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Veterans Services

VA Claims Process: Below is some advice from other vets that have been successful navigating the VA claims process.

The first step for a vet wanting to win a VA claim is to find a VSO (Veteran Service Officer). These folks are experts that do not work for the VA. They are veteran's advocates that work for the VFW, DAV, American Legion, etc. They can often be found in VA hospitals or county offices. They will ask for a copy of you DD-214.

The second step is to file a claim for a presumptive disease or a non-contestable issue like tinnitus. If the claim is not going to be automatically granted (presumptive or non-contestable), you need to have a condition that occurred in service and be able to prove it - such as gunshot wound residuals or PTSD; in short, an official diagnosis and a nexus.

A nexus or service connection is imperative. This might be a doctor's statement that states that your condition more likely than not was the result of your service. Perhaps the best advice is to immediately take any correspondence that you get from the VA directly to your VSO.  Trying to respond to the VA yourself can be very discouraging. The VSO knows how to deal with VA correspondence.

After you contact a Veteran Service Officer (VSO), you can ask your Member of Congress or Senator to place a congressional flash on the claim to expedite the claim if you:

  • Can prove financial hardship (late bills)
  • Impending homelessness (notice to quit or late mortgage notice)
  • Claimant is over 88 years old
  • Former POW
  • Hospice/end of life care letter from doctor

The congressional flash and assistance from Congressman Courtney's office will ensure it is completed as fast as possible. Please call Congressman Courtney's office at 860-886-0139 and speak with his Vet Rep to expedite a claim at the VA.

VA Pensions: The non-service connected pension is for very vulnerable veterans that live at the poverty line. Ask a VSO for assistance with this application too.

Online Tutoring: The U.S. Department of Defense provides online tutoring from Tutor.com at no cost to DoD service members. Eligible students can connect to a live tutor online at any time for one-to-one help with homework, test prep, proofreading and more in  40+ subjects. Click here to learn more.

Puppies Behind Bars: Prison inmates train service dogs for wounded veterans and explosive detection canines for law enforcement. Click here for information.

FREE Acupuncture for Veterans and Military: Click here for information.

Horse Feathers Veterans Program specializes in helping veterans with post-traumatic stress and/or with physical challenges. Contact HorseFeathers@RayOfLightFarm.org or call Evelyn Bailey, Asst. Director (860) 581-0902 or Jackie Mickiewicz, Coordinator (860) 550-1955.

The Department of Homeland Security is hiring veterans: Click here to go to their website.

Train as a Volunteer to Help Hospice Patients: Click here for information.

Shop Online: Benefits Honorably Discharged Veterans. Click here for information.

UCONN School of Business Course: Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. Click here for information.

If you spent time at Camp Lejeune here are additional healthcare resources available to you & your family if you qualify.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued another warning: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have issued another warning to veterans about the latest scam against veterans.  Scammers have come up with another manipulative strategy to rip-off veterans. According to VA executives, the scam seems to working on all cylinders, and with great success in getting veterans to hand over money. Veterans have been contacting their local VA’s in droves so far this month complaining about being ripped off by VA employees. In contacting veterans, the scammers are posing as VA representatives and offering VA loans to veterans.  The catch, the veteran must pay up front fees to cover administrative costs of processing the “VA Loan.”  Of course, there is no VA Loan, and veterans find themselves out of fees ranging from $75 to $675.  It appears the scammers will get as much money from the veteran as the veteran will give.