An unfortunate product of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are the many thousands of men and women who, like generations before them, become wounded, injured or ill as a result of their service. For nine decades DAV has been empowering those veterans to lead healthy and successful lives after leaving military service.

Our mission simply is one of service and advocacy on behalf of the men and women who put their lives on the line to ensure our safety, to protect our freedoms and cherished way of life. What is right for our nation and our citizens is to take care of those who served. We do this by never forgetting their sacrifices. We do this by keeping our promise to them: to provide the resources and services they need to enjoy the best quality of life possible.

We are a strong and influential advocate for veterans and fight to ensure they receive the full range of services and protections they deserve. We accomplish this by providing free professional assistance to all veterans and their families in obtaining benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and advocating for their rights on Capitol Hill,and we do it all for free, without any government funding.

As an organization of veterans serving veterans, DAV has a proven track record of results. Each year we assist with more than 300,000 claims to obtain needed benefits through 100 offices throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. No other organization has helped more veterans lead high-quality lives after service than ours. Our National Service Officers counsel and assist veterans and their families in filing claims for VA disability compensation, rehabilitation and education programs, pensions, death benefits, employment and training programs. They provide free services, such as information seminars and counseling and community outreach activities Our Transition Service Officers provide benefits counseling and assistance to service members filing initial claims for VA benefits. By filing compensation claims at separation centers where service medical records and examination facilities are readily available, we are able to provide prompt service to these future veterans.

Because the need is so great, DAV is assisting more veterans than ever. Our Mobile Service Offices are reaching veterans in small towns and communities far from our National Service Offices. We are offering our services and expertise to those men and women as they prepare to leave the military service and return to civilian life. Our Voluntary Services Programs are giving more aid to hospitalized veterans and community support than ever before. Our nationwide Transportation Network continues to log countless miles helping injured and ill veterans get to their appointments at VA medical centers. Our Celebrity Entertainment Program is expanding to brighten the lives and bring comfort to those lonely veterans at VA hospitals.