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Veteran services officer says outreach increased claims access; seeks more administrative help
Summary
Veterans services officer Colin Bode reported filing 72 VA-related claims since certification, reported 33 favorable outcomes among decided claims and said the office has concluded about 36 cases with an asserted ~91% success rate; he described broad outreach and asked for more part-time administrative support.
Colin Bode, Westford's veteran services officer, told the Select Board on July 14 that his office has expanded outreach and benefits access for local veterans since he began serving in the role.
"Since June of last year, our office has filed, at this point now, 72 claims for compensation, DIC, burial, home health aids," Bode said, listing the range of benefits his office pursues. He said dozens of claims have been decided with favorable outcomes and later characterized the office's success as "around a 91 percent success rate." He also said his office has successfully concluded about 36 cases and stressed that those favorable decisions bring federal dollars into the local economy.
Bode described outreach tactics including social-media posts that highlight veterans of the quarter, participation in faith and community events, coffee socials and one-on-one case management. He said the office partners with the Cameron Senior Center, the council on aging and regional resources such as the Lowell Vet Center and uses Chapter 115 assistance where appropriate.
Bode asked for additional administrative hours to help manage the paperwork and multi-page claim packages that can range from small submissions to nearly 100 pages. Board members praised the outreach and suggested connecting him to tax work-off and other town programs to fill capacity gaps.
The board did not take formal budget action at the meeting but requested continued updates on caseload and resource needs.
