Military benefits are always changing, whether it is service pay, pension, healthcare or other benefits. Navigating the military maze can be confusing and intimidating. Veterans need to know what benefits they are eligible for, and they often require assistance in applying for and receiving those benefits.
There is often frustration with what has appeared to be the sluggishness of responses from the Veterans Administration.
Maybe you were injured in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan and were treated for your injuries at that time. But many years later you may develop medical problems or PTSD related to your service or injury.
Or you could be a returning veteran who needs some advice and help in obtaining educational benefits under the GI Bill.
Is there any help available to you through the Veterans Administration? Where do you begin to seek assistance and obtain guidance in pursuing benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs? That is where a Veteran’s Service Officer (VSO) comes in.
VSOs are trained and accredited by the VA (or other recognized organizations) to provide assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors. This includes not only applying for federal and state benefits but also providing information on resources related to a variety of veteran issues including healthcare, employment, housing, burial and survivor benefits, military records and pensions.
VSO representatives can help you gather any evidence needed and submit a fully developed claim or correspond with VA about your claim on your behalf. This is not a federally funded position but is funded by individual county governments.
Warning: Lately there has been a rash of unaccredited VA coaches profiting off veterans by charging them for their services—sometimes into the thousands of dollars. The Veterans Service Officer’s services are free to all veterans.
Staff Sergeant Donald Jay Taylor is the VSO for Union County. His tours included Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as a paratrooper and holds a certification in Suicide Prevention Awareness.
The Veterans Service Office shares space with the Union County Chamber of Commerce in the Historic Maynardville State Bank building next to the courthouse. Because he also serves as a deputy with the Union County Sheriff’s Department and coaches sports, he is in and out of the office. A veteran may make an appointment to meet with SSG Taylor by calling 865-679-0746 or emailing DJay.Taylor@UnionCountyTN.gov
We appreciate our veterans for all they have done for our country and community.