"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, now in a revised, second edition, analyzes in detail. This unique book, written in an accessible self-help style, will be required reading for any veteran or veteran's dependent who wishes to obtain his or her well-earned benefits and for those officials of veterans' service organizations who assist veterans with their claims.

EXCELLENT RESOURCE - THE BEST I HAVE FOUND BY FAR (5.0)

This book is the very best resource book I have found and I have several. It is concise and direct plus the material is very accurate.

I've read most of the other material out there and would recommend to purchase this book and you will have "all of the information" in one resource.

This book doesn't appear to be missing any of the information, and each of the other books I've read are strong in one area but missing in total information, NOT so with this book!

Material is up to date also.

Dennis,
Galveston Texas

Remember, this is a "self-help" book (5.0)

I almost threw away this book. I am sure glad I didn't.

I started reading the Preface and the Introduction, and then started in on Chapter 1. I was very disappointed and almost threw away this book. I am sick and tired of hearing able bodied veterans at work complaining about how the system prevents them from getting what they want. These guys at work are in better health than I am, are receiving disability and want more. What they want is 100% disability and not having to work anymore. The beginning of this book turned me off because it seemed to me to be just like the guys I work with; just a bunch of whining and complaining. However, I put it aside and went back to it later. I decided to skim through a couple of the other chapters before I made the final decision as to whether I should keep it or throw it away. That was when I discovered the good that is hidden in this book. There is a lot of good information in here, but you will have to dig it out, just like you will have to research and dig out the information you will need to submit your claim. I recommend you go through the table of contents and see what each chapter covers and just read the chapter that interests you the most. For example, I started with Chapter 7, "Claims Based on Secondary Disabilities". I then skipped around in the book, reading different chapters. I have read the entire book now and I have started re-reading various chapters. Think of this book as a resource guide. In fact, skip the Preface, Introduction and the first two chapters and start with Chapter 3, "No Evidence, No Benefits". This gets you to the heart of the matter right away. After you have read the rest of the book, then you can go back and read Chapter 2.

Pay close attention to Appendix A thru D in the back of the book. These give you a list of Abbreviations, Glossary of Definitions, and Survival Rules. Lots of good information. Also Chapter 13, "Doctrine of Reasonable Doubt", has case law in it, which you may think is a bunch of boring legal nonsense, but there is a lot of meat here to chew on. In fact, you need to read this section over and over, to get a feel for the process and the system.

I give this book 5 stars and recommend you study it. Not read it; Study it.

A must for any vet applying for disability (5.0)

This book is extremely detailed, very readable, easy to comprehend and is an absolute must for anyone applying for, or on the behalf of, any veteran. It shows the reader where the 'hang-ups' & 'gotchas' are in the application process and how to prevent them. It's indispensabale.

Good Information (5.0)

Very good information. This book was very useful in understanding the VA and their process.

Survival Guide (5.0)

This book is worth it's weight in gold and then some. It is written in plain language, so it is easy to understand, and it addresses all of the areas we (veterans) need to negotiate the maze of government bureaucracy. I highly recommend it.