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 and appeal representation at the Regional Office and Board or Veterans Appeals. They also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other important topics.

Department Service Officer Locations

Cleveland VARO Department Service Officers

The American Legion
1240 East 9th St., Rm. 1259 P.O. Box 99430
Cleveland, OH 44199
O: 216-522-3530
F: 215-713-1295

The American Legion c/o Wade Park VAMC Department Service Officer

10701 East Blvd., Rm. 1B-417
Cleveland, OH 44106
O: 216-791-3800 ext. 64154
F: 216-707-5948
Monday-Thursday Closed Friday

Dayton VAMC/WPAFB Department Service Officer

The American Legion C/O VA
Patient Tower, Room 1D-145e
4100 W Third St
PO Box 335
Dayton, OH 45428

Cincinnati VAMC Department Service Officer

The American Legion C/O VAMC
3200 Vine St, Room B149a
O: 513-475-6440
F: 513-475-6346

Columbus VAACC-Department Service Officer

The American Legion
Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center
420 N James Rd, Room 1A045
Columbus, OH 43219

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

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

Phone: 216-522-3504 ext. 53746 | Fax:215-713-1285 | Email: genochio@ohiolegion.com

Will Brown, U.S. Army

DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor, P: 216-522-3504 ext. 53745 | brown@ohiolegion.com

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

DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor, P: 216-522-3504 ext. 53743 | twhite@ohiolegion.com

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

DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor, P: 216-522-3504 ext. 53747 | jones@ohiolegion.com

Nicole (Jessica) Reese, U.S. Navy

DSO Cleveland, P: 216-522-3504 ext. 53741 | Email: JReese@ohiolegion.com

Melissa Manzie, Daughter of U.S. Army Serviceperson

Cleveland Office Administrative Assistant

P: 216-522-3504 ext. 53748 | Email: mmanzie@ohiolegion.com

Vacant

DSO Cincinnati VAMC, P: 513-861-3100 | legion@ohiolegion.com

Gary Felver, U.S. Navy

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

Darell Bishop, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army

DSO Wade Park VAMC / PSO Instructor P; 216-791-3800 ext. 64154 Dbishop@ohiolegion.com

Vacant

DSO Columbus VAACC / P; 614-257-5497

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.

» Click Here to download the Post Service Officers Manual

2024 Post Service Officer School:

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

» Download the Funeral Planning Guide HERE

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.