VETERANS – MARK YOUR CALENDARS! May 8 – 10 marks the 7th annual Veteran’s Experience Action Center (VEAC) being held in North Carolina. The American Legion Department of North Carolina, in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, sponsors the annual Veteran Experience Action Center (VEAC). The 3-day event allows veterans and their families to meet with Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits officials, healthcare representatives, and veteran’s organizations Service Officers (VSO) to help facilitate and expedite new or existing disability claims, appeals or other healthcare issues.
Regardless of residency, the VEAC is open to all veterans and their families! The event will be held at the National Guard Armory, 2414 Infantry Rd., Wilmington, NC, as follows:
THURSDAY, May 8, and FRIDAY, May 9, from 9 AM – 3 PM
SATURDAY, May 10, from 9 AM – 2 PM
Registration at the door is by Social Security Number (SSN). Everyone who registers will be seen, but participants should follow the registration guidelines:
THURSDAY, MAY 8 – Those with SSNs ending in 00 – 33 register.
FRIDAY, MAY 9 – Those with SSNs ending in 34 – 66 register.
SATURDAY, MAY 10 – Those with SSNs ending in 67 – 99 register.
To help facilitate the VEAC process, veterans should gather their documentation (e.g., DD 214 and all military and civilian medical records related to their disability) and work with local VSOs to submit claims. The intent is to have decision-ready claims ready by the VEAC-scheduled dates. Doing so now gives these veterans an excellent chance to have their claims adjudicated onsite at the VEAC.
Regardless of their location, any veteran who wishes to participate in the VEAC should contact their respective Veterans Service Office to schedule an appointment and initiate the claims process. Brunswick County veterans should contact the Brunswick County Veterans Service Office at (910) 253-2233. Veterans in New Hanover County should call (910) 798-7611; Pender County (910) 259-1203; and Columbus County (910) 640-6638.