Facebook Advocate for Veterans Helping Veterans

Veterans Have an Advocate in Filing VA Disability Claims

Don’t File Your Claim Alone. Help is Standing By

Service members and other veterans have an advocate when it comes to wading through the deeply confusing Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) disability claims process and the help is completely free of charge.

Stephanie Matlock grew up in San Diego, California, and graduated from Mira Mesa High School, in June 1989. Shortly, after high school, she headed off to boot camp in Orlando, Florida. She crisscrossed the United States, returned to Naval Station 32nd Street, San Diego, then went back to the east coast to Dam Neck, Virginia for Intelligence Specialist “A” school. Upon becoming a U.S. Navy Intelligence Specialist, she reported for duty to the Office of Naval Intelligence and the Pentagon. Matlock was honorably discharged from the military without fanfare in 1996 after six years of service.

She left with none of the normal services given to any military members upon their departure from active duty.

“When I was discharged from the Navy, I was not given an exit interview to discuss the nature of why I was getting out of the Navy or what my plans involved. I was not given a final physical examination,” Matlock said. “I did not know those were steps normally taken when a person separates from the military. I just went on my way and started life after the Navy.” Stephanie went on to earn an associate degree in paralegal and worked in the corporate industry.

In 2012, she met Chris who had served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged as a Gunnery Sergeant after serving 13 years. During the first year of dating, they would often discuss the military and during one of those conversations, Chris had asked Matlock why she never went to the VA for healthcare? Matlock was suffering from a lot of foot, ankle, and toe issues.

Matlock was unaware of health care with the VA, let alone VA disability compensation. It was in June 2013, when Matlock walked into the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) office in Washington DC. From 2013 to 2016, Matlock was able to navigate through the VBA system to get her overall rating to 70 percent. Only when the appeals process came along did Matlock realize how difficult the struggle had become in filing a claim.

Not being educated with the appeals process, Matlock was able to find an accredited agent to help with her appeals. They won two VBA judge appeals which set a precedent going forward for veterans to file these types of claims. These were the initial steps in Matlock’s journey to becoming a personal guru in the VA claims process.

Today, people currently in the Facebook Group VA Claims — Veterans Helping Veterans, will vouch for the assistance Matlock has provided and the guidance she has given them in their quest to successfully file VA disability claims.

Through her dedication, and by thoroughly referencing and examining the Department of Veterans Affairs Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the M21–1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, and going through the denials and awards process of completing multiple filings, Matlock now shares her knowledge and experience with VFW members, like her husband and other veterans who reach her through a Facebook group she administrates, VA Claims — Veterans helping Veterans.

It is in this group that veterans from across the social stratosphere gain access to Matlock’s guidance. Sometimes, the discussions get a little heavy, but often veterans ask questions they do not have answers to, and Matlock provides responses with specific references to reply to those questions. Matlock has spent many hours talking with members of VA Claims — Veterans helping Veterans through Facebook messenger to further assist and answer questions that members have.

Today, she and Chris are both rated 100% permanent and total (P&T) disabled, which is the highest designation the VA makes for disability ratings. For those who are rated at this level, in many cases, this is a life-altering designation.

“There are many benefits associated with a veteran gaining higher levels of a VA disability rating,” Matlock said. “There are benefits such as dental for the veteran, Chapter 35 Education Benefits for the veteran’s dependents, ChampVA for veteran’s dependents, and many other state and county benefits afforded to the veteran with a 100% P&T rating.

The VA claims process can be daunting and there are challenges and roadblocks along the way. But all the reference material is available. It is just difficult to know what to read and to know how to apply it. When a veteran wishes to file a claim, he or she must first file their Intent to File. They must locate all their records, and, in many cases, they are required to get nexus letters from their doctors; some of whom do not write veterans’ letters. Veterans are also asked to get “buddy statements,” which are letters from friends who served with them who can vouch for part of or all the nature of their claim.

“I have enjoyed helping all my brothers and sisters at arms, and their family and friends, to wade through this system successfully with time, diligence, and patience, she said. “I believe I can help others to be successful as well.” What Matlock loves is when she gets a message from Facebook or is tagged in a post in VA Claims — Veterans helping Veterans from veterans, family or friends telling her they won their initial claim and or their appeals.

Veterans are encouraged to seek the assistance of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), some of whom are deeply knowledgeable and some who are not. It is easy to see why having an advocate who is comfortable and knowledgeable with the claims process is valuable. Numerous VFW members and other veterans found just that resource in Matlock who waded through her own and her husband’s harrowing claims experiences.

That is why so many VFW members and veterans have found value in the guidance that Matlock provides.

The Facebook group VA Claims — Veterans Helping Veterans was created in 2016. It has a host of administrators and facilitators. Tim is the founding member. Stephanie and Israel have been administrators for three years. Jackie joined the team as a moderator last year. The group currently has more than 31,000 members.

“We are a talented team and love helping veterans, their families, and friends. The group is there for everyone to share their own experiences, to get help, and to find help from accredited VA agents,” Matlock said. “We even have VSO’s, raters, accredited agents, and attorneys in our group. We all dedicate our time and energy for the sake of helping our brother or sister in arms.”

If you are a VFW member or a veteran and you are seeking answers to your questions, there’s another resource available to assist you in your VA disability claim journey. Go to Facebook and type on the search box VA Claims — Veterans Helping Veterans. You may find the answers you have been seeking in this group and remember, this service is provided to you without charge.

About the Author

Julius Evans has a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI; a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ; a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from City University, Bellevue, WA, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas. He is a 1985 graduate of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) of Print and Electronic Journalism and Advanced Public Affairs. DINFOS was relocated from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN, to its current location at Fort George Meade, MD.

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