Does Vso Have A File On Me?

[Carl the Engineer]

I would like to know the "mechanics" of the VSO

Please do not use this thread for which VSO is better or my VSO sucks. Just the mechanics if you know.

I usually type up my claims and take it to my CVSO, who tells me that I am after her job, then she forwards to the VSO, in my case the VFW, and then I think it goes to the VA.

What does the VSO do with what they get from the CVSO, and what do they send to the VA?

Do the VSO's have a file on me?

And can I get a copy?

Thanks,

Hamslice

[MarkInTexas]

I use the American Legion as a VSO at the Houston VARO. I really don't know if they keep a "file" on me, but instead relay documents received from me via fax down the hall to formally file with the VA. At least that's what I can seen from my C-File on documents I've sent this way.

Any time that I have been physically in the VSO's office, they pulled me up on the computer in the VA's system, which I'm assuming must be a portal to the VA's files that they allow VSO's to access. They may some small file containing my basic information and the power of attorney documentation perhaps though.

That's just my experience. Not a whole lot admittedly.

Mark

[Buck52]

Veteran Service Officers (VSO) are veterans who stand ready to help with veteran-related needs. Veterans Service Offices have all the forms and other information a veteran may need to obtain service from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the forms for requesting State veterans' benefits. The Service Officers will assist in finding the information and resources needed to solve service-related problems.

Veteran Service Officers help veterans navigate the many federal, state, and local resources and benefits available to them. Whether it's a specific question or the need to identify programs and benefits for which a veteran may be eligible, Veteran Service Officers stand by to help. They are liaisons for all veteran issues.

VSO's are trained and accredited by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors. This includes not only applying for federal and state benefits but also providing resources related to the following:

• Compensation and Pension
• Health Care
• Education & Training
• Employment
• Burial & Survivor
• Housing
• Transportation
• Military Records

Local Veteran Service Officers can be found in offices specific to each state.

Please see our State Veterans Benefits page for llinks to your specific state or territory Veterans office

''I'd say the veteran is his own best advocate to his claim and when he stubble's he can come here at hadit for super information and its all free''.

jmo

.....Buck

[Buck52]

Hamslice,

As long as you appoint a VSO to be your representative you give them POA (Power of Attorney) of your claim, as long as your claim is not adjudicated they should have a file on your claim, be good that you ask for all copies what he/she sends to VA or anybody & keep them in your file .

I suggest you make you a claim file at home & double copies & put in your files, so ask for your copies of anything and everything the VSO sends out Dr's reports , VA all your medical evidence ,Its very important that you make the VSO inform you on anything he/she does with your claim&ask for those copies.

Keep all and everything the VA sens back to you even if you think its Irrelevant make copies of everything.

When you win your claim and thats it for you, ask for your file back from your VSO. Keep all those records too in a safe place & ask the VSO if he/she is putting all the copies of your claim in your C-FILE or does he keep them (which are useless to him) so ASK HIM FOR ALL YOUR CLAIM FILES.

Let your family know about it...be good to get some forms now that your family may need in the future in-case something happens to you or you need something and put with your files.

jmo,

......................Buck

Edited July 21, 2015 by Buck52

[Carl the Engineer]

Thanks guys,

I guess the reason I ask is I have never had any contact whatsoever with my VSO, re; the VFW regards any of my at least a dozen claims which all went through them.

I read on hear sometimes, "I got a call from my VSO", so just curious as to what thoughs conversations are about. I mean, are they helping Soldiers, or just pushing papers, etc...

And if they are the "go-to", I must be pretty good at it, because you would think if I was missing something that would make my case better they would contact me. Never been contacted even on my claims that were denied or at 0%.

Anyone call their VSO?, and what do you talk about.

Hamslice

And yes, Hadit has been berry berry good to me..

[Andyman73]

Hamslice,

I actually did get a call from my VSO, the DAV) but it was only after I initiated contact via their main official website. There was no noticeable action on their part, after the phone call, either.

[31Bravo]

I used the TVC, Texas Veterans Commission, for a while. They had a copy of my C-File.

When I filed for SMC-L Aid and Attendance I had Lawyer.

In that claim I advised the VARO that TVC did not represent me anymore.

I went to the TVC VSO's office and took possession of my c-file.

I didn't think it was a good idea to leave my c-file in an office I wasn't going to use anymore.