Free VSO Help in Polk County, Iowa
Find Veterans Service Officers serving veterans in Polk County.
VSO assistance is free. A VSO should never take a percentage of your VA disability benefits or back pay.
There are 19 VA-accredited VSO offices listed for veterans in Polk County, Iowa, representing 8 organizations such as American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. A Veterans Service Officer in Polk County can help with VA disability claims, appeals, decision letters, and other benefits at no charge.
Offices serve veterans in Des Moines and Johnston.
If an office here can't take your appointment soon, free VSO help is also listed in nearby Boone County, Dallas County, Jasper County and Madison 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 Polk County
American Legion
Des Moines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
5 accredited representatives: Caleb S Humphrey; Donald E Brown; Josey R Pester; Shane A Pankonen; William A Horn
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
Johnston, IA, 50131 · Polk County
Accredited representative: John D Ralls
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
Des Moines, IA, 50310 · Polk County
6 accredited representatives: Angel M Kifer; Blaine B Hudnall; Connie R Woodward-Schuttler; Jeromy D Geiken; Michael J Mortensen; Patrick J Sweeney
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
Desilloines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
Accredited representative: Kevin R Brown
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
Disabled American Veterans
Des Moines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
Accredited representative: Audie L Thornburg
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
Des Moines, IA, 50310 · Polk County
6 accredited representatives: Angel M Kifer; Blaine B Hudnall; Connie R Woodward-Schuttler; Jeromy D Geiken; Michael J Mortensen; Patrick J Sweeney
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
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Johnston, IA, 50131 · Polk County
2 accredited representatives: Gavin K Sandvig; John D Ralls
515-362-7350
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Des Moines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
Accredited representative: Shane A Pankonen
515-362-7350
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Des Moines, IA, 50310 · Polk County
5 accredited representatives: Angel M Kifer; Benjamin P Dales; Blaine B Hudnall; Connie R Woodward-Schuttler; Patrick J Sweeney
515-362-7350
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
Des Moines, IA, 50310 · Polk County
6 accredited representatives: Angel M Kifer; Blaine B Hudnall; Connie R Woodward-Schuttler; Jeromy D Geiken; Michael J Mortensen; Patrick J Sweeney
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
Des Moines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
Accredited representative: Judy L Keeling
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
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Johnston, IA, 50131 · Polk County
Accredited representative: John D Ralls
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
Des Moines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
2 accredited representatives: Matthew A Bramer; Tony Q Ly
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
Des Moines, IA, 50310 · Polk County
7 accredited representatives: Benjamin P Dales; Blaine B Hudnall; Connie R Woodward-Schuttler; Jeromy D Geiken; Kaycee G Mitchell; Michael J Mortensen; Richard J Davis
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' Voice of America
Des Moines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
2 accredited representatives: James C Krouch; Scott W Freye
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
Veterans' Voice of America
Des Moines, IA, 50310 · Polk County
Accredited representative: Connie R Woodward-Schuttler
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
Vietnam Veterans of America
Des Moines, IA, 50310 · Polk County
Accredited representative: Connie R Woodward-Schuttler
301-585-4000
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Vietnam Veterans of America
Des Moines, IA, 50309 · Polk County
2 accredited representatives: James C Krouch; Scott W Freye
301-585-4000
Appointments: contact office for details
Hours: contact office for details
VA-accredited (per VA Office of General Counsel) · Last verified 9/28/2026
Vietnam Veterans of America
Johnston, IA, 50131 · Polk County
Accredited representative: John D Ralls
301-585-4000
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 Polk 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 Polk County?
Browse the office listings on this page for Polk 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.