NVLSP Launches Free Mobile and Web Based App to Assist Military Veterans and Advocates with Potential VA Benefits Claims
First of its kind app helps veterans determine specific VA benefits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 14, 2017
WASHINGTON – National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) today launched the first of its kind app for use by military veterans and their advocates.
Named the NVLSP VA Benefit Identier, the application helps veterans, with or without the assistance of a veteran’s service officer, determine specific VA benefts to which they are likely entitled.
The app directs users to a logic based questionnaire that assists in verifying whether a veteran should le a claim for service-connected disability bene ts or nonservice-connected disability pension. The survey addresses all possible disabilities covered by VA regulations. Created in both English and Spanish, it functions as a comprehensive logic tree, generating additional questions from previously supplied answers. To protect privacy, no data or personally identifiable information is retained. Once the questionnaire is completed, results can be emailed or printed and used as a reference when filing claims for VA benefits.
“We’re hoping to maximize the bene t of this app for veterans by offering it as a free service, without any cost for downloading and utilizing,” said Bart Stichman, co-founder and joint executive director of NVLSP. “We want to provide a “We want to provide a supplementary means for veterans to decide what their best options are in filing a claim for disability benefts.”
NVLSP’s VA Benefit Identier app does not assist with claims for a higher rating for disabilities the VA has already connected to military service; claims previously led with the VA; or claims for disabilities resulting from VA health care, VA vocational rehabilitation or participation in a VA Compensated Work Therapy program.
In completing the Identier questionnaire, veterans should have documents available about their military service (DD Form 214), information about medical conditions and any prior VA decisions or related communications. Upon completion of the survey, veterans are advised to schedule an appointment with a veteran’s advocate chosen from a list of Veterans Service Organizations furnished in the app. Veteran’s advocates are regularly available to assist with applications for VA disability benefts, free of charge.
A key highlight of the NVLSP VA Benefit Identier is its ability to appropriately recommend when veterans should le for specific conditions, prompting them to submit an “intent to le” form with the VA, while further providing timelines and instruction on how to proceed with a formal claim.
NVLSP’s app features an easy to navigate interface allowing veterans to interact with a support point person, and can be downloaded from the NVLSP website to any web-enabled smart device.
RESOURCE LINKS
Download the NVLSP VA Benefit Identifier app by way of the following:
ABOUT NVLSP
National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonpro t veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1980. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 22 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the federal bene ts they have earned through their service to our country. NVSLP offers training for attorneys and other advocates; connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help when seeking disability bene ts; publishes the nation’s de nitive guide on veteran bene ts; and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies and federal courts. For more information go to www.nvlsp.org (http://www.nvlsp.org)
Media contact: Pamela Goldsmith, 202.621.5698, Pamela@nvlsp.org (mailto:Pamela@nvlsp.org)