Thursday, August 14, 2008

Help available for local Vets

Agents at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services are fanning out across Northern Virginia to help veterans with filing claims for state and federal veterans benefits. Visits are scheduled at Fort Belvoir and at the Pentagon and Fort Belvoir. Visits to these sites will be at least monthly and, in some cases, weekly.

Additional site visits for assistance are scheduled for the Loudon County Workforce Center, Middleburg Community Center, American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7589 in Manassas as well as in Dahlgren, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Stephens City, Warrenton and Winchester.

Although the DVS has permanent offices in Alexandria, Front Royal, and Quantico, agents spend at least one day every week on the road working with veterans at locations such as American Legion and VFW posts.

Veterans and their family members can find a detailed schedule of DVS agent visits and hours at virginiaforveterans.com or by calling one of the DVS offices.
In short, DVS agents are advocates for veterans and their family members. They help veterans with their paperwork, track claims with the VA and represent veterans if they need to appeal a claim.