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Q685: I am a retired U.S Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with 31 years of dedicated service. I am also a VA volunteer here in Los Angeles, California. I have volunteered my time at the VA for a little over two years. During my time as a volunteer I have helped hundreds of veterans with many different things, but mostly, how to start a disability claim. I have no formal training as a VSO, but I help veterans with the knowledge I’ve obtained as a volunteer. Obviously, this is not enough information and I’d like to get more. I’ve asked VSO’s around the hospital and spoken to VSO’s over the phone about how to become a VSO. Is it a highly guarded secret as to how to become a VSO? Does anyone know what course of action I should take in obtaining the credentials and training I need to become a certified VSO? All the information I've been given so far is "muddy" at best. There must be a clear path!
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A1: Contact the VFW or American Legion post near you. They may have a VSO helping vets with claims. You can volunteer with them. I used to volunteer with my VFW post as a VSO. We meet each Tuesday at the Vet Center to intake new claim cases. I know the AL post in Santa Ana CA that hires veterans to be a VSO & send them to the training to be a VSO. (LK) 3/15/21
A2: I also am retired but from the US Army after more than 40 years. 28 years as an enlisted (CSM) and 14 as an Officer (CW3). I retired in 1995 and was appointed as a Service Officer at my local VFW. Being a VSO is not nor has it ever been a closely guarded secret. I would advise you to join your local Post/Chapter of the VFW, American Legion, Purple Heart, DAV, Am Vets or another Veterans Service Organization. All of those Veterans Organizations are always asking for members to be Service Officers. I have been an Accredited VSO for over 20 years. I am Accredited by the VA. I have attended accreditation courses by the VFW, American Legion, DAV and OK Dept of Veterans Affairs. You can be accredited by applying to the VA. You can be accredited by the VFW or American Legion. American Legion Department of Oklahoma has an accreditation class starting next month. You could call the State Headquarters of The VFW, American Legion, DAV or any Veterans Service Organization in your State and I would assure you that they can get you installed as a Service Officer in some Post/Chapter. FYI you can be held liable for giving the wrong advice in certain circumstances. If you are sincere about being a VSO please contact me immediately or any VSO in your State. I assure you we are not hiding in the shadows. (GH) 3/15/21
A3: That is great that you are volunteering at the VAMC there. If you'd like a clear path to becoming an accredited VSO, please go to this link. The National Association of County Veteran Service Officers, Inc. https://secure.in.gov/dva/files/Requesting_Accreditation_through_NACVSO_training(1).pdf
They have a good slide presentation for a "clear path" to follow. I am an accredited Veteran Service Officer and do this full time for the State of Alabama. VA law changes constantly. It's not like a soap opera where you can miss 8 episodes and after watching one episode, be caught up on everything. Forms change regularly, too. There can be a liability issue, too. The accreditation exam is a comprehensive exam designed to make sure that you know your stuff before the organization will accredit you. Good luck in your endeavor and keep up the good work and thank you for your service. (DS) 3/15/21
A4: I believe I saw something once in a Federal Register about that. (MD) 3/15/21
A5: https://www.fra.org/fra/Web/Member_Resources/Member_Resources/VSO_Policy.aspx .
Watch this video. Hope this helps. Ours was helped by our local American Legion Commander, which is on the Board that appoints VSO's. (ES) 3/15/21
A6: There is an organization called the nvlsp.org that a manual and now it is done online and then you need to be sponsored by a service organization like the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. The Vietnam Veterans of America is the only organization that their Accredited Veteran Service Officer can deal directly with the VA the as the rest only have one what is called a National Service Officer and that person submits all there claims to the VA. I have been Accredited Veteran Service Officer since March 2009, with the VVA. There is a charge for this course and it used to be $150.00. Go online at www.nvlsp.org, click on store/publications and scroll down until you find online Basic Training Course on Veterans Benefits, click the learn more button and you will be able to purchase the course and the cost is still $150.00. I can tell you from working experience the course does not teach you everything there a lot you learn once you start sitting across the desk and are looking into the eyes of veterans and see the hurt, and how to handle a situation when the Veteran is discouraged when the VA keeps asking for information over and over. That is when you become a counselor and encourage them to keep on track to get it done. It is very rewarding when that first process is completed and the money starts coming in. You can contact me by email and I can give you more assistance. (GR) 3/15/21
A7: You're exactly right. It is easier to obtain compartment security clearance than to get information becoming a VSO. The VA says all you must do is: complete a background check and pass the VSO exam.
Here is a link to the DAV Service Officer Guide:
https://www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/ServiceOfficerGuide.pdf
I have been using this as a study guide. As for the exam...there are none scheduled due to COVID-19 but the Regional Office in LA will be able to give you that information. Don't give up!! (DB) 3/15/21
A8: First I would start by becoming a Chapter Service Officer and attend the Service Officer Training that DAV offers. Then you work your way up to a Department Service Officer where you would get more training. I have been a chapter service officer for over 8 years and I have to be recertified each year. That is how to get started. (MC) 3/15/21
A9: Contact your VFW, DAV, American Legion and ask them. The accreditation process by the VA's Office of General Council. You need to fill out VA Form 21a and submit it to the VA's General Council.
Before the OGC approves your application, they will do a thorough back ground check and must take a test in the presence of OGC to prove your proficiency in being able to represent claimants before VA. Then within one year after receiving your initial accreditation, you must show proof of completing 3 hours in CLE in VA law. See 14.629 - 14.633. (TP) 3/15/21
A10: You become a VSO through a veterans organization like DAV or VFW. You must be a member in good standing and show an interest in becoming a VSO. Hope this helps. (RD) 3/15/21
A11: I've been a service officer with Disabled American veterans for over 10 years. They have an annual certification course that was pre-covid. I suggest you contact your local Disabled American veterans office and ask about becoming a certified chapter vso. (MH) 3/15/21
A12: As far as I know from talking to other vets that volunteer, it is a career path that the military offer to those that are leaving the military. (DM) 3/16/21
A13: Every state has some sort of Veteran Affairs Agency, I'm sure they will be able to tell you how to get certified as a Veterans Service Officer in California. (DC) 3/22/21