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Originally Posted by LarryW

FWIW, the link below is to the Disabled American Vets National Service Office (DAV-NSO) who extend free professional help and follow-up to veterans in dealing with the VA. NSO's also provide support to spouses and dependents. You do not need to be a member to gain this support. There are many other veterans organizations that also provide outstanding NSO service. (I don't know this for a fact, but bet the SF foundation provides superior NSO help.) I very strongly recommend vets in need of any kind of help with the VA (regardless of disability) to contact one of the many NSO's. You are not alone, and it's very important that you know that.

Thanks very much for your service.

http://www.dav.org/veterans/NSOffices.aspx

I've been waiting for my disability rating since it was submitted upon retirement on 1 March. I've been the recipient of many ailments and injuries over the years and while I wait for a rating, I know (or at least expect) it will be low-balled, at which time I'll start the appeal process. I did receive a letter the other day which informed me of the VA backlog which aggravated the ol'woman but, that's nothing unexpected either. I guess what does bother me the most is that while I'm in a good enough position to wait out this process until a settlement is reached, I know there must be a butt-load of fellas out there who are not and this must be a very stressful time for them having to endure this much of an extended wait-and-see period before settlement. On top of their physical and or psychological ailments, the waiting period for them must be rough. Wish there was more VA could do to speed it up, especially for them.

Thanks for the DAV link Larry, I suspect I'll be using it eventually and may need the number to a good attorney as well from what I'm hearing. Guess we'll continue to wait and see. …....jd