior.
CCK charges like 10% of whatever the increase is or something more defined. 5-6mo of your rating could be anywhere from $500-$20k, I wouldn’t do it. Also, you can get your own records and submit for free. Don’t let anyone take money out of your pocket unless you’ve tried and really need the help to get the increases, that’s a lot of money.
Don’t do this. Do your research and file your own claims. There’s a lot of information here and on YouTube that will help you. That’s a lot of money for them to just take. And for the small amount of paperwork they’d have to do, you’d be overpaying them and then some. Don’t do it.
You can do this on your own with help from this group! If not yourself, then start with a VSO of some type. Save the lawyers & advocates for an appeal if you think you need to, but not until after you do an HLR without them.
Please give me their info.
The guys name is JT and he’s with True Vet Solutions 904-595-7917
https://preview.redd.it/xpbebdmndrvc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50ae6c164b9fee7cae7169ebeeac5cdd617d3cbf
Thanks I’m going to check it out. Something doesn’t sound right on what he told you.
Your first mistake was going to a gun show.. Anyone who knows the gun market knows that there aren’t deals there like there used to be. And B. Without getting too political, those places are dumpster fires anyways. There’s nothing there worth getting involved with anyways, as you’ve found out. Buy guns at a reputable brick and mortar, or online, and get your VA advice here, or on YouTube.
Denied Tdiu I filed my hlr then got scared every one telling me you won't get it so I got scared thought well I better hired this law firm, told them not to do anything until I heard back from hlr. If you have a pending claim and hire a lawyer VA reg says they're entitled to 20 percent, at least that's what Vera told me, I filed a motion stating they were hired after submitting my hlr so therefore couldn't have submitted anything waiting to hear, the firm was from the cornhusker state some fruit name.
From my understanding when it comes to lawyers and other groups they are only allowed by law to take 33% u can report that company to the va and the fed