Tag: VSO
12 results found.

VSO 101 - Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
This month I’m going to cover a benefit many veterans and their families have never heard of: Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (CAFC). With this program, the VA pays qualified family mem...

VSO 101 - Love Your Family by Setting Up All of Your Benefits – Survivor Benefit Program
This month, we’re going to cover how to set up your Survivor Benefit Plan or SBP. For those unfamiliar with the term, the SBP provides a monthly payment to a surviving spouse or other qualified family...

VSO 101 – Learn More About the PACT Act
Signed by President Biden on 10 August 2022, the PACT Act is a comprehensive set of rules and directives to the VA on toxic exposure. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath R...

VSO 101 – Applying for Death Benefits: Burial and Funeral Costs
This blog is directed to the families of Veterans, specifically the benefits available for burial and funeral costs after the death of their spouse, parent, or other family member. All of this informa...

VSO 101 – Education Benefits
The words ‘G.I. Bill’ first comes to mind when someone mentions military and veteran educational benefits. There are actually three bills, or programs, that provide educational benefits to service mem...

VSO 101 – Your Claim Has Been Approved – Now What?
Congratulations! You and your service officer have successfully navigated the VA bureaucracy labyrinth and have obtained an approved claim. To get the most out of your approval, these should be your n...

VSO 101 – Appealing Your Denied Claim
Okay, you have gone to every appointment, answered every question, and taken every test possible. Next, you and your service officer carefully filled out every form required and submitted them months ...

VSO 101 – Setting Up Your Benefits
Last month, I covered how to file an initial claim to get your disability rating. The VA pays on its rates from 10 to 100 percent, or Fully Disabled. In some cases, especially with younger vets who ma...

VSO 101 – VA Claims: Gathering Records
Previously, I covered working with a VSO volunteer Service Officer (SO) to begin filing a claim with the VA. Each claim is different, just like every veteran, so there is no set chain of actions to ta...

VSO 101 – Getting Started With Your Health Benefits
Ask a vet about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and nearly everyone will start talking about healthcare benefits. It is the primary interaction for many veterans, especially older ones, who n...

VSO 101 – What Can a Veteran Service Organization Do for Me?
In my previous blog, I defined what a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is and what it can do for veterans and service members preparing to separate or retire. Today, I’ll go into more detail about ...

VSO 101 – What Is a VSO?
What is a VSO? It is a Veteran Service Organization…but what does that mean?A Veteran Service Organization, or VSO, is a group formed to help veterans navigate life after military service. These group...
You've reached the end of the results.
Try adjusting your search or explore other categories.
More For You


My Military Lifestyle
National Pizza Month celebrates pizza’s popularity and its cultural and culinary significance. The idea was first suggested in 1984 by Gerry Durnell, the publisher of Pizza Today Magazine. He intended to praise the pizza business and show some love to the millions of people nationwide who enjoy it every year. The suggestion is that pizza lovers explore new flavors and appreciate the craftsmanship ...


My Military Lifestyle
At twenty-five years, Patriot Day is still our newest day of remembrance. Most of the population who experienced it, or learned about it through the media, are still around today. It is as much on the minds of many Americans today as was Pearl Harbor or the Challenger Disaster for those generations. In New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, ceremonies will be held to honor those who did not go ...


My Military Lifestyle
When the house is empty, your spouse is away, and you’re holding down the fort solo with your furry crew. Survival mode isn’t about thriving or getting a five-star review. It’s about minimal friction and maximum sanity. Keeping the peace requires a blend of low-effort entertainment, gentle routines, and accepting that your pets are just furry toddlers with worse impulse control than you. So here’s...


My Military Lifestyle
POW/MIA Recognition Day began with the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. It was founded in 1966 to lobby the U.S. government and the United Nations for treatment of Prisoners of War in accordance with the Geneva Convention and information on servicemembers declared Missing in Action. Before their efforts, families received little to no information abo...


My Military Lifestyle
Building an Emergency Fund when you're “Part-Time” Military
When people hear “part-time military,” they often picture one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. Most National Guard members know that’s rarely reality. You’re balancing a civilian career, military obligations, family responsibilities, and the possibility that your schedule could change overnight. Whether it's a state activation, a deployment, additional schools, or a natural disaster re...


My Military Lifestyle
Creating the Perfect Cozy Fall Spot for Your Cat
When the crisp autumn air has arrived and leaves begin to fall, we as humans aren’t the only ones looking to get a little extra cozy. Our feline friends are natural-born heat seekers, and fall is the perfect time for them to master the art of lounging in a cozy and snug corner! Chasing the Autumn Sun:The angle of the sunlight changes when fall arrives, those bright spots on the floor shift making ...


My Military Lifestyle
How to Keep Pets Calm When Trick-or-Treaters Arrive
Halloween night is filled with spooky costumes, tasty treats, and neighborhood cheer. The air is crisp, leaves are falling, the neighborhood is decorated, and the bowl of candy is ready. Though, for our furry family members a constantly ringing doorbell, glowing costumes, and continuous strangers knocking can feel like a full blown home invasion. The unexpected noises and door repeatedly opening c...


My Military Lifestyle
Why Does My Cat Follow Me Everywhere?
You step through the front door, and there they are. You walk into the bathroom, only to turn around and see a tiny familiar paw sliding under the door. For a lot of cat owners, having that distinct feeling that you’re being stalked is a normal part of daily life. Whether you’re sipping coffee, folding laundry, or walking to the fridge you can often find your cat right at your heels. Despite our f...


My Military Lifestyle
The Coastline Cure: Making Memories in the Mid-Atlantic Sand!
We had the best summer visiting several beaches this summer that weren't too far from Washington D.C. Picture the heart of summer...I'm talking about being immediately as sticky as the devil's armpit, and melting the moment you step outside! The kids are climbing the walls, they're hungry for the nineteenth time today, the phone won't stop buzzing, the laundry seems to pile up fast, and don't get ...


My Military Lifestyle
Get Your Brew On: Fall into a Belgian Saison!
The hottest part of the Summer is over, so it’s time to look at a more full-bodied beer for cooler afternoons and evenings. An excellent example of an Autumn brew is the Belgian Saison. It has a slightly hazy, golden body with a very dense head. The aroma is light floral with a strong spice note. The flavor combines soft malt with mild hops. For the texture or feel on the tongue, there is a little...


My Military Lifestyle
October is National Pizza Month!
National Pizza Month celebrates pizza’s popularity and its cultural and culinary significance. The idea was first suggested in 1984 by Gerry Durnell, the publisher of Pizza Today Magazine. He intended to praise the pizza business and show some love to the millions of people nationwide who enjoy it every year. The suggestion is that pizza lovers explore new flavors and appreciate the craftsmanship ...


My Military Lifestyle
Patriot Day: 25 Years Later
At twenty-five years, Patriot Day is still our newest day of remembrance. Most of the population who experienced it, or learned about it through the media, are still around today. It is as much on the minds of many Americans today as was Pearl Harbor or the Challenger Disaster for those generations. In New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, ceremonies will be held to honor those who did not go ...


My Military Lifestyle
Survival Mode: It’s Just You & the Pets
When the house is empty, your spouse is away, and you’re holding down the fort solo with your furry crew. Survival mode isn’t about thriving or getting a five-star review. It’s about minimal friction and maximum sanity. Keeping the peace requires a blend of low-effort entertainment, gentle routines, and accepting that your pets are just furry toddlers with worse impulse control than you. So here’s...


My Military Lifestyle
You Are Not Forgotten: National POW/MIA Recognition Day
POW/MIA Recognition Day began with the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. It was founded in 1966 to lobby the U.S. government and the United Nations for treatment of Prisoners of War in accordance with the Geneva Convention and information on servicemembers declared Missing in Action. Before their efforts, families received little to no information abo...


My Military Lifestyle
When people hear “part-time military,” they often picture one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. Most National Guard members know that’s rarely reality. You’re balancing a civilian career, military obligations, family responsibilities, and the possibility that your schedule could change overnight. Whether it's a state activation, a deployment, additional schools, or a natural disaster re...


My Military Lifestyle
When the crisp autumn air has arrived and leaves begin to fall, we as humans aren’t the only ones looking to get a little extra cozy. Our feline friends are natural-born heat seekers, and fall is the perfect time for them to master the art of lounging in a cozy and snug corner! Chasing the Autumn Sun:The angle of the sunlight changes when fall arrives, those bright spots on the floor shift making ...


My Military Lifestyle
Halloween night is filled with spooky costumes, tasty treats, and neighborhood cheer. The air is crisp, leaves are falling, the neighborhood is decorated, and the bowl of candy is ready. Though, for our furry family members a constantly ringing doorbell, glowing costumes, and continuous strangers knocking can feel like a full blown home invasion. The unexpected noises and door repeatedly opening c...


My Military Lifestyle
You step through the front door, and there they are. You walk into the bathroom, only to turn around and see a tiny familiar paw sliding under the door. For a lot of cat owners, having that distinct feeling that you’re being stalked is a normal part of daily life. Whether you’re sipping coffee, folding laundry, or walking to the fridge you can often find your cat right at your heels. Despite our f...


My Military Lifestyle
We had the best summer visiting several beaches this summer that weren't too far from Washington D.C. Picture the heart of summer...I'm talking about being immediately as sticky as the devil's armpit, and melting the moment you step outside! The kids are climbing the walls, they're hungry for the nineteenth time today, the phone won't stop buzzing, the laundry seems to pile up fast, and don't get ...


My Military Lifestyle
The hottest part of the Summer is over, so it’s time to look at a more full-bodied beer for cooler afternoons and evenings. An excellent example of an Autumn brew is the Belgian Saison. It has a slightly hazy, golden body with a very dense head. The aroma is light floral with a strong spice note. The flavor combines soft malt with mild hops. For the texture or feel on the tongue, there is a little...


My Military Lifestyle
National Pizza Month celebrates pizza’s popularity and its cultural and culinary significance. The idea was first suggested in 1984 by Gerry Durnell, the publisher of Pizza Today Magazine. He intended to praise the pizza business and show some love to the millions of people nationwide who enjoy it every year. The suggestion is that pizza lovers explore new flavors and appreciate the craftsmanship ...


My Military Lifestyle
At twenty-five years, Patriot Day is still our newest day of remembrance. Most of the population who experienced it, or learned about it through the media, are still around today. It is as much on the minds of many Americans today as was Pearl Harbor or the Challenger Disaster for those generations. In New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, ceremonies will be held to honor those who did not go ...


My Military Lifestyle
When the house is empty, your spouse is away, and you’re holding down the fort solo with your furry crew. Survival mode isn’t about thriving or getting a five-star review. It’s about minimal friction and maximum sanity. Keeping the peace requires a blend of low-effort entertainment, gentle routines, and accepting that your pets are just furry toddlers with worse impulse control than you. So here’s...


My Military Lifestyle
POW/MIA Recognition Day began with the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. It was founded in 1966 to lobby the U.S. government and the United Nations for treatment of Prisoners of War in accordance with the Geneva Convention and information on servicemembers declared Missing in Action. Before their efforts, families received little to no information abo...


