Maintaining Health and Evidence During Long VA Wait Times
Veterans Affairs (VA) can be slow about a lot of its benefits, and this isn't a rumor or political soapbox. Trouble with helping veterans has been an issue since the VA's establishment to handle World War I veterans, and although transparency and social media make it easier to track problems, it helps to have some mainstream media reports. If you find yourself with a longer-than-expected wait, there are a few things you could do to keep yourself as healthy as possible before benefits kick in. Here's a few benefits to take advantage of as well as some techniques for preparing an appeal if the long wait delivers a denial.
Get Basic Checkups and Medication
Even if the VA hasn't made a decision on your claim or appeal, you don't need to spend money on general checkups or many prescription refills. The VA offers basic medical care similar to general practice doctor's offices and emergency-room visits, although the wait time depends on your local clinics.
By using these benefits, you don't need to shell out extra money at non-VA clinics for checkups and medication. For example, if you're going to the VA for back pain and head pain, you need to get a doctor's opinion on the condition or updated prescriptions just like you would for any other doctor visit.
The benefits don't stop at problems related to your injury. Do you have a cold? Do you need a flu shot? Were you injured for any reason? The VA medical clinic will suggest that any major emergencies go to the emergency room that is closest to you, but you can at least see what the VA can do for you before going to private care. For basic cold medication and immunizations, all other-than-dishonorable veterans are covered as long as they sign up for benefits—and signing up can happen on your first visit.
Get Additional Evidence
In some cases, veterans won't know about any problems with their claim until months down the line. This is a lot of time that could be used to correct information or supply additional evidence, but you won't know what to do until someone at the VA answers.
It's time to take a few stabs in the dark, but with a flashlight called a lawyer.
As you wait, contact a personal-injury attorney and explain your situation. Share the information you've already given to the lawyer and detail any medical care (VA or non-VA) that you've received or planned on receiving.
Personal-injury attorneys can research your claim and evidence to figure out whether there's anything you might be missing in case the VA asks for more or you need to appeal a denial. You may be missing crucial language that connects your injuries to the actual claim or appeal.
This is important because of the VA's anti-fraud protection via the service-connected policy. You need documentation showing that your injury was caused by or is related to military service, and it has to be more than just your word. This means military record entries, proof that you were involved in some kind of damaging event, and current medical evidence showing that you're still suffering.
Contact a personal-injury attorney such as Jack W Hanemann, P.S. to evaluate your claim or appeal and to get a bit of legal muscle behind your complaints if the VA takes too long to respond.