I agree with you 200 percent. I always recommend to guys to acquire and read carefully case citations on other guys claims. They can learn a lot from those. I submitted for my claim a few citations very pertinent to my particular situation as well as things that would be important to consider for any Thailand vet's
herbicide/AO claim. My VSO felt they helped the DRO (and him) in their thinking seeing what the BVA had ruled in a similar claim as mine.
You're right about many guys giving too little information. I did it myself at first. They assume the VSO and the VA is going to spend long hours digging up stuff to help their claim. They just don't have time for that if they even wanted
to do it. I always recommend that as far as evidence goes to support a claim is to get your ducks in a row and get lots of ducks. Gather and submit your own stuff. Do your own research. Print stuff out, underline and circle things you want
to be sure the VSO and VA see. Don't assume they know details or anything about the points you're trying to make. They pretty much go by what your MOS job description is unless you submit your statements, buddy letters, maps,photos,government documents, and other documentation. Submit lots of pertinent stuff to support your claim. Don't assume someone else at your VSO's office or the VA is digging all that up for you. That goes for getting your military records personnel and medical records too.
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