Should I request a new DAV NSO?

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Gunner222	Should I request a new DAV NSO?		Lead	[-]
Posts: 45 04/19/08 19:29:39	I'm starting to think that I may have a lemon for an NSO at my DAV. I filed four claims last December, mostly with the help of my counselor at my local Vet Center. I have been a life member of the DAV since 2003. I had placed four or five phone calls and left messages with my NSO since January. About a week and half ago I actually got a return phone call from my NSO. Now I realize that they are very busy, and believe me he let me know that fact, but I felt that a return phone call shouldn't have taken three months!! The bulk of the phone conversation was him telling me how busy he is, and how much work he has to do. He gave me his email address and I sent him an email in which I asked several questions, seeing how he put me on the defensive in the phone call and I forgot most of what I wanted to ask him. His email response was one line answering one question, the other questions were ignored. I have sent a second email and am currently awaiting a response. I know that I need to practice more patience with my VA claims, and I would assume that goes for my NSO as well. But I'm starting to get the feeling that either this guy is overworked, or doesn't take my claims seriously. Either way I fear my claims will suffer. I do not want an adversarial relationship with my DAV advocate, but I'm starting to get pissed off, and feel like I'm getting blown off.
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brianwl		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 5246 04/19/08 19:37:41	Gunner, Sounds like the guy is really busy and has poor time management skills. You should not have to wait like that or get lousy one liner emails. I always found that going to the DAV office worked best because I was assured of getting my time. However it sounds like your guy doesn't have the answers anyway. You can try for a new NSO or switch to a different org to represent you. You dxo not have to be a member to use their services. Brian E-6 USAF Ch 61 Ret 80% IU/P&T SC http://www.vote-them-out.org "A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'" (Author unknown)
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Gunner222		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 46 04/19/08 19:44:24	Thanks Brianwl, I'm glad to hear that its not just me. I am going to call the DAV on Tuesday, Monday being a state holiday Patriot's Day. The guy who runs the Boston DAV used to be an NSO, and I will speak with him and see what he says. I'm not trying to get this NSO in trouble, and I really don't want a pissin' contest but I don't want to be kept in the dark and abandoned during the claim process. I think they only have four NSO's at the Boston DAV, which seems really low to me. I bet he is just way overworked, but then again he draws a paycheck and chose his job. I'll see what the DAV boss says, hopefully he can help.
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WDWILLDAN	NEW DAV NSO	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 9 04/19/08 23:57:32	Gunner222, I am a lifetime member of the DAV (since 1992). I have yet to talk to a real caring one. I stopped including them in my claims in 2002. I send in the right documentation, in a timely manner, request what I want increased, based on the evidence that I have submitted in a clear ,concise written statement, and hope for the best result. I feel that if you get a good Va rep on that phone , they can help tremendously. I write down their names when I call. You can tell the ones who have their sh-- together. Talk to them like you want them to talk to you,( worked at a county detention center for 12 years, worked almost every time. Hope this helps. Dan
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Gunner222		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 48 04/20/08 00:44:07	I'm hoping that calling the head honcho at the Boston DAV will light a fire under my NSO's @##. Then again it may just piss him off, and he might just tank my claims. The more I think on it, the more I'm unsure what to do. I guess maybe I should call him, and if I can't get him on the phone I'll email him. Maybe give him an earful, and see how he responds, then I could call his boss if I have to. I understand that these guys are probably way overloaded with work, and my claim is relatively new (Dec. 07) and sure to get bumped by any GWOT claims. I find solace in this board and appreciate all the educated replies from everyone here. Sometimes I just read old threads for hours, somehow it clams me down, seeing that I am not alone.
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Vet10	Hang In There!	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 161 04/20/08 06:33:11	Gunner222, Waiting on my claim isn't my favorite thing either....I am not really good at it. If you have filed a good solid claim then there really isn't anything you can do but let the system do its thing. Calling isn't going to speed the system up any. There is nothing the NSO can do about it. I wish I could give you better advice. Not sure who on the board said it, but "it will be done when it is done." Hang in there...we are pulling for you! Vet10
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vickia1969		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 146 04/20/08 17:20:25	I also have been told to keep my patience in check, but when my husbands file has sat since Sept 07 at the DC VAMC for a medical opinion for tinnitus I find it very hard to do. My husbands state VSO at first was ticked that it was down there for so long. Now he told me to call my congressional representative. But he is not doing much to help. I get the impression from this site to be quiet and wait so I will. 7 months though. Just for an opinion. Reality is determined not by what scientists or anyone else says or believes but by what the evidence reveals to us. -- Alan Hale
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ChrisStarz		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 123 04/20/08 19:26:17	i had a great vso who has been busier than crap, but still took care of me, i: only called him when necessary; emailed every once in awhile to say hi the squeaky wheel may get the grease, but thepatient one gets taken care of better. you cant believe how a nice note to an overworked vso can do wonders! myclaim for iu has been in since may 07, so i got more fishing to do!
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dkp2222	VSO	#8	[url]	[-]
Rookie VBNer Posts: 2 04/20/08 21:31:08	I serve as a state VSO. I am OIF combat service connected. I understand the frustrations of my vets that I personally know have submitted a sound and verifiable claim and find themselves waiting beyond 1 year for an answer. It is not only DAV service officers being overload, but state people face the same situation. I service northern Ms and get overwhelmed at times. I also service Tn and Ar veterans without prejudice. One thing I try to get my people to understand is how to take owner ship of your claim. One of the most important things a vet can give to expedite the claim is truthful evidence. Know how to use the toll free #, know how to get in touch with your congressman. Take charge of your claim.
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MiltStar		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1839 04/21/08 05:21:36 Moderator Great Moderator Tattle Tale!
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Gunner222		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 60 06/21/08 17:15:31	So I sent my DAV NSO an email where I plainly state my case as to why I am totally disappointed in the level of service I am receiving on my claim. Being a Life Member of the DAV apparently means nothing. I have had all my C&P's except the PTSD one. My case revolves around service connection, as the VA diagnosed me with PTSD in 2003 at a PTSD C&P. I have been gathering evidence, but have asked many questions of my NSO which have gone ignored. He claims personal issues, and a heavy case load. While that may be true, I have received basically NO support, guidance or knowlwedge from my NSO. My PTSD claim needs to be perfected before the C&P, or I can expect massive delays in an already slow system. I refuse to allow a bad NSO force me to become a spectator, never mind a spectator of nothing.
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Vet10	Hang In There!	#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 319 06/21/08 20:28:38	Gunner222, Hang in there. NSO's are a crap shoot. If you get a good one fine, if not don't worry about it as you just get more frustrated. If something needs to be done then you need to do it. I am of the mind now that Vets need to be their own VSO/NSO. If you have question you won't find a better place to ask questions than VBN. There is nothing a NSO/VSO can do to speed up your claim. Waiting stinks! I find solace in this board and appreciate all the educated replies from everyone here. Sometimes I just read old threads for hours, somehow it clams me down, seeing that I am not alone. My friend you and I are not the only ones who relies on VBN for support and reads it on a daily basis. I have days where I feel my claim is a slam dunk and other days I get depressed when I think it will be denied outright. Then I am back to waiting again. Wished I had a magic answer for you, me and the thousands of other who are in the same boat with us. Best I can offer is to try to get involved in something, anything so it will take your mind of the worrying. Best of luck to you! Vet10
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Gunner222		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 65 06/21/08 20:37:09	Thanks for the words bro. I hear you, but my issue is that my claim is not ready as of yet. My DAV NSO hasn't done anything for me so far, at all. I hope that when his boss, the Boston head honcho, reviews this in the forwarded email that there will be some attention given to my claim. I have been very active in researching my stressors to provide corroboration, and track down two guys I served with that I hadn't spoken to in 13 years. I just need to get everything organized now and submitted.
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jerseybro		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 6 06/21/08 21:32:55	Gunner, I can relate to the wait! My biggest disappointment was first my DSO got fired! Starting over with a new one was a nail bitter. One of the most important things to me. Is knowing that my DSO is processing my paperwork correctly and promptly! I usually call about once a month and tell her that I appreciate her, and try to keep it short and toi the point. Hang in there your not alone
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Survivir		#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2259 06/21/08 23:23:00	The VBN does not allow advertising...so I will RECOMMEND to any Veteran to do a Google search for "LexisNexis Veterans Books and CD-ROM"...and then check things out yourselves. I have been using this material for over (4) years now. This is the same material that some VSO's use...and maybe even some VBN members, too. The CD-ROM is set up so all you have to do is click on a reference that you want to read about...and presto...you are there. ...don't get scared away by the price... Survivir
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Cokevin		#15	[url]	[-]
Rookie VBNer Posts: 3 06/22/08 12:41:34	Gunner Your story sounds like mine, are you in AZ? I'm a DAV life member too, that doesn't seem to matter though. The Phoenix DAV office was great for a lot of years, but since 04 it's gone down hill. I tried to switch NSO's within the DAV, good luck. First I talked with the supervisor at the Phx office, she refused to do anything. I finally had to go all the way to the national office and got very little help. After I did that they had me "flagged" in the computer as a complainer If you're not happy with your VSO, find another one that will help you. Ask other Vets in your area to see who is doing a good job then go seem them. I finally fired the DAV and am using a VSO at the American Legion, he's done a great job straightening things out for me. Life Member D.A.V.
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