Juan Amaya’s strong commitment to getting veterans their benefits led him into researching medical findings.
“I was assisting a surviving spouse with a VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Claim. Her husband was only service connected for PTSD at 100% for only 4 years. In his death certificate it stated that the contributing factors were failure to thrive and anemia. I had to find a way to get his death service connected. I did some research and found medical literature stating that PTSD and those two conditions can be linked,” said Amaya. The VA continued the claim by requesting a medical opinion from a doctor to see if in fact they can be related. The MD sided with the fact that yes, PTSD can contribute to the conditions of anemia and failure to thrive. The surviving spouse was granted the Claim and was very grateful for the help that was given.”
Amaya, pictured, is a veteran with 10 years service in the Air Force including three combat tours to Iraq and one year in Baghdad training the Iraqi Police. He’s also the new Director of Williamson County’s Veterans Service Office.
His office assists veterans and their families with Claims, VA education benefits, VA grants and Federal grants, and immediate food assistance via donations from local supporting nonprofit organizations, as well as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation /Surviving Spouse Pension assistance.
“Contact our office by calling 512-943-1900 and speaking to Megan, our administrator, to schedule an appointment with one of our VSOs. If veterans prefer, they can stop by the office to schedule an appointment. If they want to chat, we are here for them.” Find them online at https://www.wilco.org/Departments/Veterans-Services/Support .
Though new, Amaya joins a team with experience in the area. “Coming into Williamson County, I was blessed because of the two Assistant VSOs (Veteran Service Officers) that were there already. Thankfully, they are committed to provide the best service possible to our veterans of Williamson County.” The Assistant VSOs are Karen Walker and veteran Eric Medford, currently in in the Navy Reserves. Additionally, a newer Assistant VSO on the team is Charles Subotich. Completing the team is Veterans Coordinator/Office Manager Cathy Jo Johnson.
Pictured is the Williamson County VSO team. From left are Charles Subotich, Karen Walker, Megan Medford, Cathy Jo Johnson, Eric Medford and Juan Amaya.
Amaya is also looking forward to community projects. “Field of Honor is an upcoming event in November that we will be involved with. They are a great organization that assists veterans in need in our local area.”
He encourages veterans across the state to “Go to your local VCSO (Veteran County Service Officer). We are here for the veteran and their families. We can point you in the right direction if we cannot directly assist you. There are many organizations out there that can help including the VFW, American Legion, DAV, Marine Corps League and many more non-profits that are there to help.”
Prior to becoming the Williamson County Veterans Services Office Director, Amaya gained valuable experience as Assistant Veterans Service (VSO) Officer for Cameron County. “I came from a county that had an amazing staff; Laura Lee, who was my prior office manager, mentored me as she had been with the veteran’s office for 20 plus years. I was able to become the VSO I am now because of her and the people I worked with. Working under Sal Castillo (former Cameron VSO Director and currently Texas Veterans Commission Claims Director) and having him mentor me helped in so many ways. I was able to learn from a great VSO and move forward and gain the experience that allowed me to become the director I am today. Now that I am in Williamson County, I will be able to give the Veterans in my area full assistance in the benefits they deserve.”