Category: Benefits

As Ballard Eagleson Post 3063 Service Officer I am here to educate and inform veterans and their family members about their benefits, assist them in requesting military records, and submitting applications for benefits such as for disability, compensation and burial benefits. I can also provide a resource or referral for additional needs.

 
Since I am not an accredited service officer I cannot sign off on the forms as a veteran service organization representative or submit the claim. I can, however, help you request military records, and obtain and complete the correct forms for submission to the VA.

 
Claims are submitted by accredited Veteran Service Officers located on the 10th floor of the Jackson Federal building at 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle. Any of the VSOs at the VFW, DAV, VVA and American Legion can submit a claim to the VA. The benefit of working with an accredited VSO is that they can review your claim to make sure it is well documented and that you have a fully developed claim. This ensures that your packet is not returned for errors such as a 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 accredited VSO. Do you have a copy of your discharge paper (DD 214 or equivalent) and your military medical records that 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. 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 because it provides proof of eligibility for veteran benefits. Your spouse, family members or Power of Attorney should also know where you keep this important document.

 
Contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or to set up an appointment to meet with you.

By Alyson M. Teeter

 

While attending the Post 3063 2017-2018 officer induction ceremony and business meeting May 4, 2017, installing officer and state junior vice commander, Linda  Fairbank, gave a plug for the “Military Order of the Cootie.” She said this organization within the VFW is a quirky organization that helps others while having fun.

 

The name alone piqued my interest, so I did a little research and found out some other interesting tidbits about the MOC at http://www.lotcs.org:

 

• “It is a distinction reserved for “active” members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; those who have succeeded as an officer on any level, or who have demonstrated ability as a leader of a major Post committee or function.”
• “Cooties take on the added responsibility of support for the kids at the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, …and support the hospitalized veterans in VA Medical Facilities, domiciliaries, and hospitals around the United States, and throughout the world. “
• “The prime directive of the Military Order of the Cootie is to Have Fun.”
• Their favorite slogans: “Keep ’em Smilin’ in Beds of White,” “Closer than a Brother, Busier than a Bee,” “Increase and Multiply”
• “As our hero, The Great Blue Louse instructs us, “A smile is the one thing that you can give that you will always get back,” we strive to bring humor to our efforts, to our fellow veterans and to those less fortunate than us.

 

If you’re interested in joining the Military Order of the Cootie and the local “Pup Tent,” contact Linda Fairbank at [email protected].