I’m deeply honored to present a Christmas Eve show with John and Jerrell over at Exposed Vets. It’s such a special time of the year and even more so in the current situation we are- I guess- enduring, for lack of a better descriptive noun. It’s been an interesting year for Vietnam’s Blue Water Veterans. Sadly, it’s another year of Orphan Annie status for my fellow Air Force and Army Vets who were corralled in on bases in Thailand surrounded by AO. Of all the Indochinese peninsula Vets, service there almost guaranteed you were presumptively exposed. After sixty years, I guess there’s still some mystery about how this Roundup™ shit gets on you…or in you.   

Beth Spangenberg

On Thursday evening’s show, I’d like to introduce you to a woman who really has Veterans’ backs. Bethanie Spangenberger P.A.-C is a fellow NOVA member and a VA Agent like myself. She started Valor4Vet.com and provides a valuable service in helping Vets obtain Independent Medical Opinions. Visit the website and give her a call if you have questions. She has a special new twist on doing claims.  NOVA, the National Organization of Veterans Advocates, is an organization made up almost exclusively of attorneys and agents who truly help get Vets service connected. No BS promises or dog and pony show games. It’s $500 a year to join and the conferences are not cheap but where else can you learn how to whip these VA turkeys at their own game?

I’ve been throwing rocks at VA’s window for 31 years now- if you don’t count my first foray back in 1975 that went nowhere. 1989 was my debut and I lost all my claims using DAV. I  tried again in 1994 with AmVets with no better luck. MOPH was the last hurrah in 2007 before I discovered the secret knock and the password. Once inside the wire, it was smooth sailing all the way to SMC S. VA might have changed the rules about 100 times since then but what the hey? That’s what NOVA’s for. They teach us how to build a better mousetrap.

On Thursday’s show, I’d like to share with you some of the latest tricks VA has come up with and the repair order to fix them. In a nutshell, the new AMA process is an end run attempt to void the benefit of the doubt enshrined in 38 CFR §3.102 and 38 USC §5107b. It’s subtle, I’ll grant you that, but it’s as obvious as Rudolph’s nose if you know what you’re looking for. I’m encountering it now almost on a weekly basis.

Pop the top of an adult beverage and join us for an informative last show of 2020.  There are two methods to tune in. Here’s the computer link if you want to join us.

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/jbasser/11867643/connect/898a85ee233520a00952c22a3b5197adf61d3d5e

And for all of you with the basics, the telephone number is still

(515) 605-9764

Dial one (1) to enter the conversation. Otherwise squelch it- do not dial one and create feedback by sharing your dogs’ barking.

In memory of my fallen Veteran clients this year, I list them here.

Sam Bailey 2/04/2020– U.S. Army; PH, ARCOM w/ V, CIB, Eleven Bravo

Ray Parker 4/09/2020-USAF; AM, VSM, VCM, CG w/ palm, Forward Air Controller

Chase  Haddock 4/10/2020- USMC, US Army; KDSM, UNKSM, Radioman

John Oldham 5/26/2020- USMC, VSM, VCM, CG w/ palm, Infantryman