has anyone had anyone had any dealings with the veterans agency?

anyone at all?

I helped a client get a War Disablement allowance four years ago or so. All I can remember is that it all took ages (9-12 months), but then again it all related to him falling in a river in Africa in 1942 and getting an ear infection, so maybe that's reasonable.

That's all though I'm afraid. I do remember that the Disability Rights Handbook was the only source of (very scanty) information on the subject.

In my experience Forces charities know about this - SSAFA or Royal British Legion. Have you an outpost near you or looked for a website?

yes and found then very helpful. Our local office is in manchester and the local officer will make home visits nd help clients through the application and assessment process. Recently visited one of my clients and got him and extra £25 per week disablement pension relating to injuries received in WW2.

If you think there is a chance then go for it and good luck.

We recently published a news story highlighting the publication of the Vetrans Agency annual report for 2003-2004 -

Administration of the War Pensions Scheme: Veterans Agency report for 2003-2004.

The report provides an account of the administration of the War Pensions Scheme and the various services provided for war pensioners during the year; data on degrees of disability, pensioner age profiles, and rates of pensions; and details of what the war pensions committees and the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions were involved in during the course of the year.

It also gives the contact details of local War Pensioners Welfare Offices across the UK.

I have found them very unhelpful, i/c a client who has mental illness + is deaf, all caused by service, and yet was refused and told "illness not related to service", I feel they are trying it on re:- dwp. The weight of medical evidence is quite comprehensive and I feel that the veterans agency has ignored everything presented to them, we have the support of the Royal British Legion case officers and I am hopeful of a review/appeal, but why must it come to this? Do they try this all the time?(veterans agency)Anybodies experiences with these people are welcomed.