Assists and acts as an advocate for veterans and their eligible family members. Reviews claims decisions made by the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs (USDVA) Ratings Teams and acts as a negotiator with the USDVA Ratings Teams and/or the USDVA Decision Review Officers. May prepare appeals and represent veterans and their family members at USDVA hearings, the U.S. Board of Veteran’s Appeals, and/or the U.S. Court of Veteran’s Appeals.

Represents and assists veterans and their dependents at personal hearings before VA Rating Boards and assists in preparing appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals on contested ratings decisions;

Reviews VA claim folders, correspondence and rating decisions; prepares notes for use by Field Offices and Department supervisors;

Interviews and counsels veterans, dependents and beneficiaries on benefits, rights and privileges; provides action assistance as needed;

Assists with claims development by liaison with Field Offices, Homes and contacts with pertinent organizations and individuals including doctors, attorneys, record centers, hospitals and VA staff; types of claim activities involve disability, education, home loan, benefit payment, records identification and processing; counsels veterans reference discharge upgrade;

Establishes and maintains good relationships with appropriate VA personnel and representatives of other veterans organizations to facilitate the handling of veterans claims;

Attends and participates in pertinent meetings and seminars regarding benefits available to veterans, dependents or beneficiaries;

Assures that all actions taken in the appellate process conform to VA laws and regulations governing confidentiality and disclosure of information contained in VA records.

Knowledge of: Federal Veterans Administration review and appellate laws and procedures, VA Ratings Board staff procedures; Federal and State laws pertaining to the benefits of veterans and their dependents; processing of veterans benefit claims; services of the Veterans Administration; veterans organizations, Department of Employment Security and other public and private social welfare organizations; understand and apply a body of rules and regulations.

Ability to: recognize and overcome attitudes and emotions that hinder effective communications, secure information by personal and telephone contact; deal tactfully and effectively with representatives of other organizations and the community; compose letters and other documents relevant to the appellate process.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Two years as a Veterans Benefit Specialist 2.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, social science or allied field

AND 

two years of experience in the supervision and administration of veterans counseling and advisory programs in such areas as: medical claims, education, compensation, pension and discharge upgrading, and home loans.

New Class: 11/19/98
New class code: (formerly 37481) effective July 1, 2007
Abolished; adopted August 13, 2015, effective August 14, 2015