AARP Provides Anti-Fraud Info During Business Meeting
Category: Benefits
Discounted Tickets for “Glorious”
We received the following message from a local veteran, “Hello, I am a Marine Corps vet and am working with a small group on a project to highlight LGBTQ military leadership in a light-hearted way through music. This event is happening in Seattle in August.”
Check out their project linked here! If you want to attend, use coupon code VFW3063. It provides a 15% discount on all ticket tiers.
Yoga is Back at the Post
Our friends at the Veterans Yoga Project will begin teaching yoga at the post every Thursday at 10 a.m. starting April 4. No prior experience is required and you don’t need any equipment; just be sure to wear comfortable clothing!
Post Members, Family, and Friends Celebrate the Holidays
Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate the holidays with Post 3063 at the post’s annual holiday party Dec. 13. Special thanks goes out to Anne Leake, our lovely Santa Claus, Top of the Hill Barbershop Quartet for the holiday tunes, Chef Kay and crew for the wonderful food, Comrade Mamallo for the Christmas photos, and the many others who contributed to the merry event.
New Service Officer: Leo Potts
By Leo Potts
Hello comrades, I am your new Post 3063 Service Officer I am here to educate and inform veterans about their benefits, assist them in requesting military records and submitting applications for benefits.
I can help you request military records and obtain and complete the correct forms for submission to the VA. Claims are submitted by accredited VSOs located on the 10th floor of the Jackson Federal building at 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle. The VSOs at the VFW can submit a claim to the VA. An accredited VSO will review and submit the claim, and make sure it is well documented and that you have a fully developed claim. This ensures that your packet is not returned for minor things such as missing or incomplete form or missing documents. They can also track your claim once it is submitted to the VA.
An important part of submitting a claim, especially for a service connected disability claim, is having all the required documentation prior to meeting with the service officer. Do you have a copy of your discharge papers from the service (DD 214) and your medical records from military service (which may document a service connected injury)? Do you have civilian medical records from your physician or other civilian medical professionals that further supports a service connected injury or illness?
Military discharge papers, personnel and medical records can be requested online by going to the VA website (http://www.va.gov) and completing an SF 180. Depending on your branch of service and when you served will determine where you send the request. If you do not have your discharge papers, do not procrastinate in getting a copy of it because it provides proof of eligibility for your veteran’s benefits.
It may seem overwhelming to file a claim or you may think you are not eligible for any benefits but it is important to discuss this with a service officer and get their assistance in filing a fully developed claim. The VA must then do their due diligence to determine the eligibility of the claim. The claim process can take months but it may be worth your time.
If you ever need assistance, please contact me at [email protected].