SPOTLIGHT on SERVICE Decisions ON THE SPOT Air Force veteran Ron Shelton (right) was able to complete a claim on site at the 96th DAV National Convention with the help of Brandon McKinney, a national service officer. DAV and VA work together to provide expedited claims service at 96th DAV National Convention By Charity Edgar N ational service officers brought life-changing benefits assistance to veterans at DAV’s annual national convention. And for the first time ever, claim adjudicators from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs were also on site to help expedite and finalize claims on the spot at this year’s event in New Orleans. “With so many members attending the DAV national convention each year, it only makes sense to bring our renowned claims assistance along with us,” said National Service Director Jim Marszalek. “We were delighted to have not only our staff on site, but our partners at the VA as well, in order to best serve veterans.” This year, the VA provided staff at the event, including decision review officers and raters who could expedite and finalize claims, enabling service officers to provide ready-to-rate cases to them for consideration in real time. “When DAV approached me about this idea, I immediately saw an opportunity for two organizations with one common goal to work together and improve the claims process for veterans on the spot,” said Rob Reynolds, DAV past national commander and current deputy assistant secretary for disability assistance at the Veterans Benefits Administration. “The true credit DAV.ORG | belongs to the strong partnership between DAV and the New Orleans regional office employees, who helped make the event a success.” National service officers met with more than 300 veterans at the 96th DAV National Convention in New Orleans. Senior Associate National Service Officer Brandon McKinney, based out of Togus, Maine, was one of the DAV staff members who provided claims assistance. “When I first enrolled in VA benefits, someone helped me,” explained the Air Force veteran. “I’m paying it forward. That’s why we [service officers] are chosen for this job. Every single one of us wants to help veterans get the benefits they are eligible for through service.” Hayward “Ron” Shelton was one of the first veterans McKinney met with in the Big Easy. It was the first national convention for the DAV life member from Chapter 6 in Hampton, Va., who was encouraged to attend by his wife Patricia, who serves as the adjutant of DAV Auxiliary Unit 6, and Past Chapter Commander Derek Mackey. After Shelton, an Air Force veteran, retired from the U.S. Postal Service, his wife had convinced Mackey, who had served as best man at the Shelton wedding, to get him out of the house. “And boy did he ever!” said Patricia Shelton, who @DAVHQ | @DAVETERANS 5 FACEBOOK.COM/DAV |
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Decisions ON THE SPOT
Charity Edgar
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