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VETERAN BENEFITS & ASSISTANCE

Veteran Benefits & Assistance

Originally founded in 1899 as the American Veterans of Foreign Service, the Veterans of Foreign Wars continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families.
 
Certified Advocates
Throughout the State of Michigan and at the VA Regional Office in Detroit, VFW Service Officers that are Accredited and Certified by the VA fight for the rights of our Nations veterans on a daily basis.  These highly trained professionals, specializing in all programs administered by the VA stand ready and willing to provide whatever VA benefits assistance is required!  These services are available at no cost to veterans or their dependents! Nor does one have to be a member of the VFW to receive our services.
 
From a simple request of a discharge document to a case with complicated issues that may require extensive medical and Court Cases research, we will exhaust all means to obtain a favorable decision.  In the event a claim is denied we will represent the case through the appellate process to the Board of Veterans Appeals (VBA) and if not successful to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) if warranted.
 
How VFW Service Officers Advocate for You:
  • Help you identify issues and develop evidence
  • Answer your requests for assistance
  • File your claims with VA in a timely manner
  • Review your rating decision for accuracy
 
What We Will Do:
  • During your interview, WE WILL review your information and inform you of what benefits you should claim as well as any other benefits that may be available
  • WE ARE trained VA benefits experts who have access to VA computer systems in order to provide you with the information you need for your claim to succeed
  • WE WILL submit your claim to VA in a timely manner to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit to which you are entitled
  • WE WILL conduct a thorough review of your decision before VA sends it to you.  The VFW has a 90% success rate in correcting errors, helping you avoid the lengthy appeals process
  • If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of your claim, WE WILL help you appeal VA's decision


Please feel free to contact a VFW Representative for help with filing a claim for VA benefits, VA health care and all eligible VA benefits at:

Des Moines

Ben Dales
State Service Officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars

557 Federal Building
210 Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: (515) 323-7545
Cell: (515) 689-4029
Fax: (515) 323-7405
Benjamin.Dales@va.gov

Iowa City

Rich Davis
State Service Officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars

Phone: (319) 339-7063
Cell: (515) 971-6601
Richard.Davis6@va.gov

 
Our well-trained, VA Accredited VFW Representatives are ready to assist you with you! Please feel free to contact us!

 
NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS!

   
BUDDY TO BUDDY PROGRAM
The Buddy to Buddy Program is set up to help veterans that may need the support of another veterans to help them handle transition from military to civilian life.  Please click on the links provided for more information.
 

 
 
BENEFITS & SERVICES
  Federal Benefits for Veterans & Dependents

   
    Burial Benefits

     
    Community-Based VA Vet Centers
    Health Care Benefits
   
      Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan
     
   
    PTSD - VA Informational Site
    Life Insurance Benefits
    OEF / OIF Service Members
    Survivor & Dependent Benefits
    VA Benefits and Services
       
 
    Check the status of your VA claim online

 
 

  Federal Benefits for Dependents and Survivors
 
       
  Health Care
    Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors (SSI)

VA Health Benefits
    PTSD / Stress Management
    Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR)
    TRICARE Benefit Info

 
       
  Long-Term Care
    Aid & Attendance Benefit
    Armed Forces Retirement Home, Eligibility
    Family Caregiver Program for Post-9/11 Veterans
    Iowa Veterans Home

  National Resource Directory, Benefits & Compensation
  Operation Uplink To Request a Card, call 800-479-5228 800-479-5228
       
  Prior Service Connected Medical Conditions
   
      Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure
       
        Agent Orange Health Care Registry Exam for Veterans
        Agent Orange Herbicide Tests & Storage Outside of Vietnam
       
        Korean Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange (Between 1968 to 1971)
      Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
        Illnesses Related to Gulf War Service
        Gulf War Health Care Registry Exam for Veterans
        VA Recognizes 'Presumptive' Illnesses in Iraq & Afghanistan
       
   
    VA Board of Veterans' Appeals
       
 
 
  Iowa Department of Veteran Affairs
 
  VA Burial Benefits
    Military Burial Benefits, Office of the Secretary of Defense
    Types of Headstones & Markers Available
       
  VA Compensation & Pension Benefits
  VA eBenefits
  VA Life Insurance
  VA OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) / OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom)
  VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
  VA Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS)
  VFW Veterans Services
       
  MI Food Stamp Partnership, Info About Michigan's Food Assistance
  MI Helping Hand (Directory of State Services)
  MI Housing Development Authority, Foreclosure Info & Hel
  MI National Guard Family Assistance Centers
  MI Veterans' Trust Fund
    MI Veterans' Trust Fund Brochure
    MI Veterans' Trust Fund Public Directory
       
  National Guard Online Community
  Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
  Salvation Army
  Service Members Civil Relief Act
  Service Members Civil Relief Act
  Service Members Civil Relief Act, Overview, Military.com
  Shelters
  Social Security Administration online
  Social Security Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST)
  United Way, Michigan 2-1-1 Phone Numbers
  United Way, Nationwide 2-1-1 Phone Numbers
  Various Assistance in Michigan
  Veterans Assistance Foundation
 
  VFW Family Assistance
  VFW National Military Services
  VFW National Veterans Service
  VFW Post Military Assistance
  VFW Transitioning to Civilian Life
  VFW Troop Support
 
  Warrior Care, DoD & VA Resources Site
 

VETERAN INFORMATION
  All Veteran information Category Files
  All Veteran Research Category Files
  Census News
  Hiring People with Criminal Record
  Historical Documents of Interest to Veterans
  Laws Protecting Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities
  Locating Veterans & Service Members
  Military Discharge, Upgrade Application
  Military Records & Discharges, Correction Application
  National Gravesite Locator
  Prior Service Connected Medical Issues
  Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses
  Replacement Military Records
  Replacement Medical Records
  Replacement Military Awards & Decorations (National Archives)
  Replacement Military Awards and Discharge Documents (MI)
  Social Security Credit for Military Service (1957 - 2001)
  U.S. Dept of Justice - Rights of Servicemembers and Veterans
 
  Veteran Data and Information
  Veteran & Active Duty Information, J. Jones
  Women Veterans
    HISA Packet updated 7-1-15.pdf