Oklahoma veterans can get help tomorrow filing for benefits they may not know they’ve earned.
Danny Oliver with the state’s Disabled American Veterans group said many veterans don’t think they’re entitled to benefits simply because they didn’t see combat or go overseas.
"An injury incurred in service, if there's residual effects from that and there's documentation for all that, could result in a service-connected disability, which would then entitle medical treatment and financial compensation," Oliver said.
An information seminar and on-site claims filing starts tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Cherokees at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 777 W Cherokee St., Catoosa.
Spouses are encouraged to attend.
"They know what their veteran's issues are," Oliver said. "It's very encouraging when they're there to say, 'Come on. Now, you know you have this. Let's sit down with this service officer, get something started.'"
Oliver said it’s not unheard of for Vietnam, Korea, even World War II veterans to file new benefit claims.
"There's 350,000-plus veterans in Oklahoma, and just around 20, 21 percent of them are enrolled in the VA in any one shape, form or fashion," Oliver said.
