How to find a free County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) to help with VA claims
CVSOs (County Veterans Service Officers) are FREE government employees trained by the VA to help veterans file disability claims, PACT Act presumptive claims, and access state veteran benefits. 4 steps to find your nearest CVSO and what to bring to your first appointment.
What you'll need
- DD-214 (any copy — long-form preferred)
- Photo ID
- Current medical diagnoses + provider list
- Phone (CVSOs often work by appointment)
Step-by-step
Step 1: Find your nearest CVSO
Start at warriorsfund.org/best-of/{your-state} or use Wounded Warriors' resource search at warriorsfund.org/resources/?type=benefits-offices. Most CVSOs are at your county courthouse or county-government building. They're typically funded by the county, sometimes by the state. Service is FREE — you should never be charged.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment
Most CVSOs work by appointment, not walk-in. Call ahead. Initial appointments typically last 30-60 minutes. Some counties have wait lists 2-4 weeks long, especially after PACT Act expansions. If your county CVSO is booked far out, also try VFW (vfw.org), American Legion (legion.org), DAV (dav.org), or AMVETS (amvets.org) — all also free, all VA-accredited.
Step 3: Bring required documents to the appointment
Required: DD-214 (any copy, long-form preferred), photo ID, list of medical providers. Helpful: existing VA claim/decision documents, list of conditions you want claimed, current medications, any deployment/unit records, civilian medical records. Once you appoint them (VA Form 21-22), an accredited CVSO can view your VA claim file and request records for you.
Step 4: After the appointment
Your CVSO will: (1) review your service record and existing claims; (2) help identify all conditions you can claim; (3) file VA Form 21-526EZ with optimal evidence; (4) submit any supporting forms (21-4138 statements, 21-2680 aid-and-attendance, 21-686c dependent). They'll track the claim and help you respond to VA evidence requests and prepare for C&P exams. Expect 4-6 months for initial decision.
Critical tips
- CVSOs are NOT lawyers. For initial claims, that's fine — accredited attorneys cannot charge for an initial claim anyway, and many veterans never need a lawyer. Some hire one for complex appeals.
- If your CVSO is unavailable, VFW + American Legion + DAV all offer the same free service. Don't pay for help on initial claims.
- CVSOs can also help with non-VA benefits: state property-tax exemptions, hunting/fishing license waivers, education benefits, burial benefits. Ask about everything.