Veteran Services

To provide free assistance to Veterans, their spouses, dependents and survivors in obtaining available benefits from federal, state and local agencies administering Veterans programs.

The Cabarrus County Veteran Services office focuses on advocacy on behalf of Veterans and their families in the presentation, free processing and provision of proof while establishing claims, privileges and rights to benefits for which they are entitled under federal, state and local laws. The scope of benefits includes disability compensation, pension, health and life insurance, education, vocational rehabilitation, medical and burial benefits.

• Continued a proactive outreach program, consisting of concomitant communications networking efforts at the grassroots levels where Veterans gather and fellowship, multi-media (TV, radio, print).
• Strengthened our partnership with the VA and NC Division of Military and Veterans Affairs (NCDMVA). Provided training facilities for both organizations when requested. Continued to promote and assist both agencies to best benefit County Veterans.
• Organized a meeting with the Chief of Staff at the Salisbury, VAMC to have directive implemented for staff doctors to follow through with completing documents and forms for Veterans to assist with claims for VA disability.
• Continued our relationship with Volunteers of America to assist with the homeless Veteran population in Cabarrus County to also include the Veterans Administrations VAD HUS program for homeless Veterans.
• Developed a working relationship with Law Enforcement Liaison which resulted in a direct meeting and link to the District Attorney’s office to assist with Veteran cases.
• Continues our efforts of working with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to find opportunities to assist Veterans and their families.
• Worked with the Veterans Bridge program in Charlotte, NC to assist Veterans in transition from military service. The program also assists with jobs, healthcare, housing and day to day support.
• Hosting a Piedmont Coalition meeting to bring together multiple agencies to share knowledge to assist and support the Veterans of Cabarrus County and surrounding counties (continue via Teams and Zoom).

• Keeping up with ever-changing policies and procedures within the Department of Veterans Affairs and NCDMVA is a challenge that requires constant attention.
• The ongoing support of Veterans committing suicide at a rate of twenty-two Veterans a day.
• Increase of homeless Veterans and those in need of financial assistance.
• The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has made headway in the backlog of claims, but they still have a lot of work to do. Appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals is falling way behind, sometimes taking up to 3-5 years for the average appeal to be settled. Decreasing this time is currently the focus of the VA.
• Veterans Administration (VA) Blue Water program to include Navy/Military vessels that were within twelve miles from land in Vietnam potentially exposing Veterans to Agent Orange continues to be a successful program. There has been an increase in claims due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and new Agent Orange Presumptive list of diseases (Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism and Parkinson's).
• There have been additions to the Southwest Asia (Gulf War) Presumptive list (Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis & Sinusitis).

• This department’s budget has increased due to salary and benefit adjustments as well as inflationary adjustments.
• The budget adds a Veteran Services Officer position to help veterans get the benefits they have earned.

FY 2023 numbers are projections