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Franco Brand Bull
If you do not see the Superman logo, you can not be sure whether you have genuine (Franco) bull.
READ ME FIRST - "Wall of Shame"
"Claims Fixers" - RAO Bulletin April, 2007
VA Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
See how many responses are "completely correct"
here
before you pick up the phone.
Or, seek legal counsel (lawyer)
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) is receiving an increasingly number of claims for VA benefits
from veterans or survivors who avail of the services of a "Claims Fixer". VA often finds
these claims contain fraudulent evidence that has been submitted by the Fixer. When it
is suspected that a claim involves a Fixer, it is investigated with a resultant delay in processing the claim.
If it is determined that fraud was committed, the veteran's right to VA benefits is forfeited.
This is a lifetime forfeiture meaning the veteran and /or their
dependents lose all rights to ever be considered for VA benefits for the
rest of their lives.
Claim Fixers have no connection within VA. If
approached by someone claiming to have an "IN" with the VA, the VA office
should be notified immediately. Claim Fixers cannot affect the outcome of
your claim.
They can only jeopardize your entitlement to VA benefits.
To protect yourself against Claim Fixers:
- Avoid them. Anyone charging a fee to assist you is a claims fixer (according to the V.A.)
- Do not sign any form unless it is completely filled out and all the information contained on the form is accurate. If possible, you should fill out the forms yourself.
- Do not sign any affidavits or statements unless they are accurate.
- Do not sign any statement in support of another person's claim unless the information is accurate.
- Do not submit any medical evidence or doctor's statements unless the information is factual.
- Do not allow any affidavits or statements to be submitted in support of your claim unless the information in the document
is accurate.
- Do not pay someone the benefits you have earned in defense of your country. They have no right to those benefits.
Keyword: factual, accurate, the truth, under penalty of perjury.
If you have questions about VA benefits or services, contact the USDVA in your geographic area.
The USDVA has representatives available to assist you with your claim.
In the Philippines you may visit them at the US Embassy in Manila or call them at no charge on a PLDT line at
1-800-1888-5252. If you live in Metro Manila, you may dial 528-2500.
You may also visit the website:
IRIS.va.gov for more information.
VA does not charge for any service or assistance they provide.
In the U.S.A., 1-800-827-1000.
VA Problems? Write your Congressman
[Source: USDVA Manila Director Jon Skelly Apr 07 ++ RAO Bulletin]
"What a bunch of idiots!"
.. a Help Line that needs help
Editorial: This veteran will be seeking complete reform in the
State of Nevada as soon as my claim has been (properly) settled.
The "kangaroo court" system the RO in Nevada follows must be put to rest and the
military retirees "serving" in such positions of responsibility should be
retired! * It should be a privilege to assist, not a
discipline problem. These "desk jockeys" were so used to a life of "rank and privilege,"
they forgot that "rubber-stamping" is not for civilians!
When the VA has to resort to bald, blatant (unsubstantiated) intimidation factors, they are shit out of luck!
You thinks Franco is full of it??? Okay .. how about these quotes
from a recent court ruling, April 13, 2007 (Friday - the 13th) .. I guess it ain't so lucky for the VA ...
Ummmh .. sure that case wasn't for RO/Reno??? p.s. Get some agents that
can spell Haas ...
The good news, for the (retired) agents is that Burger King is still hiring and can use some (good)
"rubber-stampers" at their drive-thru windows! <rofl>
"Reality Check??? .. come on"
"if the reality is that it takes months or years to resolve a claim, the individual claimant is not being afforded
proper treatment.
To force a veteran to wait for more than 2 years for a [Board] decision - after he or she has already waited over
200 days for a regional office decision on the original claim - is unconscionable.").
- SCHOELEN, Judge (Ribaudo - in Petition for
Extraordinary Relief!)
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"Hey - dude! Today marks my two year anniversary! .. of not getting anything done;
being on the docket; stayed; and generally, having to make sure my VSO remembers who I am ..."
April 21, 2005 - April 21, 2007 .. think 'retropay' Franco ...
Sorry, buddy .. Congress didn't provide for interest or penalties ..
Details
Panel of Judges in Ribaudo that are (drum roll) "Politically incorrect!"
.. are Pro-Veterans
"Red Badge of Courage"
Editorial:
Some of you may be wondering whether (good'ole) Franco
is a "claim fixer" or not. No. I am not a "claim fixer."
In fact, I am not even a VSO agent. No. I work for a living.
As I have said, many times before, as well as published in
my website, I consider myself both an activist and a veterans
advocate, like VSOs, but without the formal training that these
VSOs have supposed to have had.
There are other groups; groups that the VA does not condone
because of their aggressive handling of such claims. IOW, the
VA doesn't like to encounter aggressive defense of a veteran's
claim. In fact, they would rather a veteran not be properly
represented by legal counsel (lawyer) as well as VSO organizations.
Lawyer Details
They (the VA) find it very disturbing to deal with a veteran's
claim on an equal footing. And, for those of you
naive to believe otherwise, see
Haas v. Nicholson, or
Ribaudo v. Nicholson.
Details
Over six months ago, a panel of judges issued a ruling where the Secretary (Nicholson) of the VA
was found to have improperly promulgated the agency federal regulations as to Vietnam Veteran status
for service-connected claims. This over-ruling was unlawfully stayed without proper
motion filing in the courts and subsequently, another judge ruled that that (unlawful) stay and the
associated
memo directing ROs not to process such claims ordered rescinded.
Now, if
you don't understand a word I just said, then you definitely need legal counsel representing your best
interest and not some VSO that does a half ass, "rubber stamp[ing]" job.
What is a "Half ass, rubber-stamp[ing] job?"
Simple. Doesn't investigate any further than his (VSO) nose; separate Haas versus non-Haas issues,
as so directed, and therefore leaves your non-Haas associated issues in limbo for appeal hearing.
Comprende? No .. [then] again, you need legal counsel.
This RAO Bulletin article only demonstrates, at least to me,
that they want to set up an (alarming) "smoke screen."
But, under no circumstances, should one engage in some form
of fraud through presenting fraudulent documents with their
claim.
It is bad enough when you present valid documents in support
of your claim, eg, pay vouchers indicating that you were in a
combat zone, "CZ," but to fabricate such documents, (or alter
same) is a way to insure the VA will terminate all healthcare
benefits, etc. as well as disability compensation consideration.
Now, I hope this makes sense. For now, I will be only broadcasting
this bulletin article to those that I am aware of. Later, I will investigate
what the hell they are talking about and publish on the website more
warnings.
Yes. You should not be charged a fee for such claim processing
assistance, first of all, and that should be a "dead giveaway" that
you are dealing with an unauthorized advocate source.
My only warning is: never give or let out of your sight any
original documents that may be used in your claim, ie, in support
of your claim.
A common question that some of you (and others you are not
aware of) ask me regards their medical condition and/or paperwork
on such (medical) evidence. I defer to either your private physician(s)
or VA staff. To suggest anything else would be a legal grounds for
fraudulent conduct and not in your best interest.
How prevalent this problem is, ie, con artist, I do not know.
You may have also heard on the news about the tax accounting
firm Jackson Hewitt having several franchise offices engaging in
fraudulent tax returns. You, as the tax return filer, can expect
to be responsible for such fraudulent action that may result in
tax penalties and interest.
Franco
Published: 4/14/07
Update on
IRIS.va.gov for more information.
It has been my personal experience, both in writing, certified/return receipt mail and
IRIS to not given any response.
Please also notice the wording of this notice, as in any legal disclaimer, that you have the right to obtain
information from any source you feel is competent and in your best interest, but signing off on a claim that
has any fabrication or fraudulent content is against the law and therefore, the VA can and will penalize you
for life when and if that "intent" can be established by law.
Filing a fraudulent claim is a serious matter, and something only a fool would attempt to do.
To learn more about having a lawyer, legal counsel representation, please
click here.
In the U.S.A., it is better to call 1-800-827-1000.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1-800-829-4833
And, on the same token, if you suspect any wrong doing in a VA program or operation,
call the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Hotline at 1-800-488-8244
VA Contact Info
VA Site Map
VA Problems? Write your Congressman
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VSM Legal Precedence (16 Aug 06)
Or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) that preceded the VSM
This landmark decision sets aside the definition of "service in 'Nam"
Over-turns any attempt by the VA to limit benefits to Vietnam-era Veterans
NOTICE (15 Sep 06 Update)
.. take the above link to learn more about this landmark decision.
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Veterans Board of Appeal (VBA)
Welcome to a very special section of Veterans Affair Section, designed to
assist veterans (by veterans) in their claim processing education.
Please click on the dog tags, if you have already read the Preface.
Why a VBA Section ..
Who is Franco ..
VA Telephone Survey for Help Line
VA Appeal Court Judges Needed
Legal Counsel for your VA Claim
More on Government Cover-Ups.
Sign Name: "VegasAdvocate" 16 May 07 .. 9 months since Haas
Posts:
VA Bonuses
(16 May 07)
Why does Congress speak of only 600,000 case backlog when the Secretary chooses to put on hold up to 832,000 Vietnam Era claims
based on the court ruling in Haas v. Nicholson (16 Aug 06) indefinetly?
See also Ribaudo v. Nicholson (13 Apr 07)
Our wounded ..
[those] wounded in battle
and those sick because of service-connection ..
Soldier's Creed - "No one is left behind"
And, we expect DOD/VA to do likewise ..
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