I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977, and was proud to do my part. Like every veteran, I believed the benefits I earned would be there when I needed them. What I didn’t expect was to be targeted by a company that twisted the system designed to help veterans into a way to profit from our earned benefits.
Last year, when I sought help for post-traumatic stress, I was contacted by a company promising quick results and expertise with my VA disability claim. What they didn’t say was that their business was unaccredited and that their business model was dependent on charging veterans for services that should be free.
The company pitched itself as an expert with insider knowledge of the VA system. They rushed me through paperwork and spoke as if they were working directly with the VA. At no point did they disclose that charging me to file an initial claim was against the law, or that I could have received free, accredited help from my County Veterans Service Officer, or other Veterans Service Organization such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or Disabled American Veterans.