(Reno, Nev.) – 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’s 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 the hard work and dedication of our VSO team,” 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!
The work required behind the record-setting number of claims filed over the past year included 22,008 phone calls, 12,217 emails, 3,854 office visits and 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.
About the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS)
NDVS is dedicated to helping Nevada veterans obtain the services and benefits they have earned through military service in the U.S. Armed Forces. In addition to offering benefits counseling and assistance, which includes assistance with filing VA claims at no cost, NDVS manages the Northern and Southern Nevada State Veterans Homes and the Northern and Southern Veterans Memorial Cemeteries. To learn more about NDVS programs or services visit veterans.nv.gov and follow us on Twitter @NVDeptVeterans and on Facebook @NevadaDepartmentofVeteransServices.
Want more information on earned veterans benefits or have questions or concerns? You are in the right place! Veterans Service Officers are here to help. Please fill out the form and click “Submit." To find VSO Locations, please visit the Veterans Service Officer page.
