By Larry Dandridge
Have you submitted a claim for a military service-connected disability and are you waiting for your VA decision letter from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)? Do you need a copy of your past VA Decision Letters?
This article will help you get the status of your claim and help you view and download decision letters.
References
According to the VBA’s YouTube video titled “Download your VA Decision letters” found at https://bit.ly/3pMDdhh, the VA webpage titled “How to check your VA claim, appeal, or decision review status online” found at https://bit.ly/3pSFhnS, and the VA NEWS article found at https://bit.ly/3PWlTRu, the VBA Homepage of VA dot gov (https://www.va.gov) offers an online tool that lets veterans view their current and past VA decision letters online.
Easy-to-use VA online tool
With the VA.gov’s online tool, you do not have to store hard copies of your VA Decision Letters (but this author suggests you keep a paper copy of every piece of correspondence the VA sends you) or request reprints from the VA if you lose yours.
Steps to view and download Decision Letters: Veterans have fast access to viewing and downloading their claim/decision letters. Anyone with a VA dot gov login can do it. Follow these simple six steps to access your check your claim or appeal status and VA Decision letters online.
- Navigate to VA.gov and sign in with any of the four sign-in options (LOGIN.GOV, ID.me, DS.Logon, or My HealtheVet).
- Click on VA Benefits and Health Care at the top of the VA website. You will see a drop-down menu. Select DISABILITY, then check your claim or appeal status.
- Find the claim you are looking for. If there has been a decision, it will say, “STATUS: CLOSED.” Remember that, if your claim is not closed, a DECISION LETTER will not be available.
- To locate your VA Decision Letters, click on VIEW DETAILS.
- On the next page, click GET YOUR CLAIM LETTERS. You will see a list of letters sent by the VA in chronological order, with the most recent mailing at the top.
- Select the letter you need. The Decision Letter with be downloaded as a PDF file that can be viewed and saved to your personal computer or mobile device. You should be able to file those VA claim letters, appeal letters, and decisions in your computer’s DOWNLOAD File/Directory.
Use your local VSO to help
Your local or regional Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can help you understand your federal and state VA benefits, how to apply for those benefits, how to appeal VA decisions, and how to set up a VA LOGIN.GOV, ID.ME, DS.LOGIN, or MTHEALTHYeVET account.
Find VSOs
Veterans can find S.C. County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL. Find Ga. VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7. Search for VA-accredited representatives nationwide at https://bit.ly/3QnCk5M. Search for VA-accredited representatives at VA Regional Offices at https://bit.ly/3TahNn1. VSOs work the veteran and Veterans Service Organizations like the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, etc. (and in some cases the County) and they do not work for the VA.
VSOs are accredited by the VA and they do work closely with the VA to help veterans.
Some S.C. VSOs in the footprint of The Island News include:
- Beaufort County: 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906, 843-255-6880, FAX 843-255-9445, website https://bit.ly/3ryd5qS.
- Beaufort DAV Chapter VSO Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543 and mlv1030@gmail.com.
- Jasper County: Alton Jenkins, 651 Grays Highway, Ridgeland, S.C. 29936843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov and jcwebsite@jaspercountysc.gov.
- Colleton County: 219 S. Lemacks Street, Suite 124, Walterboro, S.C. 29488, Janet Smith, 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org.
- Charleston County: Lonnie Hamilton III Public Service Building, Suite B-154, 4045 Bridge View Drive, N. Charleston, S.C. 29405, David LeBlanc, 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org.
- Hollywood and Edisto Island: American Legion Post VSO Charlie Tupper, 843-709-7523, Charles.R.Tupper@gmail.com.
- Hampton County: Sharon Johnson, 201 Jackson Ave. West, Hampton, S.C. 29924, 803-914-2085/2087, sjohnson@hamptoncountysc.org.
- Dorchester County: Johnny K. Brown, 500 N. Main Street, Summerville, S.C. 843-832-0050, JKBrown@dorchestercountysc.gov (also in St. George at 201 Johnson St., St. George, S.C. (Tuesdays only), 843-563-0116.
- Berkeley County: Gerald Baxley, 212 Oakley Plantation Drive, Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461, 843-377-8506, gerald.baxley@berkeleycountysc.gov.
Some Georgia VSOs in the footprint of The Island News.
- Chatham County, Ga.: Office Manager Miguel Rivera (Bi-Lingual), 912-920-0214, Ext. 2412191, FAX: 912-921-2016, Miguel.rivera5@va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga. 31419. Also, VSO Sheri Shellman, 912-920-0214 Extension 412194, and VSO Robert Jones 912-920-0214 extension 412193. This office is located in the Savannah VA Outpatient Clinic.
- Liberty County & Hinesville, Ga.: Shannon Daniels, 912-408-2948, shannon.daniels@vs.state.ga.us, and Dennis Boothe, 912-408-2900 ext. 352750, dennis.boothe@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313. Located inside the Hinesville VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).
- Brunswick Ga.: Veterans Field Service Office (located in the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic), 93 Benchmark Way, Brunswick, Ga., 31520, Office Chief Stephanie Jordon, Phone: 912-264-7360, Email: stephanie.jordan1@vs.state.ga.us
VA Hotline and Ask VA Help
Veterans can also call the VA Benefits Hotline at 800-827-1000 for assistance with viewing their claims, appeals, and decision letters. They can also ask the VA questions at VA’s ASK VA (AVA) website found at https://ask.va.gov,found. The MY HEALTHeVET Help Desk phone number is 877-327-0022 and it is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time.
VA Facility Locator
Veterans can also get help through their local VA facility, which can be found at the VA’s FIND VA LOCATIONS locator webpage https://www.va.gov/find-locations.
VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation provides tax-free monthly payments. If you have a service-connected condition, you may be eligible for compensation. A service-connected condition means an illness or injury that was caused by or got worse because of your active military service. To learn more about VA Disability Compensation, visit www.va.gov/disability/. Read about eligibility of VA disability benefits at https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/.
How to file a VA Service-Connected Disability compensation claim
To learn how to file a VA service-connected disability claim go to the VA’s webpage https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/ or better yet, ask your VSO for help.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
