Unlocking VA Disability Claims Part 2
In this episode of The Dog Tag, our host, Matt Elledge, and subject matter experts from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) and the VLB, return to their comprehensive explanation of the VA Disability Claims process.
Victor Polanco, Operations Manager, for TVC Claims Representation and Counseling, and Bill McLemore, Deputy Director of Land and Housing for the VLB, share more advice and expertise about the second half of this process, including what to do after you receive your ratings decision from the VA, and how to navigate the appeals process.
Show Notes:
Overview of Unlocking VA Disability Claims Part 1. [1:01]
What to do after you receive your rating decision from the VA. [3:12]
Why even a 0% rating is very important. [5:56]
Why the effective date is also very important. [7:34]
Each claim you filed has a separate rating. [8:36]
How to accept or disagree with each rating. [9:59]
Other types of claims: claims for increases, claims for secondary conditions, claims for unexpected treatment. [10:32]
38 CFR Schedule for Rating Disabilities and the VA Combined Rating Table. [11:21]
Filing a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) if you disagree with your rating decision. [12:34]
You only have one year to file an NOD after you receive your rating decision! [19:37]
Don’t be your own worst enemy — get help from an accredited Veteran Service Organization (VSO)! [20:08]
Why your accredited representative should have a connection with a VA Regional Benefit Office. [22:24]
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) has counselors ready to represent a Veteran during a hearing. [26:10]
What is a Statement of the Case (SOC)? [26:55]
How your accredited representative formulates an appeal to the Board of Veteran Appeals (BVA). [28:44]
The VA Appeals Process. [31:21]
Examples of cases that can go through the appeals process to the BVA. [40:13]
Time frame following the submission of the NOD. [45:41]
What is a remand? [50:08]
Why in the world would anyone want to go through this disability compensation process? [53:00]
- Listen to our next podcast: Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush
- Listen to the previous podcast: Unlocking VA Disability Claims Part 1
Helpful Resources:
VA Form 21–0958: Notice of Disagreement
Board of Veteran Appeals (BVA)
VA Form 21–4138: Statement in Support of Claim
VA Form 9: Appeal to Board of Veterans’ Appeals
National Veterans Legal Services Program
E-Benefits Customer Support: 1–800–983–0937
VA Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables
Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS)
Update your contact information with the VA online
Listen to this podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
