The DAV has established a Women Veterans Advisory Committee to help the organization address the full range of issues affecting women veterans. Again, in 2000, the DAV co-sponsored along with the White House Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach, the Department of Veterans Affairs' Center for Women Veterans National Summit on Women Veterans Issues. These forums are a natural extension of the DAV's continuing efforts to effect policy changes within the VA to ensure appropriate medical services and accommodation for hospitalized women veterans. Much more needs to be done, however, and we continue to work aggressively toward further effective and positive change through advocacy, outreach, and direct service to women veterans - both those who have been veterans for a long time and those who are just leaving the military. The DAV also guards your benefits that have come under almost constant attack in recent years.
Surveys show that women veterans apply for their benefits at about half the rate of male veterans.
This means that many women veterans aren't getting all the benefits they've earned. Since the DAV received no federal funding, you know your NSO's only commitment is to you, your dependents, and your claim. A DAV NSO stationed in the VA regional office nearest you will counsel you, review your case thoroughly, and determine what benefits you may be entitled to. Then, your NSO will represent you before the VA or other government agencies. You meet the basic eligibility for benefits if you served on active duty with any of the military services and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.