Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Post No. 3 - Moving Forward With The Process

Reporting for Roll Call :15:45Hrs - 5-8-13
Hi LT:
LTs+Brains= Oxymoron? Hah!
Well, as our Laotian friends used to say. MaiPenLie(it makes no nevermind).
Have gone over your comment Re: Getting Started.  To summarize:
a) Before anything else, get one of those VA cards...but preferrably through the VA's web site, rather than in person at the nearest facility because the reception desk for that is manned by "volunteers", mostly older vets/relics from WWII, Korea, and/or Nam...who are not always ready with a "smiley face" to greet an incoming cherry-troop. As you put it this is one of the "booby traps" the VA installs to block the entrances to its facilities.
Frankly, given the choice of having to armwrestle with the VA web site, or facing down an old war horse in person, I'm more inclined to go for the latter. At least, it's another human...even if he/she might not be the most welcoming. Personal choice, I suppose. In any case, no matter how treated at this receiving point, the thing to do is to follow Rule #1.
b)Okay, Re: DDForm214. isn't that a veteran's discharge paper? He should have gotten that from the Service he was in, and, hopefully, made lots of copies of it, to have at hand, as needed.
 
So, now, our cherry/troop has gotten a VA Card, and has his DDForm214...one way or the other. What happens next? What's the next step for filing his disability claim?
 
Moving on to a sidebar subject : A Veteran's difficulty accessing his own medical file. You commented that it is not uncommon for the VA to be difficult about that. Why should that be? Unless, of course, it relates to a disability claim situation which the VA, for whatever reason, believes the medical info therein, might support such a claim. Hmmm...sounds like this can lead to a very iffy swamp patch full of not so friendly alligators. Let's leave it aside for the moment.
 
Well, so much for today.
Centurion

1 comment:

  1. Hey Captain! Reporting for ROLL CALL 5/8/13 4:53PM

    Let's not 'assume' anything! That is Rule #3. Don't assume anything!

    Getting a DDForm 214 can and often times is a deal breaker.

    Getting a VA card can and often times is a deal breaker.

    So, the first two steps to getting your benefits, what you earned, what you are entitled to, can cause the 'Cherry Troop' to make a quick exit from the VA's process.

    You will not get a DDForm214 or your VA Card from the "Information Desk" at the VA. Those kind volunteers are there to help you. The problem is many of them are disparaging towards the "Younger Generation". How many times have you heard someone say, "This New Generation is so worthless!" When I returned home in February 1969 from combat in Vietnam, I had WWII guys tell me I was a loser and how could I hold my head up with pride for being a 'Baby Burner'. Believe me, that can be a real detriment to a guy with the Black Snake recently coiled within his soul.

    That Information Booth at all VA hospitals is there to help direct people to the proper offices. Many times, even though these volunteers are great guys and gals, they don't have a clue where the office for VA cards is, and or/ have no clue what a DDForm214 is.

    I highly recommend not doing this. Not if you are a Cherry Troop and new to this whole 'game'.

    ReplyDelete

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