In the Handbook, you will find:
78 pages of citations and interpretations that clarify legal restrictions on representation for claims and
charging fees
45 pages describing veterans long term care benefits to include: state veterans homes, veterans health care, 12 different long term care benefits from VHA, HISA grants, six different disability income programs and veterans death benefits.
28 pages of case studies that illustrate asset and income allocation strategies for meeting the asset test for aid and attendance Pension awards
A CD containing forms, worksheets and benefits estimates software for estimating aid and attendance Pension income before and after asset transfers
93 pages of detailed step-by-step descriptions that outline the process of filing claims for the veterans aid and attendance Pension benefit to help you understand how to receive the maximum award in the shortest period of time
134 pages of extracts from statutes, regulations and VA manual 21 to help you with specific questions regarding the claims and reporting process for Pension
Several exclusively-designed forms that cut the time for an award decision from 8 months or more down to 3 months or less
Additional chapters, lists and support forms provided to support your knowledge and expertise as a consultant for Pension and other veterans long term care benefits
The secret to shortening the time from submission to a decision is to anticipate all of the documentation requirements that are necessary and submit them with the original application. If the claimant is accurate in filling out the form, in providing proper discharge papers and proof of relationship, in anticipating the need for a fiduciary, and in providing the proper VA power of attorney or guardianship proof, the initial claim is well on its way to being approved more quickly.
Another important issue in submitting a well-documented claim is knowing, in advance, what evidence and documents are required for a rating decision. By providing those documents upfront and not waiting for VA to come back with a request, the claim can be passed by the triage team immediately to the rating activity for a final decision. This might cut the time for a decision from 8 to 12 months to fewer than two or three months.