County Veteran Service Officers Get Results in 2016: Direct Payments to Oregon Veterans Increased by 8.7 percent from 2015 to 2016

According to new data released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the federal VA) in May 2017, direct payments to Oregon veterans and their families increased by $110,946,000 from 2015 to 2016. These payments consist of disability, low income pension, and other cash payments. The overall level of VA expenditures including direct payments, healthcare, education, housing and other benefits totaled $2.8 billion in 2016.

Summary of 2016 Federal Veterans Administration statewide overall expenditures in Oregon:

  • Compensation and pension payments totaled $1,392,002,000
  • Healthcare payments totaled $1,115,055,000
  • Overall payments by the VA totaled $2,783,393,000

The statewide total for disability compensation and low income pension payments in 2015 totaled $1.28 billion; the new 2016 total rose to $1.39 billion. This represents an 8.7 percent increase. This rise in VA expenditures is especially significant in light of the fact that the Oregon veteran population decreased by 5,258 from 2015 to 2016.

The federal VA funds and administers earned benefit for veterans and their families. In order to qualify for benefits, veterans must file a claim against the United States proving they are eligible for these benefits through the submission of legal, military and medical evidence. Across Oregon, local county government employs “County Veteran Service Officers” (CVSO’s) who are subject matter experts in federal VA benefits law.  

A robust partnership between counties and the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) has been in place since 1945. ODVA serves as the primary training and certifying entity, and counties employ CVSO’s to be the “boots on the ground” who actually meet one on one with veterans and help them file their claims. This county-ODVA partnership is critically important because it serves to improve both the the quality and quantity of claims and the ultimate positive resolution of claims on behalf of veterans. Counties and ODVA also works together in the formal appeals process when a veteran’s claim is initially denied by the federal VA.  

CVSO’s located in 35 of Oregon’s 36 counties provide claims advocacy and representation to Oregon’s 321,000 veterans, resulting in more than 19,750 new claims and more than 79,000 total claims filed during fiscal year 2015. The average monthly compensation for an Oregon veteran receiving benefits is approximately $1,250.

Representing Oregon counties since 1906, the Association of Oregon Counties unites counties to advocate, communicate and educate through information sharing and consensus development.

AOC helps counties partner with the state and federal government across an array of vital public services and works to provide them in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible.

The AOC Veterans Steering Committee works together as a collective voice for Oregon Counties in an effort to help provide the best possible services to Oregon veterans, servicemembers and their families. By supporting CVSO’s and working closely with the ODVA and other community partners,the committee aims to improve access and coordination of employment, education, healthcare, pension and other earned benefits for military service veterans and their families.

Contributed by: Andy Smith | AOC Veterans Policy Manager