Department Service Officers

Accredited American Legion service officers are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families. While the majority of a service officer’s work involves application for VA disability benefits, these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other important topics.

Department Service Officer Locations

Bill Genochio, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

VBA – VA&R Coordinator / Department Service Officer / PSO Instructor / ALR Liaison

Phone: 216-522-3530 ext. 53746 | Fax:215-713-1285 | Email: genochio@ohiolegion.com

Will Brown, U.S. Army

DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor, P: 216-522-3530 ext. 53745 | brown@ohiolegion.com

Thomas White, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor, P: 216-522-3530 ext. 53743 | twhite@ohiolegion.com

Michelle Jones, Mother of U.S. Army active-duty serviceperson

DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor, P: 216-522-3530 ext. 53747 | jones@ohiolegion.com

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Jeff Delaney, US Navy

DSO Cincinnati VAMC, P: 513-475-6440 | JDelaney@ohiolegion.com

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Gary Felver, U.S. Navy

DSO Dayton VAMC / PSO Instructor P; 937-268-5611 ext. 2967 gfelver@ohiolegion.com

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Gabe Keogler

DSO Columbus VAACC / P; 614-257-5497

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Post Service Officers:

A Post Service Officer provides an important link between the veteran or dependent and a representative holding American Legion accreditation. An effective PSO understands benefits afforded to veterans and dependents; however, the PSO is not authorized to file any claims on behalf of the claimant. PSOs serve as valuable resources to veterans in local posts to ensure that our veterans and their dependents receive their earned benefits.

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Click Here to download the Post Service Officers Manual

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Post Service Officer School, 2023 Information: DOWNLOAD HERE

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Post Service Officer School, 2020 Slides:

Introductions and VA Structure

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/1-Introductions-and-VA-Structure.pptx

Non Service Connected Pension and DIC

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/2-3-NSC-Pension-and-DIC-MJ.pptx

Service Connection

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/4-SERVICE-CONNECTIONS-1.ppt

Agent Orange

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/5-Agent-Orange.pptx

Hearing Loss

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/6-Hearing-Loss.pptx

Burial Benefits

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Burial-Benefits-EH.pptx

TDIU

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/8-TOTAL-DISABILITY-INDIVIDUAL-

UNEMPLOYABILITY-TDIU.pptx

Evidence Gathering

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/9-Evidence-gathering.pptx

Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/10-CAMP-LEJEUNE-CONTAMINATED-WATER-CW-3.pptx

Gulf War

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/12-Gulf-War-PP-BG.pptx

How to Interview a Veteran

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/13-How-to-interview-a-veteran-to-maximize-their-1.pptx

Agent Orange New Presumptive

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/14-AO-New-Presumptives.pptx

Court Cases to Know

https://www.ohiolegion.com/wp-content/uploads/15-Court-cases-to-know.pptx

Direct Deposit Process Change

Please be advised that VBA is switching to an online direct deposit process for veterans.

Veteran Leaders,

To improve security and make changes more efficiently, Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) is transitioning to an online process for Veterans to initiate or change their direct deposit information.

While the process is ongoing, Veterans will be able to use the legacy forms and fax method through the end of the year.

As always, we will be able to help any Veteran with questions about the process by calling our helpline at 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711), or by going to your nearest VA regional office (if accepting in-person appointments) and change this information in person.

The link to update direct deposit information is here.

» Eligibility for Benefits Chart

Various website resources to support vets:

EcoWatch guide for career opportunities for transitioning military service members and veterans in the solar industry:

https://www.ecowatch.com/veteran-solar-jobs.html

-Link provided by Audra Jordan

List of resources for veterans’ financial security

https://www.birchgold.com/retirement-and-financial-security-for-veterans/

-Link provided by Jim Lucas

SNAP Benefits
https://militarybenefits.info/snap-benefits/

VA Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans
https://www.benefits.com/veterans-disability/housing-for-disabled-veterans

Current VA Loan Rates Available Locally
https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/mortgage-rates/va.php

Top 60 Veteran & Military-Friendly Employers
https://info.recruitics.com/blog/top-veteran-military-friendly-employers-for-2020

College Resources for Veterans and Their Families
https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/higher-education-for-military-veterans/

Top 10 Work from Home Jobs for Military Spouses & Veterans with Disability
https://www.transcriptioncertificationinstitute.org/blog/work-from-home-jobs-for-disabled-veterans

Five Ways to Cope with PTSD
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319824

Trusted Military and Veteran Service Organizations
https://www.veteransadvantage.com/giving-back/trusted-military-organizations-and-nonprofits

Highly-Rated Nonprofits Dedicated to Veterans and Military Service Members
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=531

Article about the unique challenges presented to veterans who return to school (here: https://www1.cuny.edu/mu/forum/2020/11/10/kcc-vetsday2020/).

-Links provided by Adam Evans, adam@citebrain.com