About US
Our Mission
The mission of VETS CLAIMS PLUS is to enhance the quality of life for deserving veterans and their families through the pursuit of benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We educate and assist veterans with a focus on disability claims and appeals. We proudly partner with disabled veterans to teach and expertly guide them through the complexities of VA programs, providing turn-key services for the delivery of their compensation benefits.
Our Vision
Our vision is to maximize our reach to veterans across the United States. We strive to advance our processes, community and professional relationships, and knowledge of the everchanging requirements of the VA to deliver our services to as many deserving patriots as possible.
Our outreach will be broadened by educating and supporting the next generation of veterans, and coaching, educating and inspiring staff members and volunteers.
Purpose
The purpose of VETS CLAIMS PLUS is to provide information to educate veterans, their families and survivors regarding the eligibility requirements for veterans’ benefits and/or other programs administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Said corporation provides guidance and assistance in making application to the VA for any and all benefits to which they are entitled, including – service connected disability claims, pension programs, burial and internment allowances, educational assistance programs, home loan eligibility requirements and any other benefits administered by the VA.
VETS CLAIMS PLUS is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Our Founders
James Szymanski
James “Jimmy” Szymanski has dedicated most of his life to serving his country and protecting our freedoms and individual rights. He is a disabled veteran of the United States Army and an attorney accredited by the Veterans Administration. He received his undergraduate degree from the Virginia Military Institute and his law degree from Cornell University, and is a member of the New York Bar. During his service career, he served with an airborne infantry division in Europe and, thereafter, was assigned to the staff and faculty of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Following his military career, Jimmy served as counsel to several different Fortune 100 corporations and was also the assistant to former U.S. Attorney General and Under Secretary of State Nicholas deB. Katzenbach.
Kathy Szymanski
Kathy Szymanski honed her expertise in store operations and store planning with a successful career in retail, quickly rising to the executive level. In the last 14 years of her career she led diverse teams as a Vice-President for Toys “R” Us, Inc. She received her B.S. degree in Forensic Science from the City University of New York, at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Kathy is the proud daughter of a navy enlisted man, and member of “The Greatest Generation”, who served two tours in World War II. After her retirement, she found her passion for working with Veterans, helping them acquire the benefits they deserve due to service-related disabilities. She has worked in a not-for-profit and assisted well over 2,000 Vets, while learning the complexities of the Veterans Administration and the disability claims and appeals processes.
Jimmy and Kathy now reside in Melbourne, Florida with their English mastiff Buoy. Together, they are committed to their shared vision of Vets Claim Plus as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping our current and future generations of Veterans.
Testimonial
I was an Army 1st Lieutenant, Quartermaster Corps and spent almost a year on LZ Betty which was about a mile below Phan Thiet on the coast. I was supply officer on TDY (temp duty) assisting a battalion of the 1st Air Cav, which was stationed there.
Like many others who served during this war, I suffered from severe hearing loss due to numerous trips on CH-47 (Chinook) helicopters with no hearing protection. My hooch was directly under a battery of 105 MM howitzers that fired right over my head from about 50 to 100 feet away literally every night. I flew in hueys many times as a door gunner delivering supplies to forward LZ’s. Every day was filled with loud noises from every direction, doing continued damage to my ears.
However, I never pursued benefits from the VA. A chance conversation with Jimmy and Kathleen about my service led to a broader discussion and an appointment with Vets Claims Plus to explore what might be available to me. Through consultation with them and their experienced team of doctors, we discovered and explored additional health issues that I had been “ignoring” that were certainly a result of my service. I cannot thank them enough for their caring, thorough, and turn key service that has not only resulted in the award of benefits from the VA, but also in giving me the help I needed to improve my health and well being. They exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend them to all who have served.