VETERAN BENEFITS & ASSISTANCE


Veteran Benefits & Assistance

Originally founded in 1899 as the American Veterans of Foreign Service, the Veterans of Foreign Wars continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families.

VA Accredited Veteran Advocates

VFW Service Officers located at the VA Regional Offices in San Diego and Oakland are accredited and certified by the VA and fight for the rights of our Nation's veterans on a daily basis.  These highly trained professionals, specializing in all programs administered by the VA, stand ready and willing to provide whatever assistance is required.  These services are available at no cost to veterans or their dependents! Nor does one have to be a member of the VFW to receive our services. 

From a simple request for a discharge document to a case with complicated issues that may require extensive medical and Court Cases research, we will exhaust all means to obtain a favorable decision.  In the event a claim is denied we will represent the case through the appellate process to the Board of Veterans Appeals (VBA) and if not successful to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) if warranted.
 

How We Advocate for You

  • Assist with identifying issues and developing pertinent evidence
  • Preparation for C&P examinations
  • File your claims directly with VA
  • Review and translate VA claim decision letters

What We Will Do

WE WILL meet with you to discuss your unique needs and identify the evidence needed to make your claim successful with the VA.

WE WILL advise you on the benefits that you are entitled to and recommend which benefits you should claim. 

WE ARE trained VA benefits experts with access to VA computer systems in order to provide you with the information you need for your claim to succeed.

WE WILL submit your claim to VA in a timely manner to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit to which you are entitled.

WE WILL conduct a thorough review of your decision before VA sends it to you.  The VFW has a 90% success rate in correcting errors, helping you avoid the lengthy appeals process. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of your claim, WE WILL help you appeal VA's decision.

Mobile Service Office

The Mobile Service Office allows the Department of California to provide VA Claims processing to remotely located Veterans. The VFW Department of California Foundation thanks to a grant from the Sarah Bonnifield Family Trust, has put into operation a Mobile Service Office for Placer County. Click here to see more.

Please feel free to contact a VFW Representative for help with filing a claim for VA benefits, VA health care, and all eligible VA benefits at:

Northern California Office 

  • Department Veteran Service Officer: Shanon Strickler 
  • Address: 3046 Prospect Park Dr., Ste 121, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
  • Phone:  (916) 364-6798
  • Email:  Shanon.Strickler@va.gov 

 

  • Veteran Service Officer: Hugh Sargent
  • Address:  VFW Department of California, 9136 Elk Grove Blvd, Suite 100 Elk Grove, CA 95624
  • Phone: (916) 509-8712
  • Fax:  (916) 509-8720
  • Email: Hugh.Sargent@va.gov 

San Diego Regional Office

  •  Veteran Service Officer: Scott McKee
  • Address:  VA Regional Office, 8810 Rio San Diego Drive, #1122, San Diego, CA  92108
  • Phone: (619) 400-5322Email:  Scott.McKee1@va.gov
 

Benefits & Services

Federal Benefits for Veterans & Dependents

Burial Benefits 

Military Honors Funeral Directory

Community-Based VA Vet Centers

Health Care Benefits

Home Loans

Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan

PTSD & TBI Information

Life Insurance Benefits

OEF / OIF Service Members

Survivor & Dependent Benefits

VA Benefits and Services

Check the status of your VA claim online

Education and Training

Federal Benefits for Dependents and Survivors

Federal Benefits for Veterans & Dependents Book

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA Loans)

 

Health Care

 

Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors (SSI)

Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR)

TRICARE Benefit Info

Laws Protecting Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities

  

Long-Term Care

 

Aid & Attendance Benefit

Armed Forces Retirement Home, Eligibility

Family Caregiver Program for Post-9/11 Veterans

Medical Foster Care Program, Geriatrics & Extended Care

Google Resources for Veterans & Families

 

Prior Service-Connected Medical Conditions

 

Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure

Agent Orange Fast Track Claims Processing System

Korean Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange (Between 1968 to 1971)

Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses 

Illnesses Related to Gulf War Service

Gulf War Health Care Registry Exam for Veterans

VA Recognizes 'Presumptive' Illnesses in Iraq & Afghanistan

VA Board of Veterans' Appeals

Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses

 

Emergency Assistance

 

Air Force Aid Society

American Red Cross

Army Emergency Relief

Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Fallen & Wounded Soldiers Fund

Goodwill Industries

Help for Homeless Veterans

Homeless Veterans, VA

Legal Resources for Veterans, Google.com

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Salvation Army

Service Members Civil Relief Act

Social Security Administration online

Social Security Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST)

Veterans' Organizations

VFW Family Assistance

Warrior Care, DoD & VA Resources Site

 

Veteran Information

Historical Documents of Interest to Veterans

Locating Veterans & Service Members

Military Discharge, Upgrade Application

Military Records & Discharges, Correction Application

National Gravesite Locator

Replacement Military Records

Replacement Medical Records

Replacement Military Awards & Decorations (National Archives)

Social Security Credit for Military Service (1957 - 2001)

U.S. Dept of Justice - Rights of Servicemembers and Veterans

VA Board of Veterans' Appeals

Center for Women Veterans