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Any veteran applying for a VA benefit, or asking that a previous evaluation be revised, would do well to first learn a little bit about how the system works, especially as it may relate to his, or her claim. When it comes to your entitlement as a veteran of military service, ignorance is not bliss. DVA benefits are not gifts -- you’ve earned them. But, unless you want your claim to be a part of the DVA backlog, start out right.

The reasons for the VA claims backlog are many and complicated. Quite often, though, the problems begin right at the front end of the claims process. Incomplete forms, a lack of supporting evidence, failure to be timely when submitting documents, trying to use a procedure that does not exist, sending claims to the wrong place, and on-and-on, all contribute to the DVA claims backlog. Learn how to avoid these troublesome and unnecessary mistakes.

Check with the VA office in your area. Or, if you are on-line, check the VA web site (www.va.gov). The people at DVA are ready to help. After all, it makes sense to avoid a problem by supplying a little information, rather than withhold information and process a claim over. The people at DVA know this.

Also, because you are a VFW member, you have a support system right there in your own post, or in your own district. Take advantage of this support. Like DVA benefits, VFW support is not a gift -- you’ve earned it.

Contrary to what many may believe, the mind set in the DVA is to resolve all doubt in favor of the veteran. If the claimed benefit can be granted, It will be. The result is a happy veteran, and one less file that someone in the DVA has to review and process again. The vet applying for new, or revised benefits has a stake in not adding to the backlog. Get it right the first time.