Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs):
February 6, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Tamar B. Breslauer
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) offer a range of services for veterans,
Senior Research Librarian
servicemembers, dependents, and survivors. Some VSOs may provide programming for
veterans in their communities, such as job fairs; others may organize events to raise money for a subset of veterans, such as housing for homeless veterans. Some VSOs train
individuals to meet federal regulatory requirements to become accredited representatives who can represent claimants before the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) regional offices and its Board of Veterans’ Appeals. This report answers frequently asked questions to clarify how VSOs are funded, administered, and connected to the federal government.
Congressional Research Service
link to page 4 link to page 4 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page 6 link to page 6 link to page 7 link to page 7 link to page 7 link to page 7 link to page 7 link to page 8 Veterans Service Organizations: FAQ
Contents
What Are Veterans Service Organizations? ............................................................................... 1
What Services and Activities Are Supported by Veterans Service Organizations? ................... 1
Are Veterans Service Organizations Federal Agencies? ........................................................... 2
What Are Congressionally Chartered Veterans Service Organizations? ................................... 2
What Are Recognized Veterans Service Organizations? ........................................................... 2
Do Veterans Service Organizations Provide Access to Accredited Representatives? ............... 3
How Are Veterans Service Organizations Funded? ................................................................... 3
Do Veterans Service Organizations Provide Reports to the Federal Government?................... 4
Does the Department of Veterans Affairs Provide Grants Specifically for Veterans
Service Organizations?........................................................................................................... 4
Do Other Federal Agencies Offer Grants for Veterans Service Organizations? ........................ 4
Where Can I Find a Directory of All Veterans Service Organizations? .................................... 4
Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................................... 5
Congressional Research Service
Veterans Service Organizations: FAQ
What Are Veterans Service Organizations?
Veterans Service Organizations
Updated April 24, 2026
(R46412)
Jump to Main Text of Report
Summary
Veterans service organizations (VSOs) offer a range of services for veterans, servicemembers, dependents, and survivors. Some VSOs may provide programming for veterans in their communities, such as job fairs. Others may organize events to raise money for subsets of veterans, such as housing for homeless veterans. Some VSOs train individuals to represent claimants before the Department of Veterans Affairs and its Board of Veterans' Appeals. This report answers frequently asked questions about how VSOs are funded, administered, and connected to the federal government.
What Are Veterans Service Organizations?
Veterans service organizations (VSOs) are organizations that aid and serve veterans, (VSOs) are organizations that aid and serve veterans,
servicemembers, dependents, and survivors.servicemembers, dependents, and survivors.
VSOs may fall into one or more of the following categories:VSOs may fall into one or more of the following categories:
• congressionally chartered organizations;1 • organizations recognized by VA;2 • organizations recognized by VA to prepare, present, and prosecute claims;3 • national organizations;4 • state, county, or tribal governmental organizations; 5 • regional or local organizations;6 or • nonprofit organizations.
- Congressionally chartered organizations1
- Organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)2
- Organizations recognized by VA to prepare, present, and prosecute claims3
- National organizations4
- State, county, or tribal governmental organizations5
- Regional or local organizations6
- Nonprofit organizations
There is no uniformly applied statutory definition of the term There is no uniformly applied statutory definition of the term
VSO, but the term may be defined , but the term may be defined
in a specific way within certain statutes. For example, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and in a specific way within certain statutes. For example, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-55) stated: Modernization Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-55) stated:
“"The term The term
‘'veterans service organizationveterans service organization
’' means means
any organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section any organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section
5902 of title 38, 5902 of title 38,
United States Code..
”" Also, the Internal Revenue Code Also, the Internal Revenue Code
(IRC) defines veterans defines veterans
organizationorganizations for the purpose of determining tax status in for the purpose of determining tax status in
the IRC Section 501(c). More Section 501(c). More
information on this topic can be accessed from the Internal Revenue Service information on this topic can be accessed from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) website on its website on its
“"Veterans OrganizationsVeterans Organizations
”" page page
, at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/other-non-profits/ at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/other-non-profits/
veterans-organizationsveterans-organizations
. .
For VSOs recognized by VA, regulatory descriptions of types of VSOs apply. These descriptions include "National organization," "State organization," "Tribal organization," and "Regional or local organization."7
What Services and Activities Are Supported by Veterans Service
Organizations?
VSOs?
VSOs serve veterans, and their activities may encompass a range of services, such asVSOs serve veterans, and their activities may encompass a range of services, such as
• :providing programming for veterans in their communities, such as job fairs;providing programming for veterans in their communities, such as job fairs;
•
organizing events to raise money for organizing events to raise money for
a subsetsubsets of veterans, such as housing for of veterans, such as housing for
homeless veterans; orhomeless veterans; or
•
providing access to accredited providing access to accredited
veterans serviceVSO representatives who can assist veterans, survivors, and dependents with applying for VA benefits, gathering evidence, filing claims, or communicating with VA.Are VSOs Federal Agencies?
representatives who can help
veterans when they apply for VA benefits.
1 According to Title 36 of the United States Code, congressionally chartered organizations are those that have as their purpose the promotion of patriotic, charitable, historical, educational, or similar activities.
2 38 C.F.R. §14.628 (Recognition of Organizations). 3 According to VA’s Office of General Counsel,
Under the authority granted in section 5902 of title 38, United States Code, VA may recognize organizations for the purpose of assisting claimants for VA benefits in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their claims. VA has implemented this authority in section 14.628 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, which prescribes the application requirements for national, state, and regional or local organizations.
4 38 C.F.R. §14.628(a). 5 38 C.F.R. §14.628(b)(1) (State organizations); 38 C.F.R. §14.628(b)(2) (Tribal organizations). 6 38 C.F.R. §14.628(c).
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Veterans Service Organizations: FAQ
Are Veterans Service Organizations Federal Agencies?
VSOs are not federal agencies. VSOs may be nonprofit organizations or state, county, tribal, or VSOs are not federal agencies. VSOs may be nonprofit organizations or state, county, tribal, or
local government agencies. Employees who work for VSOs are not federal employees.local government agencies. Employees who work for VSOs are not federal employees.
The VA Secretary may make space available in departmental facilities for individuals who work The VA Secretary may make space available in departmental facilities for individuals who work
for national VSOs that have been recognized by the Secretary. According to for national VSOs that have been recognized by the Secretary. According to
38 U.S.C. §5902(a)(2), “the U.S. Code, "the Secretary may, in the discretion of the Secretary, furnish, if available, space and the Secretary may, in the discretion of the Secretary, furnish, if available, space and
office facilities for the use of paid full-time representatives of national organizations so office facilities for the use of paid full-time representatives of national organizations so
recognized.recognized.
”"8 Thus, while employees of some VSOs may be physically working at VA federal Thus, while employees of some VSOs may be physically working at VA federal
facilities, they are not federal workers. The VSO employees are positioned in these facilities to facilities, they are not federal workers. The VSO employees are positioned in these facilities to
conveniently assist veterans, their spouses, and their beneficiaries.conveniently assist veterans, their spouses, and their beneficiaries.
9
What Are Congressionally Chartered Veterans Service
Organizations?
VSOs?
Congressionally chartered VSOs are organizations that Congressionally chartered VSOs are organizations that
have beenCongress has granted charters granted charters
by Congress through the enactment of public laws. Each congressionally chartered VSO is listed in through the enactment of public laws. Each congressionally chartered VSO is listed in
36 U.S.C. Subtitle II: Patriotic and National Organizations.
A VSO is “Title 36, Subtitle II, of the U.S. Code.
A VSO is "congressionally charteredcongressionally chartered
”" if Congress has passed a law that chartered the if Congress has passed a law that chartered the
organization. Provisions related to congressional charters are codified in organization. Provisions related to congressional charters are codified in
36 U.S.C. Subtitle II. TheTitle 36, Subtitle II, of the U.S. Code. The last VSO chartered by Congress was for the National American Indian Veterans last VSO chartered by Congress was for the National American Indian Veterans
(NAIV) in in
2024.2024.
710 Congress may amend existing charters, which often include conditions for membership, Congress may amend existing charters, which often include conditions for membership,
mission, or other characteristics of the particular VSO. Among the congressionally chartered mission, or other characteristics of the particular VSO. Among the congressionally chartered
VSOs are the American Legion,VSOs are the American Legion,
811 which was chartered in 1919, and Disabled American Veterans which was chartered in 1919, and Disabled American Veterans
(DAV),(DAV),
912 which was chartered in 1932. which was chartered in 1932.
For a more detailed history of congressionally chartered VSOs, see CRS Report R47236, Title 36 For a more detailed history of congressionally chartered VSOs, see CRS Report R47236, Title 36
Charters: The History and Evolution of Congressional Practices, which includes a section on the Charters: The History and Evolution of Congressional Practices, which includes a section on the
“"Role of Charters in Federal Recognition of VeteransRole of Charters in Federal Recognition of Veterans
’' Organizations. Organizations.
” "
What Are Recognized Veterans Service Organizations?
VSOs?
A recognized VSO is one that has been recognized by VA,A recognized VSO is one that has been recognized by VA,
1013 which means that the organization which means that the organization
has satisfied multiple requirementshas satisfied multiple requirements
outlined in 38 C.F.R. §14.628. Recognized VSOs may be . Recognized VSOs may be
national organizations, state organizations, regional or local organizations, or tribal national organizations, state organizations, regional or local organizations, or tribal
organizations.organizations.
11
14
Recognized VSOs are not individually named in the Recognized VSOs are not individually named in the
U.S. Code. Authority to determine that a . Authority to determine that a
VSO is VSO is
“recognized”"recognized" is granted to the VA Secretary in Title 38, Section 5902, of the U.S. Code (Recognition of representatives of organizations). The specific regulations that apply to recognized VSOs appear in Title 38, Section 14.628, of the Code of Federal Regulations (Recognition of organizations).15
The requirements to become a recognized VSO include, among others:
Having a primary purpose to serve veterans
Demonstrating is granted to the VA Secretary in 38 U.S.C. §5902 (Recognition of
7 See P.L. 118-31, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, Section 5103. 8 See 36 U.S.C. §§21701-21708. 9 See 36 U.S.C. §§50301-50309. 10 38 C.F.R. §14.628(d) describes the requirements that must be met for recognition. 11 See VA, “Recognition of Tribal Organizations for Representation of VA Claimants,” 82 Federal Register 6265, January 19, 2017.
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Veterans Service Organizations: FAQ
representatives of organizations). The specific regulations that apply to recognized VSOs appear in 38 C.F.R. §14.628 (Recognition of organizations).12
The requirements to become a recognized VSO include, but are not limited to
• having a primary purpose to serve veterans; • demonstrating commitment to veterans through a sizeable organizational
commitment to veterans through a sizeable organizational membership or performance of veteransmembership or performance of veterans
' services services
;
• committing
Committing a significant portion of the organization a significant portion of the organization
’'s assets to veteranss assets to veterans
' services services
;
and
• submitting
Submitting evidence that the organization will represent claimants or that it will evidence that the organization will represent claimants or that it will
inform claimants on how to find accredited representationinform claimants on how to find accredited representation
.
VSOs provide evidence to the VA Secretary that they meet these criteria through documentation VSOs provide evidence to the VA Secretary that they meet these criteria through documentation
(e.g., membership data, bylaws, description of services provided, and copies of their financial (e.g., membership data, bylaws, description of services provided, and copies of their financial
statements). statements).
In cases whereIf the organization provides VA claims services, evidence must be the organization provides VA claims services, evidence must be
provided that the group has the capability to represent claimants before VA regional offices and provided that the group has the capability to represent claimants before VA regional offices and
VA’VA's Board of Veteranss Board of Veterans
’' Appeals. Appeals.
Do Veterans Service Organizations
Do VSOs Provide Access to Accredited
Representatives?
Recognized VSOs may
Some recognized VSOs provide access to accredited provide access to accredited
VSO representatives,representatives,
16 who assist claimants with who assist claimants with
their affairs before VA. their affairs before VA.
However, not all recognized VSOs provide accredited representatives to represent claimants. The recognizedRecognized VSOs that do not represent claimants must illustrate how VSOs that do not represent claimants must illustrate how
they will inform veterans of the limited services they can providethey will inform veterans of the limited services they can provide
, as well as and how they will advise how they will advise
veterans on how to find accredited veterans on how to find accredited
VSO representation.representation.
Recognized VSOs submit applications of individuals seeking to become accredited Recognized VSOs submit applications of individuals seeking to become accredited
representatives to VArepresentatives to VA
’'s Office of General Counsel s Office of General Counsel
(OGC) for accreditation. These applications include for accreditation. These applications include
evidence that the individuals have been trained and meet specific qualifications.evidence that the individuals have been trained and meet specific qualifications.
1317 Recognized Recognized
VSOs that provide access to accredited representatives often also provide the required continuing learning credits that representatives must periodically complete.
Accredited representatives who work for VSOsVSOs are also required to provide training.18 OGC periodically reviews the training provided by VSOs.19
Accredited VSO representatives may not charge their clients fees. For more may not charge their clients fees. For more
information on accredited representatives, see CRS Report R46428, information on accredited representatives, see CRS Report R46428,
Veterans Accredited
Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions..
How Are Veterans Service OrganizationsVSOs Funded?
VSOs may receive funding from state, county, or private funding sources. They may also receive VSOs may receive funding from state, county, or private funding sources. They may also receive
federal grants to support specific activities.
12 For a history of the prior relationship between congressional charters and recognition, see CRS Report R47236, Title 36 Charters: The History and Evolution of Congressional Practices, which includes a section entitled “End to VA Linkage of Charters and Recognition.” 13 See 38 U.S.C. §§5901-5905; 38 C.F.R. §§14.626-14.637.
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Veterans Service Organizations: FAQ
Do Veterans Service Organizationsfederal grants to support specific activities.
Do VSOs Provide Reports to the Federal
Government?
Certain VSOs have Certain VSOs have
varyingvarious federal reporting requirements. Some may be required to file with the federal reporting requirements. Some may be required to file with the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS);14 othersIRS.20 Others may be required to submit reports as a result of may be required to submit reports as a result of
provisions in their congressional charters.provisions in their congressional charters.
1521 There is no uniform requirement for all VSOs or all There is no uniform requirement for all VSOs or all
congressionally chartered VSOs to submit reports.congressionally chartered VSOs to submit reports.
Does the Department of Veterans Affairs
Does VA Provide Grants
Specifically for Veterans Service Organizations?
VSOs?
Most VA support is designed to aid individual veterans rather than organizations that serve Most VA support is designed to aid individual veterans rather than organizations that serve
veterans. On occasion, Congress has authorized VA to administer grants for which applications veterans. On occasion, Congress has authorized VA to administer grants for which applications
may be solicited from VSOs. For example, the Veterans Transportation Program notes the may be solicited from VSOs. For example, the Veterans Transportation Program notes the
following requirement for applicants for its Highly Rural Transportation Grants:following requirement for applicants for its Highly Rural Transportation Grants:
Only a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or a State Veterans Service Agency can
Only a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or a State Veterans Service Agency can apply, according to paragraphs (a)(2)(A)-(B) of section 307 of the 2010 Act. VSO must be apply, according to paragraphs (a)(2)(A)-(B) of section 307 of the 2010 Act. VSO must be
recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of Veterans under recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of Veterans under
section 5902 of Title 38, section 5902 of Title 38,
United States Code..
16 22
Do Other Federal Agencies Offer Grants for Veterans Service
Organizations?
VSOsVSOs?
A VSO may be eligible for federal support based on the services may be eligible for federal support based on the services
they provideit provides or the community or the community
needs needs
they fill. Theyit fills. It may also be eligible for funding if may also be eligible for funding if
theirits IRS tax-exempt status category is IRS tax-exempt status category is
among those deemed eligible for a particular grant.among those deemed eligible for a particular grant.
1723 For more information on funding, For more information on funding,
congressional offices may consult the CRS congressional offices may consult the CRS
“"Grants and Federal AssistanceGrants and Federal Assistance
”" page, available page, available
at https://www.crs.gov/Resources/Grantsat https://www.crs.gov/Resources/Grants
..
Where Can I Find a Directory of All Veterans Service
Organizations?
VSOs?
No single resource provides a comprehensive list of all VSOs. The following resources provide No single resource provides a comprehensive list of all VSOs. The following resources provide
lists of selected VSOs:
• VA, “E-Benefits: Manage your representative for VA Claims,”18
14 See CRS Report R40919, An Overview of the Nonprofit and Charitable Sector for filing information. 15 See, for example, 36 U.S.C. §§120101-120112, requiring an annual report to be submitted to Congress. 16 See VA, “Health Benefits,” at https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vtp/grant_applicants.asp. 17 For example, the Department of the Treasury issued a Final Rule on January 27, 2022, making 501(c)(19) organizations among the nonprofits eligible for funding from allocations from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund that were established under the American Rescue Plan Act (see 87 Federal Register 4338, January 27, 2022). More information on the Internal Revenue Code classifications for VSOs can be accessed from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website’s “Veterans’ Organizations” page at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/other-non-profits/veterans-organizations, as well as from lRS Publication 3386, “Tax Guide for Veterans’ Organizations,” at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3386.pdf. 18 See VA, eBenefits, “Manage Your Representative for VA Claims,” at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search. Includes search for recognized VSO, accredited attorneys, and accredited claims agents.
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Veterans Service Organizations: FAQ
• VA, “VSOs in Regional VA Offices,”19 • VA, “Directory of State Veterans Affairs Offices,”20 and • 36 U.S.C. Subtitle II: Patriotic and National Organizations.
Author Information
Tamar B. Breslauer
Senior Research Librarian
Acknowledgments
The original report was co-authored with CRS Senior Research Librarian Carol D. Davis.
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
19 See VA, “VSOs at Regional Benefit Offices,” at https://www.benefits.va.gov/vso/varo.asp. 20 See VA, “State Veteran Affairs Offices,” at https://www.va.gov/statedva.htm.
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R46412 · VERSION 8 · UPDATED
5 lists of selected VSOs:- VA, "Search Recognized VSOs," https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp
- VA, "VSOs in Regional VA Offices," https://www.benefits.va.gov/vso/varo.asp
- VA, "Directory of State Veterans Affairs Offices," https://discover.va.gov/external-resources/?_resource_type=state-veterans-affairs-office
- 36 U.S.C. Subtitle II: Patriotic and National Organizations
The original report was co-authored with CRS Senior Research Librarian Carol D. Davis.
Footnotes
| 1.
|
According to Title 36 of the United States Code, congressionally chartered organizations are those that have as their purpose the promotion of patriotic, charitable, historical, educational, or similar activities.
|
| 2.
|
38 C.F.R. §14.628 (Recognition of organizations).
|
| 3.
|
According to VA's Office of General Counsel:
Under the authority granted in section 5902 of title 38, United States Code, VA may recognize organizations for the purpose of assisting claimants for VA benefits in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their claims. VA has implemented this authority in section 14.628 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, which prescribes the application requirements for national, state, and regional or local organizations.
|
| 4.
|
38 C.F.R. §14.628(a).
|
| 5.
|
38 C.F.R. §14.628(b)(1) (State organizations); 38 C.F.R. §14.628(b)(2) (Tribal organizations).
|
| 6.
|
38 C.F.R. §14.628(c).
|
| 7.
|
38 C.F.R. §14.628.
|
| 8.
|
38 U.S.C. §5902(a)(2).
|
| 9.
|
Federal employees are not allowed to be accredited VSO representatives. See CRS Report R46428, Veterans Accredited Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions, for more on accredited representatives.
|
| 10.
|
See P.L. 118-31, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, Section 5103.
|
| 11.
|
See 36 U.S.C. §§21701-21708.
|
| 12.
|
See 36 U.S.C. §§50301-50309.
|
| 13.
|
See 38 C.F.R. §14.628(d).
|
| 14.
|
See VA, "Recognition of Tribal Organizations for Representation of VA Claimants," 82 Federal Register 6265, January 19, 2017.
|
| 15.
|
For a history of the prior relationship between congressional charters and recognition, see CRS Report R47236, Title 36 Charters: The History and Evolution of Congressional Practices, which includes a section entitled "End to VA Linkage of Charters and Recognition."
|
| 16.
|
VA accredits three kinds of individuals: VSO representatives, attorneys, and agents. Often the collective term accredited representatives is used for all three kinds of representatives. Recognized VSOs provide access to accredited VSO representatives.
|
| 17.
|
See 38 U.S.C. §§5901-5905; 38 C.F.R. §§14.626-14.637.
|
| 18.
|
See 38 CFR 14.628(d)(1)(v)(B) which states, "A plan for recruiting and training qualified claim representatives, including the number of hours of formal classroom instruction, the subjects to be taught, the period of on-the-job training, a schedule or timetable for training, the projected number of trainees for the first year, and the name(s) and qualifications of the individual(s) primarily responsible for the training."
|
| 19.
|
Since FY2015, OGC has periodically requested and reviewed the training information for up to nine organizations at a time for sufficiency (communication from VA to CRS, March 3, 2026).
|
| 20.
|
See CRS Report R40919, An Overview of the Nonprofit and Charitable Sector for filing information.
|
| 21.
|
See, for example, 36 U.S.C. §§120101-120112, requiring an annual report to be submitted to Congress.
|
| 22.
|
See VA, "Health Benefits," https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vtp/grant_applicants.asp.
|
| 23.
|
For example, the Department of the Treasury issued a final rule on January 27, 2022, making 501(c)(19) organizations among the nonprofits eligible for funding from allocations from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund that were established under the American Rescue Plan Act (see 87 Federal Register 4338, January 27, 2022). More information on the Internal Revenue Code classifications for VSOs can be accessed from the IRS website's "Veterans' Organizations" page at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/other-non-profits/veterans-organizations, as well as from lRS Publication 3386, "Tax Guide for Veterans' Organizations," at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3386.pdf.
|