VA CLAIMS ASSISTANCE and BENEFITS INFORMATION
Our Veterans Service Officers (VSO’s) serve as a liaison to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) They advise and assist Veterans and family members of their rights and/or obtaining possible benefits through the VA, the State of Ohio and Lorain County.
All of our VSO’s hold accreditation through the Ohio Department of Veterans Services http://dvs.ohio.gov/main/home.html and National Association of Veterans Service Officers.
Services include processing claims for:
Service-connected disability https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/
Non-service Connected Pension for Wartime Veterans, http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp
Survivors Pension, http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/spousepen.asp
Aid & Attendance/Housebound Pension, http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp
Service Connected Compensation, http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/index.asp
Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, https://veteransbonus.ohio.gov/odvs_web/
Notice of Disagreements and Appeals to name a few.
VSO’s also submit an application for:
Military Awards and Medals, https://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals
High School Diploma for War-time Vets,
Upgrading Discharges,
Request Vets Discharge (DD214) https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records and various records as needed.
Benefits may also include but are not limited to:
Burial Benefits https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/index.asp
Education Benefits http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
VA Home Loan http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/index.asp
“PLEASE CALL ONE OF OUR VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS FOR BENEFITS AND CLAIMS INFORMATION AND/OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT”
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS:
Doug Bankston, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
Service Officer
440.284.4302
dbankston@loraincounty.us
Thomas Pearce, U.S. Marine Corps
Service Officer
440.284.4641
tpearce@loraincounty.us
Lawrence J. Amato, U.S. Navy
Service Officer (CVA)
440-328-2347
lamato@loraincounty.us