WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce it has set a new milestone for its National Veterans Service (NVS) program by recouping $16.2 billion in total compensatory awards for the more than 608,000 veterans it represents.
“Nothing makes me prouder than the work VFW Accredited Claims Representatives do day in and day out for veterans, transitioning service members and surviving dependents," said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore. “It is astonishing to me that this profound amount of $16.2 billion was recovered by men and women who do this service officer work free to the clients they assist. I am so grateful they are a part of our great organization.”
The NVS Accredited Service Officer network is comprised of 2,278 dedicated professionals who are employed by the VFW, partner nonprofits, as well as state and local government agencies nationwide. Each service officer is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide free claims assistance to transitioning service members, veterans, their families and survivors. In the last year alone, this network processed approximately 164,000 new VA claims. Of those new claims, about 14,000 were filed through the VFW’s Pre-Discharge Claims Program, which supports service members as they prepare to transition out of the military. In all, NVS represented more than 608,000 claimants.
“Every day, our VFW Accredited Service Officers show the tenacity, dedication and genuine care that veterans deserve,” said VFW NVS Director Michael Figlioli. “They stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who wore the uniform, guiding them through the VA claims process and making sure they receive the benefits they’ve earned. I am truly humbled by their commitment, integrity and the life-changing impact they make for veterans and their families.”
VA disability compensation is an earned benefit for veterans whose injuries or illnesses were sustained or aggravated during their military service. Although guaranteed by law and embedded in the promises made at enlistment, this benefit is not automatically granted. Veterans must establish service-connection by demonstrating three critical elements: an event, exposure or injury that occurred during service, a current diagnosis and a medical nexus connecting the two. Once eligibility is established and service connection is confirmed, disability compensation is provided to help offset the effects service-related conditions have during a veteran's lifetime.
The VFW's NVS program relies on grants and donors to operate. To support NVS during this giving season, visit https://vfwfoundation.org/national-veterans-service/.