Approved Claim Helps Homeless Veteran

Early this year, a Massachusetts veteran service officer (VSO) met a homeless veteran at the local food pantry. The veteran was enrolled in VA health care, but didn’t have any service-connected disabilities. However, the veteran had high blood pressure and had recently undergone surgery for prostate cancer. The VSO help the veteran file a claim, and in September, the veteran received an overall 50% rating from the VA, special monthly compensation (SMC) and over $9,000 in retroactive pay — enough money to allow him to find permanent housing and buy groceries going forward.