What Should A Veteran Do Next?

Question

I have called, emailed and complained to my congressman about the Veterans Administration claims backlog, which is backlogged near 600,000 now. He keeps advising me to "Be Patient!" VA Claims have been backlogged for over 20 years and Veterans have been patient. What should I do now to help Veterans with this issue? I am also a disabled veteran but I want to help fellow veterans. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I think it's a crying shame that for the veterans who are sacrificing their lives on behalf of our country they are having to suffer even further in the wake of not having immediate care and attention provided to them upon their return. With information coming forth like this, what would be the enticement to have others join up if they know these are the final results after the fact. One has claimed that you can volunteer - well - that's true I suppose - but will it get YOUR issue to the front of the line? And what exactly would they have you doing to expedite the issues of the backlog?

My suggestion would be this - the same advice my mother gave many years ago - "it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil". Join forces with others who have voiced their concern about our armed services. Hook up with someone at your local newspaper who is understanding of your plight. Write the papers editorial section regularly and voice your complaints. Get your family and friends to rally with you and march if you have to! Get the message out that there is a huge problem if VA claims have that much of a backlog! 20 years??! That makes no sense! Rally the other vets like yourself and stake a claim in demanding that something be done. Enough noise - and I am sure they will have to do something.

I thank you for your service and dedication and also the sacrifice you made away from your family and friends to serve.

I pray that you will get the justice you deserve and I also pray that you will get busy pushing that envelop. Now that I am aware - I, too, as a writer and teacher will make sure that my comments and editorials to my local paper are appropriately made.

God bless you.

Answer 2

Faulty Cortex would definitely appear to be living up to his name.

Join the VFW or the American Legion or some other such lobby group of veterans; they've gone a long way and exerting a lot of influence and pressure to push through actions and legislature that useless, opportunistic politicians wouldn't have otherwise accomplished on their own. That, and keep pestering the VA. If you have a valid claim, it's their duty to see to it. Perhaps lobbying to get the citizens of this country and their politicians to care for and support veterans, rather than waste their time and money on petty squabbling about the war, might just do some good.

Answer 3

Well I thank u for that I am also a Veteran myself of the US Army & Navy,and I have battled the VA myself and I currently have a claim before the BVA,and they r-right on one thing it takes patience and boy!do I mean patience.
And I am also a disable veteran as well and if I knew of any new ideas I would certainly tell u I know one thing the American people should rise up in defense of us veterans for all we have done to keep this country free and our way of life in tact but do u hear any of them speaking up for us veterans like they supported our fellow Vets back during World War II,the system is so screwed up it is a shame look at Walter Reed hospital that is a perfect example of what our Vets have been having to deal with if it wasn't for a journalist exposing that we would have never heard about that any u no it

Answer 4

Enlist the help of one of the Veterans Service organizartions....DAV, American Legion....there will still be a wait- but when the VA sees you mean business and you have help on your side, they tend look a little bit closer at your claim. It took me 2 years to get my claim approved- I finally got the AL on my side.

Answer 5

when i did my claim it took about 9-10 months and about 20 Doctor visits, i just kind of forgot about it until i got it this was about 1 years ago. it will come i don't know how you can help but i know the claims take about a year. sorry

Answer 6

Call Washington Post! You'll get results in minutes from everyone from Pres, SecDEF and your congressman!

Thank you and all veterans for your service and sacrifice to and for our country!!!

Answer 7

Elect a Democrat in Nov 2008

Answer 8

He should be electred as a President, you can do it, my home boy.

Answer 9

Call CNN.

Answer 10

can you volunteer?
They need you.