HONEST Discussion About VA Claims Consulting Companies - GUARD/PLUS Acts

[@TheCivDiv]

We decided to turn OFF live comments during the stream. We wanted to focus on the issue at hand instead of getting an a ‘tit-for-tat’ debate versus discussion. I am interested to know where you, the veteran, falls on the scale of for and against. - Clay

[@TheCivDiv]

@@WillHelpsVets for anyone wondering this is why I turned off the comments. - Clay

[@tonybaucom3214]

This discussion was what America needs right now. 2 people with views that may be opposing getting together and discussing a topic. I felt like given the opportunity both sides moved closer to the center. If I had to do it over again I may have wanted my more complicated claims done with a "paid" model as I needed help in writing my personal statement and finding a place/person to get a Nexus letter. Using a VSO was a waste of my time. Everything I learned about my claim is from KZbin.

[@TheCivDiv]

Thank you! I definitely appreciate that…I wouldn’t say I’m in the middle 😂 I do recognize good arguments and that comes from my PSYOP time. If the PLUS Act, or any version of the + Act is passed, then that’ll be the end of that. - Clay

[@JimChurchSr-lu2pq]

Nice job there Clay -Trust me people are watching just not commenting -you really help us veterans - God bless

[@Wifewearscombatboots]

I was very impressed by the civility between two veteran advocates with opposing points of view. This was very informative and have a better understanding of both sides of the debate; however, I still would rather stick with an accredited VSO. My thought is that the roles of VSO’s are not specialized enough when they work for small government organizations like county government. They can’t focus on just the claim process when they also are helping vets with housing, alternatives to court, home loans and rehab programming. Clay I have learned so much by viewing your videos, I was rated in 1992 and had no idea a vet could request a review for increase. Keep up the excellent service you provided for free.

[@DemsturFire]

Found this discussion helpful. Reddit isn’t helpful on this topic. One point that stuck with me was the position on taking those that don’t pay to collections/court. Found the response to be a brush off as “most pay” from a business standpoint doesn’t work. Would it be fair to say that Claims Consulting companies don’t pursue non payment clients to avoid defending the legality of their contracts? Just a thought.

[@TheCivDiv]

I just recorded a video covering this exact topic 😂 BOLO next week - Clay

[@Kenbot2]

I also think he needs to read again 38 CFR 5 901. The secretary makes the rules or interpretations not him. The force of federal law is behind the VA secretary and he says you must be accredited to assist in clams these companies keep looking for a gray area that does not exist

[@TheCivDiv]

@@WillHelpsVets it’s under lives my guy. It’s not hidden by any means. This isn’t the first time you’ve commented this. - Clay

[@TheDonutman44]

Enjoyed the interview guys! Thank you both for your service!

[@LifestyleChangesTV]

Great stuff guys. I really learned a lot both of you guys are smart as a whip keep it up

[@ChadLisonbee]

Fantastic interview and love the info put out!! My stance, anytime the government gets involved it never ends how you think it will. The issue isn’t with the claim sharks. While I dont agree with the claims consulting companies I personally think they’re trash. However, the issue is with the VA and piss poor people misunderstanding the policies. These consuming companies are a result of failed government intervention. The DAV, VFW and the like are trying to stay relevant against companies that are most likely far more successful. These businesses are a good thing in the sense, they creat competition for all VSO’s. You can’t regulate your way to freedom. Fix the holes in the current system and these companies will cease to exist. Is there anything in the law that prevents VSO’s from proving IMO’s, or referrals for doctors that do IMO’s? If they can provide them 90% of what these guys do disappears.

[@PaulONeill-p3l]

Loved the discussion. Has there been a model proposed that would be based on “ A Time & Materials” per click, universal “fee for service”? Given a positive outcome for the vet the service provider would go to a chart of fees for accomplished outcomes. Each increment of yield ($$$$ reaped per click) based on hours spent and materials costs incurred, would have universal application across all incorporated providers. Just a thought!

[@mattnorcia5593]

Wow this was extremely helpful! I wish I would’ve know this earlier. As I went with a claims consulting company but not really sure if I had as I might be able to get to the finish line on presumptive alone, not assuming, but is definitely possible. But I to was wandering how do they know if you get an increase or not since they are not an accredited power of attorney? What of the Vet bails? How do they track that. So they just rely on the integrity of the Veteran.

[@TheCivDiv]

They have your login information as per VBG’s contract I covered after this live discussion. Seems like someone here is only telling selected truths. - Clay

[@michaelmorefield159]

Is the problem really the CNP exam? If a consultant gets the job done (for your guest) and a VSO doesn’t. Couldn’t it be the format used by the consultants, laying out the total picture so that the VA can see past a lame CNP examiner? By the way. I’ve used AI to get my lay statements concise and to the point. Microsoft Copilot did a much better job than ChatGPT. You be your own judge, just use the same prompt in each one and decide for yourself. Love what you’re doing Clay!

[@TheCivDiv]

If anything it clearly shows that C&P examiners are what is getting over on the veterans instead of VSOs or the rest of the process. - Clay

[@levitorres92]

Clay Question whats ur take on added pact act claim to tdiu claim, but taking for ever ... due to backlog .... its killing me waiting n waiting.... should i void the claim or let it play out while im suffering financially?

[@TheCivDiv]

If you have an argument for a hardship, then do that. If not, the presumptive isn’t what’s holding up the claim. - Clay

[@Kenbot2]

@@vividhaiku I hope you’re not referring to the claim shark companies. They are anything but professional they are lawbreakers and predators.

[@karlashenfelter1745]

If a Vet wants to pay for help I see nothing wrong with that. Running a business isn’t cheap, We can do the leg work on our own or pay someone to help us. I’ve watched 1000 videos and developed my claims Brought them into a VSO and had them file for me. I’m on my way! But I totally understand why someone would pay, We have to be responsible for ourselves either way. I’ve talked with you before Clay and you helped me a lot! Much appreciated and I’m still watching but I’m more on the side of your guest on this subject. Great video!

[@brendanorris4368]

We did not use a consultant co. Instead we used a VSO officer who put out claim in then forgot about us. We turned to the internet CC, Clay and Jason to guide us through all the doctors at the V A and then companies like VES who evaluate your claims from their very limited knowledge and seemingly lack of doing a doggone thing to be timely. Truthfully I submitted at least a 1,000 pages or more to well document every single disability on my Vietnam/Agent Orange vet showing his presumptive claims with documentation and still they sit on it. I would for the raters to get us rated and out of this idiotic holding pattern.,my husband is 68 and through all his suffering with the VA now he has dementia for God's sake. Why do they put us through so much HELL.???

[@TheCivDiv]

Is the comment that you thought was deleted? Because it’s not. - Clay

[@brendanorris4368]

Clay my comments were factual and i used the word Hell because thats what we have been through. I do not appreciate my comments being taken down. There was no tit for tat. My comments were Pact Act/Agent Orange problems with a C and P problems.

[@TheCivDiv]

Brother, I didn’t delete any comments 😂 KZbin does their own thing. You have my word. - Clay

[@Kenbot2]

This happens to me often. I post something that contributes to the conversation with no profanity or attacks and it gets deleted more times than I can remember. It’s frustrating!

[@TheCivDiv]

@@Kenbot2 I promise it’s not me. Especially your comments which are normally spot on. - Clay

[@Kenbot2]

@@TheCivDiv Thanks. Tomorrow the California Senate hears SB 1124. I will let you know if there’s any updates. I receive emails about this bill as I signed up for them.

[@Mike-ew9zn]

Non paid vso’s such as VFW, American Legion, DAV, etc. for the most part is not much help. They can’t or will not return calls. A good law firm is hands down the best to go with and at 20 percent of the back pay a fair way to go!

[@TheCivDiv]

I’m a big fan of law firms. - Clay

[@johnp2909]

If those consulting companies can just be regulated on how much they can charge then it will be a Great option for the vets if they need help.

[@ExtremeRecluse]

Attorneys do the same thing. They earn revenue off the backs of veterans. There is no difference between law firms and Claims Representatives. The differences; attorneys only work on cases where the veteran has been denied continually. The Claims Consulting companies help the veteran on initial claims filing avoiding the endless headaches. Both serve a niche. Both do it for $$$. I don't see the difference. Attorneys see a lot of money being taken out of their pockets by claims companies. That is why they are taking Claims Insider to court. The federal government will not prosecute, so the Texas attorney general will. But, this is federal law. Texas has no jurisdiction. Texas will lose.

[@TheCivDiv]

Attorneys can only charge in appeals are although the cap is 33.3% most charge around 20% of appeals only. Very different than charging for initial claims and increases when the veteran has all the evidence. - Clay

[@kevintrotter2025]

Just go with the free service yall. This guy sounds like a crook