Veterans Services

Santa Rosa County Veterans Services is here to assist in filing Department of Veteran Affairs claims or other VA benefits, as well as answering any questions you may have regarding Florida's benefits for veterans.

We have Veterans Services offices in both Milton and Gulf Breeze with a Veterans Services officer and administrative support specialist in each location. We also travel to Jay once a month where we have office space in the old bank building, now known as the North West Florida Rural Health Network.

All VA claims are submitted online, directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once this happens, only the Veteran or Claimant will receive letters from the VA. Therefore, when the VA has completed your claim, please bring your rating decision into our office so we can update our records.

Get enrolled into the Department of Veterans Affairs Health System. 

For all veterans, spouses, or dependents who wish to file for VA benefits click here.

Intent to File:
If you have already used eBenefits, called the VA, or asked us to submit your Intent to File (ITF), please remember you have one year to the day that you filed your ITF to submit your claim and all evidence to the VA. If you would like our team to help you, please contact us no later than 60 days prior to your ITF deadline. Our offices are booked with scheduled veteran’s appointments for at least a month in advance.

Veteran Education & G.I. Bill – Click here for more information.

Who to notify upon the death of a veteran:
Veteran was receiving VA benefits: 1-800-827-1000 / VA
Veteran was retired from the military: 1-800-321-1080 / DFAS
Veteran was retired from civil service: 1-888-767-6738 / OPM
For all veterans: 1-800-772-1213 / Social Security
Did veteran have life insurance? Contact #’s listed on policy

ATTENTION
When filing any type of disability claim, you may need a “Buddy Statement” and/or a “Nexus Statement” to support your claimed issue. A “Buddy Statement” is a written statement from anyone who served with the vet or any friend or family member who’s aware of the disability. “Buddy Statement” must contain a certain legal phrase at the end – and just before the buddy signs it:
I hereby certify that the information I have given is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
You may also need to prove that the condition you are claiming is a direct result of your military service. This is referred to as a “Nexus Statement” that MUST be completed and signed by a licensed doctor.    

Both the Buddy Statement and Nexus Statement should be signed in BLACK INK only.                  

Click here to download Nexus Statement