[MiTTMedic]

I usually come here & peruse as a sponge, but I'm honored to actually have information to assist.
After retiring, I took a position in a company that is contracted by the VA to assist them in Veteran claims. We are not allowed to represent ourselves as being associated with said company publically (civilian OPSEC, if you will).
We handle, literally, a gazillion claims for the VA. The ones that are processed the fastest, and normally are more squared away, are the ones being handled by the numerous Veteran Service Organizations. Not to slight any others, but the claims we see the most, and the ones that are the best prepared, come from DVA, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Texas Veterans' Association.

All VSO's operate free of charge. They will write your claim language in "VA-speak" in order to get things expedited efficiently. They are trained to be your advocate, and they do it well. ACAP facilities can give you contact info for the majority of the VSO's. I'm sure the QP's have a VSO, but I have not come across any claims with that one.

Folks, bottom line:
* DO NOT PROCESS YOUR CLAIM ON YOUR OWN!!!! Does not matter if it's your initial claim, or a subsequent one.
* Come prepared to your meeting with your VSO. Bring your copy of your medical records...Military & Civilian!
* Funny, petty sticking point is that if you have a spouse with prior marrriages, bring their wedding & divorce dates. Not having it will slow your claim.
* Contact your VSO for guidance BEFORE your physical. They will tell you how to present yourself for the physician. They will not, however, teach you how to bruise your integrity during your exam.
* Be patient. These things take time.

If you have questions of me, please ask. My experience is with the claims portion, not the determination part, but If I can help, I will. I tend to shoot straight.