Department Service Office

Indiana is home to some of the best service officers in the nation. 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.
Our team of experienced veteran service officers will help you get the benefits you earned at no cost.
This is a FREE service provided to ALL U.S. military veterans regardless of membership.
The American Legion, Department of Indiana Veterans Service Office is comprised of seven, highly experienced, highly knowledgeable, full-time employees that truly care for the welfare of veterans. They share a combined 66 years experience between five extremely dedicated service officers. Headquartered in the federal building, downtown Indianapolis, the staff maintains a mutually beneficial working relationship in close proximity with the Regional Veterans Affairs office. Our service officers  field several hundreds of phone calls, letters, emails, and face-to-face appointments every week. On average, the service office processes more than 500 claims every month, near as many as every other major veterans service organization combined. ​
​“There are a lot of veterans for us out there to serve and we are dedicated to providing them the absolute best service possible.” 
​– John Hickey, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Director

Service Officer Resources
(Click to Download)
​
Service Officer Training Manual
Service Officer Workbook & Test
Incarcerated Veterans Guide
Department Service Office 
575 N. Pennsylvania St. Room 325,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 916-3605
Fax: (317) 916-3406
Email: al.vbaind@va.gov 
Our veterans service officers work closely with Veterans Affairs to manage your benefits claims process every step of the way. They assist hundreds of Hoosier with claims and benefits each month free of charge for all veterans regardless of membership. 
​Our department service office caseload assignments are divided by the first letter of the veteran’s last name as shown below. Also as show below, our service officers’ duty assignments differ each day. 

Veterans needing to contact their assigned service officer should call the office at 317-916-3605 shortly after 7:30 AM on their service officer’s call days. We will then place the caller’s name on a call-back list for receiving a returned call at a given time the same day.  Veterans working with county veterans’ service officers are encouraged to call their county veterans service office first and then call our office only if the county veterans’ service officer cannot answer the concern or inquiry. 

So we may keep our phone lines open for veterans needing advice concerning their claims and/or appeals, we encourage veterans to contact the VA toll free phone line at 1-800-827-1000 for simple claim or appeal status inquires. 

​This is necessary due to the large number of veterans we serve throughout the state, and our efforts to keep local county veterans service officers involved and informed with the processing of claims for veterans within their counties.  

Department Service Office Staff

Office Visits by Appointment Only: Please Call 317-916-3605 for an appointment before visiting the office.

 Bryce Hullett          
A through K
            Client Call Days – Mondays and Wednesdays
            Client Appointment Day – Tuesdays
            Prehearing Conference and Casework Days – Thursdays              and Friday
 
William Thomas:
L through R
            Client Call Days – Mondays and Wednesdays
            Client Appointment Day: Thursdays
            Prehearing Conference and Casework Days - Tuesdays                and Fridays 
                                                                                                     
Mike Showalter:
            S through Z
            Call Days – Tuesdays and Thursdays
            Client Appointment Day – Fridays
            Prehearing Conference and Casework Days – Mondays                and Wednesdays  
 
John Hickey:
            Supervision and Management, Outreach, Public and                      Organization Communications, Training, Special and/or                Security Level Claims, County Veterans Service Officer                  Calls, Urgent Calls and Interviews, Budgeting, Planning,                and Special Projects   

Post Service Officer Award

​Many post service officers volunteer much of their time assisting veterans within their local communities.   American Legion posts may nominate their post service officer for an award by completing and returning a Post Service Officer Award nomination form to the American Legion Department Service Office by March 23rd of each year.  Click button below to download the form.

Veterans Service Updates April 2018
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The American Legion Department of Indiana Veterans Service Office employees a staff of seven full time employees responsible for ensuring veterans received their earned benefits. The following are a few examples of benefits won that veterans might not have otherwise received if not for our department service office staff.
​
​Department Veterans Service Office April   Business Hours:  The department service office will be open each Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM during the month of April.  Appointments are necessary for client visits.  You may contact the department service office by calling our direct number of 317-916-3605; calling a long distance toll free number of 1-888-723-7999, extension 1; faxing us at 317-916-3406; or by using the following e-mail address: al.vbaind@va.gov. Veterans not residing in Marion County, however, should contact their local County Veterans Services Officer (CVSO) for assistance. Our CVSO partners know they may call our office if they need help answering a veteran’s inquiry and/or concern. This process makes contacting qualified veterans service officer much easier. 
 
Local Veterans Service Issues:
 
Monthly Allowance Increase for Veteran Nursing Home Patients:  Effective 1, 2017, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration revised how some veterans’ pensions are considered in calculating patient liability for those persons receiving Medicaid services and residing in nursing facilities.  Single veterans or widows or widowers of veterans who are entitled to a veteran’s pension receive a reduced pension amount of $90 per month from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when they are approved for Medicaid coverage and are admitted into a Medicaid-certified institution. 
            In the past this $90 pension payment prevented those persons from receiving the $52 monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) typically allotted for Medicaid members.  Beginning with dates of service on or after August 1, 2017, this policy was revised so that the $52 PNA is granted without regard to receipt of the $90 veteran’s pension.  (Source: Family and Social Services Administration, Indiana Health Care Programs Bulletin dated August 29, 2017)  
 
Post Service Officers Attend Service Officer Training Seminar:  American Legion department service officers conducted a training seminar for post service officers at the Mid-Winter Conference on Saturday, January 14, 2018. Those present received information to help post members and other veterans within their local communities better understand veterans benefits as well as where, when and how to apply for those benefits. These dedicated volunteers help further the goals of The American Legion by selflessly giving their time in service to other veterans, their dependents and survivors. Their efforts will allow many more veterans to lean about life changing benefits. Hats off to the following post service officers and representatives for attending the seminar:  Tommy Penson, Jr, Post 270; Jeff Enright, Post 73; Thomas c. Klempay, Sr., Post 451; Ron Patterson, Post 446; Jeff Brooks, Post 260; Dr. Calvin Louis Kelly, Post 148; Jesse R. Booker, Post 148; Philip R. Shea, Jr., Post 297; William Jr. Orr, Post 64; Billy G. Long, Post 241, Ron Coomer, Post 73; Katie Dya, Post 73; William Billings, Post 296, and Joseph Fuller, Post 4.
 
Post Service Officer Award Nominations: Each year, the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission (VA&R) and The American Legion Department of Indiana acknowledges the contributions of exceptional post service officers with a national Meritorious Service Citation and a department post service officer award certificate. Posts may nominate their post service officers by completing the “American Legion Department of Indiana Post Service Officer Award Nomination” form.  You may obtain copies of the nomination forms by contacting The American Legion Department Service Office at 317-916-3605, or by printing one found on the Service Office page of the American Legion Department of Indiana website: https://www.indianalegion.org/  
 
Veterans Service Information at the Department Spring Conference: The Spring Conferences will take place at the Marriott Hotel, 7202 East 21st Street, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The department service officers will offer veterans benefits information at a veterans’ service table in the hotel corridor on Saturday, April 7, 2018.
At the Veterans Assistance Meeting, Job Ready Veterans (JRV) Executive Director, Gene Anderson,  will offer information about JRV veterans employment services, and provide local posts a chance to partnership with assisting veterans with employment issues.    
            The Veterans Employment Committee will receive instructions for filing employment award nomination applications.
The General Hospital, Nursing Home, and Homeless Veterans Committees will also discuss and coordinate their activities during their respective meetings.
 

Service Office Updates 
(Click to Download)
​April 2018
August 28, 2017 
April 24, 2017
January 19, 2017
December 16, 2016
June 24, 2016
May 11, 2016
March 23, 2016
January 26, 2016
National Veterans Service Issues:
 
VA Regulations Revise Reimbursement for Emergency Medical Care Rules:   VA has had a longstanding practice of denying payment of non-VA emergency medical expenses when a 3rd party payer, such as, insurance, pays any part of the bill. This is true even if the 3rd party payment did not fully extinguish the bill and the veteran would have otherwise been entitled to full VA payment.  A 2016 United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims case, Staab v. McDonald, ruled this VA regulation inconsistent with the United States Code. VA had at first fought this ruling, but eventually conceded. VA states it will now begin processing claims for reimbursement of reasonable costs that were only partially paid by the veteran’s other health insurance providers.  VA will apply the updated regulations to new claims and claims pending since April 8, 2016.  VA further states, however, it will still not reimburse veterans the costs of co payments, cost shares and deductibles required by the other health insurance.  Veterans denied payment of emergency non-VA medical expenses on or after April 8, 2016, should ask service officers at the Mid-Winter Conference on Saturday, January 14, 2018. Those present received information to help post members and other veterans within their local communities better understand veterans benefits as well as where, when and how to apply for those benefits. These dedicated volunteers help further the goals of The American Legion by selflessly giving their time in service to other veterans, their dependents and survivors. Their efforts will allow many more veterans to lean about life changing benefits. Hats off to the following post service officers and representatives for attending the seminar:  Tommy Penson, Jr, Post 270; Jeff Enright, Post 73; Thomas c. Klempay, Sr., Post 451; Ron Patterson, Post 446; Jeff Brooks, Post 260; Dr. Calvin Louis Kelly, Post 148; Jesse R. Booker, Post 148; Philip R. Shea, Jr., Post 297; William Jr. Orr, Post 64; Billy G. Long, Post 241, Ron Coomer, Post 73; Katie Dya, Post 73; William Billings, Post 296, and Joseph Fuller, Post 4.
 
Post Service Officer Award Nominations: Each year, the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission (VA&R) and The American Legion Department of Indiana acknowledges the contributions of exceptional post service officers with a national Meritorious Service Citation and a department post service officer award certificate. Posts may nominate their post service officers by completing the “American Legion Department of Indiana Post Service Officer Award Nomination” form.  You may obtain copies of the nomination forms by contacting The American Legion Department Service Office at 317-916-3605, or by printing one found on the Service Office page of the American Legion Department of Indiana website: https://www.indianalegion.org/  
 
Veterans Service Information at the Department Spring Conference: The Spring the fee purchase care section of their local VA Medical Center to reconsider payment of those expenses using the January 2018 revisions of 38 CFR Part 17.
  
Electronic Application for Discharge Upgrade or Correction of Military Records: Veterans who received less than a fully honorable discharge often have a strong case for a discharge upgrade especially if they can show their discharge was connected to any of the following categories:
  • Mental health conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Sexual assault or harassment during military service
  • Sexual orientation (including under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy)
Those veterans may start the discharge upgrade process by entering completely confidential information at: https://www.vets.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/questions
Veterans who would rather have representation with a discharge upgrade or military records correction claims, however, might want to contact their local County Veterans Service Office or The American Legion Veterans Service office.
 
VA Benefit Payment Schedule:   VA education, compensation, pension, and survivor’s benefits are paid on a monthly basis. Normally, benefits for a particular month are paid the first business day of the following month. When the first business day of the month falls on a non-business day or a holiday, VA benefits will be paid on the last business day prior to the first of the month.
 
Homeless Veterans National Call Center: Homeless veterans may now call a VA National Homeless Veterans Call Center at: 877-424-3838. The call center is open 24 hours a day where a specialist can connect the veteran with services and support. 
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Highlights of Benefits Won with American Legion Representation

The American Legion Department of Indiana Veterans Service Office consists of a staff of seven full-time employees responsible for ensuring veterans receive their earned benefits. The following are a few examples of benefits won that veterans might not have otherwise received if not for our department service office staff.

  • Limiting Issues Results in Favorable Decision:  A veteran had filed a claim pertaining to eight different medical issues. Several of the issues had sufficient merit, but other issues contained almost no merit and essentially served only to prolong the appeal process.  Department Service Officer Bryce Hullett had discussed these issues several times with VA rating officials, written a brief in the veteran’s behalf, and represented the veteran at a Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) hearing.  Bryce had convinced the veteran to withdraw the issues having no merit clearing the way for the VA BVA judge to grant a 100% Individual Unemployability rating. This resulted in VA paying the veteran a one-time retroactive benefit of $160,572 and increasing his monthly benefit by $2,915.  Without Byrce’s help, a decision on the veteran’s claim could have been prolonged several more months or even years while VA searched for evidence concerning other issues that could never had been granted. (V: 29)

  • Service Officer’s Persistence Wins Benefits:  While reviewing a VA rating decision, Department Service Officer Bryce Hullett noticed VA had denied a veteran service connection for tinnitus (chronic noise in the ears) due to a VA examiner’s opinion that the veteran’s non-service connected hearing loss caused the tinnitus.  The veteran’s military occupation exposed him to a significant amount noise for prolonged periods of time. Knowing that noise exposure can also cause tinnitus, Bryce asked the VA rater to request a medical opinion concerning if the veteran’s in-service noise exposure could have also as likely caused the tinnitus.  The rating official refused to request the clarifying medical opinion.  Bryce then when to the VA rater’s supervisor who sided with the rater.  Being sure they were wrong, Bryce brought this issue to the attention of the VA Service Center Manager’s office and the VA Quality Review Team. Only then did VA agree to request a clarifying medical opinion. A favorable opinion returned allowing VA to grant service connection for the veteran’s tinnitus and assigning a 10% compensation rating payable at $133.57 per month.  The decision also paved the way for the veteran to receive full VA health care benefits for any medical condition, and special state benefits, such as, a property tax exemption.  Without the help of a dedicated, knowledgeable, and determined veterans service officer, this veteran could had very well accepted VA’s denial and failed to receive his entitled benefits. (V:69559)

  • VA is Not Always Willing to Properly Apply Their Own Rules:  VA proposed reducing a veteran’s compensation rating for his mental health condition from 100% disabling to 50%. The veteran had been rated more than 11 years at 100%, and the monthly reduction would have been $2,118.  Department Service Officer John Hickey represented the veteran at a pre-determination hearing. He reminded the hearing office that reduction would violate the provision of 38 CFR 3.343(a) since even if the veteran’s condition had improved; improvement had not been brought about under the ordinary conditions of daily life.  The regulation indicates if a 100% rating has been in effect for 5 or more years, VA cannot reduce the benefit until a second examination confirmed improvement following a period of employment of 3 to 6 months. The veteran had not held substantial gainful employment for more than 11 years.  The hearing officer, however, ignored the regulation, and confirmed the reduction. John brought this to the attention of the VA Service Center Manager, who took immediate action.  VA restored the 100% rating, and also agreed not to schedule the veteran for further reevaluation examinations. The veteran’s service connected disability made it impossible for him to work and he had relied on receiving benefits at the 100% rate for more than a decade. If the reduction would have taken place, the veteran would have been financially devastated by the loss more than $25,000 per year.  Now, not only will he keep his 100% rating, he does not have to worry about undergoing future reevaluation examinations. (V: 5266)

  • Certain Zero Percent Ratings Warrant Compensation Benefits:  While reviewing a VA rating decision, Department Service Officer John Hickey noticed that VA rightfully granted a 0% compensation rating for a veteran’s “loss of use of a creative organ,” but neglected to grant a mandatory Special Monthly Compensation rating that would pay an added $105 per month. John brought this to the attention of the VA rating specialist who immediately included the additional award. Without proper representation, the veteran would have likely never had known he was entitled to the additional benefit and he would have failed to receive over $1,200 year after year in compensation benefits. (V:1575)  

  • Department Service Officer Finds Significant Rating Error: Department Service Officer Steve Hicks conducts thorough reviews of VA rating decisions before they are finalize.  During one such review, Steve found the VA rating official provided a veteran only a 10% compensation rating for residuals of cancer. Knowing the law requires the assignment of a 100% rating for active service connected cancer, Steve went one step further than just reviewing the rating decision. He also reviewed the last compensation examination report and the veteran’s medical records.  Sure enough, Steve found evidence of the veteran’s cancer being active. Steve brought this to the attention of the rating official who, at first, hesitated in changing the decision. At Steve’s insistence, the rating office discussed this matter with her supervisor. The supervisor agreed with Steve, and, within one hour, VA changed the rating from 10% to 100%.  This action resulted in the veteran receiving a retroactive benefit of $8,833 and a recurring monthly benefit of $3,139.  The monthly benefits are $2,870 more than the veteran would have received if Steve had not found VA’s rating error. (V: 69256)
​
  • Thorough Rating Review Wins Veteran Additional Benefits: A veteran has one year to file a formal claim after supplying VA an “Intent to File” (ITF) notice.  If VA grants a formal claim filed within that one year period, VA must pay benefits effective from the date VA received the ITF notice.  While reviewing a VA rating decision, Department Service Office Cathy Kynard noticed that VA granted a veteran’s claim but only from the formal claim date instead of the date VA received the ITF.  Cathy immediately brought this to VA’s attention winning the veteran another $544 that he would have not likely received without Cathy’s quick action. (V:70140)      
  • National Training for Department Service Officers Pays off Big for Former World War II POW:   Department Service Officer Steve Hicks knew what appeared as a favorable VA rating decision for a former POW had actually failed to consider all possible benefits. The veteran had filed for entitlement to Special Monthly Pension (an income based benefit for seriously disabled wartime era veterans), and VA granted that claim within 12 days. Steve, however, knew former POWs are entitled to “presumptive service connection” for many medical conditions that develop any time after service discharge, and the veteran had many of these conditions. Steve therefore contacted and asked Laporte County Veterans Service Officer George Watkins to help the veteran file new claims for service connection of the POW presumptive medical conditions.  George contacted the veteran, helped him put together a fully developed claim, and sent that claim to The American Legion Veterans Service Office for filing with VA.  Steve then asked VA officials to help expedite the processing of this 96 year old veteran’s claim.  VA granted that claim within two weeks.  Here is the good part: VA granted service connection for the veteran’s multiple medical conditions at the highest Special Monthly Compensation rating possible (SMC R2) paying a “monthly” benefit of $8,510.  This is $6,680 more a month or $80,160 more a year than what the veteran would have received in VA non-service connected pension benefits. Steve credits his ability to win claims such as these to training received at our American Legion Department Service Officers’ schools in cooperation with the National Veterans Legal Services Program. (V: 70766)

  • Service Officer Finds “small” Error, Resulting in Veteran Receiving 5-Digit Award Adjustment:  Veterans have one year to file a formal claim after providing VA an “Intent to file” (ITF) notice using a VA Form 21-0966. Department Service Officer Steve Hicks reminded VA of this fact when VA attempted to assign a veteran an effective date of benefits from the date VA received the formal claim instead of the date VA received the ITF.  Due to Steve’s attention to detail, VA had to pay the veteran $11,238 more than it would have if the error had not been found. (V: 58568)

  • Veteran Gains from Service Officer’s Knowledge of More than Just VA Benefits:    VA compensation reduces military retirement pay dollar for dollar, but veterans are entitled to return of that money in Department of Defense Concurrent Receipt Disability Pay (CRDP) if they have a service connected disability rating of 50% or more. While workings with a 70% service connected disable military retire, Department Service Officer John Hickey found that VA withheld payment of retroactive benefits because the veteran had been receiving his full military retirement pay without the offset. This, however, prevented the veteran from receiving CRDP during the otherwise retroactive benefit period.  The veteran had failed to file an official request for compensation pay in lieu of military retirement pay. After learning this, John filed that request with VA in April 2015. When VA failed to act, John reminded VA of the pending issue.  In January 2018, VA finally paid the veteran the retroactive benefit due of $14,906.14.  In addition, the veteran now receives his full VA compensation benefits, his military retirement pay benefit minus the amount paid in VA compensation, plus a separated CRDP payment from the Department of Defense paying the amount withheld from the veteran’s military retirement benefit. If not for the help of a highly knowledgeable American Legion Department Service Officer, the veteran may have never received his retroactive VA payment and his monthly DOD CRDP payments. (V:56370)

  • Staying Current with VA Regulations and Rules Win Benefits:  VA recently changed its operations manual by instructing all rating officials to assign at least a minimum compensable rating when there is evidence of a painful service connected major joint, such as, an elbow, wrist, ankle, shoulder, etc.  For most joints, the VA rating schedule assigns a minimum rating of 10%.  Department Service Officer Steve Hicks, however, knew that a 20% rating is the minimum compensable rating for a shoulder joint. Sure enough, a VA rater mistakenly assigned only a 10% rating for a veteran’s painful shoulder joint. Steve brought this to the VA rating official’s attention who immediately corrected the rating by assigned the 20%.  The difference brought the veteran’s combined rating up to 50%. The 50% rating placed him in the highest category for VA health care entitlement where he will no longer have to pay for any VA healthcare services including but not limited to prescription drug co-pays. This also brought the veteran a one-time retroactive payment of $838 and an additional $429 each month. Without the help of a qualified and skillful veterans service officer, this veteran would had likely never known of VA’s error and likely never received his rightfully entitled benefits. (V: 70220)

  • Service Officer Wins Claim for Condition not Specified on Agent Orange List:   Colon cancer is not specifically noted on the Agent Orange presumptive list. Department Service Officer Bryce Hullett, however, found a way for VA to grant service connection for a veteran’s colon cancer as associated with Agent Orange exposure. Through research, Bryce learned the American Cancer Society recognizes various types of cancers affect the colon. Leiomyosarcomas is one of those cancers, and it is a form of soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas are on the Agent Orange presumptive list.  Medical statements confirmed the veteran’s colon cancer as a Leiomyosarcomas. Bryce brought this to VA’s attention when writing his appeal statement to the Board of Veterans Appeals. The Board agreed, granted service connection for the veteran’s colon cancer, and assigned a 100% compensation rating paying a monthly benefit of $2,906. The veteran also received a retroactive benefit of $40,730.   Without the help of a well-qualified service officer, this veteran may not have won his appeal and received his entitled benefits. (V:59427)

Highlights ​of Benefits Won
(Click to Download)
April 2018
April 2017
January 2017
​​​September 2016
March 2016
January 2016
December 2015

Q&A with
Service Office Director
​John Hickey

Service Office FAQs
Q: Describe the general mission of the Indiana Legion Veterans Service Office
A: We find that if not for the service organizations, and specifically the work we do in here, a lot of veterans wouldn’t even know about the benefits that their entitled to in the first place, let alone how to file for those benefits. We provide representation and claims filing assistance for veterans. We can help them with their paperwork, get their claim started, and give them some advice as to how to best win that claim. We follow the claim as it goes through the VA system. We work closely with VA. If we see they’ve made an error or have an issue, we address that immediately to best serve our clients, our veterans. 

Q: Why file a claim? What benefits are available to me?
A: Filing a claim really opens up a lot of doors. If you’re service connected for a disability of 10 percent or more, VA health care services are available to you. You basically gain free medical coverage for just about anything. It opens the door to property tax exemption for wartime era veterans. And, if a veteran has as little as a zero percent service connected disability rating, they can get their children state paid tuition to state supported universities in Indiana. Filing a claim really opens a lot of doors to other benefits for our veterans. 

Q: What can a veteran expect when filing a claim with The American Legion?
A: We first talk with the veteran to find out what it is they want to claim. We then advise them on the best evidence to gather to best win their claim. Lately, it’s been taking VA roughly four months to reach a decision on an initial application. As close as we work with VA, we will see the decision before the veteran does in most cases. We’ll send the veteran correspondence asking if they are satisfied with the VA’s decision or if they’d like to move forward with the claims process. If they do, we’ll take it from there. 

Q: What happens if a benefit claim is denied by VA?
A: A lot of times, when a veteran files a claim on their own, and the VA denies it, the veteran will just accept it. In my case, the government told me what my rating was and I just accepted it. It wasn’t until later on that I discovered I was entitled to a much higher rating. That’s when I really started to become involved with the service organizations. Studies show that veterans that file their claims through a service organization receive up to 50 to 60 percent more than those that file on their own. 

We work with veterans to gather as much paperwork and evidence necessary for VA to approve their claims. But, if a claim is denied, we will guide the veteran through the appeals process. If the veteran is dissatisfied with the VA’s decision then we help with the appeal process. We’ll help the veteran during hearings and, if necessary, we’ll take written briefs on the veteran’s behalf go to the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington D.C.

Q: What advantages do veterans gain by filing VA claims through The American Legion
A: Our service officers are knowledgeable, experienced veterans. We work closely with the VA, in fact we share a hallway. If there is an issue or a mistake on a claim at this VA regional office, we can walk down the hall and talk to the adjudicator, the decision maker, the director, the assistant director, the service center manager, etc. We meet with those officials every month and we have a good working relationship. We work together for the benefit of veterans.

We also ensure our veterans get the medical benefits their entitled to at VA. We work the education systems and benefits, we cooperate with Work One and VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services. We really try to provide a full service and be knowledgeable about any benefits that veterans maybe entitled to help them file. 

Q: What advice would you give to a veteran new to the claims process?
A: First thing a veteran needs to do is find a qualified veteran service officer and file with them. Please don’t file a claim on your own. It’s easy to make a lot of mistakes. The American Legion, Department of Indiana Service Office will file your claim for free regardless of whether you’re a member or not. We’re here to help you avoid mistakes and avoid years of going through the appeals process. We encourage veterans to come in and work with one of our service officers and use our expertise. We can offer advice and inside information on how to best file, the type of evidence required, how to word their statements, etc.

Q: What improvements are being made to expedite the VA claims process?
A: When I first started as a service officer, it was before computers. I can remember typewriters on the desks. We’ve been making the gradual change from paper filings to filing digitally. In the past, we’d have case files several inches thick with paperwork. Today, we have what’s called the Veterans Benefits Management System which allows us to scan in all documentation and reference a veteran across the country to see what information VS has on that individual. This simplifies and organizes the claims process for our veterans now more than ever. For a long time it took VA around two and a half years before they made an initial decision. Lately, VA has been really great about making these decisions in a timely matter. It now takes around four months.

Q: Anything to add?
A: We have a lot of hard working volunteers out there in communities across the state. Each American Legion post has a service officer. These officers can guide you with any questions and help you find the right outlets to file your claim. 

So, gather as much paperwork as you have available to you regarding your claim. Be sure to bring your DD214. If you’re being discharged from service try to get copies of all of your service medical records. If it’s been a long time since you’ve been out of service, and you’re filing for something that occurred while you were actively serving, be sure to bring your civilian medical records. 

It’s a privilege doing this work, and I really feel that if you asked anyone else in this office they would tell you the same thing. We really enjoy the work of helping veterans. Our veterans deserve it and they can use all the help they can get. Thank you.

About John Hickey
Shortly after high school, John was drafted as an infantryman in the U. S. Army and deployed to Vietnam.  Roughly six months into his combat tour, he was shot twice and redeployed to the United States where he finished his two year active duty obligation at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  John returned to school under VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation program and obtain and undergraduate degree in paralegal technology while working as veteran service officer. With more than 30 years’ experience, John is one of the nation’s top veterans service officers (VS0)s. He and this team of highly qualified experienced VSOs truly care about their mission; providing service to service members and veterans.