It’s not unusual to hear someone say, “I went down to the Vets,” but what exactly does that mean? Depending on context, “the Vets” could mean the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the local American Legion or VFW, or even your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO). Each has an important role in supporting Veterans, but they are not the same—and it helps everyone when we use the right terms.
CVSOs—Local Guides to Benefits
CVSOs are county employees whose primary responsibility is to assist, advise, and advocate for Veterans, their families, and survivors. We are trained and accredited to help you navigate VA benefits and services—but we don’t work for VA and we don’t make benefit decisions. Think of us as your local guide: we can help prepare and submit claims, explain benefit programs, and connect you with the right resources.
What CVSOs Cannot Do
While we wear many hats, our work is limited to Veterans benefits and related services. We are not licensed to provide legal advice, represent you in IRS or Social Security matters, or manage non-VA federal programs. We can point you to the right public information or agencies, but the direct work in those areas is beyond our scope. This isn’t a matter of unwillingness—it’s about staying within our training and avoiding liability outside our lane.
VA—A Federal Agency
The VA is a federal department, not your local CVSO, providing health care, pensions and compensation, and burial benefits. CVSOs work closely with VA, but we do not control their decision-making.
Veterans Service Organizations— Community Advocates
Groups like the American Legion, VFW, and Operation V4V are nonprofit organizations that provide camaraderie, community, and additional support, sometimes working alongside CVSOs.
Why This Matters
When you know who does what, you can save yourself time and frustration. Calling your CVSO about a tax issue won’t get it solved—but we can point you in the right direction. Calling VA about a county property tax exemption won’t help either—that’s a local matter. Using the right door at the start helps you get where you need to go faster.
Bottom Line
Your CVSO is here to serve you in the benefits arena. Please keep calling or emailing—but with the understanding of what we can and cannot do. With clearer expectations, we can focus on doing what we do best: helping you secure the benefits you’ve earned.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
