INITIATING A CLAIM WITH THE VA
USING A SERVICE ORGANIZATION
When initiating a claim with the Veterans Administration (VA), the veteran is STRONGLY urged to enlist the assistance of a service organization. Service officers can help you fill out VA forms and tell you about VA benefits. They may not charge for helping you with a VA claim and do not usually require you to be a member of that organization. Here is a link to a VA site where you can get detailed information about various service organizations: http://www.va.gov/vso/index.htm. A list of recognized service organizations is included at the end of this message.
Many state, county and local governments also have trained personnel in their veterans departments who can help. You can check the blue pages of your telephone directory for state, county or local agencies in your area.
If you decide that you want to appoint a recognized service organization to represent you, you must fill out VA Form 21-22, “Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimants Representative.” This form gives the service officer power of attorney (POA) to represent you with the VA. Additionally, if you have never filed a claim with the VA, you must fill out form 21-526, the “Veteran’s Application for Compensation or Pension.” Both forms are available at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/candpforms.htm
Jim Bliss, VA Officer for the Vietnam Vets of Bravo 1/12, is the Chapter Service Officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 197, Erie Co., PA. He has been certified for eight years as a Volunteer Service Officer (VSO) (a voluntary unpaid position equivalent to the paid National Service Officer (NSO) position). Please contact Jim at usmc@stargate.net if you have any questions about dealing with the VA. You may also contact him if you have been awarded the Purple Heart and wish to become a member of the MOPH.
RECOGNIZED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Membership in an organization is not a prerequisite to appointment of the organization as claimant’s representative. The following is a listing of National Organizations recognized by the Secretary in the preparation and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
African American PTSD Association
American Legion
American Red Cross
American Veterans Committee
AMVETS
American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc.
American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc.
American GI Forum, National Veterans Outreach Program
Army and Navy Union, USA
Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association
Blinded Veterans Association
Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A.
Disabled American Veterans
Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association
Fleet Reserve Association
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.
Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Inc.
Jewish War Veterans of the United States
Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc.
Marine Corps League
Military Order of the Purple Heart
National Amputation Foundation, Inc.
National Association of County Veterans Service Officers,Inc.
National Veterans Legal Services Program
National Veterans Organization of America
Non Commissioned Officers Association of the USA
Navy Mutual Aid Association
Paralyzed Veterans of America, Inc.
Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A.
Swords to Plowshares, Veterans Rights Organization
The Retired Enlisted Association
United Spanish War Veterans of the United States
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., Inc.
Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.
Vietnam Era Veterans Association
Vietnam Veterans of America
