VetsFirst: Serving Vets and Families for over 60 Years

Network of National Service Officers provides assistance and representation in claims for benefits and services

United Spinal’s VetsFirst program directly serves the needs of the veteran community. Their network of National Service Officers provides assistance and representation in claims for benefits and services before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, other Federal and state agencies and legal representation before the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

For over 60 years VetsFirst has been on the frontlines in the fight for the rights of disabled veterans. In 1946, a group of paralyzed World War II veterans from the New York City area led the charge to raise awareness of the alarming plight of paralyzed veterans. Many from this group went on to form United Spinal Association.

As the organization matured under the leadership of James J. Peters in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, United Spinal helped improve the quality of health care for veterans, backing words with deeds and dollars by winning denied benefits for individual vets and investing money in VA programs and infrastructure. These efforts have been a boon to every American with a disability.

United Spinal’s continuing commitment to our nation’s veterans goes beyond offering words of support and encouragement. Every day United Spinal’s VetsFirst assists veterans in obtaining the benefits and services they need. Through Their VetsFirst program, a large network of National Service Officers provides free assistance and representation in claims for benefits and services before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal and state agencies, as well as legal representation before the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

“As a veterans service organization (VSO), United Spinal provides direct assistance to veterans and their dependents and survivors through our service representation program,” says Leonard Selfon, United Spinal’s national service director. “Our expanding number and locations of accredited service officers and attorneys are available to represent veterans before the VA and in the federal courts in individual cases. We also engage in broadimpact class action litigation to correct injustices to large numbers of veterans across the board. Further, our legislative advocacy program focuses on educating and influencing Congress to pass laws that benefit all veterans and to investigate ineffective, wasteful and abusive policies and practices that adversely impact veterans.”

In addition to providing individual support and counseling services, United Spinal’s VetsFirst program offers timely news and information across the spectrum of issues presently impacting veterans, including guides on self-help, state benefits, separating from the military; exclusive feature stories on military health care, and VA funding and compensation;

Do you have questions regarding your VA benefits or care? Just Ask VetsFirst.

Vets First Web Site