Disabled American Veterans

DAV stands ready to assist all veterans, transitioning service members, and our more than 1-million members nationwide in a variety of ways. Please click the appropriate tabs below to learn how each DAV office can best assist you, then enter your ZIP code to get connected to no-cost services today.

The National Veterans Foundation

Veteran Service Officers will help you write and submit your benefits claims to the VA. Their services are free. They will help you gather the information that supports your claim. Once the claim is filed they will help you track the claim through the system. They can also help you file appeals for denied claims.

It is important that you use a Veteran Service Officer. They will help you avoid the delays that missing paperwork or improperly filled out claims can cause.

We have provided direct links to the major national Veteran Service Organizations, and to state and county Veteran Service Officers. You can use those links to find Veteran Service Officers near you. Of course, you can call us at 888-777-4443 and we will help you locate a VSO.

Veterans of  Foreign Wars

As the largest organization of combat veterans, we understand the frustrations that can arise when transitioning out of the military or filing a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The claims process can be confusing and one that service members and veterans shouldn't try to navigate alone. That's why the VFW's National Veterans Service (NVS) was established to help all veterans, service members, their families and survivors.

NVS consists of a nationwide network of VFW Accredited Service Officers and Pre-Discharge Representatives who are experts in navigating VA processes and the key to your success. Don't fall victim to "claim sharks" - companies that illegally represent veterans through the VA claims process and can charge thousands for doing so. Our cadre of highly-trained and professional advocates help veterans cut through bureaucratic red tape. VA reports veterans represented by the VFW have recouped more than $13 billion in compensation and pension on behalf of veterans and eligible family members in fiscal year 2023.

VFW Accredited Service Officers are trained experts, helping veterans develop their case with ease by reviewing and applying current law, pertinent legislation, regulations and medical histories. As skilled professionals, we assist in filing for disability compensation, rehabilitation and education programs, pension and death benefits, and employment and training programs. Furthermore, we won’t hesitate to request hearings before the VA and the Board of Veterans Appeals to present oral arguments when needed.

VFW Accredited Service Officers are with America's veterans every step of the way once they're ready to file a claim. This is a service the VFW is proud to offer -- FREE OF CHARGE -- to anyone seeking assistance with the claims process.

Learn more about

AMVETS

A nationwide cadre of AMVETS National Service Officers are stationed at Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Offices and Medical Centers. Information, counseling and claims service are offered to all veterans and their dependents. AMVETS’ National Service Officers (NSO) are known for their expert assistance helping veterans file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for VA benefits. However, this is not the only way they assist their clients. One of the greatest benefit of our AMVETS NSO to veterans and their families is their extensive knowledge and experience of the process and administrative procedures in the following VA Areas of Benefits:

• VA Health Care Benefits
• Information and assistance for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
• Assist with VA Pension Benefits
• Assist with VA Educational and Training Benefits
• Provide information on the VA Home Loan Guaranty
• Assist with the VA Life Insurance Program
• Assist with Burial and Memorial Benefits
• Provide Assistance to Active, Reserve and National Guard Members dealing with the VA
• Transition Assistance
• Dependents and Survivors Health Care
• Dependents and Survivors Benefits
• Appeals of VA Claims Decisions
• Assist with obtaining Military Medals and official DD-214 Records
• Assist with Homeless Outreach
• Assist with Suicide Prevention and education on suicide prevention
• Housing Modification Benefit
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
• VA Program Awareness
• and other benefits… all at no cost to the claimant or their family.

Vietnam Veterans of America

VVA utilizes Service Officers in the representation of claimants seeking VA benefits. Service Officers, referred to as Service Representatives by some organizations, are recognized by the VA as being allowed to represent claimants seeking benefits before the various levels of the VA.

Paralyzed Veterans of America

PVA was founded by a band of service members who came home from World War II with spinal cord injuries. These wounded heroes made a decision not just to live, but to live with dignity as contributors to society. 

Since 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America has been on a mission to change lives and build brighter futures for our seriously injured heroes. We’ve had a single-minded mission—to empower our brave men and women to regain what they fought for: their freedom and independence.

Mission Statement

Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946, has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of our members – veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.

PVA will use that expertise to be the leading advocate for:

Quality health care for our members,

Research and education addressing spinal cord injury and dysfunction,

Benefits available as a result of our members’ military service,

Civil rights and opportunities that maximize the independence of our members.

To enable Paralyzed Veterans to continue to honor this commitment, we must recruit and retain members who have the experience, energy, dedication, and passion necessary to manage the organization and ensure adequate resources to sustain the programs essential for Paralyzed Veterans of America to achieve its mission.

American Legion

Accredited American Legion service officers are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families. While the majority of a service officer’s work involves application for VA disability benefits, these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other important topics.

Veteran Service Officers / New York

If you need help filing a claim or appeal, you may want to work with an accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). We trust these professionals because they’re trained and certified in the VA claims and appeals processes. They can help you with VA-related needs.

New York State Division of Veterans' Services

Room 4B-31/39

Monday- Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

Contacts: Joseph Munoz, Daniel Germain, Amber Stevenson

Phone: 718-584-9000 x 6332 or 6361

New York State Division of Veterans' Services / NYC 

250 Schermerhorn Street Room 211

Brooklyn , NY 11201

Phone: (718) 613-3735

Veterans Benefits Advisor 

Contact: Welby Alcantara 

Phone: (212) 686-7500 ext.7836

Fax: (212) 383-1785 

NYC Veterans Affairs Regional Office

201 Varick St. 4th floor

New York, NY 10014

(800)827-1000

https://www.benefits.va.gov/newyork/

Veteran Service Officers / Buffalo Regional Office

Veterans Service Organizations located at the Buffalo Regional Office. All VSOs above are located behind locked doors on the 6th floor of the building. A Public Contact Representative will contact the applicable VSO to escort the Veteran back to their office.

 VSO Representatives at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System

Manhattan Campus

423 E 23 Street,

New York, NY 10010

212-686-7500

VSO Representatives at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System

Brooklyn Campus

800 Poly Place,

Brooklyn, NY 11209

718-836-6600

NYC Department of Veterans' Services VA Claims Unit

NYC DVS Staff Can Assist with VA Claims for Veterans and their Family Members within the Five Boroughs of NYC. For information, contact:

Email: connect@veterans.nyc.gov

Call: (212) 416-5250

American Legion

201 Varick Street, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10014

(212)807-3066

DAV National Service Office

201 Varick Street, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10014

(212)807-3157

Paralyzed Veterans of America

201 Varick Street, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10014

(212)807-3114

United War Veterans

(212)693-1476

Bronx Service Office

Richard Castellano, Paul Gill, Jim Roberts

American Legion Post 8

J 12 North Avenue

New Rochelle, NY 10801

Monday & Tuesday: 7:00am-11:00am

Telephone: (914) 235-2869

NYC Department of Veterans' Services VA Claims Unit
NYC DVS Staff Can Assist with VA Claims for Veterans and their Family Members within the Five Boroughs of NYC.
Email: connect@veterans.nyc.gov
Call: (212) 416-5250