Department Service Officer Program

In cooperation with the State of Alaska Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion Department of Alaska provides a staff of professional Department Service Officers (DSO) fully trained and committed to providing our State Veterans with representation before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They are located in the Alaska VA regional office in Anchorage, 2925 Debarr Road, with office hours of 8:00 AM till 4:00 PM daily Monday through Friday and can be reached by local phone service at 907-276-8211 or statewide or nation wide at 1-888-353-7574 ext 4802. Any and all staff members can and will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

DSO's have specialized training, knowledge of VA regulations and instructions to assist veterans file for and receive any and all benefit for which they are entitled. Our office provides forms and can assist in filing the necessary paperwork to apply for veterans benefits. Also we provide assistance in filing for upgrades where disabilities are already service connected. In disputed denial for benefits our DSO's will provide representation before hearing board such as Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing, or hearing before the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) travel boards or in Washington D.C.. We can also assist in discharge upgrades.

All Veterans are eligible for our assistance, you need not be an American Legion member. All Services are provided free of charge. Our funding comes from our Department of Alaska and a grant from the State of Alaska.

Department Service Officer		Leon Bertram 1-888-353-7574 ext. 4802	Phone: 907-276-8211 Email: leon.bertram@va.gov
Service Officer		Jimmie Foster 1-888-353-7574 Ext. 4802	Phone: 907-276-8211 Email: jimmie.foster@va.gov
Admin Asst		Katie McClain	Phone: 907-276-8211 Email: KatieJo.McClain@va.gov
Service Officer		Bob Tumacder 1-888-353-7574	Phone: 907-276-8211 Email: robert.tumacder@va.gov