What is a VSO?
Preserved from the legacy Treasure Coast educational section.
VA partners include many service organizations that can help veterans fill out VA forms, explain benefits, and provide a wide range of support for veterans and their dependents.
The legacy page stated that the VA website contains a list of both VA-recognized and non-recognized service organizations. A recognized organization can legally represent a claimant before the VA, while a non-recognized organization can provide information but cannot serve as the claimant’s representative before VA.
It also explained that a veteran may choose any recognized organization for help with a claim and may contact that organization directly or call the VA toll-free number to find a local office.
Recognized service organizations have trained personnel who can help with VA claims and generally do not charge for that assistance. If unusual expenses are involved, the veteran should ask about reimbursement policies.
If a veteran wants to appoint a recognized service organization as a representative, the legacy page said the organization or VA would provide VA Form 21-22 for that appointment.