Student of Exercise Physiology at Fort Lewis College | Retired U.S. Marine | Future Recreational Therapist | Wilderness and Outdoor Activity Enthusiast
This is a contentious topic. Are many of these companies scams or grossly overpriced? Yes. Can others be honestly and reasonably providing a service? Maybe. What needs to be looked at is the why service members are seeking this service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was not equipped or capable of processing the sudden influx of claims caused by the PACT Act. Additionally, any provisions to alleviate the administrative burden that may have accompanied the bill are vastly ineffective. As a recently retired veteran, I am living this experience. I filled a Benefits Delivered at Discharge (BDD) claim in July, 2023, and completed all evaluations by the end of September, 2023. Although BDD claims were advertised as an ability to gain a rating decision prior to discharge so benefits and compensation could begin immediately at discharge as the name implies, the VA stated it was holding my claim from decision until my official discharge date in December, 2023. What's worse is that it sat marked "ready for decision" in early December, and was not assigned to a regional office until March. I even requested one of my Senators to conduct an inquiry, and twice they were given the same excuse I recieved: "We have an increased workload due to the PACT Act, and claims are being worked on. Check back in 30 days." I am still waiting on a decision. If the VA could live up to their own time lines in the manner they expect from the veterans they serve, many would not feel the need to got to private businesses that offer the opportunity at faster processing times for their claims. The VSOs I've used have been great, but their ability to help is almost none once the claim has been submitted. The lack of visibility of the provided to veterans and VSOs feels like a feeble attempt to hide inefficiencies on the VA's part from the public. More transparency to the veteran and better timeliness processing claims will eliminate or greatly reduce the market for these private companies.
#TBT “With the PACT Act, there has been an increase in online ads targeting veterans’ benefits with high fees. Taking money from veterans is distasteful, but taking money from their survivors is absolutely disgusting.” – VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento during his testimony before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees #VFWDC2024 #AdvocacyInAction
Student of Exercise Physiology at Fort Lewis College | Retired U.S. Marine | Future Recreational Therapist | Wilderness and Outdoor Activity Enthusiast
7moWell, it's finally happened. I have received the decision my Benefits Delivered at Discharge claim. The decision letter arrived only 149 days after my official discharge. Below is the timeliness, (*) according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs decision letter. I am not displeased with the rating decisions, but this is not timely execution of the process. *July 28, 2023 - Fully developed claim recieved with *August 23, 2023 - Military Personnel Record recieved *September 22, 2023 - C&P exams complete December 6, 2023 - Claim marked "Ready for Decision" December 31, 2023 - Official discharge date March 6, 2024 - Assigned to the San Diego Regional Office for decision *May 17, 2024 - Decision letter published and posted, no where near the 30 days from discharge that used to be on the VA website. The BDD page was updated December 8, 2023, and the expected time line has been removed. May 28, 2024 - Decision letter received