California lawmakers hear county veterans service officers warn of underfunding, accreditation gaps and predatory “claim sharks”

Lawmakers heard Tuesday that California’s county veterans service officers (CVSOs) are operating with insufficient state funding while facing a growing threat from for‑profit “claim sharks” that charge veterans for services provided for free by accredited offices.

David West, president of the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers and Nevada County veterans service officer, told the joint informational hearing of the Senate and Assembly military and veterans affairs committees that CVSO funding “represents just 2% of CalVet’s general fund budget and a mere 0.005% of the state's total general fund spending.” He urged sustained investment and noted state and federal enforcement gaps that allow unaccredited firms to operate.

The appeal to the Legislature came as county officers and CalVet officials described how CVSOs provide life‑long, community‑based help — from filing VA compensation claims to connecting veterans with housing, behavioral health and local benefits — and presented numbers intended to show return on investment. West said California CVSOs submitted 12% of all claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2024 despite the state housing about 8% of the nation’s veterans. Placer County veterans service officer Steve Johnson and others offered local case examples of veterans who lost time or money after relying on paid consultants.

Why it matters: witnesses…