The '8 steps' to obtain VA disability

[Widder, SASS #59054]

My older brother, while in the Marines, drank the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

 

He's having health issues from it.

 

The VA folks have told him that his request for disability is at a "STEP 4" in the process of approval or denial.

But, they also told him there are '8 STEPS' involved.  But, they couldn't tell him what those 8 steps actually are.

 

Does any of the Saloonaholics know about these '8 STEPS'?

 

..........Widder

 

Edited December 9, 2025 by Widder, SASS #59054

[Chief Rick]

@Widder, SASS #59054

[Widder, SASS #59054]

Thanks Chief Rick.    My brother and his wife will be glad to know these things.

 

..........Widder

 

 

[watab kid]

in my humble opinion if you were there you should automatically be accepted and they know who was there - no need for all those reviews - put in harms way , treated as the faithful they were , dont drag the government heals on this - my tax money will be better spent saving those that served than those that have stollen in our Minnesota fraud of covid money - ill shut up before i say what i started to type 

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

Your congressman should have a staff member whose focus is veterans issues.

 

Typically he or she is a vet themselves. They have a real good knowledge of the VA bureaucracy.

 

They were able to clear up a lot of issues for our son who is a disabled vet.

 

It's a free call.

 

 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

The VA is a perfect example of why you do not want free, government ran healthcare. 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Respectfully DISAGREE!!  My sweetheart and I are both disabled Vets.  We have been receiving EXCELLENT medical care for over 20 years.

 

Give that crap a rest.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

2 hours ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

The VA is a perfect example of why you do not want free, government ran healthcare. 

I did not serve - but thru the Veterans Assistance Charity I am associated with and while assisting my business partner with his interactions with the VA.

 

The VA is nearly EXACTLY the model that we should be using for universal healthcare.

 

* Swipe your card when you show up - no endless reams of repeating paperwork every time you require help.

* Singular location services - visit your Dr.; you need blood work/ X rays/ hearing test? 

Down the hall on the left/ take elevator up one floor/ next building. 

Orders are there before you are.

* Regular blood tests as a condition of service; to get ahead of serious issues - much cheaper to discover and treat early onset disease than fight later.

 

Patient advocate offices.

Less incentives to simply push prescription pads.

 

There are some down sides - 2nd opinions are harder to get within system.

But nothing stops anyone from participating in private medical services as well.

 

Yeah - I would GLADLY take a VA type system over the spaghetti mess, costs and hoops to jump thru that I deal with currently.

 

And lastly - no one should have to go without care or worse lose their home, their property or their legacy to medical debt. 

We can waste billions on other countries wars, foreign development before we take care of our own?

It's simply not right.

Edited December 9, 2025 by Creeker, SASS #43022

[Boggus Deal #64218]

1 minute ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

I did not serve - but thru the Veterans Assistance Charity I am associated with and while assisting my business partner with his interactions with the VA.

 

The VA is nearly EXACTLY the model that we should be using for universal healthcare.

 

* Swipe your card when you show up - no endless reams of repeating paperwork every time you require help.

* Singular location services - visit your Dr.; you need blood work/ X rays/ hearing test? 

Down the hall on the left/ take elevator up one floor/ next building. 

Orders are there before you are.

* Regular blood tests as a condition of service; to get ahead of serious issues - much cheaper to discover and treat early onset disease than fight later.

 

Patient advocate offices.

Less incentives to simply push prescription pads.

 

There are some down sides - 2nd opinions are harder to get within system.

But nothing stops anyone from participating in private medical services as well.

 

Yeah - I would GLADLY take a VA type system over the spaghetti mess, costs and hoops to jump thru that I deal with currently.

 

And lastly - no one should have to go without care or worse lose their home, their property or their legacy to medical debt.  It's simply not right.

I have not served either but what I hear from people who do use it is long waits, poor service and nothing good. 
Now, the current, private systems sucks pretty badly!

[Texas Jack Black]

17 hours ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

My older brother, while in the Marines, drank the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

 

He's having health issues from it.

 

The VA folks have told him that his request for disability is at a "STEP 4" in the process of approval or denial.

But, they also told him there are '8 STEPS' involved.  But, they couldn't tell him what those 8 steps actually are.

 

Does any of the Saloonaholics know about these '8 STEPS'?

 

..........Widder

 

 I used a Lawyer that does VA claims. 

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

1 hour ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

I have not served either but what I hear from people who do use it is long waits, poor service and nothing good. 
Now, the current, private systems sucks pretty badly!

I have always heard the same complaints - but seeing it first hand; I am impressed.

 

I have seen Veterans that on private systems would have been "treated" and released because insurance wouldn't pay for an overnight or the bed was needed to push thru another billing. 

In the VA systems; if the Dr. feels you should stay - he makes the call; doesn't have to debate about what your insurance will cover or the meds he can prescribe.

[Chief Rick]

4 hours ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

The VA is a perfect example of why you do not want free, government ran healthcare. 

Depending on where you live, this may be true. 

 

My wife and I have had excellent service at the Biloxi, MS and Mobile,  AL VA centers. 

 

Getting in the system can be more difficult for those who have been discharged from service for a time, or who don't have a copy of their medical records from when they served. 

 

Once in the system, I don't believe getting an appointment takes any longer than most private practices. 

 

One thing I will say - the VA is not going to hold your hand and make sure you do all the paperwork and do it properly. Yes, there are individuals and even some organizations that will help, but the responsibility is on the vet. 

[Rip Snorter]

My best buddy, now deceased, got absolutely wonderful care from the VA.  His method was to have all the necessary paperwork in order, be personally squared away, be patient and always pleasant.  Courtesy of Viet Nam service, he needed and got a lot of great care over decades.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Unfortunately, there are Whiners and Complainers.  Most of whom failed to pay attention when they separated from their respective service.  Those same folks, now 10, 20 or eve 30 years later, are convinced they are "owed" for their own failure to pay attention.

 

Casting disparaging commentary without any personal knowledge, based on heresy, does a great disservice to a vital service for our veterans.  If one has no personal knowledge of what they talk about, best to stay off the keyboard.

 

PLUS ONE for Creeker TWICE!!

[DocWard]

A few thoughts.

 

First, just because a claim is at a specific level does not mean it will continue to move in a linear fashion--from 4 to 5 to 6. Many times a claim can move backward, depending on circumstances, materials received and more.

 

Most counties in the country have a Veterans Service Office, with accredited County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) who spend our day filing claims and working to understand the VA bureaucracy.

 

There have been problems recognized at specific VA medical locations over the years, but overall, the VA has worked to become better at what they do. I hear more positive comments about the Dayton VAMC than our local hospitals.

[DeaconKC]

First off I'm not a Vet, but my Dad and Father in Law both were. The VA in Marion IL was at one time one of the ones that were so bad, they caused the Nationwide investigation. They were horrible and both my Dads were treated terribly. After the investigation and resulting house cleaning, they were excellent. This is the sad point of Government run Health Care, that it took many deaths due to misconduct [several Doctors and Nurses lost their licenses it was so bad]. 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

Well, ole Widder is a Vet and also receives VA health care meowndangself.

I started losing my hearing in the Navy....and it got documented on my DD214 (discharge document).

 

That notation on my DD214 helped me A LOT in getting a disability rating.

And since, I've gotten EXCELLENT care from the Knoxville, TN VA clinic.

 

Anyhow, my older brothers situation is in process and I was just wondering what those 8 steps are.  He was told

he is at Step 4 at this time.

 

Thanks for everyones comment.

 

..........Widder

 

[Three Foot Johnson]

There is a VA hospital, Fort Harrison VA Medical Center, just 20 miles from me where I've gone for the past decade - I can actually see it out my front window. No complaints. It's actually higher rated by medicare.gov than St. Peters Regional Medical Center in Helena.

[Texas Maverick]

My daughter works for the VA. She spent the first 13 of her 17 years working directly with Vets to get their claims filed. She was very good at it and got a lot of compliments from the Vets she worked with. She has been moved into the PR department and still works hard for the Vets. She said overall the hospitals and doctors work hard for the Vets but yes, there are still a few hospitals that need to be cleaned up. She said Trump was a positive asset for the Vets and does what he can do for their wellbeing. Nothing is perfect but she said they are working hard to make it a better organization.

 

TM 

[El Chapo]

My experience is that I got notified almost immediately after Step 4 was completed, which took a few months.

[Sedalia Dave]

For help with the VA Contact your nearest Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter.  They will help navigate the paperwork and unlike a lawyer they provide this service free of charge. 

 

Click on the local chapter tab and enter your zip code.  https://www.dav.org/find-your-local-office/

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 12/9/2025 at 10:09 AM, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

Respectfully DISAGREE!!  My sweetheart and I are both disabled Vets.  We have been receiving EXCELLENT medical care for over 20 years.

 

Give that crap a rest.

I absolutely love the VA.  If they don't have someone on the staff that can handle my issue they farm me out to a civilian doctor and pay most of the expenses to get there and back.  I'm responsible for co-pay which has never exceeded $22.00.

 

My dental issues are not service related so I have to pay them, but the VA has a team that can level that a bit, too.

 

For your information, and health, don't put the VA down to my face.

[watab kid]

im not throwing rocks at the VA , ours here does a great job and i have multiple friends that are treated there , what i objected to is the drawn out process to get treatment - it is why we should not give our government control of our healthcare , i have a friend that might have lived had the drawn out process just looked at his service record and treated him right away , 

they knew who he was they had his service record , there should not have been any delay in treatment - they treatmemnt was good - just too late because of the red tape of government 

[Chief Rick]

9 hours ago, watab kid said:

im not throwing rocks at the VA , ours here does a great job and i have multiple friends that are treated there , what i objected to is the drawn out process to get treatment - it is why we should not give our government control of our healthcare , i have a friend that might have lived had the drawn out process just looked at his service record and treated him right away , 

they knew who he was they had his service record , there should not have been any delay in treatment - they treatmemnt was good - just too late because of the red tape of government 

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. 

 

But, flip the coin. Had your friend enrolled prior to needing treatment things may have worked out better. 

 

I have a coworker who retired from the navy about 20 years ago. He had Tricare and never went to the VA get evaluated and in the system. Three years ago he was let go from his job due to "memory issues". Went to a doctor and was diagnosed with alzeimer's. He was only 58 years old. It has got significantly worse in a very short time. He can't be left alone. Now his wife is trying to get him in the system while working a full time job and ensuring someone is watching him.   It's not the VAs fault. 

[Sedalia Dave]

6 hours ago, Chief Rick said:

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. 

 

But, flip the coin. Had your friend enrolled prior to needing treatment things may have worked out better. 

 

I have a coworker who retired from the navy about 20 years ago. He had Tricare and never went to the VA get evaluated and in the system. Three years ago he was let go from his job due to "memory issues". Went to a doctor and was diagnosed with alzeimer's. He was only 58 years old. It has got significantly worse in a very short time. He can't be left alone. Now his wife is trying to get him in the system while working a full time job and ensuring someone is watching him.   It's not the VAs fault. 

 

Guy at work is a retiree and has Tricare. I mentioned that I was enrolled with the VA and he said he didn't bother because he had Tricare. Spent the next 10 minutes explaining why he need to enroll with the VA because like me he spent time in the Sand Box so he is automatically eligible.

 

VA pays 100% for my hearing aids. ZERO out of pocket. I'm unaware of any other insurance that will do this. Eye exams are covered, maintenance meds are mailed to my door for a small copay. I'd be a fool not to be enrolled with the VA.

 

Anyone that served in-country during Vietnam, Was deployed to the sand box including Bahrain, plus some other deployment sites is AUTOMATICALLY VA eligible. GET ENROLLED NOW. Even if you don't have any major medical issues now once enrolled the VA will cover them. There is a laundry list of chronic issues including many cancers that if you get them later in life they are AUTOMATICALLY considered service related. This means that the VA will take care of them. Will your private insurance cover cancer treatment?

 

Yes the VA used to be a shit show. That was years ago. Thanks to some congressman and representatives that were also veterans the VA has gotten 10,000% better.

I'm very satisfied with the care I receive from the VA. I'll be going to a chiropractor next year on the VA dime through their community care program. Will save me hundreds because Tricare for retirees doesn't cover it.

 

The PACT Act and your VA benefits

 

Eligibility for VA health care Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran.

Edited December 11, 2025 by Sedalia Dave

[Eyesa Horg]

3 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

Will your private insurance cover cancer treatment?

Thank God mine did. Almost 4 years and $1.8 million.

Many of my neighbors are Vets and they speak quite highly of their care at the White River Jct., Vt. VA Apparently they have great hearing coverage! They also use Dartmouth Health Center for things that are above the VA's capabilities. I've shared rooms with those folks. I get the impression that the VA has come a long way over the years. 🇺🇲

[Stump Water]

32 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

Guy at work is a retiree and has Tricare. I mentioned that I was enrolled with the VA and he said he didn't bother because he had Tricare. Spent the next 10 minutes explaining why he need to enroll with the VA because like me he spent time in the Sand Box so he is automatically eligible.

 

Anyone that served in-country during Vietnam, Was deployed to the sand box including Bahrain, plus some other deployment sites is AUTOMATICALLY VA eligible. GET ENROLLED NOW. Even if you don't have any major medical issues now once enrolled the VA will cover them. There is a laundry list of chronic issues including many cancers that if you get them later in life they are AUTOMATICALLY considered service related. This means that the VA will take care of them. Will your private insurance cover cancer treatment?

 

Agree.  Get enrolled now.

 

Former co-worker, a 'nam vet, got prostate cancer.   He'd never enrolled with the VA because he'd always had insurance through work.  Like watab kid's friend, he wasn't "in the system" so it took forever to get his treatment approved.  I think it was six months.  It was too late.

 

The opinions about the VA here in Salisbury, NC are all over the place.  I have an uncle (career Army) that comes down here from Va. (instead of going to the Roanoke VA) whenever he can because he says it's the best VA facility he's ever been to.  I've heard others say they'd do surgery on themselves before stepping foot in that place again.

.

Edited December 11, 2025 by Stump Water

[watab kid]

15 hours ago, Chief Rick said:

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. 

 

But, flip the coin. Had your friend enrolled prior to needing treatment things may have worked out better. 

 

I have a coworker who retired from the navy about 20 years ago. He had Tricare and never went to the VA get evaluated and in the system. Three years ago he was let go from his job due to "memory issues". Went to a doctor and was diagnosed with alzeimer's. He was only 58 years old. It has got significantly worse in a very short time. He can't be left alone. Now his wife is trying to get him in the system while working a full time job and ensuring someone is watching him.   It's not the VAs fault. 

i see your point here , but my friend had been in the system a long time , three tours in VN , he had plenty of reasons to be in it , 

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, watab kid said:

i see your point here , but my friend had been in the system a long time , three tours in VN , he had plenty of reasons to be in it , 

 

Sometimes the system just doesn't work.  Lost a friend a couple weeks ago. Had no more refills on his heart meds. So he called to make an appointment. Next available appointment was three weeks after the meds were due to run out. Because obummer care wouldn't pay unless he was seen in person, Baylor Scott and White wouldn't give him a refill. Not even a 30 day one to hold him over until the next appointment.   🤬  🤬   🤬  🤬

 

He died two weeks after his meds ran out. 

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

On 12/9/2025 at 3:36 PM, DocWard said:

A few thoughts.

 

First, just because a claim is at a specific level does not mean it will continue to move in a linear fashion--from 4 to 5 to 6. Many times a claim can move backward, depending on circumstances, materials received and more.

 

Most counties in the country have a Veterans Service Office, with accredited County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) who spend our day filing claims and working to understand the VA bureaucracy.

 

There have been problems recognized at specific VA medical locations over the years, but overall, the VA has worked to become better at what they do. I hear more positive comments about the Dayton VAMC than our local hospitals.

What Doc said about contacting a veterans service officer. They are well trained and eager to help. 
 

[watab kid]

15 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

Sometimes the system just doesn't work.  Lost a friend a couple weeks ago. Had no more refills on his heart meds. So he called to make an appointment. Next available appointment was three weeks after the meds were due to run out. Because obummer care wouldn't pay unless he was seen in person, Baylor Scott and White wouldn't give him a refill. Not even a 30 day one to hold him over until the next appointment.   🤬  🤬   🤬  🤬

 

He died two weeks after his meds ran out. 

these things should not be happening in our health care system , but i know they are , instead of pushing to fund the broken current system both sides should be looking for a way to fix it ,