VSOs Avert Reductions to Veteran Benefits

Veterans Affairs (VA) reviews benefits payments frequently and can often be poorly informed about a veteran’s current challenges. But Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) veteran service officers (VSOs) are always available to clear up misunderstandings and protect veteran benefits. 

A veteran and his spouse were fighting to keep his benefits rating from being cut from 90% to 60% last year due to a discrepancy in diagnosis. Unfortunately, the veteran passed away due to his service-connected disability during the supplemental claims process. 

VSOs submitted the surviving spouse’s claim for burial and Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The reduction in benefits was averted, and the spouse was awarded full service-connected funeral benefits, DIC and a retroactive payment of more than $12,000.

VSOs also helped a Vietnam veteran who had seen his benefits rating drop from 100% to 40% after his cancer went into remission. The veteran had experienced depression and anxiety due to the cancer, and a claim for those conditions was granted at 30%; his overall rating went to 60%.

Contact a VVA Veteran Service Officer to assist with your claim in states that have a benefits program here, or search for a VSO from another organization through the VA’s website in states where we do not. Enter your ZIP code or city and state, and you’ll see which VSOs serve your area.