Veteran Service Officer (VSO)

VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS (VSO)

Accredited American Legion Service Officers are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families. While the majority of a service officer’s work involves an application for VA disability benefits, these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals, and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits, and other important topics.

If you have been told your military records are lost, call the VA at (844) 531-7818.

Department of California VSO’s

Department Service Officer
Matt Jackson: dso@calegion.org

Oakland Regional Office
Raven Friend: (510) 637-6443 | raven.friend@va.gov

Fresno VA Medical Center
VACANT

Los Angeles Regional Office
Cynthia Browne: (310) 235-6000 ext. 48041 | cynthia.browne1@va.gov
Sheila Patterson: (310) 235-6000 ext. 48043 | sheila.patterson@va.gov

West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
Steve Ramirez: (562) 844-1320 | steve.ramirez@va.gov | laccsvrdirvso@gmail.com

Sepulveda VA Medical Center
Victoya Trotter: (562) 844-1321 | laccvso.victoyatro1321@yahoo.com

Long Beach VA Medical Center
Nancy Perez-Larios: (562) 844-1322 | laccvso.lariosn@gmail.com

Loma Linda / Redlands VA Ambulatory Care Center
Josie Thomas: (909) 894-7856 | josephine.thomas2@va.gov

San Diego Regional Office
Chris Garza: (619) 400-5302 | christopher.garza@va.gov
Mirna Porter-Cuen (Administrative Assistant): (619) 400-5301 | mirna.porter-cuen@va.gov

La Jolla VA Medical Center
Ron Harrell: (858) 642-6452 | ronald.harrell@va.gov

Click the link below to contact the county veteran’s service office nearest you:

Veterans Benefit Claims

Veterans need not be alone in their battles for benefits and medical care. Veterans are often forced to wage war against the paperwork and bureaucracy of government in order to get medical care or benefits. Here’s some good news: American Legion Service Officers offer free advice and guidance for veterans who need to deal with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Important documents that may be needed to support a VA disability claim. Please have the following ready when you make your call to discuss VA benefits:

• • DD-214 
    A DD-214 is issued at your time of separation from the military.) ***
  • Service Medical Records
    (Outpatient), dental records, entrance and separation examination reports.
  • Personnel File
  • Line of Duty (LOD) investigation reports
  • Overseas or Temporary Duty (Travel) Orders

VA&R Publication found on The American Legion website.

• • Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Publications *

*** Separating personnel should ensure that all of the information (including awards, overseas time, campaigns, RE code, etc.) on the DD 214 is correct before signing. Uncorrected errors may cause problems in the future when applying for VA and other benefits.