Ep 06: Uncovering Benefits That Veterans Deserve and Can Receive

Episode 06 Uncovering benefits that veterans deserve and can receive with Gordon Smith, Veterans Service Officer, City of Indianapolis
– The Colonel in Your Corner with Karl Truman
Gordon Smith is a Veterans Service Officer, VSO, for the City of Indianapolis and a Commissioner for the Indianapolis Juvenile Detention Advisory Board. He is the former CEO of the PTSD Recovery Program, a non-profit that contributes to the healing of veterans, first responders, women and those re-entering society after imprisonment suffering from PTSD and other stress-related disorders.
Gordon has received many awards for his service. After Desert Storm, Gordon resigned his commission and eight years later re-entered as an enlisted guy. He worked as a medic and ended up in Iraq in 2005 and later worked at the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Gordon helps veterans file claims and uncover benefits they may not know they are eligible for. He advises that if veterans don’t file claims, they are hurting other veterans that need them. 
He explains why in our conversation and why veterans should come forward and speak with a VSO.
We discuss:
The mission of helping veterans walk through the complex process of filing a claim.
How Gordon filed close to 350 claims last year and 58% of those veterans had never gone to the VA for help.
The military has changed a lot over the past eight years.
Newer veterans have filed claims, but not those from Vietnam, Desert Storm, National Guard Reserves.
The other benefits that go beyond disability.
Even if you think you don’t qualify, contact a Veteran Service Officer, VSO.
Mental health issues needs are addressed and are not a sign of weakness.
Traumatic Brain injuries, military sexual trauma and PTSD are issues being addresses properly.
Community organizations in Indianapolis are becoming more collaborative.
Enjoy the show!
Connect with Gordon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-smith-64a60a97/
Connect with Karl:
Website: https://trumanlaw.com/
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