Post Service Officer, Darl (Randy) Clawson

To introduce myself, I am a Veteran of the US Navy, retired after 21.5 years of service, and a Veteran of the Vietnam War.  In that war I served on two Aircraft carriers, USS Coral Sea (CVA 43), and USS Midway (CVA 41). I was a photographer.

After retiring in 1989, I spent twenty years in Federal Civil Service with the Social Security Administration, and another five, with the Veteran’s Administration.  My position with the VA was too junior to make me responsible for any issue that might have anyone unhappy with that agency.

Now I am honored and happy to serve in the capacity of Post Service Officer for my post, 6785, Kent Meridian.  I also happen to be a part time employee of the VFW, as a service officer stationed at the VA Hospital in Seattle.

As a Post Service Officer, I welcome questions about the VA, about VA disability benefits and other types of VA benefits, and offer any assistance I can give with these things.  If anyone does wish to apply for VA benefits, the easiest way may be to come to my office in the VA Hospital, Seattle, where I will have all my reference material at hand.

• My hours are
  • VFW State HQ, Fife, WA,  Tuesdays , 8:30 to 2:00 PM
  • VA Hospital, Seattle, on Thursday’s & Fridays, 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM

 

Randywithvfw@hotmail.com    206 851 4484

VFW Service officer information

As the largest organization of combat veterans, we understand the frustrations that can arise with making a VA claim. That’s why our National Veterans Service (NVS) was created. Our nationwide network of skilled VFW Veterans Service Officers helps you wade through all the bureaucratic red tape, offering you a better opportunity to get the disability claim you deserve.

You don’t even need to be a VFW member to take advantage of this free service. As a veteran, this is a service you’ve earned.

A VFW Service Officer will:

• Offer research and advice to veterans who wish to handle their own claims.
• Assist veterans who are filing original claims for compensation and/or
  pension with the Department of Veterans Affairs and complete the required
  VA forms on behalf of the claimant.
• Assist veterans in reopening claims for service-connected disabilities and
  complete the required VA forms.
• Follow up on status of claims filed by veterans with the VA Regional Office.
• File Notice of Disagreement with the VA Regional Office if a veteran
  believes the decision made by the VA was incorrect.
• Review statements of the case from the VA regarding denials of claim and
  assist veterans with the preparation of responses.
• Assist veterans or surviving spouses in the preparation of appeals for
  denial of claims and file the appeals with the local VA Regional Office for forwarding to the Board
  of Veterans Appeals in Washington, D.C.
• Complete VA Forms other than for original claims.
• Answer/research telephone inquiries regarding medical, death/burial and
  other miscellaneous benefits.