Veteran Service Representative
Veteran Service Representatives (VSR) are generally found through your local office of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or AmVets. A complete list can be viewed HERE. The VSR is a skilled and knowledgeable representative who acts on your behalf in dealing with the lengthy, complicated and time consuming process of filing a claim against the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). VSRs can be trusted to fight for your rights and to ensure you get the benefits you earned and deserve.
Here is a link
to a VA web site where you can get detailed information about various
service organizations ->
HERE.
Or you can call VA at its toll-free number
1-800-827-1000.
To perform your own search, use this
VSO webpage ->HERE
You do not need to join an organization
in order to get their help. Just because some VSRs are located in a VA facility
does NOT mean they would be in "cahoots" with the VA against the veteran.
You will
be asked by the VSR to sign a Limited Power of Attorney with the organization
which permits them to talk to the VA about your case as well as initialing some
documents. And the VA will ask you to complete a VA Form 21-22
"Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant’s Representative" so
they know who you have selected to act on your behalf.
If at anytime during the filing process you feel uncomfortable with the VSR or
Veterans Organization you chose, you have the right to change to a different
one.
Because there is a legal limit on how much you can pay an attorney to represent you at the VA, you will probably not be able to get a lawyer to help you unless the lawyer is willing to handle your case pro bono (free of charge).
If the Board of Veterans’ Appeals denied your appeal within the past year, you can hire and pay an attorney. Most veterans rely on one of the veterans service organizations or state or county veterans service agencies.
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