Veterans Service Representative

This position is located in the Veterans Benefits Administration. The Veterans Service Representative works in a Veterans Service Center, Pension Management Center, Benefits Eligibility Support Team, or Integrated Disability Evaluation System Program Division. The position explains benefit programs and entitlement criteria, reviews claims, identifies issues, gathers evidence, conducts interviews, adjudicates claims, inputs award data, and prepares decision letters for Veterans.

To qualify for the GS-0996-07 position you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in the federal, state and/or private setting. Specialized experience is defined as the interpretation or application of laws, regulations, or procedures to analyze evidence to make determinations and research routine issues to resolve discrepancies. Examples of experience include:

• Using various computer systems for data entry and maintaining/monitoring case files.
• Applies use of federal laws when processing compensation and benefit claims for a state or federal agency, insurance company, worker's compensation, disability, retirement or pension programs.
• Determines basic employment qualifications and eligibility for benefit programs.

Education Substitution:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have:

• One full year of graduate level education that demonstrates the competencies necessary to do the work of the position.
• A Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (3.0 GPA or higher). Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) is based on:
  1) class standing,
  2) grade point average, or
  3) honor society membership.

Combining

Education & Experience:

If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g., have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement.  for more information.

To qualify for the GS-0996-09 position you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in the federal, state and/or private setting. Specialized experience is defined as experience which requires the interpretation of legal and medical documentation to determine the claimant’s eligibility for services and benefits programs. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Determining the eligibility for Federal or State-administered benefits, such as disability, education, housing, medical, and/or Veterans’ benefits.
• Interpreting and applying Federal and State laws, including case law, existing statutes and procedures, and precedent rulings, to process claims pertaining to a service program.
• Gathering and requesting evidence to build service program case files, respond to claimant inquiries and identify errors, inconsistencies, or omissions.
• Explaining Federal or State claims decisions to claimants, special interest groups, dependents and/or representatives in an effort to gain acceptance of the determination.

Education Substitution:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have:

• A master's or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university.
• Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of an LL.B. or J.D. degree, if related. Graduate-level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position.

Combining

Education & Experience:

If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g., have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement.  for more information.

To qualify for the GS-0996-10 position you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in the federal, state and/or private setting. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating competence in adjudicating Veterans' claims. Specialized experience is typically gained in…