Free VSO Help in San Diego County, California
Find Veterans Service Officers serving veterans in San Diego County.
VSO assistance is free. A VSO should never take a percentage of your VA disability benefits or back pay.
There are 48 VA-accredited VSO offices listed for veterans in San Diego County, California, representing 11 organizations such as American Legion, American Veterans and California Department of Veterans Affairs. A Veterans Service Officer in San Diego County can help with VA disability claims, appeals, decision letters, and other benefits at no charge.
Offices serve veterans in San Diego, Oceanside, National City, Escondido and Chula Vista.
If an office here can't take your appointment soon, free VSO help is also listed in nearby Imperial County, Orange County and Riverside County.
Free VA claim help usually starts with a short intake: the VSO reviews your discharge papers and records, explains which claim type fits your situation, and helps you complete and submit VA forms. Bring your documents to the first visit to save time.
VSO Offices in San Diego County
American Legion
San Diego, CA, 92161 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Ronald E Harrell
202-861-2700
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
American Legion
San Diego, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
3 accredited representatives: Christopher Garza; Kristian C Kennedy; Mirna G Porter-Cuen
202-861-2700
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
American Veterans
San Diego, CA, 92108 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Peter J Sunico; Theo D Bailey
1-800-810-7148
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
American Veterans
San Diego, CA, 92161 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Julian D Robinson
1-800-810-7148
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
San Diego, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Joshua P Tecson
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Escondido, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Sunny V Francisco
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
National City, CA, 91950 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Elias R Guedea
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Chula Vista, CA, 91911 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Melina Buendia
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
San Diego, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
9 accredited representatives: Amy E Klock; Jah'Lin F Escudero; Jesse P Sesate; Justin Louie; Leonard E Walker; Nikki Sada; Ray Flores; Sha'Quanda S Palmer (+1 more)
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Escondido, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Gabriel W Irizarry Olivera; Martha M Maya
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Oceanside, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Christopher R Martinez; Patrick R Grace
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
San Diego, CA, 92108 · San Diego County
5 accredited representatives: Angel Bribiesca; Judith A Roach; Maria E Agis; Melaina C Anker-Youngberg; Tony L DeVore
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Oceanside, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Jennifer L Woods
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Oceanside, CA, 92056 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Isaura A Garcia
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
California Department of Veterans Affairs
National City, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Glenn D Darden; Hilda Dusso
916-653-2573
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
San Diego, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
7 accredited representatives: Amy E Klock; Brian S Dodds; Jesse P Sesate; Leonard E Walker; Reginaldo V Reyes; Sha'Quanda S Palmer; Tiana L Lopez-Lee
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
National City, CA, 91950 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Elias R Guedea
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
Escondido, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Gabriel W Irizarry Olivera; Martha M Maya
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
Oceanside, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Jennifer L Woods
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
San Diego, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Joshua P Tecson
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
Camp Pendleton, CA, 92055 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Angela T Watson
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
Oceanside, CA, 92056 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Isaura A Garcia
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
San Diego, CA, 92108 · San Diego County
8 accredited representatives: Danny R De Leon Peralta; James M Galliher; Jason M Hicks; John C Hood; Mary E Patterson; Rodolfo A Ramirez; Rosemary Morillo; Sherman M Clophus
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
National City, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Hilda Dusso
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
Oceanside, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Patrick R Grace
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Disabled American Veterans
San Diego, CA, 92161 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Richard Randolph
202-554-3501
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Fleet Reserve Association
Solana Beach, CA, 92075 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Arthur, L Rodrigues
703-683 1400
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Fleet Reserve Association
Poway, CA, 92064 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Thomas P Farrell
703-683 1400
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Fleet Reserve Association
Chula Vista, CA, 91910 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: William L Walton
703-683 1400
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Fleet Reserve Association
Chula Vista, CA, 91911 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Devon M Boyd
703-683 1400
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Green Beret Foundation
Coronado, CA, 92118 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Elizabeth A Plettner
844-287-7133
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.
San Diego, CA, 92174 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Gloria M Baker
855-225-0709
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
San Diego, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
6 accredited representatives: Amy E Klock; Jah'Lin F Escudero; Jesse P Sesate; Leonard E Walker; Sha'Quanda S Palmer; Tiana L Lopez-Lee
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
National City, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Glenn D Darden; Hilda Dusso
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
National City, CA, 91950 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Elias R Guedea
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
Oceanside, CA, 92056 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Isaura A Garcia
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
Escondido, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Sunny V Francisco
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
Escondido, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Gabriel W Irizarry Olivera; Martha M Maya
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
Oceanside, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Jennifer L Woods
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
Oceanside, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Christopher R Martinez; Patrick R Grace
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers
San Diego, CA, 92025 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Joshua P Tecson
Contact office for details
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Paralyzed Veterans of America
San Diego, CA, 92161 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Jose A Magana
617-303-1395
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Paralyzed Veterans of America
San Diego, CA, 92123 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Samantha E Galliher
617-303-1395
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Paralyzed Veterans of America
San Diego, CA, 92108 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Robert C Kamei
617-303-1395
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
UDT-SEAL Association
Coronado, CA, 92118 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Elizabeth A Plettner; Jeremy J Brower
757-363-7490
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Veterans of Foreign Wars
San Diego, CA, 92136 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Erick R Asero
202-543-2239
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Camp Pendleton, CA, 92055 · San Diego County
2 accredited representatives: Benjamin A Wilson; Donna P Yawn
202-543-2239
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Veterans of Foreign Wars
San Diego, CA, 92108 · San Diego County
Accredited representative: Mark W Barrett
202-543-2239
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Cities With VSO Offices in San Diego County
Nearby Counties With Free VSO Help
VSO Appointment Checklist
- DD-214 or discharge documents
- VA decision letters
- Service treatment records
- Civilian medical records
- Current diagnosis information
- Medication list
- Marriage/dependent information if relevant
- Statements from family, friends, or coworkers
- Any previous DBQs or C&P examination records
- List of conditions you want to discuss
Frequently Asked Questions About VSOs
What is a VSO?
A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a representative of a veterans service organization, state, county, or tribal office who is accredited by the VA to help veterans prepare, file, and follow up on claims for VA benefits.
Is a VSO free?
Yes. Accredited VSO representatives help veterans at no charge. A VSO should never ask for a fee or a percentage of your VA disability benefits or back pay.
Can a VSO help with a VA disability claim?
Yes. A VSO can help you file an initial disability claim, gather and organize evidence, complete VA forms, and track the claim after it is submitted.
How do I find a VSO in San Diego County?
Browse the office listings on this page for San Diego County, call the office to confirm hours and appointment requirements, and verify accreditation on VA.gov before appointing a representative.
Can a VSO help with a VA appeal?
Yes. VSOs commonly help with Supplemental Claims and Higher-Level Reviews, and many can assist with Board of Veterans' Appeals filings.
What should I bring to my VSO appointment?
Bring your DD-214, any VA decision letters, service treatment records, civilian medical records, a medication list, dependent information if relevant, and a list of the conditions you want to discuss.
How do I know if a VSO is VA accredited?
Search the representative or organization in the VA Office of General Counsel accreditation search on VA.gov. Accreditation can change, so confirm it before signing a VA Form 21-22.
Can I change my VSO?
Yes. You can appoint a different accredited representative at any time by submitting a new VA Form 21-22 (organization) or 21-22a (individual), which replaces the prior appointment.
Prepare Before You Meet With Your VSO
StratForge can help you organize your records, understand VA decision letters, prepare for C&P exams, and create personal statements before your VSO appointment. The VSO directory itself is always free.
Directory last updated: September 28, 2026
StratForge is an independent veteran resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accreditation information can change, so veterans should verify current accreditation through VA.gov before appointing a representative.
Accreditation data: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of General Counsel. ZIP-to-county matching (U.S. Census Bureau) is used only to estimate location, never to determine accreditation.