Stacy Jo Dufault County Veterans' Service Officer Stacy Jo Dufault is a member of the following organizations: National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) American Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnams (AMVETS) Disabled American Veterans (DAV) The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Marine Corps League (MCL)

Mission Statement - The County Veterans' Service Office was created by state statute to assist veterans and their dependents in times of need, or to file for all County, State or Federal benefits earned by virtue of the military veteran's service to a grateful Nation and the State of Nebraska. The Veterans' Service Officer serves under the direction of the Veterans' Service Committee appointed by the Board of Commissioners. Veterans' Service is accomplished by:

• Being sensitive and helpful to veterans/dependents in their time of need.
• Providing assistance and counseling to veterans and their families.
• Initiating and completing claims to be submitted to the VA Regional Office, Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs, or other appropriate agencies with accuracy and professionalism.
• Maintaining the highest level of training and education to best serve veterans.
• Serving as a trusted and respected partner in collaboration with other agencies when assisting veterans.

Is it to late to file a VA service-connected disability claim?

Veterans, it's never to late to file a VA service-connected disability claim no matter how many years have past since your military service.  To file your initial VA disability claim, complete the Initial Claim Worksheet. After you have completed the worksheet and gathered required documents and medical evidence that is not in your active duty medical record, come on in to submit your claim. 

The Cass County Veterans' Service Office assists with, but is not limited to the following County, State and Federal Benefits:

County Veterans' Benefits.

• County Veterans' Aid Fund (CVA). To meet immediate emergency financial needs.
• Flag Holders. For placement on the grave of every veteran buried in Cass County.

State Veterans' Benefits.

• Nebraska Veterans' Aid Fund (NVA). For unforeseen emergency financial need.
• Waiver of Tuition. For state college/university cost to qualified spouses or children.
• Discharges. Replacement of lost military service records (DD-214).
• Grave Registration. Report of grave location for veterans buried in the State.
• Veterans' Home System. Complete application for residency in a Veterans' Home.

Federal Veterans' Benefits.

• Service Connected Disability Compensation.
• Non-Service Connected Pensions. Veterans or Widow(er)s.
• Education and Vocational Rehabilitation. Including GI Bill and disability retraining.
• Life Insurance. VGLI/NSLI or Disability.
• Burial Benefits. Grave marker application and burial allowance assistance.
• VA Home Loan Programs. Residential and improvement for handicap improvement.
• Health Care. VA Medical Center inpatient and outpatient services.
• Long Term Nursing Home Care. For veterans rated at 70% or higher.
• Military Records. Discharge upgrades and location or service and medical records.

The Cass County Veterans' Service Office serves about 3,000 veteran's and their families. Cass County has the second highest percentage of veterans receiving compensation for service connected disabilities of the states 93 counties.

 

• 2011 Benefits Booklet    http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp
• Contacts for other CVSO's http://www.veterans.nebraska.gov/cvso.html
• US Department of Veterans Affairs - www.va.gov
• VA Regional Office, Lincoln, NE. - http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=687&dnum=3
• 2011 VA Compensation Tables to  http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm