In search of someone to help in the Atlanta, Georgia area to help with the filing of an Aid & Attendance VA Benefits.

Depending how disabled your father is, he may qualify as a Catastrophically Disabled Veteran under Priority Group 4b. It's separate from Aid & Attendance, doesn't require wartime service and requires an evaluation within 30 days.
http://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=2198

Call the VFW, VietNam Vets, or similar veteran's organization. They have people trained to assist with this process.

Call the VFW, VietNam Vets, or similar veteran's organization. They have people trained to assist with this process.

If you used the VA medical system to attempt to file for benefits, they typically file for Service Connected Disability first and if your dad is not service connected, you will be waiting months for a denial letter and be no further down the current path you are on. If you have filed for non-service connected pension plus aid and attendance then you will have to have the correct evidence pulled together to support your claim. Even if your claim is not "perfect" in the evidence department the VA has a DTA "Duty to Assist" which they will attempt to do through letter writing campaigns which can add time to the adjudication process. Are you certain the claim has been filed? If so, you should have received an acknowledgment within 30-45 days of filing at a minimum.

Before you get started, did Dad serve during wartime? You will need discharge papers and others. He doesn't have to be in the fighting. Just serve from certain dates to certain dates. Being in Atlanta you should find no problem finding a VA representative. Tell him about no response from the VA hospital. A&A is easier to get for the serviceman than the spouse but still takes a while.

JoJo,

1. Check your County or State Veterans' agency to see if they provide help. We got assistance through the local County Veterans' Service Officers. A rep prepared the documents and e-mailed them to the local American Legion, which handled it from there. My father was approved for service connected disability in about 4 months.

I don't know if they'll become involved with an already filed request, but it's worth a try. They know who to contact, while for us, it's often like a treasure hunt.

2. Who are you trying to reach at the VA to get an updated status on the Aid & Attendance? It's often hard to decipher the role of different departments.

3. Assuming your father is also getting, or was registered for basic medical care, find out who the primary doctor is, what color the medical team is (green team, etc.), contact them and ask to speak with the Social Worker associated with that team. I've found them to be very helpful.


Jules,

1. It's illegal for someone to charge to prepare paperwork for filing with the VA.

2. Companies get around this by "reviewing" and "managing" financial assets, for which they CAN charge fees. So they prepare the application for free but in the process "must" review financial data. They they hook you for fees. It's sneaky and underhanded.

3. Follow my advice in paragraph no. 1 above. County and service organization reps will handle this for free, and they are much more familiar with VA operations than we could ever be. If you need help locating your county or state service officers, post back for guidance, but include your city/township/village as well as state.

I could some advice/ help on what paperwork needs to be filled out. Don't have $1100 to have it done for me!

JoJo, how long ago did you submit the paperwork?