NDVS Veterans Service Officers Set Claims and Awards Record

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) is pleased to announce a record setting year for filing claims on behalf of Nevada’s veterans, thus ensuring these veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned through their military service.  

Over the last 12 months, NDVS Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) filed a record setting 4,272 claims and appeals to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on behalf of veterans. This effort resulted in a return of federal, tax-free, awards to Nevada veterans of more than $240 million dollars. This is a significant increase from the previous year with 2,492 claims and appeals filed bringing in a total award of more than $213-million dollars, despite the pandemic.  

“We saw a 17% increase in awards over the past year thanks to our VSO team's hard work and dedication,” said NDVS Director Fred Wagar. “I’m extremely proud of them, but more importantly, I’m grateful their work resulted in connecting our veterans to earned benefits that have the potential to greatly improve the quality of life for those who have honorably served our country.”  

NDVS has been supporting veterans with claims and appeals assistance since the department was first established in 1943.  Veterans who find the process that connects them to their earned benefits too complicated or confusing may obtain assistance from a VSO. The claims or appeals assistance from a VSO is FREE!   

To give you an idea of the work required behind the record-setting number of claims filed over the past year, the VAST offices also answered 22,008 phone calls, 12,217 emails, and had 3,854 office visits with 16,616 documents submitted to the VA.  

All NDVS VSOs are fully accredited by the VA and have offices in Las Vegas, Reno, Elko, Carson City, Fallon, Pahrump, and Winnemucca. You may also visit a VSO at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks as well as the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City. Virtual visits are also offered.    

To schedule an appointment with a VSO nearest you, or to ask a question visit veterans.nv.gov and search under Benefits and Services.