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
Cleveland VARO Department Service Officers
The American Legion
1240 East 9th St., Rm. 923 P.O. Box 99430
Cleveland, OH 44199
O: 216-522-3530
F: 215-713-1285
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. 4155
F: 216-707-5948
Monday-Tuesday-Thursday Only
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: 513-4756346
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: 216-522-3530 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
Nicole (Jessica) Reese, U.S. Navy
DSO Cleveland, P: 216-522-3530 ext. 53741 | Email: JReese@ohiolegion.com
Melissa Manzie, Cleveland Office Administrative Assistant
P: 216-522-3530 ext. 53748 | Email: mmanzie@ohiolegion.com
Jeff Delaney, US Navy
DSO Cincinnati VAMC, P: 513-475-6440 | JDelaney@ohiolegion.com
Gary Felver, U.S. Navy
DSO Dayton VAMC / PSO Instructor P; 937-268-5611 ext. 2967 gfelver@ohiolegion.com
Darell Bishop
DSO Wade Park VAMC / PSO Instructor P; 216-791-3800 ext. 4155 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
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-
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.
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