RIBBONS AND POPPIES CONSULTING, LLC
Our Mission & Process
At Ribbons and Poppies Consulting, our mission is to have every claim submitted with irrefutable evidence and reasoning with no basis for denials.
We provide research, interpretations of claim approvals/denials, supplemental claim support, Higher Level Review (HLR) claim support, documentation services and support to you. We will be your pilot as we navigate through the fog created by medical jargon and unfamiliar processes. This is the in-depth homework that the VSO’s often send you away to obtain on your own (not taking anything away from them - they are just incredibly overwhelmed and saturated most of the time) and that most people find daunting.
Lynn has a medical background and provides research and knowledge for cause & effects, Channing is a Senior at a specialized bio-med high school with access to professors that love helping decipher our cases (rest assured, no names are ever divulged, for confidentiality, to those outside our firm), and Cat meets with our clients to determine their needs and once all research is complete, compiles all the paperwork for a fully developed claim. We all have a knack for discovering, researching, and revealing the little details that often make a big “value” difference. You never know, the tidbit that has often been overlooked, denied, or ignored can seal the claim.
If you're ready for a one-on-one consultation with Cat to see what phase of the process you are in, fill out the form below and we will send you an intake form and a welcome packet.
Your Advocate for Navigating the VA Benefits System
This process is neither short nor simple, but we can alleviate most of the stress and time spent navigating the complexities of the VA Benefits system.
After successful submissions for our family members, other service members (friends & coworkers) reached out for assistance as they were also lost from trying to understand the complexities and felt like just another number while trying to get help from an accredited organization due to the overwhelming demand from other Veterans. We are not an accredited VSO which means it allows us more time to work on individual cases, really getting into the nitty-gritty details, and we review your medical records page by page, to ensure we don't miss anything worth filing in your claim.
Beginning the Process
Whether you're just starting to navigate the system or are stuck in the middle of it, we will help guide you through the rest of the process. We start with having you gather your medical records from both active-duty and post-service, all claim letters, and any other correspondence. Then we comb through every page to determine what has been claimed, denied, or needs to be refiled. You can go through the National Archives to obtain your records, request them at the local VA hospital if you've received care there, and often any private practice you've been seen at since the service. If a practice has closed down, most states have the records sent to a central archival unit.
What if I used a VSO?
Some Veterans find they have better luck obtaining their records by utilizing a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for the first submission. Organizations that assist Veterans like the VFW or DAV are great places to start. Even most municipalities partner with these or other types of assistance programs. If you choose this route, be aware that they may throw everything they possibly can at the VA in hopes it "sticks". Our experience is that this method often deters Veterans from continuing the process. We recommend submitting only one disability through them and then request a copy of your records.
Lost Records
Unfortunately, many records have been lost as the VA has transitioned from maintaining physical copies to digital copies. Some were even lost in the 1973 fire (most were WWII and prior). When this happens, we rely on buddy statements, your own testimony, and the testimony of those that know you well. Nexus Letters from medical professionals are also a way to prove a disability though they can be difficult to obtain. To learn more about lost records, submit a request below and we will contact you.
Timeframe
You've all heard it before, the age-old saying "Hurry up and wait!"... well, it's true. This is a lengthy process and to get it right means lots of patience. Our objective is to submit a fully developed claim, with no basis of denials. That means research and connecting the dots legwork on our side. We are seeing claims average anywhere from about 150 days to about 200 right now. You'll see quick movement upon submission as they get the Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams done and then it's up to the examiners to submit their opinions (some take 30-45 days alone) and the raters to decide what the disability is worth; this is the longest hurdle typically. We will be with you 100% of the way though offering guidance and support.
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