By Peter S. Gaytan

There are hundreds of different Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). Some are all-inclusive, like American Veterans (AMVETS), while others are limited to those who have served during wartime, like the American Legion. Others represent specific religious groups of veterans, for example, Catholic War Veterans, USA, and Jewish War Veterans, USA. Still others recruit members who share a race or ethnicity, such as National Association for Black Veterans, or Italian-American War Veterans of the USA. For some, the focus is on veterans of a certain war, like Veterans of World War I of the USA, and Vietnam Veterans of America. There are groups for dependents of veterans, for example, American Gold Star Wives and Gold Star Mothers. And there are organizations for veterans who are disabled during their service such as Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Without question, there is a group, probably, several groups, that will meet your interests and needs.   

There are two types of VSOs. Those are that chartered, which means they are “Organizations Chartered by Congress and/or Recognized by VA for Claim Representation.” These organizations have staff (volunteer and/or paid) to assist veterans in pursuit of benefits denied. Other Veterans Services organizations are not chartered or recognized by Congress and/or Recognized by VA for Claim Representation. Membership in these groups is also beneficial in ensuring that veterans benefits are secured and protected. The larger the membership, the stronger the voice of advocacy.

The camaraderie of a Veterans Service Organization is always welcome. Being surrounded by others who have shared similar experiences can be comforting. There are extra membership perks, like dental insurance or eye care discounts, in many VSOs. But one of the strongest reasons for joining one or more VSOs is that they represent you before Congress and state legislatures. They are your voices in Washington, D.C., and in state capitols. When the issue of veterans rights and benefits is being debated, VSOs take the lead to make sure that you and your family will not be short-changed.

Besides advocacy, Veterans Service Organizations have trained staff, veterans service officers, who can help you file claims and appeals for VA benefits denied, free of charge. The paperwork is complicated and must be completed carefully in order to be processed. There are deadlines to be met and legal language to be understood. The VA encourages veterans to work with an accredited Veterans Service Officer when filing a claim. Veterans Service Organizations do not require membership in order to access their service officers.

One of the important benefits of belonging to a VSO is the opportunity to give back to those servicemembers who are currently serving. As a veteran, you know the importance of a helping hand, for yourself while on duty, for your family who is coping while you are away. All VSOs have opportunities and programs to support our troops and their families. From financial assistance to volunteers to help with household chores, VSOs offer a wide variety of programs to provide direct assistance swiftly to active-duty, Guard, and reserve servicemembers, as well as veterans and their families.

Some veterans organizations also volunteer to provide final honors for those veterans who have passed away. For many families, this delivery of honors at military funerals is a lasting memory of their loved one’s military service.

Additionally, VSO volunteers plant small U.S. flags at the gravesites of deceased veterans on Memorial Day, as well as Veterans Day each year.

Get involved. It’s good for you, your family, and for your fellow veterans.

Peter S. Gaytan is the author of For Service to Your Country, The Insider’s Guide to Veterans’ Benefits (Citadel, 2008), available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other booksellers. He has served as an advocate in securing and protecting the earned benefits of America’s veterans for more than a decade. Gaytan is the Executive Director of the American Legion, the largest veterans service organization in America.

 *Material released with permission of the authors.