In December of 2020 we published an article about our volunteer organization Veterans Help Net.<\/strong> We stated who we were, why we started and what we did in the first two years to help provide \u201cHelp and Hope\u201d for our Veterans and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During that time we published over 50 monthly editions of the Veterans Chronicle (Spokesman Review) and the Veterans Press (CDA\/Post Falls Press). We visited dozens of Veterans Service organizations and groups. We interviewed many Veterans and their family members and published Hundreds of Articles and stories, all with the objective of increasing awareness in our communities to the benefits and services available to our Veterans. All of this was done to provide \u201cHope and Help\u201d<\/strong> through information and awareness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we evaluated the past years, we thought it might be important to let you know\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What we Learned:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We will divide what we learned<\/strong> into 4 Sections<\/p>\n\n\n\n *note: these are not our perceptions, these are what we heard<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Many have lived or heard about the horror stories<\/strong> associated with some past VA treatment or handling of Veterans who tried to get help and were turned down or treated poorly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The VA today is not the VA of 10 years ago<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The process is Hard:<\/strong>\u00a0 Without the help of a local Veteran Service Officer VSO (see \u201cHow can I find Help\u201d section) many Veteran\u2019s struggle with the online application process on VA.gov and became frustrated and confused about what to do next and how to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have earned the right to get help.\u00a0 <\/strong>The VA has the desire and the capacity to help all the Veterans that have earned the benefits through their service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Veteran Service Officers are very busy<\/strong> and are sometimes overloaded. They are also working under the Covid 19 restrictions, so it will take some time for them to get to you and start the process. But you must start the process and be patient as they will get to you and help you move through the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may not be aware of all the benefits available to you and your family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Perceptions<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Observations<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Obstacles:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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