Every U.S. county has a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) — a VA-accredited professional, paid by your county, who files VA claims and benefit paperwork for you at no charge. The fastest way to find yours is to search your county’s name plus “Veterans Service Officer,” or use the VA’s official representative directory below.
CVSOs work for you, not the VA. Their services are free to every veteran — any income, any discharge status, any era.
What a CVSO can do for you
- VA disability claims — file new claims, appeals, and increases (see our disability pay guide)
- DD-214 and military records — request copies quickly
- Healthcare enrollment — get into VA healthcare and find facilities
- Benefits counseling — a full review of federal and state benefits you may be missing
Five ways to find your CVSO
- Search online (fastest). Search your county name plus “Veterans Service Officer” — for example, “Los Angeles County Veterans Service Officer.” The county office is almost always the first result.
- Use the VA’s directory. The VA keeps an official list of accredited representatives at va.gov/vso.
- Check the NACVSO directory. The National Association of County Veterans Service Officers maintains a state-by-state directory at nacvso.org.
- Call your county government. Call the county’s main line and ask for the Veterans Service Office — or search “veterans” on your county’s website.
- Ask at your local VA. Any VA hospital or clinic can point you to nearby CVSOs — find one at va.gov/find-locations.
What to expect at your first appointment
- Consultation. You talk through your service history, your situation, and which benefits you’re after.
- Document review. They review your DD-214, medical records, and anything else you bring.
- Claim preparation. They complete the forms, help gather evidence, and file the claim for you.
- Ongoing support. They track the claim, handle appeals if needed, and answer your questions along the way.
What to bring
Essential: DD-214 (if you have it), VA or military ID, Social Security card, and a driver’s license or state ID.
Helpful: medical records (VA and private), previous VA decision letters, marriage or divorce certificates, and birth certificates for children if you’ll claim dependents.
Missing your DD-214? Go anyway — your CVSO can request it for you.
Other free help
Veterans service organizations — the DAV, VFW, and American Legion — also provide free, accredited claims help. Your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs has representatives too (find yours in our state benefits guide), and VA regional offices answer claims questions directly. Still stuck? Contact us with your county and state and we’ll point you to the right office within one business day.
Common questions
Is a CVSO really free? What’s the catch?
There is no catch. CVSOs are salaried employees of your county government — their services cost you nothing, regardless of your income, discharge status, or service era. They are also VA-accredited, which means they are legally authorized to prepare and file claims on your behalf.
What if I don’t have my DD-214?
Make the appointment anyway. Requesting your DD-214 and other military records is one of the most common things CVSOs handle, and they know how to get records quickly. Missing paperwork should never stop you from starting.
Is a CVSO better than a claims company or lawyer?
For most claims, yes — and it is free. CVSOs are VA-accredited, just like the free representatives at the DAV, VFW, and American Legion. Companies that charge a percentage of your back pay are doing work a CVSO would do at no charge. Paid legal help mainly makes sense at the appeals stage.
Do CVSOs only help with disability claims?
No. They handle healthcare enrollment, pension and Aid & Attendance applications, education benefits, survivor benefits, burial benefits, state benefit paperwork, and record requests. If it touches the VA or your state veterans department, your CVSO can help.