McDaniel & McDaniel
Disability Representatives, LLC
540-387-1415
1-877-483-8721
Welcome Aboard!
As in the military, the command that you reported provided you a welcome letter providing information as to the unit's history and expectations and encouragement as to you becoming a member of that unit. I want to take this time to welcome you to McDaniel & McDaniel Disability Representatives LLC and provide you with our information, history, expectations and encouragement.
HISTORY
McDaniel & McDaniel Disability Representatives LLC is a final identification of a process that has been in existence since 1995. More importantly, we are growing every day and continuing to excel in expanding in various areas to benefit America’s veterans and their families. As a disabled veteran I too was disregarded by the Department of Defense (DOD) as a liability due to my injuries in service. I was promptly discharged by the United States Navy without a second thought, counseling or any other transitional assistance, except for advice to go to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for benefits that would include health care, education, and disability payments (Flash Back: remember the promises of your recruiter!)
That’s when it all started. When the introduction to a federal system layered upon layers of rules, regulations, self interest, protective turf and disgrace were as prevalent as the destruction expected of a blind man crawling through a mine field.
I too joined, volunteered and worked for several of the various veteran service organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Veterans (AMVETS) and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). My personal education continued, and my disappointment, disillusionment, disgust and distrust of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the various Veteran Service Organizations exceeded my expectations of an agency and veteran organization system that on paper was created and charted to assist veterans.
In 2002 I became an Independent VA Claims Agent. The law at that time prevented me from charging a fee to represent veterans for VA benefits so I was dependent on gifts and/or donations from those who I represented. Some were appreciative of my accomplishments and some could care less. The bottom line was that I paid as I went out of my own pocket to assist others in need. The question is why. Why would I do or accept these terms? The answer is simple. I was an angry disabled veteran who lost everything, sought help, volunteered, and was treated like a second class citizen and I was damned if I was going to let those who have failed me win!
So therapeutically, I was engaged in a war with the VA and the various veteran service organizations, and every award that I got for my clients was a victory in this ongoing fight.
So here I am today. The law has changed and attorneys and agents can now charge a fee for their services not to exceed 20 percent of any and all back due benefits. This now provides me an opportunity to expand and provide better services, and to explore other avenues for the betterment of America’s veterans and their families. And for clarification, no, I am not an attorney. Both of my parents are married, to each other, and therefore I am not qualified to take the BAR exam. However, I do have a few attorneys who are friends, and are in fact “good and honest attorneys.” Again, just a few!
To learn more, please visit the Services page. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
Brooks S. “Boomer” McDaniel
Independent VA Claims Agent
McDaniel & McDaniel Disability Representatives LLC
1821 Thompson Memorial Drive
Roanoke, VA 24019
Phone 540-387-1415 | Fax 540-387-0550
E-Mail BrooksMcDaniel@mcdanielmcdaniel.net
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