Craig Candelore

I was informed that the VLC determined it would not represent me in a matter I have with the VA. I had signed the required POA with the VLC prior to this and, after being informed that I was no longer represented, I contacted the VA and found out that the VLC was still listed as a POA that could access my chart information. The phone operator removed that POA access at that time. Having unauthorized persons or organizations accessing a veteran's VA file can be seen as potentially disastrous for that veteran and his family, we all remember the VA laptop theft of years ago. The first thing a veterans organization must do when disconnecting with a veteran is to do just that, disconnect. This the VLC did not do in my case and, in my belief, shows their contempt and a lack of concern that a service organization must have to preserve a veterans safety and well-being during that time, during that representation. I see no evidence of that with the VLC. Per the VLC's response, I was told that the VLC would be sending me a letter notifying me of their discontinued representation. I never received any such letter and, had I not tried to contact the VLC myself, I would still be under the impression that I was being represented. This was not simply an amateurish belief that I held, it was from an employee of the VLC itself. Per the VLC's claim of conflict of interest, the VLC's employee I spoke with suggested that a mental health route be taken to gain additional benefits from the VA. I disagreed. I do not wish to make any false claims to the VA for any pittance that may be granted to me. The person I spoke with appeared to have little concept about what a veteran of a different era may experience in the community. His recommendations were insulting and frivolous. My amateurish attempt at addressing my issue with the VA is only accentuated by the unprofessional conduct of the VLC's representative that I spoke with. I can only go by what the VLC stated to me and how they have since conducted themselves. If the VLC would answer the BBB's attempt at communication with them perhaps my understanding would improve. As yet, the VLC has neither written to me nor to the BBB. If the VLC had written to the VA, no record of such was mentioned at the time of my telephone conversation with the VA itself. I believe they do have the correct address to respond to the BBB's communication.

Veteran’s Legal Center was an excellent experience. They were extremely transparent and went into great detail of all the possible options to help increase my disability rating. Ben was in charge of my case and he was excellent. He answered my multiple questions with quickness and in great detail. I’m very thankful for what they did for me and highly recommend them. If you’re in the San Diego area and need help with increasing VA disability ratings, this is the best place to go.

After years of struggling with the VA process, Veteran’s Legal Center came through and helped me like no other organization ever has. I would highly recommend to any and all veterans seeking help with the VA disability process as they give you the time and attention needed to get through the process with ease.

Bottom Line Up Front: If you’re a veteran struggling with the VA system, claims, confused, frustrated, or just plain exhausted, the Veteran’s Legal Center (VLC) is worth every bit of your attention. I know how it feels to feel stuck, to question every form you’re submitting, and to not know if anything is actually moving. We've all heard the nightmare stories, some of us have lived them. But VLC is not one of those stories. They’re the real deal. I worked with Ben, and from the beginning, it felt like I finally had someone in my corner who got it. Ben wasn’t just checking boxes; he was proactive, sharp, and genuinely cared. I’d get updates from him before I even saw anything change in the VA portal. That level of awareness and communication gave me peace of mind that I didn’t realize I needed. Knowing that someone was watching my back, fighting the battles on my behalf, it let me breathe. What really stood out was how they handled the setbacks. Because yeah, not everything went perfectly. But when something came back unfavorable or unclear, Ben and the VLC team didn’t flinch. They regrouped, laid out a new plan, and kept pushing forward with the same energy and focus. I never felt like I was just a case number; I felt like I had an actual team behind me who knew the system inside and out. The results? I ended up in the kind of place many veterans hope to reach: stability, peace of mind, and the recognition I had earned. I won’t go into specifics, but it’s the kind of outcome that really changes your life. If you’re on the fence, wondering if you should reach out, do it. VLC understands the journey. They know how to navigate the red tape. They treat you like a person, not a claim. And they fight like hell to make sure you’re seen, heard, and taken care of. Thank you, Ben. Thank you VLC. What you’ve done for me, and what you do for so many of us, matters more than you know.

Since 2006, I've been struggling to have my case reviewed by the VA and other entities. Ben and the rest of the team at Veteran's Legal Center worked on my case, and I finally received my 100%. I highly recommend their services and will always appreciate their hard work.