Disabled American Veterans [DAV]
reviews and complaints

My name is Phillip Murray. I am a Vietnam veteran living in Japan. Several months ago I filed a claim for VA disability. My claim was submitted to the VA via The Veteran Service Office in Santa Ana, CA on or about 27 September 2023. Nancy was the person at the OCVSO office who submitted my claim. Once submitted, a veteran friend advised me to secure a VA representative. He recommended I contact the DAV office in Pittsburgh, PA. I called the Pittsburgh office [protected]) on 10/19/23. Nikki was the person with whom I spoke. She took my information and told me someone would call me back. Amy explained that I needed to complete and sign VAF Form 21-22 in order for her office to represent me. I immediately completed, signed, and returned the form to her office. However, and to my dismay, agency policy has prevented me from speaking with an agent since my conversation with Amy on 10/19/2023. Despite multiple calls, to speak with an agent, I am always told someone will call me back. No one has ever called back, although Nikki insists otherwise. She argues someone tried calling and didn't get an answer. I dispute this claim because their business hours are my bedtime hours here in Japan. I am a light sleeper. My phone is at my bedside. There is no way I would not have heard the phone if it had rung. My attempt to explain this to Nikki irritated her. Nikki, in my estimation, was further irritated when I asked why I couldn`t speak with an agent at the time of my call. She appeared unable to accept the fact that the 14-hour time difference prevents me from calling before midnight.

My most recent call to the DAV office on Thursday, (Japan time), 4 January 2024, brought out the worst in me. I will not say it was Nikki`s worst, but she was not a nice person on the phone. She was rude and disrespectful. She interrupted and talked over me. The vitriol exchanged between the two of us was beyond the pale. The exchange went downhill right from the start, the moment she realized who she was talking to. She interrupted me by asking for my social before I could give her my name. She would not allow me to explain why I was calling and ignored my requests to speak with an agent. In robotic fashion, she kept asking me if I wanted someone to call or email me. I told her I preferred a call but she continued asking me for my preference. I angrily told her I would prefer a call. She claimed she did not hear me say I preferred a call, to which I said, "You didn`t hear me because you were too busy talking over me. It was at this frustrating point that I asked her for her name. She refused to tell me her name. I made multiple attempts to get her to tell me her name, but each time I asked, she robotically and incoherently asked me for my telephone number. When she did decide to give me a name, she told me her name was Gale. I knew she lied about her name. I recognized her voice and her manner of answering the phone from previous calls. She was the first person I talked to when I called the agency on 10/19/23. Nikki was the name of that person. Nikki`s tone, monosyllabic responses, and non-spontaneous speech was the same person I spoke to on 1/3/2024. I did not understand Nikki`s harsh attitude and why she lied about her name until she said, "I do not want to argue with you every time you call." This was a clear admission of the grudge she held onto from a previous call(s). This, in my mind, suggests a grudge she held on to from a previous call. This attitude has no place in a professional organization where the highest standards of professionalism and business ethics should be maintained. As a veteran, I should be able to talk to a representative when I call. I know there are at least three representatives in the Pittsburgh DAV office. Even if they are all busy, someone should be able to return my call within a reasonable period of time. This is especially critical for veterans living in other time zones in other parts of the world. If a representative is unavailable at the time of my call, I should be given the courtesy of an explanation explaining when I can call back or when I can expect someone to return my call. The Pittsburgh DAV office offers none of these courtesies. I have gotten no support from this office. It is a sham that they claim to represent veterans. I would normally give agencies like the DAV Pittsburgh office an E for effort, but since they extended no effort to help me, I give them an F for FAILURE! Mr. Noel might have thought he was helping when he gave me paper-cutter answers to the questions I asked in my 12/31/2023 email to Mr. Falk. At best, his answers were vague and ambiguous. This was one of the reasons that prompted my call on 1/3/2024. I am not convinced that Nikki asked an agent to return my call, but whether she did or not, I didn`t get a call. And as of today, January 7, 2024, I have not received any communication from the DAV office. Given the negative relationship I have with these folks, they are no longer worthy of the privilege to working with me as a client. I will rescind the Appointment of Individual as Claimant`s Representative letter and seek support elsewhere. I will post negative reviews on other webpages and I will advise other veterans with whom I come in contact with to stay away from the DAV Pittsburgh, PA office.

This is my second submission of this complaint. I would appreciate the curtesy of a reply.

I wanted to report discriminatory practices by a board individual, Mr. Dan Clare, who is a liability and risk to this organization. He purposely calls on his victims, mainly females, blacks and minorities to leave no paper trail and has been harassing them to remove their benefits. He has no justification for these actions and it doesn’t even follow their charter or rules. We believe he is highly subjective against females as over 25 females have reported on him and are forming a class action lawsuit against DAV stemming from Mr. Clare’s actions

I applied to the Discharge Upgrade Program. I meet ALL of the qualifying factors listed on the webpage and I have documentation to prove it.

I have an OTH discharge

My doctor says it's Military-connected MST that caused my PTSD

However, they keep sending me back an email that says "You do not meet the you do not meet the criteria for our program". I'm sorry, but according to the webpage I meet all the criteria EXACTLY. I believe than since I put down my ethnicity which is mandatory, I have been discriminated against.

I call them but they are never able to answer the phone. I email them but they only send back the same reply "You do not meet the criteria for our program". I go to my local DAV office and it's always closed during the hours it says it's open on the door. Is anybody willing to help me?

This writer is a Permanently Disabled Veteran/US Navy who cannot ambulate

due to serious injuries sustained while on active duty/following service, this writer is not being permitted by the Ball Bayview RV Park Owner, Beatrice Mae Ball, the General Manager, James Bailey, or the RV Park Managers, Jeff & Melissa Edgemon to install a wheelchair ramp to his existing permanent deck so that he can maintain mobility. This writer has not been able to ambulate/have use of his wheelchair for over 2 years. Has been confined to his RV Travel Trailer since the vandalism to his personal vehicle and mobility scooter that took place on RV Park grounds. VA Contractors from Seattle VAMC came to this writer's residence to make an assessment for a ramp and/or lift and were obstructed from making their assessment by RV Park Manager Jeff Edgemon and his friend John Puckett a tenant. The RV Park Owner, Beatrice Mae Ball denied writers request for a wheelchair ramp because she said: "It wouldn't look aesthetically pleasing to me." She also indicated writer should relocate if he wants a wheelchair ramp and doesn't care about ADA Compliance or States laws, she has her lawyers. It's my RV Park and my rules. This writer since 08/07/2020 has paid his Rent/electric bill

on time each month, maintained a clean & tidy Unit Space/Lot. Does not bother any other tenants, only the RV Park Manager for his VA Mail and Packages.

Veterans current photos of injuries attached with his VA ID Card.

Chris Everley, Veteran USN

The VA recognizes the DVA as a veteran service organization so they have the appearance of legitimacy, and numerous references cite them as a solid organization. I had joined the DVA as a life member some years ago because I thought they were dedicated to supporting veterans. I needed assistance filing a supplemental claim for VA disability, so reached out to their Roanoke VA office. After numerous email requests and one phone conversation, I've completely given up on them. They provided absolutely zero assistance -- only platitudes saying "we'll help you every step of the way" and an offer to send me a link to the VA.gov site where I could file my claim. I understand there are myriad Veteran Services Organizations and individual veteran service officers, recognized and sanctioned by the VA, and I'm sure many if not most do a fine job supporting veterans. My advice is to find one of those -- do not waste your energy contacting the DAV.

To whom it may concern My mother Sylvia Carroll passed away 7-29-2021, I called to have the magazine to stop coming to my home few weeks later and to this day I am still getting the magazine with her Name and I want it stop don't want to receive this any more. label has [protected] #.

Please have it stop as of right now. It still hurts everytime I receive things when I have placed calls to have it stop.

Thank you

Her Daughter

Kimberly Carroll

They are No help at all. Their budget is all they seem to care about. Loaded with internal interpersonal politics. They are only interested in traveling to nice locations for their meetings all paid for by the donors and membership dues. The top people within the local chapter pay nothing for these travels. Unfortunately I’ve paid for a lifetime membership and the couple of times I asked for help they didn’t know how to help and were basically useless. With I could get my membership money returned to me. I have no interest in being a member of the DAV.

Location: Houston, Tx DAV Herman Memorial complex

These folks are just shy of worthless. Even taking the time and effort to file this complaint reeks of wasted effort.

My disability is Tinnitus. I filed for compensation for this loss. VA sent me to to 3rd party audiology center. That third party gives me a questionnaire asking questions dating back 45 years. They also provided a sheet that clearly stated that answering that questionnaire was optional. The first contractor took it personally when I declined to complete the questionnaire. She was rude and demeaning. She first refused to conduct the exam then stormed out of the room to confer with someone. She came back and started the exam never saying more than was absolutely necessary. She did not complete the exam and at one point turned the volume up so high that if I didn't already suffer from hearing loss - I would after that. I filed a complaint with the VA after that experience. They scheduled another exam with another 3rd party vendor.

Same thing. First thing they did was give me basically the same questiionnaire. Again I declined to complete it. This time the Dr. or examiner said he could not administer the exam and got up and walked out leaving me setting there. After a few minutes I got up and went home.

I passed all this information on to my reps at the DAV. All they did was say "Well there's noting on the VA web site that says you have to complete the questionnaire but because it's a 3rd party exam they may have requirements apart from the VA. Excuse me... They are contracted by the VA. The rules and requirements of the VA are still valid. The 3rd party BS is just representing the VA under these conditions. Those rules and requirements stand before any 3rd party request for information.

The DAV did not contact anyone. They went to the VA web site, looked around and didn't find any specific statement requiring the completion of a 3rd party vendor questionnaire. They just didn't do squat. So now... My case is still active but I just do all of the research on my on and no longer contact the DAV as they're obviously not interested in actually "working" to help someone.

I've attempted to reset my password SEVERAL times since 2009 with ZERO success. I've even emailed AND called and had ZERO assistance from national. How can I possibly log in to myDAV account and participate if I can't even get in?

I'm a technologically literate Gulf War veteran. These reset emails are NOT going to my junk email folder or any other folder; they just are not being sent. My local chapter confirmed that I'm using the correct email address.

I am a Patient Advocate reaching out on behalf of a Veteran who presented to my office visibly upset. Veteran explained that he came to see the the DAV on 3/10/23 around 1:30pm for help with his Intent to File for a disability claim. Veteran stated that the representative he was speaking to belittled him, and dismissed his questions regarding his filing, and the process moving forward. The Veteran explained that the DAV representative was yelling at him and was acting completely unprofessional. Veteran was so upset that he had to leave without any of his questions/concerns about the process being addressed. Veteran explained that he does not want other Veterans to experience the same type of unprofessionalism he encountered on his visit. Please Advise.

Indianapolis doesn't answer the telephone.

They want to play that old stupid [censored] game phone tag and it's never ending. I'm done with that s*** after three God damn messages.

I'll start walking the day before my appointment maybe I'll get there 24 hours later.

It'll be much faster than getting a f****** ride from DAV.

Organization does nothing to help disable veterans it's all a bunch of f****** b*******.

They take the old man's money cuz his brain is dead. They take the veterans life earnings in donation and do nothing with the money to help living disabled veterans.

F****** scam is what it is. A good government would stop it and prosecute the idiots that are partying hard on the donation money.

I live in Brandon Fl. The apartment complex is called the paddock club or another known as MAA of Brandon. I told the manager Jennifer the handicap ♿️ parking spot is not with specifications. It's to small to get handicap supplies out of my car.

This what she does lat week. 02/4/22. She takes the handicap spot out. The manager has violated my status of being a Disabled veteran. I'm 100% Disabled vet through the va. n

Please call me at [protected].

James wheatley.

In little falls, mn they have an office in the county government services building. I saw a vso there one time. They filed a claim. I had more questions and more claims. In fact I had a time sensitive issue that I had one month to resolve. Obviously the month went by with no action taken. I sent an email. No reply. Left a voicemail. No reply. I sopped by the office but my VSO was out (are they ever in or do they just collect paychecks?). So I scheduled an appointment with my vso. I took time off from work to attend the appointment and... the office was closed. No email, no phone call, nothing to let me know or to reschedule.

I sent another email. No reply. Tried calling again and left another voicemail but no reply. I just started doing stuff by myself but I guess DAV received notices because 4 months later (about 2 weeks after I started doing stuff for myself) I get an email from my VSO. Holy fudge... I thought they retired or died. I knew for sure they didn't care about me. I said I couldn't wait four months hoping they would reply. That they clearly don't care and I'll do it myself or hire a lawyer if I screw it up.

They even almost admitted that they don't care because the vso said they received my emails 3 MONTHS ago. I corrected the vso. It was FOUR months. If they receive tax payer money they are wasting it. FOUR MONTHS? AND THEY KNEW THEY WERE IGNORING ME?

I am under the one year presumptive. Clearly they intended to do NOTHING until my time had expired. They are less than unhelpful, they are harmful to vets trying to claim their benefits.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

At centerville trnpk location. I went to drop off a bunch of itens on 12.19 1030am. A woman came out rude said drop off here on ground. I said i have heavy items can i get help pleasw. She looked at me like I grew 2 heads. Got a man come out, then neither of them thanked me or anything. Woman work glasses about late fifties. Also another time i brought a new roteisserie cooker, person said oh ill take home and put to side. Why would store people take from donations before putting out thete to sell for our veterans?

Good morning, I intended to keep this short since It is going to multiple sources…sorry.

Almost 20 years I injured my shoulder in the United States Army Reserved (about Sept 2005, during the Iraq war, while in basic training at Fort Know Military base in Kentucky). I went to sick call, but nothing was done other than a sling and rest. After my service my shoulder deteriorated to the point that a friend convinced me to seek VA benefits since, I deal with daily pain, instability, and disability in my dominant shoulder.

I ended up being connected to “DAV” and an individual by the name of Miguel Cintron. After a very brief interview (he barely let me speak and his only advice was that I lie about the gravity of my injury to exaggerate my claim) I signed a bunch of paperwork (including a POA) and he told me to leave, not call or come back, and that they would contact me.

After I received my short and very quick medical “assessment “(where I was very much truthful about my debilitating condition), a period of some weeks till I decided to contacted DAV again and was met with dismissiveness and a general sense of apathy by Mr. Cintron (the person whose caseload I’m assigned to).

The reason I contacted Mr. Cintron was because he stated in an email to:” contact us only if you receive a letter you don’t understand”. On 12/13/22 I received a letter from the VA drafted 12/06/22 requesting documents (my DD214). I didn’t understand this letter because to my knowledge (and during my meeting with Mr. Cintron where he had all my military info pulled up on a screen) I was led to believe that DAV would be filing that role (why else would I sign a PO if not to let you pull my records)

Mr. Cintron’s response was disappointing at best and hurtful at worst. Basically, he told me to do it myself. I have a documented mental health condition that affects memory, motivation, and emotional processing. But also, the process seemed quite confusing which is why I never did it all these years. Mr. Cintron never asked if he could assist (again the point of a POA) in getting these documents or even bothered to help navigate me, an already confused client. I don’t know how to do any of this (including obtaining a DD214) and if Mr. Cintron’s job isn’t to help me to understand this all…what is his job and where is the funding going. Please help me remedy this since it is causing great stress and anxiety in my life. I went to DAV for advocacy and hope and got disrespect instead. This is important to me, and I am unlikely to just “let it go” and am filing a grievance on all levels. I will also continue to seek advocacy at my own agency where I work as a counselor daily since I still feel alone in this entire journey which shouldn't be the case, My intent to file date is April 2022 FYI.

I have been a customer of this store for many years. Pricing is clearly marked with hanging price tags everywhere. I was advised by the older white hair lady working on Saturday 9/24/22 that I needed to pay a different price for a blanket. I was to pay 10 dollars for the blanket when the pricing clearly stated the highest blanket item on the list is 7.99. This lady has asked me to pay higher prices on more than one occasion. Its not the money. I paid the 10.00, it was a beautiful blanket. But I should not be charged a different amount and this is not the first time with this lady. Thank you. Lesley Vowels [protected]@gmail.com [protected]

I was calling in regards to my mother which is a Disabled American veteran, I was given at least is at least 11 different phone Number's phone Number's in 4 different States to try to get an answer. Still never got it. After telling the last lady that answered also wanted to redirect me somewhere else I let her know that I needed a supervisor she then called me rude wanted to put me in what she called "time out", I am a 52 [censored]. So if you CEO is ever in Fort Mill, SC. Please stop by so I can tell you directly to your face how big a JOKE this Organization really is. You all owe me and my Mother a huge apology.

My name is Delana Dike and I use to spend a lot of money at this store. I then became homeless the manager knew this and targeted me she would say I was stealing everytime I was in there I would let them search me and would dump my purse everytime she now states I can not come in that I was banned I never received notice of this and police know nothing of it. She targets lots of people which is discrimination I am no longer homeless work for a church and feel that this lady that probably should be drug tested herself should not be in this position. Please research this as I'm sending this information to everyone that's been a victim of this lady's. Please let me know [protected] or 3000 w chestnut expresseway Springfield mo 65802