GREENVILLE — Veterans and their families do not have to navigate questions about benefits, medical transportation, or burial assistance alone.
Tom Pitman, Darke County Veterans Services director and county veterans service officer, shared that message during a recent Lunch and Learn program hosted by the Darke County Seniors.
“The most important thing is if you know a veteran or if you are a veteran and you have questions about VA benefits, give us a call or stop by our office,” Pitman said.
Pitman, a Darke County native, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 2010 and retired as a senior master sergeant after 24 years of service. He has been on the veterans services staff since July 2013.
His presentation outlined the office’s work, including helping veterans file claims for Department of Veterans Affairs compensation, assisting with pension applications, providing temporary financial assistance, and arranging transportation to VA medical appointments.
Pitman encouraged veterans who have questions about injuries or medical conditions potentially related to their military service to contact the office. Bringing a DD Form 214, the military discharge document, can help staff begin reviewing a veteran’s circumstances.
He said veterans sometimes are unsure whether they should file a claim for conditions such as hearing loss, a back injury, or an illness diagnosed during military service. Office staff can help them explore those questions and prepare claims.
“If you know someone who may be wondering, ‘ Should I file for this? Please send them to our office, and we can help them get that done,” Pitman said.
Assistance also extends to surviving spouses, he said.
Pitman explained that a survivor’s pension may be available in qualifying cases involving veterans who served during a wartime period. He said income, net worth, and medical expenses are among the factors considered, adding that substantial nursing home expenses can make reviewing potential eligibility particularly worthwhile.
“There’s a lot of moving parts in those pension benefits, but that’s what we do every day,” Pitman said. “We’ll investigate it, see what you have, and figure out the best way to get that benefit for the widow or the veteran.”
The office also provides temporary financial assistance to eligible Darke County veterans facing hardships, Pitman said. Those needs may include electric bills, propane costs, other utilities, or household emergencies.
He encouraged residents to refer struggling veterans so staff can review their situations and determine what assistance may be available.
Transportation is another frequently used service. Pitman said the office takes veterans to medical appointments at VA facilities in Dayton and Cincinnati.
Compensation claims, pension claims, financial assistance, and transportation make up much of the office’s daily work, but Pitman said staff welcomes other military and veterans-related questions.
“If there’s any military veteran type question, send them to our office because if we don’t know it, we’ll find out,” he said.
Families can also turn to the office after a veteran’s death.
Pitman said burial benefits depend on individual circumstances, including whether a veteran had a service-connected disability or died from a service-connected condition. Staff members help families sort through those questions and determine their next steps.
For grieving spouses and children, even knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming, he said.
“We help them figure it out, and we do that every day,” Pitman said.
He compared the challenge families face to climbing Mount Everest, explaining that guidance from someone familiar with the process can make it easier.
Pitman said every Ohio county has a veterans service office. In Darke County, a five-member commission of local veterans oversees the budget and hires staff.
Pitman also discussed the county’s annual four-day trip to Washington, D.C., for veterans and their spouses, calling it a point of pride for the office.
He said the trip is supported through local fundraising rather than the office’s allotted annual budget. Funding sources include gun raffles, a spaghetti dinner and auction, and donations from individuals and organizations.
Theresa Kress, secretary for the Darke County Seniors, said Pitman’s presentation demonstrated the purpose of the organization’s monthly Lunch and Learn program.
The events take place on the third Thursday of each month from noon to approximately 2 p.m. Invited businesses and organizations provide lunch and discuss services that may interest older adults.
“We get to eat a nice lunch, and then get to hear about some kind of a service that is available to seniors,” Kress said.
Pitman brought lunch from Montage for the program, she said.
Kress said she learned several things during the presentation, including that veterans’ spouses may be eligible for assistance and that every Ohio county has a veterans service office.
She also had not realized the Darke County office provides transportation to VA hospitals in Dayton and Cincinnati.
The Darke County Seniors welcomes members ages 55 and older, and county residency is not required, Kress said.
Annual membership costs $2. The organization’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, and memberships purchased during that period remain valid through June 30.
Those interested in joining can visit the senior center at 5844 Jaysville-St. Johns Road, Greenville.
