We are Service Officers with Post 287. We are volunteers who believe veterans should get the benefits they have earned. We talk to you about benefits available, help you get your claim ready, then connect you to a VSO to file your claim. You do not have to be a member of Post 287. We will help any veteran.
Compensation | Medical Info | Financial Assistance | Retirement & Misc | Funeral Benefits | Disability Benefits rom 0-100%
Post 287 VSOs
Vern Tobey
Email us at post287vso@gmail.com
4th District VSO
'De' DePastino
Email me at gerald.depastino@att.net
Call or Text me at 816-351-0170
PACT Act: The PACT Act adds 20+ presumptive conditions for veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post 9/11 eras. It also adds additional locations for Agent Orange and radiation. Read more...
Parkinsonism, Bladder Cancer and Hypothyroidism added to Agent Orange Presumptive list. Read more...
Uzbekistan Executive Order signed.
Within 365 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct a rigorous study investigating toxic exposure by members of the Armed Forces deployed to the Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan (Air Base), between October 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005. Read more...
MO State Veteran's Benefits Guide (PDF)
These are other veteran VSOs and organizations who can also help you.
Missouri Veterans Recognition War Medallion Program
The Missouri Veterans Recognition Program traces its roots to an April 23, 1919 Act of the Missouri General Assembly. This act authorized the Missouri National Guard Adjutant General to procure and present, as a token of the appreciation of the state, a medal to each member of the National Guard of Missouri who served with a Missouri unit and Veterans who served in the armed forces during the Spanish American War, Mexican Border Service or World War I. The WWII awards program was announced in 2000, followed by Korea 2003, Vietnam in 2006 and two new programs, Operation Desert Shield/Storm & Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn were approved by Senate Bill 600 in 2014.
Missouri Disabled Vet License Plates
To qualify for Disabled Veteran specialty license plates, you must be a Missouri resident who has served in and was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces and have a 10% or higher disability rating. Read more...
Note: If you use any of these services, please contact us. There may be other compensation available for you.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
This grant provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence. Read more...
Audiology
Audiologists are licensed healthcare professionals who care for Veterans and Service Members through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing disorders to include hearing loss, balance impairment and tinnitus. Read more...
Amputation System of Care (ASoC)
The Amputation System of Care (ASoC) provides specialized expertise in amputation rehabilitation incorporating the latest practices in medical rehabilitation management, rehabilitation therapies, and advances in prosthetic technology. It is a system of care designed to provide Veterans access to the full continuum of care. Read more...
Rehabilitation & Prosthetic Services offers many other services. Read more...
Help yourself and your buddies with future VA claims by taking pictures of each other with your weapons and near signs. For example, if you're stationed near a chemical plant, take a photo with the sign. If something unusual or traumatic happens, make notes for each other as "buddy statements." Keep notes or a diary while deployed. It can take years for symptoms to show, including PTSD. Keep a copy of these photos, notes, and your Orders together. This documentation will make your claim process easier.
A "Buddy Statement" should include the following information:
Submit a military records request to get your DD214 or other military service records through the milConnect website. Read more...
Learn how you can apply to be considered for an upgrade or correction to your discharge status. Read more...
Veterans who were exposed to radiation in the military between 1945 and 1992 are eligible to apply for the newly created Atomic Veterans Service Certificate signed by Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. Application for the certificate is open to retired and former service members, or next of kin in cases of deceased veterans, Defense Department officials said. Read more...
A ruling by the Defense Department has granted veteran status to a group of civilians who served in Vietnam. The group consists of "Department of the Navy civilian special agents who served in direct support and under control of the Department of the Navy within the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975." Read more...
Veterans are twice as likely to fall victim to scams as the population at large. Some scammers offer veterans the opportunity to refinance Veterans Affairs (VA) loans at extremely low rates. Others will pose as government agencies in order to access personal information, or offer lump sum payments up front, in exchange for signing over all their future monthly benefit checks. There have even been instances where scammers will create fake charities that target veterans or pretend to be old friends offering “sure thing” investments. Read more...
Veterans and Gold Star Families will be granted free access to national parks, wildlife refuges and other Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior starting on Veterans Day this year (2020) and every day onward. Read more...
100% service connected disabled Veterans are now eligible for Space Available Travel. To be eligible for Space-A flights, Veterans must have a permanent and total service-connected disability rating. These Vets must also obtain a DD Form 2765, “Department of Defense/Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (TAN)." A popular perk among retirees, now eligible Veterans can take advantage of the program and fly for free. Read more...
As of October 2020, dependents of these veterans can also fly Space A. Read more...
Veteran's with the Veterans Health Identification Card now have access to the Commissary, BX/PX, and MWR services. Read more...
If you are working on a VA claim, or are interested in veterans supporting veterans please consider joining this Facebook group. It includes great information as well as a safe place for veterans to talk. The administrator is a Veteran Service Officer who monitors comments to keep it a safe place. Read more...
VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) launched its new “Find A Veteran, Post A Tribute” campaign. The effort intends to increase awareness of the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) – the nation’s first digital platform dedicated entirely to memorializing more than 3.7 million Veterans interred in VA’s national cemeteries. Read more...
This guide is a compilation from multiple sources, articles, and web pages and is meant to help you organize important information and documents in your life. It is meant to be general in nature to apply to a diverse variety of personal situations. Perfect for you? – probably not, however modify to your individual needs. It will help those that survive you (spouse/family/executor) with your estate. Download the document...
**This is not an endorsement** but this site does contain valuable information. If you feel you are or have been discriminated against because you are a veteran, please contact one of us or a Veteran Service Officer. We can attempt to help you for free before hiring legal assistance. Read more...
American Legion Post 287
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