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Veterans Advocacy

Helpful Guides:

Help applying for state and federal benefits:

Veterans’ Agents

Veterans’ Agents (or “Veterans’ Services Officers”) are available in every city and town in the Commonwealth to help veterans access federal and state benefits (mandated by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 115). The expertise of Veterans’ Agents varies dramatically, however, as smaller communities have part-time agents only. If your local Veterans’ Agent is less experienced, you may wish to pursue help from an Agent in a neighboring community or from a Veterans’ Services Organization (VSO). A town-by-town directory of Veterans’ Agents is available at this Department of Veterans Services web link: www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteransutilities&L=1&sid=Eveterans&U=veteransagents_A

US Army Wounded Warrior Program

The US Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2, formerly the Disabled Soldier Support System) provides soldiers seriously disabled (by hostile or non-hostile causes) with free, expert, special advocacy help with enrolling for benefits and linking with support services. AW2 Soldier Family Advocates are available to severely disabled soldiers and their families, including soldiers disabled by disease or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Call 1-800-237-1336 or e-mail, AW2@hoffman.army.mil.
www.armyfamiliesonline.org/skins/WBLO/display.aspx?Action=display_page. . .

Information on benefits and eligibility:

The Veterans’ Affairs Benefits Hotline:

(800) 827-1000*

This is a good resource for all but residents of southeastern Massachusetts (Nantucket, Barnstable, Bristol and Dukes counties). There’s “a bug in the system”; the phone company connects these residents to the Boston VA Regional Office even though the Veterans Benefits Administration serves them through the Providence Road Island Regional Office only. Southeastern Massachusetts residents may get help by calling the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services representative in RI at 401-223-3685 (Dick Early).

Help appealing a VA claim denial:

  • Resources on the appeals process
    To appeal a denial to a VA claim, contact your preferred Veterans Services Organization (below) and download the pamphlets: “Understanding the Appeal Process” and “How Do I Appeal,” available from the US Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov/vbs/bva/pamphlet.htm. Appeals are reviewed by the VA’s Board of Veterans Appeals (www.va.gov/vbs/bva). If the Board decision does not go your way, the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (www.vetapp.uscourts.gov) may review the Board’s decisions. Unfortunately appeals are backlogged and can typically take two or more years to resolve.
  • Veterans’ Services Organizations (VSOs)
     Veterans’ Services Organizations (VSOs) are private organizations with staff or volunteers at regional VA offices, hospitals, and communities to help veterans file a claim for benefits or file an appeal to a denial. They are referred to as “service representatives” and are often older veterans themselves. 8 private VSOs have service representatives at the Boston VA Regional Office* (JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203). Services are free of charge and do not require membership with the Veterans’ Services Organization. These include:

In addition, Massachusetts has its own Department of Veterans’ Services, a state-run VSO, which also staffs a representative at the Boston VA Regional Office: 617-303-5544 www.mass.gov/veterans

*Note: if you are a resident of Nantucket, Barnstable, Bristol, or Dukes counties in Massachusetts, you are served by the Providence RI Regional Office (380 Westminister Mall, Providence, RI 02903). A good starting place for veterans service assistance from this office is: Dick Early, Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, 401-223-3685.

  • National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates
    Unfortunately it’s not easy to find free or paid attorneys to represent veterans through the appeals process. If you are appealing a denial for benefits you may wish to find a paid lawyer who specializes in veteran benefits cases through the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates. Some will work on a contingency basis (they are paid when you are paid). Contact 1-800-810-8387 for a referral. www.vetadvocates.com

Help appealing the quality of your care from a VA medical facility:

  • Patient Advocates
     The appeals process is appropriate for decisions on a veteran’s eligibility for medical care or reimbursement for medical services. However, decisions about the appropriateness of medical care, such as whether a veteran needs a specific type of AT service or device, cannot be effectively pursued through the Board of Veterans Appeals. These are instead pursued through the administrative channels of the Veterans Health Administration (www.va.gov/health). Your best starting place is to ask for and work with the Patient Advocate assigned to your VA medical facility. Each VA medical center has one.
  • Congressional  Representatives
    Veterans who are frustrated with the quality of their care or inability to access care sometimes pursue their federal congressional representative for constituent advocacy services. Veterans who pursue this route have generally exhausted existing channels within their VA medical facility. Constituent advocates from congressional offices can help veterans get answers and/or access better services from the Veterans Health Administration.  Their effectiveness will vary case-by-case. To find who your Massachusetts representative is and their contact information visit www.congressmerge.com.