How has one of your favorite VSOs helped get Veterans access to VA healthcare and benefits?

RallyPoint Team — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:57:01 -0400

Veterans with greater access to VA healthcare and benefits face a lower risk of suicide, homelessness, and other serious challenges—especially during the critical transition from military to civilian life. But we know the VA can’t do it alone.
That’s why we want to hear from you:
Which Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) do you trust?
What success stories can you share—stories where a VSO helped a Veteran unlock the care, support, or benefits they earned?
Your insights could help connect more Veterans with the resources they need and deserve

Response by COL John McClellan made Apr 15 at 2025 12:33 PM

COL John McClellan — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:33:30 -0400

VFW Post 3282 supports our local VA Outpatient Clinic and the VA Nursing home nearby. We keep our members fully informed of their VA benefits, and our Post Service Officer connects any Veteran needing medical care to the VA liaison in our county for enrollment or claims.

Response by CPT David Gowel made Apr 16 at 2025 11:50 AM

CPT David Gowel — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 11:50:27 -0400

I didn't try to file an ITF for a VA rating until several years after I left Active Duty. When I then tried to do so with the Veteran Service Officer in my town, he lost my paperwork and didn't get back to me despite several follow ups. Ultimately, I went to the Wounded Warrior Project to get it done and they made the process much easier for me. I am greatly appreciative for their support.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Apr 16 at 2025 3:38 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:38:11 -0400

Greetings. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this on RallyPoint. :->

Response by AN Ron Wright made Apr 17 at 2025 10:58 PM

AN Ron Wright — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 22:58:49 -0400

county vso wasnt very helpful at all

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 18 at 2025 8:55 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 08:55:37 -0400

DAV. I can’t say enough about the DAV in their non partisan political advocacy as well as their ability to help veterans navigate their benefits. They also are strong supporters of total wellness and sponsored me an other veterans on a trip to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Response by SSgt Sean Furey made Apr 23 at 2025 6:31 PM

SSgt Sean Furey — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:31:02 -0400

I wanted to take a moment and not only give thanks to, but explain the kind of man, Arthur Lawson is. I met Arthur several years ago after the representative that works for the county I live in, blew me off. I was recommended to a woman that had moved on and instead was directed to Arthur. From the very moment I met the man, I knew he was there to fight for us! Arthur has not fighting for me, through all of the denials and issues I've had with the VA. If there were more, Arthurs working for the VA, there would be a great deal more positive comments about the system. When I thought he was done fighting for me, he introduced me to a new therapist that has become a fantastic support in my life! Thank you, Arthur Lawson! You're truly one in a million!

Response by PO2 Stephen Cline made Apr 23 at 2025 8:29 PM

PO2 Stephen Cline — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:29:30 -0400

Just who is a Veterans Service Officer. If it my Veteran Advocate. Completely useless. I have nothing good to say about anyone at my VAMC. Three years I was denied healthcare. All I heard was Studies Show,... I read the Studies, not one Showed. When it all over the closest I got to an Apology was we were just following CDC guidelines. They took my PCP from me. When I requested to have my PCP back I was ignored. My health deteriorated over that three years. Do I get any concern from the VA, No. They act like I have been to the VAMC before. When I first started going to the VA it was for mental health services. For two years I never saw the same mental health doctor twice. I was placed in group therapy, It was not monitored at all. The cardiologist damn near killed me treating for High Blood pressure when in fact I had low blood pressure. When they implanted a defibrillator in my chest the surgeon insisted I take blood pressure medication. So no I do not trust any of them. And that is my success story. I have more, much more.

Response by SGT Glen Key made Apr 23 at 2025 8:29 PM

SGT Glen Key — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:29:53 -0400

My VSO was Royce G Caskey. I say was because Royce retired from being a VSO without notice to anyone. Royce was always warm and compassionate to his veterans. I was always greeted with a warm hug and "welcome Brother". Royce told me after our first meeting that he would get me to 100% disability and he did. Not only did he get me to 100%, he told me about a lot of benefits that come with being 100% disabled through the VA. I miss my Brother in Arms and the conversations we enjoyed together. Brother Royce, should you see this message, you have my number, please call me.

Response by SGT Dion Fernandez made Apr 23 at 2025 9:42 PM

SGT Dion Fernandez — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:42:50 -0400

My VSO is a guy named Mose Wilson. He told me that he couldn’t hold my hand through the process of trying to increase my benefits. Then he hung up on me. The guy is absolutely worthless. Now I have to find a new VSO and start all over.

Response by Capt David Kruger made Apr 23 at 2025 11:32 PM

Capt David Kruger — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:32:24 -0400

Not a VSO, but the Veteran's Legal Center in San Diego, CA helps veterans with their claims for increase, IU and new issues that aren't service connected, all free of charge. VA-accredited, owned by retired Army Colonel and staffed with several former VA employees. I recommend them to anyone!

Response by MSgt Shawn Wood made Apr 24 at 2025 6:31 AM

MSgt Shawn Wood — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:31:37 -0400

In Georgia back in 2009 I tried to do my own claims. I was denied appeal after appeal until I was sent to see some guys from Disabled American Veterans (DAV). I gave the my story my records. He asked if I would give him my records and 2 weeks. I agreed! I came back signed some documents appointing them as my advocate and I was awarded a 30 (2016) then a 40 then they got me to 70%(2017) over the next several year I slowly clawed my way to 90% (2023) i was tired of fighting the VA so then I paid a Company to get me my last 10% in (2024)

Response by SN G. Moody made Apr 24 at 2025 11:51 AM

SN G. Moody — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:51:08 -0400

My cousin is a WWII vet, turned 98 on Easter Sunday, & btw is a double amputee at the knees. His wife's condition has declined recently. For 2 years I've been trying to get him his VA benefits. The local gov't VSO kept dropping the ball. Monday I walked into the vet center at the American Legion in Indianapolis, and Dept. of Indiana Service Officer Steve Greger got the job done, and in a jiffy. Just outstanding service.

Response by SGT Carlos H. Silva Sr. made Apr 25 at 2025 3:53 PM

SGT Carlos H. Silva Sr. — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:53:53 -0400

My VFW VSO helped me fill out the paperwork and get accepted for VA disability

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Apr 27 at 2025 8:09 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 20:09:34 -0400

The Iredell County NC Veterans Service Office, especially a counselor named Brooke Musick changed my and my wife's lives. I sat down, and she pulled up my file and said, "Let's see what you are eligible for that you are not signed up for." Then she worked my wife's case and got her squared away. Brooke is always helpful, the office manager is a massive proponent for veterans, and our county manager gives them the support they need to get their jobs done.
One stop to the Iredell County VSO was a life changer.

Response by AN Ron Wright made May 27 at 2025 11:54 PM

AN Ron Wright — Tue, 27 May 2025 23:54:32 -0400

i filed my initial claim through the county VSO finally got 10% tinitus and showed the VSO peep
who stated I COULD HAVE GOT YOU 20%
she filed my claim!!!!!!! so why didn't she do so
went to my DAV and got to 70%

Response by SSG Stephen Kimball made Jun 10 at 2025 10:23 AM

SSG Stephen Kimball — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:23:36 -0400

can't say any VSO has helped me directly or indirectly to gain the benefits I have today