Looking for the Best VA Disability Claim Help? Here’s 3 Ways to Get Assistance with Your VA Claim

In this post, veterans will learn 3 Ways to Get VA Disability Claim Help, along with some of the top organizations that can assist veterans with their VA disability compensation claims.

Let’s face it: Navigating the VA claim process on your own can be confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming for many veterans.

The good news is there are some great organizations who can help you prepare and file your VA claim free of charge.

Generally, veterans have 3 options to get help with their VA claims:

• #1. File your own VA claim online at VA.gov (Represent Yourself via “Pro Se Representation”)

• #2. Work with an accredited VSO (Appoint a VSO Representative with Power of Attorney)

• #3. Work with an accredited Claims Agent or Attorney (Appoint a Claims Representative with Power of Attorney)

The new VA.gov website makes it super easy to prepare and file your own VA claim in just a few minutes.

So, you can choose to represent yourself before the VA and “Do It Yourself” online (which I recommend), and I’ll show you how in this article.

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• Simple Strategies to Increase Your VA Rating Quickly

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Top 3 Ways to Find VA Disability Claim Help Online

#1. Prepare and File Your Own VA Claim Online at VA.gov (Represent Yourself)

Veterans always have the option to represent themselves before the VA for their VA disability compensation claim.

You don’t have to work with someone else if you don’t want to.

Using the new and improved VA.gov website, you can prepare and file your own claim online for free.

It’s like “Turbo-Tax” for VA claims: Each screen will provide you with on-screen tips to help you file your VA claim.

If you choose to go this route, select the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) option, and make sure you have the proper evidence for your FDC ready to upload:

• Service Treatment Records (STRs), VA Medical Records, and/or Private Treatment Records

• Medical Nexus Letters (if you weren’t diagnosed in-service or if your STRs lack evidence)

• VA Statements in Support of a Claim for Each Disability Condition

• Buddy Letters (if your STRs lack evidence of your claimed condition)

Here’s a step-by-step video tutorial for veterans to file their own VA claim online:

#2. Search and Find Accredited VSOs Near You (Appoint a Representative)

If you don’t want to do it yourself, you can choose to work with an accredited VSO near you.

There are literally thousands of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) around the world who help veterans and service members, to include their dependents and survivors, with VA claims free of charge.

Here’s a list of some of the top national VSO organizations offering free VA claim help:

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

• American Veterans (AMVETS)

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

• American Legion

Should I work with a VSO?

The major benefit of working with a VSO, even if you file the claim yourself, is that he/she will have access to the Veteran Benefits Management System (VBMS).

VBMS access is especially useful for veterans because your VSO can download copies of your C&P exam results in real-time, including contracted C&P examination results.

If you think you had a bad C&P exam, and want to find out BEFORE your claim gets denied, your VSO can let you know quickly with VBMS.

How to Find the Best VSO Near You:

If you choose to work with a VSO, we recommend working with a representative who’s co-located at the VA Regional Office in your state.

Why?

Because every VBA Regional Office does things a little bit differently.  

A co-located VSO has the inside scoop on all things VA benefits at the regional office in your state and can quickly intervene if there are issues with your VA claim.

Click HERE to search and find VSOs who are co-located at the VBA Regional Office in your state.

#3. Search and Find Accredited Claims Agents or Attorneys (Appoint a Representative)

If you’ve already tried to get VA disability benefits on your own or with an accredited VSO, but got denied, that’s where accredited Claims Agents or Attorneys can be helpful.

Did you know there are VA-Accredited Attorneys who will help you for FREE?

Yep, it’s true.

You can get free legal help for your denied VA disability claim from the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP).

However, most VA Claims Agents and Attorneys work for a fee, which typically ranges from 20% to 33.3% of any retroactive back pay received as a result of a successful appeal of a previously denied claim.

Some may also charge you a “pre-filing consultation fee” plus a myriad of other fees—make sure you read through the contract carefully before signing it.

The Agent or Attorney will likely send you to a private doctor to obtain a Nexus Letter, which is another separate fee paid by you.

Again, these fees can add-up quickly and you need to be prepared.

Should I Hire a VA Claims Agent or Attorney?

It’s up to you, but the truth is you probably don’t need to hire a Claims Agent or Attorney unless you plan to appeal before the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) and enter oral arguments.

The New VA Appeals Process allows veterans to do a Higher Level Review (HLR) or Supplemental Claim right on the VA.gov website.

If you plan to upload new and relevant evidence not previously considered, you should use the VA Direct Upload tool, called “Access VA” to submit your HLR or Supplemental Claim plus any new evidence.

Conclusion:

Veterans have many options when it comes to getting help with their VA claims.

You can do it yourself online or work with an accredited VSO for initial claims or a Claims Agent or Attorney for previously denied claims.

The VA.gov website makes it super easy to prepare and file your own VA claim online in just a few minutes.

I recommend veterans represent themselves before the VA and “Do It Yourself” online, and I’ll show you how in our #1 rated VA Claims Insider Elite Program.

Looking for Help with Your VA Claim? WE GOT YOUR SIX!

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Brian Reese

Brian Reese is one of the top VA disability benefits experts in the world and bestselling author of You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits You’ve Earned (Second Edition).

Brian’s frustration with the VA claim process led him to create VA Claims Insider, which provides disabled veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned to win their VA disability compensation claim, faster, even if they’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start. 

As the founder of VA Claims Insider and CEO of Military Disability Made Easy, he has helped serve more than 10 million military members and veterans since 2013 through free online educational resources.

He is a former active duty Air Force officer with extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).