‘It’s About Standing Beside Veterans’

“One veteran I worked with was ready to give up.”

After his VA claim was denied, VFW Accredited Service Officer Nancy Ortiz-Rodriguez explained, the man felt hopeless. The constant stress of living in pain, while also trying to provide for his family, was almost too much.

Ortiz-Rodriguez took on the veteran’s appeal. Between securing documents and filing paperwork, she also found time to help her client keep up with the treatment he was undergoing.

When they heard back from the VA, the news couldn’t have been better: a 100% disability rating. Finally, Ortiz-Rodriguez explained, her client felt relief.

“For him, the decision meant financial stability and access to additional, critical benefits,” she said. “And for me, it reinforced why this work matters.

“It isn’t just about rating percentages. That’s important, but it’s also about acknowledging a veteran’s sacrifice and standing beside them until the system gets it right and acknowledges it, too.”

Cases like this are why Ortiz-Rodriguez is Still Serving her fellow veterans. Because she wants to be the person who helps them see things through, even when victory seems out of reach.

“Sometimes,” she said, “the difference between a life of uncertainty and a life of stability for veterans is one person advocating for them. One person helping them understand their value and ensuring they don’t walk away from everything they’ve earned.”