USVA in the Philippines, lifetime ban with no appeal?

Question

This just don't sound right. Buddy of mine just received notice of a lifetime ban on all VA benefits. Far as I know all he did was have someone else fill out some papers for him. When the tricare doc got pinched for fraud he gave a list of names. Embassy says no appeal. What can an old jarhead do to get this straight?

VA CLAIM FIXERS: The US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) is receiving an increasingly number of claims for VA benefits from veterans or survivors who avail of the services of a “Claims Fixer”. VA often finds these claims contain fraudulent evidence that has been submitted by the Fixer. When it is suspected that a claim involves a Fixer it is investigated with a resultant delay in processing the claim. If it is determined that fraud was committed, the veteran’s right to VA benefits is forfeited. This is a lifetime forfeiture meaning the veteran and /or their dependents lose all rights to ever be considered for VA benefits for the rest of their lives. Claim Fixers have no connection within VA. If approached by someone claiming to have an “IN” with the VA, the VA office should be notified immediately. Claim Fixers cannot affect the outcome of your claim. They can only jeopardize your entitlement to VA benefits.

from RAOAC

Answer 1

if he committed fraud, he is out of luck.

Answer 2

Sounds like your buddy is blowing smoke. First off, the VA and Tricare are totally separate entitlement programs. One has nothing to do with the other. Secondly, the only total lifetime bar to VA benefits is a Dishonorable Discharge.

Answer 3

This doesn't sound right to me. You cannot lose any benefits without due process of some kind. At a minimum there should be a letter of denial from the veterans administration with instructions on how to appeal the denial. In any case I doubt the embassy could state "no appeal."