WASHINGTON – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) accredited service officers recovered more than $9.7 billion in Veterans Affairs disability compensation benefits for nearly 550,000 veterans this fiscal year exceeding last year’s recovery of $9 billion.
VFW Service Officers were responsible for the recovery of a total of $9,712,328,079 for veterans, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Our VFW Service Officers remain the backbone of our organization dedicating their time and effort to helping America’s veterans,” said VFW National Commander Harold “Hal” Roesch II. “These selfless and hardworking men and women believe that every veteran deserves top-notch customer service and attention-to-detail and prove it daily with their impeccable record of recouping the benefits our veterans have earned.”
Last year, VFW Service Officers were responsible for the recovery of a total of $9,059,726,902 for veterans, according to VA.
Despite COVID-19 closures across the nation, VFW Service Officers diligently worked to assist veterans remotely, further demonstrating the VFW’s commitment to transitioning service members, veterans and families.
“Our outstanding professionals adapted remarkably in the face of an unprecedented health crisis to provide our veteran clients with the one-on-one service they need to navigate the challenging VA claims process,” said Ryan Gallucci, director of VFW National Veterans Service. “These dedicated men and women do this with little fanfare or thanks because they truly believe in service before self.”
VFW Service Officers are highly-trained experts, recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of helping veterans prepare, present and prosecute their benefit claims before the agency. VFW Service Officers provide a “lifetime of advocacy” for their clients by reviewing and applying current laws and regulations to each veterans’ individual benefit claim, ensuring veterans and their eligible dependents receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. This professional service is provided free-of-charge to any transitioning service member or veteran who has served honorably in the U.S military.
Roesch encourages veterans and transitioning service members to make the VFW their first call when navigating the complex VA benefits process.
“No veteran or transitioning service member pays a thing when they visit our team of professionals,” said Roesch. “And no veteran or transitioning service member should have to pay for benefits they have earned – many at the hands of injury or illness. Our accredited service officers are the best-trained experts in the business and always place the needs of their clients at the forefront.”
Of the VFW’s nearly 550,000 veteran benefit clients, a little more than 110,000 filed a claim action with one of our service officers in fiscal year 2020, resulting in VA awarding more than $1.4 billion in new benefits.
If you are a veteran who seeks help in filing a claim, visit the VFW website and click on the Assistance tab. The VA Claims and Separation Benefits section will help you find a service officer in your area.