Departments & Services - Veterans Service Officer

David Batchelder
Veterans Service Officer                           

Diane Cannon
Administrative Assistant

824 Second Street
Carter County Courthouse Complex
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 542-1824
(423) 542-3469 Fax

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Duties:The Veterans Service Office assists veterans, their family members, and survivors in obtaining federal and state veterans' benefits they have earned through their military service. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Our office is funded and operated by Carter County. There is no charge for our services.

Although we cannot adjudicate claims, we can provide advice about the various programs and eligibility requirements and assist in completing the forms and other correspondence necessary to file a claim or an appeal. We will also assist in resolving problems and getting answers to questions about the laws and regulations that govern veterans' benefits.

Our office is located at 824 2nd Street directly behind the Carter County Courthouse. (Special hours, nursing home or hospital visits, or house calls can be arranged by appointment, as needed.)

Summary of Services Provided:

 Compensation and Pension                                                                 

• Service-connected disability claims                                                
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for survivors            
• Pensions for veterans and their surviving spouses
• Housebound benefits
• Aid and Attendance benefits
• Medical expense reimbursements

Death and Burial

• Burial allowances
• Veterans' grave markers and headstones

Education

• VA educational assistance (GI Bill)
• Vocational rehabilitation

Records

• Recording military discharge documents (DD Forms 214) with the County Clerk
• Obtaining replacement military records, medals, and decorations
• Review/upgrade of military discharges
• Obtaining birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other documents needed to support claims

Medical/Health Care

• Hospital, domiciliary, and nursing home care
• Outpatient medical treatment
• Dental treatment
• Prosthetics (may include eyeglasses and hearing aids)
• Specially adapted housing
• Automobiles and adaptive equipment
• Clothing allowance

Insurance

• Government Life Insurance applications and claims
• Loans on government insurance
• Updating insurance beneficiary designations

Home Loans

• VA guaranteed homes loans

Miscellaneous

• Disagreements and appeals on VA decisions
• Requests for waivers or payment arrangements on debts to the VA
• Property tax exemptions
• Civil Service job preference
• Special license plates