Veterans Affairs Officer

This position is a bargaining unit position which assists veterans and their dependents with applications for benefits offered by the Federal, State, and County governments.

• Assist veterans/dependents in applying for available federal benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, by initiating or reopening claims.
• Complete initial application, or reopen existing claims, for compensation (service-connected disabilities) or pension (non-service-connected disability).
• Research medical conditions and obtain necessary medical records and statements from physicians to support the claim(s).
• Obtain necessary financial information and corroborating information and documents from the veteran’s former military “buddies”, family members, or other sources.
• Assist eligible veterans in filing substantially complete applications for education benefits through the GI Bill, or vocational rehabilitation programs.
• Contact and assist survivors of a deceased veteran in obtaining death benefits such as burial in a national cemetery, burial allowances, government grave marker, government life insurance proceeds and survivor benefits.
• Advise and assist veterans on all phases of government life insurance.
• Assist a veteran, or the eligible survivor of a veteran, in obtaining Veterans Administration home loan benefits.
• Ensure that all timelines are met so the veteran does not lose any potential benefits.
• Enter all claims information into the Veterans Information System program.
• Keep in contact VA Officials and the veteran’s Power of Attorney (POA) concerning the status of individual claims.
• Assist veterans/dependents in potential appeals of denied claims to the US Department of Veteran Affairs or the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington D.C.
• Assist veterans in obtaining medical, financial, or other information necessary for the appeal.
• Assist veterans in preparation for personal hearings at the VARO, to include accompanying them to the hearing, if necessary.
• Ensure that all timelines are met so the veteran does not lose any potential benefits.
• Assist veterans in obtaining necessary inpatient and outpatient care from the VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCS).
• Assist in completing required paperwork, and obtain all necessary records for the VAMCs or CBOCs to accept the veteran for care as an inpatient or outpatient.
• Work with the VAMCs or CBOCs to schedule necessary appointments for the veteran.
• Work with VA professional in obtaining public health services, home health care, or placement in local nursing homes or the Pennsylvania Veteran Homes.
• Assist veterans in applying for available Pennsylvania State benefits administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (PDMVA), by initiating or reopening claims.
• Complete initial application, or reopen existing claims, for the following state benefits for veterans and their dependents:
  • Emergency Assistance
  • Real Estate Property Tax Exemption
  • Blind Pension
  • Paralyzed Pension
  • Educational Gratuity
  • Other benefits enacted by statute
• Assist Veterans through outreach efforts at local State Legislature Offices
• Effectively fulfill all legal requirements for Veteran Benefits provided for by Pennsylvania Statutes
• Assist veterans and their dependents in applying for County Veteran Benefits:
  • Burial Benefits
  • Veteran
• Attend workshops, seminars, conferences, and training as directed so as to be knowledgeable regarding the latest changes to the Federal and State laws which govern veteran benefits.
• Miscellaneous Duties
• Present information to the different county veterans’ organizations to brief members on changes to existing veteran benefit programs.
• Present information regarding veteran benefits to community organizations at their request.
• Responsible for keeping of office records, including file generation, HIPPA compliance, and retention policy and standards.
• Orders supplies and services for the Luzerne County Veteran Affairs Office as needed.
• Other duties necessary for the efficient operation of the Veteran Affairs Office necessary to provide useful and timely assistance to Luzerne County Veterans and their dependents.