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Have you been through the Veterans Affairs claims process?
Share a helpful hint, lesson learned or practical suggestion
that could make the journey easier for another veteran.
Share Your Experience
Helpful Hints from Veterans
Practical advice from veterans who have experienced the disability claims process and want to help others navigate it.
Starting a disability claim can be challenging. The suggestions on this page are shared by fellow veterans to help you prepare, organize your information and understand the process. They reflect individual experiences and are general information, not legal or medical advice. Every claim is assessed on its own evidence and circumstances.
Getting Started
No suggestions have been published in this category yet. Check back as veterans share their experiences.
Gathering Medical Evidence
No suggestions have been published in this category yet.
Writing Your Personal Statement
Veterans with Cancer Website - Good Research Source
I recently had three claims denied and had successful appeals thru the bureau of pension advocates. Thru this process I got great help from the veterans with cancer site and my oncologist wrote a good letter with many references how my military service could have contributed to my condition, on my second appeal I had another letter from my respirologist stating the same thing with references.
My first appeal was related to time in Egypt in the late 70's and was successful also. The biggest hurdle for me was knowing what to apply for as I live in rural Nova Scotia and although a legion member for 50+ years did not find any help there. So reach out to other members and check the veterans sites.
You are not alone and never give up!
Submitted by:Donald Fletcher
Service Records and Exposure Evidence
No suggestions have been published in this category yet.
Working with Veterans Affairs Canada
Never give up despite claim denials
Submitted by: David Hoddinott
Denied Claims, Reviews and Appeals
Bureau of Pensions Advocates were Helpful
My claim for pain and suffering compensation due to military service was denied by VAC. Then, thanks to the people at Veterans With Cancer, I contacted the Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA), a free legal service. They helped me challenge VACs decision via the Veterans' Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) and got the decision overturned.
Then BPA filed a claim with VRAB to have my claim for hearing loss (from a decade ago) overturned and were successful with that as well. Finally, my VAC-appointed Veteran's Service Agent advised I was eligible for a further Additional Pain and Suffering award, which I applied for and received.
Don't give up!!!
Submitted by: Gerry Edwards
Other Helpful Advice
Make sure you understand all the issues
Make sure you understand all the issues to your claim and be able to tie it to your service. Take your statement with you to your medical appointment. The more the doc ( nurse or therapist) can give symptoms and tied it to your service the better. As much as it pains me to say this if, more likely when, you have to appeal the decsiin it makes it easier to be successful on that appeal.
Once paperwork is finalized take the biggest thing we learned. Hurry up and wait . It is a long slow process
Submitted by: Joseph Mcdonald
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