Christianson earns national scholarship for Veterans Service training

klweber2771
4 hours ago
2 min read

Jessica Christianson of the Dunn County Veterans Service Office was one of only 10 applicants selected nationwide to receive a scholarship to attend the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Service Officer Training Conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

The training, held twice annually, gives VFW-accredited service officers and select representatives from other veterans service organizations and government agencies the latest information on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policies and procedures.

Christianson said she needs 16 hours of continuing education a year. The VFW training involved learning the best practices for assisting veterans and their families with VA claims, appeals, and benefits navigation, with the curriculum covering claim preparation, evidence development, and updates to VA policy, allowing employees like Christianson to maintain access to federal VA systems.

“We got into more of the nuts and bolts, a deeper level, of what we assist veterans with in writing disability claims,” Christianson said, adding she was chosen from 40 applicants for the scholarship.

Each county in Wisconsin has a Veterans Service Office to help veterans apply for all the benefits they are eligible for. The training, Christianson said, gave attendees information on “how to properly present that claim to the VA and provide a good case and evidence ... so we are writing the best claims for folks.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this opportunity,” Christianson continued. “This training will strengthen my ability to serve Dunn County’s veterans and ensure they receive the benefits they’ve earned.”

Christianson said that as Veteran’s Day approaches, now is the time for all veterans in Dunn County to review what benefits they are receiving to determine if they are now eligible for additional assistance.

“The most important thing is to at least learn what is out there for you,” Christianson said. “Come in for a benefit overview and make informed decisions: Know what you are eligible for and how we can help you obtain those benefits.”

To contact the Dunn County Veterans Service Office, visit https://www.co.dunn.wi.us/veterans or call (715) 232-1646.

Dunn County media release.