The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Service and Benefits Program provides assistance to the men and women who served in the Uniformed Services of the United States, their dependents, and survivors in obtaining benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, State of Maryland and other programs for veterans and their families. In FY22, MDVA had a 90% approval rating for claims presented to the VA on behalf of veterans and family members. All of our veteran benefits specialists are accredited by the VA.
WHAT DOES VA ACCREDITED MEAN?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accredits three types of representatives—Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives, attorneys, and agents—to help ensure that claimants have access to responsible and qualified representation on their VA benefits claims.
The VA Office of General Counsel maintains a list of VA-recognized organizations and VA-accredited individuals that are authorized to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefit claims at https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.
Learn more about VA accredited representatives, attorneys, and agents, here.
IS THERE A COST FOR ASSISTANCE?
It is important to know that VA-recognized VSOs, and their representatives, always provide their services on benefit claims free-of-charge. Unlike VSOs, VA-accredited attorneys and agents may charge you a fee for their representation in appealing or requesting additional review of an adverse VA decision. Only VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge you fees for assisting in a claim for VA benefits, and only after VA has issued an initial decision on the claim and they have complied with the power-of-attorney and the fee agreement requirements.
MDVA veterans benefits specialists DO NOT CHARGE for services.
HOW DO I APPOINT A VSO OR REPRESENTATIVE?
You may appoint a VA-recognized VSO to represent you or manage your current representative online using eBenefits.
It is recommended that you first speak to the VSO before you submit your online request. Read more below on how to contact an MDVA veterans benefits specialist who can assist and answer questions.
- Military separation discharge document review
- VA system review: Healthcare, Benefits, and Cemeteries
- MDVA programs review: Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and Cemeteries
- Disability compensation/pension claim submission (if discharge paperwork supports the claim)
If a claim is submitted, what to expect next:
- Claim processing tracking
- Additional claim development (if needed)
- Decision review and explanation of benefits
Are you already receiving VA benefits but need to change your direct deposit information? The VA requires completion of an SF1199-A which can be found here.
Unless otherwise noted, all MDVA Service Program offices are open Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:00, by appointment only. Please call an office near you to schedule an appointment in advance of visiting.
Baltimore: Regional Office
Phil Munley, Director
Debra Hynes, Deputy Director
Gerry Taylor, Chief, Veterans Appeals
Cardell Bass, Western Area Supervisor
Garry Brown,Veterans Benefit Specialist Advanced
Stacy Travers, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Katherine Perkins, Administrative Aide
31 Hopkins Plaza, Room 3020
Baltimore, MD 21201
800-446-4926, ext. 6450
800-446-4926, ext. 1 (office secretary)
Fax: 410-230-4445
Baltimore VA Medical Center (Monday and Friday, 9:00-3:00)
Garry Brown, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
VA Maryland Healthcare System
10 North Greene Street, 6th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-299-0304
Bel Air
Michael Cantrell, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Jermaine Wesley, Office Secretary, Contractual
Motor Vehicle Administration
Bel Air Service Center
501 W. Macphail Road
Bel Air, MD 21014
410-638-6501 (benefits specialist)
410-638-638-6507 (office secretary)
410-683-6549 (fax)
Camp Springs (Per Prince George’s County/Harriet Hunter Building: in person appointments now accepted, visitors must be masked, agree to temperature checks, and complete a COVID screening questionnaire upon entry)
Aaron Awkward, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Corey Bryant, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Mikele Moses-El, Office Secretary III
Harriet Hunter Building, 6420 Allentown Road
Camp Springs, MD 20748
301-248-0463
Carroll County Veterans Services Program (Supported by, but not an MDVA service office): Call for information on hours
125 Stoner Avenue
Westminster, MD 21157
410-386-3800
Charlotte Hall
Willie Borden, Jr., Veterans Benefits Specialist II
29449 Charlotte Hall Rd., Bldg. 3, Room 105
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
301-884-8177
301-263-7194 (fax)
Cumberland
Aaron Clark, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Cumberland Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
13300 Winchester Road, SW
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-729-4676
Easton
Janet C. Thomas, Area Supervisor
Ashley Lahm, Office Secretary III
11 South Harrison Street
Easton, MD 21601 (physical address)
P.O. Box 1148
Easton, MD 21601 (mailing address)
410-690-7181
Frederick
Andrew Rutherford, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Multi-Service Center
100 West Patrick St., Rm 2120
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-2155
Gaithersburg
David Skisano, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Gaithersburg Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
15 Metropolitan Grove Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-987-8412/301-987-8413
(Fax) 301-987-8496
Glen Burnie
James Wilkes, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Motor Vehicle Administration
Glen Burnie Service Center, Ground Floor
6601 Ritchie Highway
Room 30 (for a benefits specialist)
Room 8A (for mail)
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
410-424-3039
410-424-3047 (fax)
Hagerstown
Andrea Jones, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
240-527-6894
FAX: 240-527-6893
Laurel (Hours Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:00, in person appointments starting July 12)
Vacant, Veterans Benefits Specialist II (temporary coverage by Garry Brown on Tuesday and Thursday)
Howard County Multi-Service Center
9900 Washington Blvd., Suite I
Laurel, MD 20723
410-313-0229
Salisbury
Vacant, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Salisbury Branch
251 Tilghman Road
Salisbury, MD 21804
(O) 410-219-7256 (voice mail is monitored)
(F) 410-219-7257
1-888-373-7888
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