OT- Veterans Lawyers

by FormerLSBUser on Jun 20, 2010 4:13 PM CDT

I apologize for the OT post, but I need some help. Judging from the LSB education survey, and the amount of Veterans that we have in our country, I was hoping I could find some help here...

My grandfather is a WWII vet who lives in a Alzheimer's Nursing home in Austin, and things ain't cheap for him. In total, if you add up his medications, "rent", and all other expenses, it comes to about $5000 a month.

He sold his home in Corpus Christi two years ago, and those funds are about to run out. As a Veteran, he is able to get a pension-type pay because his medical and living costs outweigh his income, but the Veterans association seems to be giving us the run around. We applied a year and a half ago for this compensation(which would kick in once he is out of money) but they wont give us a straight answer or response. They seem in all honesty to be wishing he will die soon, thus they wont have to pay for anything.

My parents, both RN's, would struggle greatly if they had to pay for his needs, and they shouldn't have to as he is entitled to these funds.

We are looking to get some legal help/advice for this problem. I have Googled around for lawyers in this field, but I figured I would ask here for some help also... If anybody is a lawyer in this field, knows someone, or has some advice or experience dealing with this personally, I would appreciate your help greatly.

Thanks so much LSB.

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Lynn Sanders...

he has a general practice in Austin, is an all-around good guy and attorney, and could probably help, and his rates are reasonable.

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by benmor78 on Jun 20, 2010 4:50 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks Benny...

Will check him out

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by FormerLSBUser on Jun 20, 2010 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Also...

his brother is J.O. Sanders, a longtime character actor.

"Blalock in the cleanup spot makes gives me agita." - Dustin

by benmor78 on Jun 20, 2010 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Let me check around at my firm tomorrow.

I think we work with some pro bono groups that help out with veteran’s claims. No promises, but I’ll see what I can find.

by Mike the Grate on Jun 20, 2010 4:55 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks bud

by FormerLSBUser on Jun 20, 2010 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

I asked around and we don't have any direct links to pro bono groups that help with vet's claims.

But the following might be helpful:

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid – This is the general legal aid clinic for Austin; they should either have someone who can help or a referral to someone who can. They probably have standards on who they will represent, but if you can’t get within their guidelines, they will typically point you to some good resources.

Ph: 888-988-9996
4920 N. I-35
Austin, TX 78751
Ph – 512-374-2700
Fax – 512-447-3940

You might also try which has some resources for veteran’s assistance on page 5.

by Mike the Grate on Jun 21, 2010 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I asked around and we don't have any direct links to pro bono groups that help with vet's claims.

I did get two sources that you might try:

1. http://www.texasbar.com/Content/NavigationMenu/ForThePublic/CantAffordaLawyer/2010ReferralDirectory.pdf – this has some veteran’s resources on page 5.

2. Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid – http://www.trla.org/
Ph: 888-988-9996
4920 N. I-35
Austin, TX 78751
Ph – 512-374-2700
Fax – 512-447-3940

This is the legal aid office for the Austin area. They have certain standards that you have to meet to qualify for pro bono assistance, but if they can’t help, they should have some referral sources that they can hook you up with.

by Mike the Grate on Jun 21, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

These are good ideas

Thanks for the information

by FormerLSBUser on Jun 21, 2010 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Mike

by Mike E on Jun 21, 2010 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll be on base tomorrow.

I’ll ask the VA guys here. The entire VA isn’t like that, and unfortunately decisions like this come down to a single person in a district. There should be other avenues to bring this up through.

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by Brandon Worley on Jun 20, 2010 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks bud

by FormerLSBUser on Jun 20, 2010 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Veterans Land Board and Texas State Veterans Commission

The VLB owns State Veterans Homes that might be a fit. The vet commision might also be helpful.

by Neftali's arm on Jun 20, 2010 10:53 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Good grief...

I really hate the way this country treats their veterans and senior citizens sometimes.

And don’t even get me started on insurance companies.

Best of luck to you guys PM.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 20, 2010 10:54 PM CDT reply actions

Try your congressman or senator

My brother in law was injured in the first gulf war, spent years in the hospital and was eligible for disability—ended up in the same type of protracted fight with the VA…my sister finally contacted their U.S. congressman and turned him loose on them…started getting better response from the VA almost immediately, and ended up with disabliity and a retro check covering all the time spent fighting with them…before you spend money on a lawyer you might contact your representative and see what they can do for you…good luck

by backwoods on Jun 21, 2010 1:02 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks

Definetly will look into it…

by FormerLSBUser on Jun 21, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

x

That is one avenue that from people I know that has helped people out. There are also several non-profit advocacy groups that act as a liason between the VA and the veteran. The biggest one that I know of is the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). I haven’t used them myself, but I know a few people that used them when they got out and seemed to have good luck with them.

by Zagg Parker on Jun 21, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't know much about it but this seems odd

An experienced estate planning attorney could probably help out.

"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.

Then he grounded out weakly to second.

by WyoRanger on Jun 21, 2010 11:58 AM CDT reply actions

The few attorneys we have contacted

Have all said that after the “war on terror” started, this practice of not rewarding claims to old vets has become a frequent practice. Trying to save money, and do so by giving people the run around, as they are doing to us…

by FormerLSBUser on Jun 21, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions