Is the VA a Disaster?

I have helped dozens of veterans secure the VA benefits they deserved, and the experience has been quite educational. I learned the following things:

• The system is a game (to an extent) – Just like a game has rules, the VA system has rules. These can be very technical. And if you’re the type to throw the controller away because a game is too complicated, you might want to shut the VA chapter prematurely. The difference between the VA and a game, however, is that VA can affect your life while a game is just entertainment. Learning the rules and the technical ins and outs is worth it in the case of VA. Unlike games, you can get someone else to play for you. Many businesses, like my own, help people apply for VA benefits.

• The system isn’t personal – Some people say the VA is against the veterans, and others believe it loves the veterans. These are feelings we project onto the entity because of the outcome of the “game.” I have plenty of experience with the VA, and if there’s one thing I have learned, it is that the system is impersonal. It works like a machine.

• The burden of gain is on you – Since the system works like a machine, it isn’t motivated to give you money or hold it from you. The burden of following the rules yet getting what you deserve is on you. That means filing the paperwork, applying for the right benefit category, and backing up your claims. All of it is on you.

• Don’t play against yourself – The fact that it is all on you doesn’t mean you have to give up. Too many veterans give up too quickly when it comes to the VA. Don’t play against yourself. Do your best and work smart.