Claims Department

Assisting Veterans and their Families with Disability Benefits and Rights

Texas Veterans can rest assured that the Claims Benefit Advisors of the Texas Veterans Commission are working diligently to serve our Veterans, families, and survivors with the utmost respect and care to ensure they receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled in service to our country and that their needs are met so they can feel the self-respect, pride, and dignity they deserve for their selfless sacrifice to our country.

Book a Claims Appointment

Contact Claims


Salvador Castillo
Director, Claims
salvador.castillo@tvc.texas.gov
1 (800) 252-8387

Juan Amaya
Operations Manager, Claims
juan.amaya@tvc.texas.gov
1 (800) 252-8387


General Contact Form


*Disclaimer
The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently experiencing a technical issue with newly filed claims. If you have filed a disability compensation claim and you have received a letter from the VA stating, you have a denial for a previously submitted condition of “N/A”. You can disregard this letter. Rest assured your claim has been filed and this development letter will in no way affect your claim.

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Start Your Claim

Claims

Our Claims Benefit Advisors are available statewide to help you start and process your VA claim. These services are free of charge and most of our Claims Benefit Advisors are veterans who have chosen to serve their fellow veterans and veteran families. All of our Claims Benefit Advisors are well-versed in communicating your unique situation to the VA efficiently and effectively.

Dependents Resources

Family & Survivors

We recognize the dedication and the devotion of the families and survivors of our veterans. We serve them as we would our own families and survivors, because we value their loyalty and understand what they sacrificed to support us and our fellow veterans.

File an Appeal

Appeals

Our Claims Benefit Advisors are available statewide to represent you in filing an appeal on your current rating decision. These services are free of charge and most of our Claims Benefit Advisors are veterans who have chosen to serve their fellow veterans and veteran families. Our Claims Benefit Advisors are well versed in communicating your situation to the VA efficiently and effectively.

Find More Help

Resources

There are plenty of additional online resources available to our veterans looking for more assistance or information. Please review several of our agency and partner websites and tools to find exactly what you need.

Monthly Disability Benefits

Compensation

VA disability compensation provides monthly benefits to veterans in recognition of the effects of disabilities, diseases, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service. The program also provides monthly payments to surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents.

Local Resources

Veterans County Service Office

Texas Veterans County Service officers are professional, highly qualified county service officers who are dedicated in providing direct services, VA claims, education and support to all eligible veterans, dependents, and survivors.

For all inquiries, please call (800) 252-8387


 

About Claims

Our Claims Benefit Advisors are all Veterans who are highly experienced with serving Veterans, in all matters pertaining to Veterans’ disability benefits and entitlements. Our agency is designated by the State of Texas to represent the State and our Veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We represent Veterans in filing VA disability claims and represent Veterans during the VA appeals processes.

Expert Benefits Advisors

The Texas Veterans Commission is nationally recognized for its expertise in helping Veterans get the most benefits for which they are entitled. Our agency has more than 80 Claims Benefits Advisors accredited by the VA to represent Veterans with disability claims and appeals. In addition, our Benefits Advisors help Veterans and their families with questions regarding state and federal benefits, survivor and dependent needs, filling out VA paperwork, and addressing medical concerns.

  • TVC is Nationally Recognized
  • 80+ Accredited Benefits Advisors
  • State and Federal Benefits
  • Survivor and Dependent Needs
  • Filling Out VA Paperwork
  • Addressing Medical Concerns

Where We Are Located

The largest concentration of Veterans live near the major cities of Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley. In order to assist these Veterans, our claims and benefits advisors are located in VA regional offices, VA medical facilities, VA clinics, and military installations throughout the state.

To find a Benefits Advisor near you, search our Claims Appointment Page. 

 

Upcoming Events

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Claims In The Media


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Additional Claims Resources

View Additional Claims Resources

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Texas veterans commission charge for their services, or what are their fees?

Nothing. The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) was established in 1927 with the mission of advocating for the Veterans, families, and survivors of Texas Veterans. The Texas Veterans Commission provides quality service through a dedicated team and professional workforce of VA accredited staff located throughout forty-nine offices within the state.  Many of these offices are located within VA facilities to provide services and assist in the filing of VA compensation, pension, or survivor benefit claims.  TVC offers appointments for dedicated time between claimants with a staff member (either in an office, or by phone appointment). In close collaboration with the Texas Veterans Commission, many of the 249 counties of the state of Texas have Veteran County Service Offices typically located within their local county assistive services. The Veteran County Service Officers (VCSOs) work closely with TVC through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to also provide services at no fee to our state’s veteran residents seeking their benefits and entitlements.

I work all day, and find it difficult to go to the VA. Does TVC offer a way for me to schedule an appointment to file my claim?

TVC offers appointments both “In-Office” as well as “Phone Appointments” until (7:00 pm) to accommodate working personnel (for limited phone locations/appointments). The most important step initially is for individuals is to submit an “Intent to File” (VA Form 21-0966) which establishes a “Date of Claim” with the VA.  You also want to ensure that you have the necessary supporting evidence for your claim to (1) establish its existence, or (2) establish an increase of its severity/rating.

Where are the TVC Offices located so I can contact a TVC representative to file a claim?

TVC representatives are located in most of the major VA Healthcare facilities in the State of Texas.  You can go to the TVC main page to make an appointment for claims assistance.

I have filed my claim (XX) times and been denied each time. What evidence do I need to submit to establish my service-connection?

In order to overturn a previous denial of a VA decision, evidence submitted must be “new and material” (38 CFR §3.156a) or “new and relevant” (38 CFR §3.156d), and not be redundant or repetitive in nature.

What evidence do I need to bring for my VA Claim?

That really depends on the type of claim which you are filing, and if it is a new, or previously denied claim (appeal):

Compensation Claim(s) – This is for a service-connected medical condition, and you are seeking “Service-Connection” which results in a monthly entitlement (38 CFR §3.4).  Typically, you will want to have a diagnosis from a licensed medical/healthcare provider, as well as the supporting medical evidence/records to provide to the VA confirming XX or YY.

You are claiming medical condition XX or YY, meaning that you already have it or suffer from it.  The VA will send you to a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination to affirm or deny the existence of the medical condition (not diagnose).

Pension Claim(s) – VA Pension is awarded to veterans who served during a period of war (Ref 38 CFR §3.2) and is based on income, assets, and Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) of the Veteran, spouse, and children within the household.  Certain expenses and assets, especially medical expenses, can be deducted from one’s income.  For this reason, it is especially important to be very forthcoming in one’s disclosure.

Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Widows Pension (WP) – DIC is based on the Veteran passing away from a Service-connected death (38 CFR §3.5) , while Widows Pension (as with Veterans Pension) is based on income threshold and the veteran must have served during a period of wartime service.

    • DIC – for awarding of DIC, the veterans cause of death must have been due to a service connected condition (SCC) and the SCC must be listed on the death certificate as the primary, secondary, or contributing cause of death.
    • WP – for the awarding of WP, the veteran only simply had to serve during a recognized period of war and the claimant must meet the income threshold for awarding of benefits (below MAPR).  VA will only pay “Up to MAPR amount”.