Rod Thompson is offering to assist BATFISH shipmates in any veterans benefits issues or questions you may have. Rod is not a certified Veteran Service Officer, but can do some initial research to provide some information to you or provide some recommendations on how to proceed with your questions or concerns. Rod has encountered many veterans who believe a servicemember needs to “retire” after a military career to receive benefits, and that is not the case. If you served, you should receive the benefits that you have earned and deserve (with few exceptions). And there are some states or localities that provide additional benefits that you can consider.
Some of the more common questions Rod has encountered from other veterans include the following:
How do I get an “official” copy of my DD-214(s)? Sometimes it is nice to have what the military has filed to compare with your personal records. And if you don’t have a copy of your DD-214, your family will need this at a minimum for veteran burial benefits.
How do I make a correction to my DD-214 if a unit or personal award was not recorded?
What benefits will my spouse have after I am no longer living? Rod has encountered many spouses who are not aware of what they are entitled to vis-à-vis veteran spousal benefits.
How do I register my veteran status with the Veterans Administration (VA)?
Where do I locate a qualified/certified Veteran Services Officer (VSO)? Rod will help locate a VSO in your area from the VFW, American Legion, DAV, AMVETS or other organizations who have certified VSOs to process your benefits claim with the Veterans Administration (VA). Rod’s advice is to use a VSO to process your claim with the VA. Rod believes the VA has two stamps – “ACCEPTED” if you file with a VSO, “REJECTED” if you file on your own. And even if you don’t have any disabilities, filing with the VA has some benefits such as access to health care and medications if that is useful for you.
Or any other questions you may have. Rod will do his best to give you information you can use to go to the “next steps” in the process.
Rod’s contact information is as follows: email: rod.thompson@charter.net (email is preferred), cell phone: 618-210-8905
And if you happen to be familiar with veteran benefits from your experiences, please send your name and contact information to the comments and questions form and I can add your contact information here as additional resources to help our shipmates get started or answer some questions.