Las Vegas veteran Ross Bryant, a retired Army major who spent 24 years serving in tanks and parachuting from aircraft, endured a 16‑year battle to obtain his VA disability benefits. After three separate appeals were denied, Bryant turned to Veteran Benefits Guide, a local nonprofit that walks veterans through the often‑confusing VA claims system.
One‑on‑One Support Cuts Through Red Tape
Veteran Benefits Guide pairs each applicant with a dedicated counselor who reviews medical records, helps gather required documentation, and prepares the veteran for any required examinations. “What we do is really get to know the veteran and their specific case and help guide them through the whole process because it can be very overwhelming,” said Lisa Kalkes, the organization’s chief marketing officer and a veteran herself.
Kalkes noted that many veterans forgo filing because the paperwork appears daunting, not because they lack eligibility. “The complexity of the process, rather than a lack of eligibility, is often what stops veterans from applying,” she explained.
Success Stories Highlight Real Impact
For Bryant, the difference was immediate. “Sixteen or seventeen years later, my claim finally got approved, which would never have happened without professional assistance,” he said. The approval not only provides him with monthly compensation but also eases the financial strain that had lingered for years.
Veteran Benefits Guide reports that its hands‑on approach has helped dozens of local veterans secure benefits they were previously denied, allowing them to focus on rebuilding careers, supporting families, and enjoying civilian life.
Addressing Misconceptions
Some veterans hesitate to apply because they believe they would be taking resources away from those who “had it worse.” Kalkes refuted that notion, emphasizing that any veteran with a service‑connected condition is eligible for compensation regardless of the nature of their service.
“That is simply not true,” she said. “The VA’s mission is to support all who have earned it through their sacrifice, not to ration benefits based on perceived hardship.”
How to Get Help
Veterans in the Las Vegas area who need assistance can contact Veteran Benefits Guide through its website. The organization offers free consultations and works without charge to ensure that no veteran is denied the benefits they deserve due to paperwork complexity.
By providing personalized guidance, Veteran Benefits Guide embodies the community’s commitment to honoring those who served, reinforcing the traditional family values and individual liberty that underpin a strong Nevada neighborhood.
Original reporting: KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
