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The VA spends billions on programs to identify suicide risk and reduce financial stress yet denied claims and backlogs remain a significant trigger for the 17+ veterans lost to suicide each day. Meanwhile, local Veterans Service Commissions (VSCs) the free, county-based resource that helps vets file and appeal claims often don't request their full dedicated tax levy amount. That money could mean more VSOs to fight denials and ease stress. Why the gap? Greene County as an example.
The VA spends billions on suicide prevention and financial stress programs, knowing denied claims and money worries are a significant trigger for veteran suicide. Yet local VSCs (county entities funded by state taxes, not VA staff) often don't request their full levy allocation for free claim help and support.
More funding could mean more VSOs to reduce denials and stress. So why not ask for the full amount? This is a key question in Greene County and potentially elsewhere.
The VA spends billions on suicide prevention and financial stress programs, knowing denied claims and money worries are major triggers. Yet local VSCs county employees funded by state taxes, not VA staff often don't request their full levy amount. The VA can partner with VSCs but cannot force counties to fund them more. Why the gap? More VSOs could mean faster claim wins and less stress but that starts with requesting the full budget.
Greene County collects a dedicated veteran levy (up to 0.5 mill), but reports show only part of it reaches the VSC. The county collects the full amount but only gives what the VSC requests keeping the difference in the general fund for other uses like new offices and jail.
Question: With VA claims backlogs, high denial rates, financial stress, and veteran suicide rates, why wasn't the full levy requested for more VSOs to provide free claim help? VSOs are county employees funded by these local taxes more staff could mean faster, better support for vets facing denials and stress.
Source: Greene County Sentinel News (local community page)
VSOs (Veterans Service Officers) are county employees, funded by these local taxes not VA staff. They provide free help with claims, benefits, and support.
More VSOs could mean faster help but that requires requesting the full levy amount.
Local: County veterans offices manage daily spending.
County commissioners: Approve budget, ensure separate funds.
State: Veterans departments provide training/supervision.
Audits: State auditors check for misuse.
County auditors: Elected officials who handle local audits and oversight of county finances, including veteran funds. They can spot misuse early.
Public: You can request records to monitor.
VSOs are county employees, funded by these monies (local taxes), not VA staff. They help with claims but are not VA employees. County auditors do oversight/audits (locallevel), state auditors do statewide.
No VA handles federal benefits. No role in local county funds.
VA Inspector General only investigates VA program fraud, not county money.
Audits happen every 13 years (state auditors for statewide, county auditors for local), but only if someone reports or there's a complaint. No real daily independent oversight transparency relies on public requests and reporting.
Elected officials running county government. For veteran funds: Approve tax levy, budget, ensure money is separate and spent on vets. They can investigate but sometimes
If your county's veteran services seem underfunded, request records or contact your state auditor. As a retired CPA and CFE advocate for vets, I'm seeing disturbing patterns of misuse, is it fraud, waste, or abuse? Or is it about the disconnext in the VA and their massive budget (second largest behind the DOD). We need more transparency in all areas of the government.
Key VA tools and links for claims, ratings, and support.
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