Veterans Assistance and Rehabilitation

SERVICE OFFICERS PROGRAM
The American Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation program is designed to provide a comprehensive network of Service Officers at the Post, County, District, Department, and National levels to provide direct and timely assistance to all veterans, their dependents and survivors in claims for any Federal or state benefits to which they may be entitled. In no other program within the American Legion is there a greater need for teamwork and communication. Effective service for the veteran depends on the cooperative efforts of thousands of dedicated Legionnaires of various and diversified talents.
It is the responsibility of every Service Officer to assist all veterans, and any other worthy person, obtain aid and comfort in their endeavor to procure rightful entitlement to the benefits they have earned. This obligation includes the preparation of the proper forms and applications for entitlement and gathering the necessary evidence to provide a "well grounded case". Always remember, Legion membership is not a prerequisite or requirement for help from a Service Officer. We "Still Serve America" by helping anyone who needs our services.
"WELL GROUNDED CLAIM": A well grounded claim is a plausible claim, one which has merit on its own, or is capable of substantiation. A well grounded claim for service connection requires evidence of incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury in service, and evidence of a nexus, or link, between the in-service injury or disease and the current disability.
The Department Service Officer in MD is Mrs. Valerie L. Cochran located at the Department of Veterans Affairs Baltimore Regional Office in the Fallon Building. Phone number is 410-230-4420. Office hours are 0800-1600 Monday - Friday. The office has FAX at 410-230-4421, Voice mail, and E-mail capabilities.
Veterans in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties to include all Laurel addresses are assigned to the National Regional Office in Washington, DC. Post Service Officers helping these veterans should contact the American Legion Representatives, Mr. Walter Bledsoe or Mr. Darrell Peryear at that office. Office hours are 0730-1530 Monday - Friday. The office has FAX and Voice mail at 202-961-3185.
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HEALTH CARE FACILITIES - VA MARYLAND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WEBB SITE
Baltimore Medical Center 10 North Green Street Baltimore, MD 21201 1-800-463-6295 410-605-7333	Hagerstown Outpatient Clinic 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue Western Maryland Hospital Center Hagerstown, MD 21742 301-665-1462
Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center 3900 Loch Raven Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21218 410-605-7508	Perry Point Medical Center Perry Point, MD 21902 1-800-949-1003 410-642-2411 ext. 5018
Cambridge Outpatient Clinic 5510 West Shore Road P.O. Box 800 Cambridge, MD 21613 410-228-6305	Fort Howard Medical Center 9600 North Point Road Fort Howard, MD 21052 1-800-351-8387 ext. 2077 or 2504 410-477-1800 same ext. ( Mobile Clinic Teams )
Charlotte Hall Community Clinic Charlotte Hall State Veterans Home 29431 Charlotte Hall Road Charlotte, MD 20622 1-800-522-8387 ext. 2631 301-884-7102	Glen Burnie Community Car 1406 South Crain Highway Pyramid Professional Glen Burnie, MD 21061 410-590-4140
Cumberland Outpatient Clinic 710 Memorial Avenue Cumberland, MD 21502 301-724-0061	Martinsburg Medical Center Route 9 Martinsburg, WV 25410 304-263-0811
Transportation Services Baltimore 410-605-7318 NW Perry Point 410-642-2411 ext. 5038 202-745-8000	Washington DC Medical Center 50 South Irving Street Washington DC. 20422 ( Mobile Clinic Teams )