It shouldn't be this complicated.
Veterans deserve better than the red tape, endless paperwork, and hundreds of thousands of backlogged claims that they've been stuck with by the VA's broken disability system.
The process for a veteran to prepare and file their disability claim with the VA is complicated. Too complicated. Look no further than meme accounts on Instagram or the /VeteransBenefits community on Reddit for evidence that the system is broken.
Obtain a current diagnosis
Seek a medical evaluation at a VA healthcare center or with a civilian provider to get a current diagnosis of your condition.
Themselves
A Veteran can prepare their paperwork and file their VA disability claim themself.
Veteran Service Officer
Veteran service organizations like DAV, American Legion, and VFW have volunteers who can help Veterans file their claims for free.
Attorneys
While many attorneys do the initial claim for free, they will take up to 33% of a Veteran's backpay upon winning an appeal.
Private Consultants
Experts in the VA disability process, private consultants oftentimes work on a contingency fee model where they are only paid if they succeed in getting the Veteran an increase in benefits.
So what options does a Veteran have?
The Stakes Are Too High to Choose Incorrectly
1
Isolation + Loneliness
What's the answer?
The CHOICE Act
HR 3132
The CHOICE Act protects Veterans from bad actors in the VA disability industry while also safeguarding their right to choose who they want to work with - whether a free service or a paid service.
If passed, the CHOICE Act will:
Preserve Veteran choice by allowing private companies to continue to operate
Ensure Veterans are protected financially from bad actors
Protect thousands of Veteran & Veteran adjacent jobs
Reform accreditation to allow for free market options
Prohibit any fees not associated with a monetary increase in monthly benefits
Mandate disclosure of free and other options to the Veteran
Ensure medical protections by prohibiting on-staff physicians from performing medical evaluations
Create an accreditation process for companies with VA and DOJ oversight
Allow the free market to set contingent fees consistent with the legislative fee cap
It's time for Congress to listen.
While the VA has made great strides in their disability claim processing speed and accuracy, it's not enough. We must protect Veterans from those who want to prey on their frustrations while also protecting their right to choose to work with experts when preparing their disability claims.
It's time for Congress to Listen.
PAID FOR BY FRONTIERS OF FREEDOM
2
Physical + Mental Pain
3
Homelessness
+ Suicide
Back Pain Injury Claim Example
Gather evidence of in-service incidents
Collect documentation of events during your service that led to the back injury, including dates, details of medical attention received, and how the injury affected your daily life.
Establish a medical nexus
Obtain a document from a medical professional connecting your current diagnosis to the in-service incidents.
Collect supporting documents
Gather VA and private medical records, hospital reports, and any supporting statements from family, friends, or fellow service members.
Complete the necessary forms
Fill out VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits) and VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim).
Submit your claim
File your claim online at VA.gov, by mail, in person at a VA regional office, or by fax.
Prepare for a possible C&P exam
Be ready for a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam if the VA requires one to assess your condition.
A Call for Help
If a Veteran's claim for disability benefits is rejected by the VA, they have the right to appeal. But the average time a Veteran waits for a decision after appealing is 36 months. That's three more years without the benefits they earned because of something that could be as minor as a missing doctor's letter or using the wrong verbiage to describe an injury.
There is currently one bill proposed in Congress that address the problems outlined in the video - namely a broken VA disability system, convoluted with excessive paperwork, doctors appointments, and red tape, combined with insufficient free services offered by overworked and understaffed Veteran Service Organizations.
Here's an example of how this process often goes for a Veteran. He or she incurs a back injury during service, receives treatment while on active duty or deployed and eventually transition from military service. When you leave the service, you should have your initial claim decided by the VA. If your claim is denied, or your condition is underrated, then you go through the following process.