The Benefits Delivery Discharge Claim was to be effective October 1, 2020. After not receiving the benefits, the veteran contacted Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) Kathy Pino for assistance. TVC CBAs assist veterans with the Claims process and advocate for them with the VA. Though the Claim was held up in Ready for Decision status, Pino with the assistance of colleagues persevered and the veteran recently received her rating, a 100% Permanent and Total disability rating with a $47,468.78 retro payment.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help, your time and due diligence in moving my case forward! I honestly have no idea how long it would have taken otherwise,” the veteran wrote to Pino. “You truly have been an amazing blessing and I appreciate everything you have done for me and my children.”
Pictured is TVC CBA and Air Force veteran Kathy Pino. The Claim filed included over 30 conditions; 30 were granted, one was denied, and one was deferred. Pino filed the Claim at the end of March 2021; but, it was held up in Ready for Decision status. To help resolve the issue, Pino enlisted the assistance of CBA Philip Kraus, who heads up TVC’s Houston area Claims Strikeforce and also a representative of the San Antonio Veterans Benefits Administration. In late November, the veteran received her rating status.
“I’m still trying to digest everything as it was way more than I expected but also confirms everything I have been through over the last 20 plus years,” said the veteran to Pino. “There are not enough thank yous in the world for this moment. I am finally able to move forward and I cannot tell you what that even means to me. I appreciate your dedication to serving our veterans.”
Get Claims assistance at no cost with a TVC Claims Benefits Advisor. Find the CBA near you and make an appointment at https://www.tvc.texas.gov/claims_appointments/.