For all of us, whether we realize it or not, transitioning out of the military can be an overwhelming, stressful experience. Not only are you likely moving to a new location and finding a new way to provide for your family, but you also may be recovering from a combat situation and re-learning what life is like in the civilian world. You may need some support as you apply for jobs and college, and adjust to not wearing the uniform every day. I know. Been there. Done that. Got the T-Shirt!
In addition to these stressors, navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process can be overwhelming. No one, not even the VA, would describe this process as easy.
Should You Seek Out a VSO? And, What is a VSO?
Veterans Service Organizations were established to advocate on behalf of veterans and provide veteran-specific resources. Many are federally-chartered (officially recognized by Congress), and are mostly private, nonprofit organizations run by volunteers. The federally chartered designation is especially important when considering using a VSO to help file your claim, as the chartered organizations are also officially recognized by the VA secretary to represent you.
Popular federally chartered VSOs include American Veterans (AMVETS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), The American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). You can view the complete list of these organizations by going to the VA web site. I will include a list at the end of this rant!
The majority of VSOs were started by veterans for veterans. Using a VSO representative means that you will have someone who understands where you’ve been and what you’re up against as you transition out of the military. VSOs also advocate on Capitol Hill for veteran benefits, are up-to-date with current legislation affecting veterans, and have posts conveniently located throughout the country.
How does a VSO help in the VA claims process?
A VSO representative (also known as a Veterans Service Officer) helps you with the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. Once your claim is filed, they track the claim through the VA system, act as liaisons between you and the VA, and are your official representatives by acting as your power of attorney (POA). According to the VA, giving a veterans service officer the power of attorney allows an appointed VSO representative to “initiate your claim to preserve an effective start date, gather required records and evidence on your behalf, and review your application prior to submission.” A VSO serving as your POA is also given 48 hours to review your VA decision to ensure it is correct before it is sent to you.
To be an accredited VA representative, individuals must pass an exam, submit to a background check, and take continuing education courses. These recognized organizations and individuals can legally represent you before the VA. Non-recognized individuals are able to provide information, but cannot be your official representative.
As a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) for The Military Order Of the Purple Heart, and being retired from The Vietnam Women's Memorial foundation where I was on the Board Of Directors, and after being on the Secretary's Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) in Washington, D.C., I learned there are many veterans and VA representatives who are learning day by day how hard it is to navigate the system. Even the most stout-hearted and dedicated VSOs have to struggle with changes in policy and procedures that come and go like a rotating door whenever a new administration moves into the executive branch of our government. There are only two things that remain as the backbone who care for those who have served our nation. The veterans service organizations and their service officers.
While working at the Secretary's level at the VA, I had to deal with a multitude of organizations asking questions. What is the best way to help veterans and their families? They were hungry for knowledge that was hard to understand, and for Veterans Service Officers, hard to navigate.
It is also important for you as a veteran applying for benefits that you’ve earned, to understand why you must be patient, why you need to be organized with your records, why the paperwork is needed, and why you need to maintain the correct attitude. You must endeavor to find the best veterans organization service officer that will fit your needs. It's like shopping for an attorney that you know you can get along with, and has a record of winning cases like yours. You should not have an "Article 15 attitude" when explaining in detail how presumptive the cause is for you filing a compensation claim.
So in this article I will talk about the knowledge I have gleaned from my time working with veterans service organizations, their service officers, and veterans themselves, who do not know where to begin. These are common basics. This is what you might call a "sit-rep" of where to begin your journey to get that rating you qualify for!
What are the costs of using a VSO representative?
Using a VSO to help file your claim is offered free of charge (barring any unusual expenses). Though they would certainly appreciate it, you do not have to be a member of the organization to use their services, and becoming a member is not an expectation.
Do I have to use a VSO to help file a claim?
No. If you decide not to use a VSO representative, you could use a VA-accredited claims agent or attorney. The downside is that, unlike Veterans Service Organizations, claims agents and attorneys charge for their services. Additionally, you always have the option of filing the claim yourself. If you choose to file yourself, you run the risk of not having your paperwork in order, which may cause your claim to be delayed or denied. To understand why a VSO may be your best choice, let’s start with the basics.
A Veterans Service Officer’s duties must adhere to the following standards:
Advises and assists veterans or their beneficiaries in presenting claims for benefits under Federal, State or local laws.
Works in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, other governmental agencies, the Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. National Headquarters and Department Service Officers.
Conducts telephonic communication and/or written correspondence with various Federal, State, County and City Governmental agencies concerning problems or questions on behalf of veterans or their beneficiaries.
Submits VA claims to the appropriate VA Regional Office. Other claims are submitted to the government agencies involved.
Have a complete working knowledge of VA requirements concerning the processing of claims for all types of veterans benefits. Must be able to develop a knowledge, where required, to process claims for other governmental benefits including:
Compensation: (i.e., claims; aggravation; presumptive service connection; rates, etc.)
Pension: (i.e., applications; aid and attendance; income restrictions; etc.)
Special Service-Connected Benefits: (i.e., automobile; housing; prosthetics, etc.)
Medical: (i.e., hospital eligibility categories; nursing home; domiciliary; outpatient; etc.
Education: (i.e., vocational rehabilitation; war orphans; dependents; etc.)
Life Insurance: (i.e., NSLI; government; conversions; loans; death applications, etc.)
Death Benefits: (i.e., widow's pension; DIC, burial; grave marker; National Cemetery; Insurance; burial squad; etc.)
GI Loans: (i.e., eligibility; financing; business, etc.)
Records: (i.e., Personnel Records Center, St. Louis; Hospital; Regional Office)
Have a complete working knowledge of other agencies’ veterans benefits. VSO’s must be able to develop knowledge to process claims within the following areas:
Social Security (SSI)
Vet State Loans
County assessor (tax exemptions)
SDI (Job disability)
Employment Development Department (jobs for veterans)
SBA (business loans) processing.
Must be familiar with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, and VA regulations concerning the release of claims information.
VSOs Must Follow Rules When Processing Claims
Quality: Claims should be processed in accordance with instructions.
Timeliness: Claims and all supporting documents should be prepared and submitted to the appropriate office within ten working days of receipt of the claim—this is the case unless it is two days prior to the end of the month, then the claim should be processed and date stamped by the VA.
Confidentiality: There are strict confidentiality requirements when VSOs file claims on your behalf as the claimant. Information assistance should be appropriate to the needs of the receiving party as well as within the interests of the claimant while maintaining the claimant's privacy.
Public Contact: Contact with the public; employees of the Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.; other organizations; and officials at various levels of management must reflect communication skills, tact and patience.
Do you need to file for a disability claim?
How the heck do you choose the best VSO for a disability claim?
The short answer is: Very carefully.
The long answer is: It depends on your disability claim situation and the level of expertise required (e.g., first-time filer, increasing claims, secondary claims, denied claims, extra-scheduler claims).
The truth is that not all VSOs are good. Some are better trained than others, and different VSO organizations have varying levels of staff available to assist veterans, so you need to be careful who you trust to lead you through the maze of VA disability claims. As I mentioned above, VSOs are always struggling to keep up with the ever changing bureaucracy that is the VA. So if you are filing a disability claim, choose a VSO that has a record of success specifically with disability claims.
One other thing. The VA does have a program for Women, Native, Black, Asian, Hispanic and Indian Veterans at The Center for Minority and Women’s Veterans at the VA Central Office located at 810 Vermont Ave in Washington, D.C. They are listed on the VA Web Site. Special questions about benefits for your particular background can be answered.
OK brothers and sisters. That’s it for you patriots this time around. No one owes you! You’ve earned it!
Congressionally-Chartered Veterans Service Organizations (By Date of Charter)
Navy Mutual Aid Association (Jul. 28, 1879)
The American Red Cross (Jan. 5, 1905)
The American Legion (Sept. 16, 1919)
Disabled American Veterans (June 17, 1932)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (May 28, 1936)
Marine Corps League (July 4, 1937)
United Spanish War Veterans (April 22, 1940)
Navy Club of the United States of America (June 6, 1940)
American Veterans Committee (1944)
AMVETS (American Veterans) (July 23, 1947)
American G.I. Forum (March 1948)
Military Chaplains Association of the USA (Sept. 20, 1950)
Reserve Officers Association (June 30, 1950)
Legion of Valor of the USA, Inc. (July 4, 1955)
Congressional Medal of Honor Society (July 14, 1958)
Veterans of World War I (July 18, 1958)
Military Order of the Purple Heart (Aug. 26, 1958)
Blinded Veterans Association (Aug. 27, 1958)
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (June 1960)
National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (July 1969)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (Aug. 11, 1971)
Swords to Plowshares: Veterans Rights Organization (Dec. 23, 1974)
Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. (May 5, 1980)
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. (Dec. 4, 1980)
American Ex-Prisoners of War (Aug. 10, 1982)
Women's Army Corps Veterans Association (Oct. 30, 1984)
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (June 12, 1984)
Polish Legion of America (June 23, 1984)
Catholic War Veterans (Aug. 17, 1984)
Jewish War Veterans (Aug. 21, 1984)
Pearl Harbor Survivors (Oct. 7, 1985)
Vietnam Veterans of America (May 23, 1986)
Non-Commissioned Officers Association of America (April 6, 1988)
National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Inc. (June 1990)
Military Order of the World Wars (Oct. 23, 1992)
The Retired Enlisted Association (Oct. 23, 1992)
Fleet Reserve Association (Oct. 23, 1996)
Air Force Sergeants Association (Nov. 18, 1997)
Korean War Veterans Association (June 30, 2008)
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) (N/A)