HOW TO FILE YOUR DISABILITY CLAIM
The Transition Assistance Pre-separation Program
Perry Fernandez, Transition Service Officer (TSO), DAV
260 W PIONEER WAY, OAK HARBOR, WA 98278
TEL: (360) 257-4805
For any questions about your claim after it's submitted, call
1-800-TAP-1000
Please take time to read this page and its links. It will clarify many things and preclude any delays in processing due to misunderstanding about what the program is and what is expected from anyone applying for disability compensation as well as other veterans' benefits.
This program is geared toward active-duty personnel about to retire or separate from active duty.
You can file your disability claim as early as six months of your date of discharge from service/EAOS.
Note: This date is your EAOS (End of Active Obligated Service), and not the date you commence terminal leave. Experience has it that a lot of our clients confuse terminal leave with their date of separation/EAOS.
If you are leaving the state of Washington, we can screen your medical record and prepare your claim for submission with the DAV or VA regional office in your home state.
Documents required to file a Disability Claim:
Note: If, at the time of your claim submission, you still have pending medical examinations that could potentially be added to your claim, then the additiional documents can be submitted after you receive the results of your initial disability claim. Turning in more documents after you've submitted your claim package could potentially delay its processing.
Your DD-214 is not required during initial appointment unless you've already been discharged. But when you do receive it...
To print out this checklist, click here or here. |
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Call us at (360) 257-4805 for an appointment to see
Perry Fernandez, Transition Service Officer (TSO).
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All the forms necessary to file a claim will be available during your visit. However, if you want to get a head start on the process, you can download, print and complete the claim forms listed below in the shaded boxes..
TSO Contact Sheet |
DAV Transition Service Officer Contact Brief |
| VETERAN’S APPLICATION FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND/OR PENSION | |
| DECLARATION OF STATUS OF DEPENDENTS | |
| VCAA Documents | |
| APPOINTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION AS CLAIMANT’S REPRESENTATIVE | |
Other forms ( Not required during initial application ) |
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| STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM | |
| DISABLED VETERANS APPLICATION FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (Chapter 31, Title 38, U.S.C.) | |
| REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS/CANCELLATION OF DIRECT DEPOSIT | |
| INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING APPLICATION FOR HEALTH BENEFITS (VA HOSPITAL) |
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More VA forms available here.
Transition Service Officer (TSO)
Perry B. Fernandez
Transition Service Officer, DAV
It allows DAV representatives to conduct or participate in pre-discharge transition assistance briefings, review service medical records, and confer with Rating Specialists, physicians, and other participants in the discharge process. The program also allows DAV to assist service members in the development of evidence, completion of required applications, and prosecution of claims for benefits administered under federal, state and local laws.
Our NSOs and TSOs represent veterans and active-duty military personnel in discharge reviews, correction of military records, and physical evaluation boards at more than 75 military separation sites in the United States. To ensure that service personnel know about their potential eligibility for veterans' benefits, we also call on patients at military hospitals.
Perry Fernandez is a 20-year veteran of the United States Navy. He has worked in several capacities: Aviation Survival Equipmentman, Career Counselor, Statistician, PSD HR Assistant, DEERS/RAPIDS technician and Navy Survival Instructor. To date, he has assisted more than 3900 military members in submitting their disability claims and assisted with their successful transition to civilian life. As a direct representative of the DAV regional office in Seattle, WA, he briefs TAP classes and operates offices in two locations in the Northwest: NAS Whidbey Island and NS Everett Smokey Point Complex.
He also runs his IT management company in charge of the design and development of one of the world's largest healthcare employment board. As a member of several fraternal orders, he actively participates in fund raising and charity work.
Perry is available for interviews, medical records screening and disability claim processing at the following locations:
Monday thru Wednesday: NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane base (360) 257-4805
Thursdays: NS Everett Smokey Point Family Service Center: for appointments: (360) 257-4805
There are other WASHINGTON State Transition Service Officers:
Paul Frestag
Disabled American Veterans
West Sound Pre-Separation Center
264 Burwell Street
Bremerton, WA 98337
Phone: (360) 782-9858 Fax: (360) 782-9901
Jonathan Williams
Disabled American Veterans
Fort Lewis Pre-Separation Office
Waller Hall, Building 700
Fort Lewis, WA 98433
Phone: (253) 966-1280
Fax: (253) 966-1280
Tom Higdon
Building 552, Barnes Blvd.
McChord AFB, WA 98438
Phone: (253) 982-1310
Fax: (253) 982-2376
For the lists of all DAV Offices in ALL STATES, click on the links below.
More information for transitioning personnel with 60 to 180 days of separation or retirement:
Benefits Delivered At Discharge Program (BDD) A.K.A The Preseparations Program
Here's some good reading for you. Click
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DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
Chapter 47
260 W PIONEER WAY
Seaplane Base
OAK HARBOR WA 98278
Tel (360) 257-4805
Information found in this website is subject to change without notification.