Four representatives from the Milwaukee VA Regional Office traveled more than 350 miles to conduct a Claims clinic for Tribal Veterans at the Red Cliff Community Health Center in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The primary goal of the clinic was to assist Veterans with their VA claims was well as educate and promote awareness of VA benefits.
This event was part of the VA nationwide outreach campaign targeted at assisting Tribal Veterans. The Milwaukee VARO collaborated with The VA Office of Tribal and Government Relations and VBA’s Benefits Assistance Service to accomplish the primary objective of assisting Veterans.
Veteran Donald King poses for a photo with Deborah Flannick, a Milwaukee VA Regional Office public contact specialist who assisted him with his VA claims during the clinic.
The event was originally solicited by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Due to the Veteran population of the Red Cliff tribe and rural location, the event was opened to six additional Tribal Nations. The Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac De Flambeau, St. Croix, Ho Chunk, Menominee, and Oneida Tribal Nations were also invited to this event.
The Veterans and beneficiaries that attended the event received extensive, personalized assistance. Outreach specialists assisted multiple Veterans with completing claims applications for VA disability benefits. Other Veterans received assistance with filing privacy act requests. Claims related questions were answered and guidance was provided by the outreach specialists.
“I am thankful that the VA made the effort to come to Bayfield,” said Veteran Donald King. “I appreciate the assistance I received today”.
That sentiment was echoed by Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chairman Richard “Rick” Peterson and Kevin Johnson, Bayfield County Veterans Service Officer.
Rick and Kevin expressed their gratitude and said the vcaims clinic made a positive difference for the tribal Veterans “builds trust” for Veterans in the community.
About the author: Tim Sullivan is the public affairs officer at the Milwaukee VA Regional Office.
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The Milwaukee RO is so horrible it should be shut down. They find any way possible delay, or even throw out the claim. Ddo anything possible to avoid having a claim processed here. No wonder they need a good PR story.