WASHINGTON – Hundreds of veterans and their families received direct access to earned benefits and health care resources during the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 127th National Convention in Reno, Nevada, where the organization's annual Claims Clinic and Health Fair delivered immediate results through a strong partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Preliminary results from the Claims Clinic, which took place from July 25 – 28 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, show 142 veterans were assisted, 172 VA claims were filed and more than 100 compensation and pension examinations were completed. Final totals are still being compiled.
Among the clinic's many successes was one veteran who received a 100% Permanent and Total disability rating on the first day of the event, resulting in more than $28,000 in retroactive VA benefits.
"The Claims Clinic was a tremendous success," said VFW Washington Office Chief of Staff Mike Figlioli. "Every year we host this clinic because it creates opportunities to work side by side with our VA partners to deliver real results. Whether it's filing a claim, completing an examination or helping a veteran receive long-overdue benefits, we know these efforts make a real difference in the lives of veterans and their families."
The convention's Health Fair also marked one of the strongest collaborations between the VFW and VA in recent years. The Reno VA Medical Center provided support from the outset of planning and deployed its Mobile Medical Unit to the convention. One of only approximately 25 such units across the VA health care system, the mobile clinic offered basic health screenings and other medical services to convention attendees.
"We had outstanding support from both the local VA medical center and national Veterans Health Administration leadership this year," said VFW National Veterans Service Deputy Director Gregg Orto. "The Mobile Medical Unit was a unique addition that brought health care directly to veterans attending the convention. We greatly appreciate VA's commitment to making this year's Health Fair such a success."
Veterans took advantage of a wide range of VA health care programs and resources throughout the four-day event. The Reno Vet Center Mobile Unit recorded 734 visits, followed by the VA Suicide Prevention team with 649 visits. Other popular services included Whole Health (354), Veterans Health Information Exchange (323), Telehealth (310), Community Care (265), the Caregiver Support Program (232), VA Life Insurance (106) and Veterans Health Administration Member Services (83). The VA Medical Center's Mobile Medical Unit also provided health screenings, including blood pressure checks and evaluations for illness or injury.
The VFW's annual Claims Clinic and Health Fair are part of the organization's commitment to ensuring veterans and their families receive the benefits and health care they have earned. By bringing accredited VFW service officers and VA professionals together under one roof, the convention provides veterans with immediate access to assistance that can have a lasting impact on their lives.