Product Description

Offers step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a well-grounded claim for veterans’ benefits

The most comprehensive "do it yourself" handbook for veterans who wish to obtain federal benefits

Provides an insider’s perspective on the VA’s claims adjudication and appeal processes

"Claim denied!" All too often millions of veterans have received this response to their legitimate claims for Federal benefits. In most cases, writes veterans’ advocate John D. Roche, the claimant didn’t understand the procedures needed to meet the myriad requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs. With the appeals process requiring years to resolve disputes, deserving veterans and their dependents are left confused and frustrated by the agency and a system that was created to serve them. The answer is to submit a well-grounded claim initially, which The Veteran’s Survival Guide analyzes in detail. Written in an accessible self-help style, Roche’s book should be required reading for any veteran or veteran’s dependent who wishes to obtain their well-earned benefits and for those officials of veterans service organizations whose job it is to assist veterans with their claims.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #566454 in Books
• Published on: 2002-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From Library Journal
The author, a former claims adjudication specialist for the Veteran's Administration (VA), assembles the information veterans and their dependents need to file a claim for their federal benefits. According to Roche, the process is slow and complicated, and the VA is not helpful to those pursuing their rights. Roche concentrates on instructing readers in the key elements for securing benefits: constructing a "well-grounded claim" and complying with claims procedures. In plain language, he provides detailed descriptions of the steps involved and illustrates the discussion with examples and cautions. The author pulls no punches regarding the difficulties claimants encounter and succeeds in providing them with the information they need to work through a tangled system. Highly recommended for public libraries.
Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach LLP, Rochester, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
Updated and revised to include changes to chapters on the veterans' benefit system, the internal structure of the VA's Adjudication Division, and total disability claims

Offers step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a well-grounded claim for veterans' benefits

Written from an insider's perspective on the VA's claims adjudication and appeal process

About the Author
Maj. John D. Roche, USAF (Ret.), served in the Air Force as a bomber pilot, had combat duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and held a variety of administrative assignments. Subsequently, he worked for sixteen years as a claims adjudication specialist for the Veterans Administration and a veterans service officer for Pinellas County, Florida, where he was a tireless advocate for veterans and their families. Roche enjoyed one of the highest rates of wins on appeal in the state. This book, his first, is based on his experience as a successful practitioner, five years of independent research, and personal consultations with some 80,000 veterans, widows, and dependents. He lives in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Customer Reviews

BEST DAMN BOOK ON VA CLAIMS EVER WRITTEN!
When I got my hands on "The Veteran's Survival Guide - How to File and Collect on VA Claims" I realized at once, that this was "the gold standard" of this genre. This is truly the best and most helpful book on the subject that I have come across in my 3 decades of helping veterans. There are none better! Author John D. Roche has taken all his personal experience of having worked for the VA and for veterans in Florida and put it into readable simple and easy to follow language.

Not only does he tell you what to do, but he also gives you insights on how the VA operates and makes decisions on claims. If you have a claim to file or have one being processed right now - then you should run down and buy this book. I sincerely mean that. You cannot afford not to have a copy of this book that you can reference back to for information.

I most highly recommend this book for every veteran. Sometime in your life you or your family may need this information. The MWSA awards this book FIVE STARS - the highest rating we can give.
This book gets the MWSA President's Personal Endorsement.

MWSA's 2006 Distinguished Medal Award

Veteran's Must READ this book!
I came across it at Amazon, bought it, received it Saturday 10/22/05 & I have to say it is the best investment I ever made.

John D. Roche is a retired USAF Major who served in the AF
"as a bomber pilot, had combat duty in the Korean & Vietnam wars, and held a variety of administrative assignments. Subsequently, he worked for three years as a claims adjudication specialist for the Veteran's Administration and as a veteran's service officer for Pinellas County, Florida, where he was a tireless advocate for veteran's and their families. Roche enjoyed one of the highest rates of winson appeals in the state."
Quoted from Page 271 About the Author

I'm telling ALL of you, THIS IS A MUST-READ book. Roche tells you what you need to do, what evidence you need to have, how to avoid the RUNAROUND!! He also gives a background on changes in the VA in the past 20 ys, tells you how to SUBSTANTIATE a claim, where to get ANY RECORDS the VA or National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has, how to get your OUTPATIENT (active duty) records

----INTERESTING TIDBIT: any active duty outpatient records you may have had are WITH YOUR MILITARY PERSONAL FILE but ANY ACTIVE DUTY INPATIENT RECORDS ARE STORED SEPARATELY UNDER THE HOSPITAL'S NAME WHERE YOU WERE TREATED AS AN INPATIENT!!!----

He tells about the daily MORNING REPORT that EVERY UNIT had to complete & submit (thru 1974) detailing where every active duty person was for that particularday...these are stored by the NPRC. Roche tells readers the FORM number needed to request these records!!! (SF-180)

Roche also says that "Buddy reports" which are what he calls eyewitness testimony of people you served with can be just as important as medical records & THAT THE LAW SAYS THAT THE VA MUST PRESUME THESE AS TRUTH, as well as any affidavit from your wife,husband, family, etc as long as they are not stating a "medical opinion" but rather how your injury/disability has affected you...AND Roche states THE LAW SAYS THAT THE VA MUST PRESUME THESE AS TRUTH & cannot ignore them.

I'm telling you all, this book (AND I have NO FINANCIAL INTEREST in it & do not know John Roche) is well worth the $11.53 + S&H that I paid for it. It is written in plain language, large type, about 271 pages including a glossary, index, & a directory of everything needed for a valid claim...Roche even provides an appendix with pertinent Case Law & internet info on relevant websites & how to track down those people you served with so you can get those "Buddy reports."

Finally a book on how to REALLY DEAL with the VA
Finally a book on how to really deal with the VA! For 30 years my husband fought with the VA to get his disability. With the help of author John Roach and this "survival guide", his disability was finally granted this year. This book has an easy to understand approach with the information you can't get from the VA or anyplace else. No one should attempt the VA claims process without this book. A "must have" for every veteran.