DEPARTMENT SERVICE OFFICERS

Department Service Officer Locations

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Cleveland VARO Department Service Officers

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The American Legion 1240 East 9th St., Rm. 1259 P.O. Box 99430 Cleveland, OH 44199
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216-522-3530
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215-713-1295

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The American Legion c/o Wade Park VAMC Department Service Officer

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10701 East Blvd., Rm. 1B-417 Cleveland, OH 44106
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216-791-3800 ext. 64154

Hours: Monday-Thursday Closed Friday

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Dayton VAMC/WPAFB Department Service Officer

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The American Legion C/O VA Patient Tower, Room 1D-145e 4100 W Third St, PO Box 335 Dayton, OH 45428

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Cincinnati VAMC Department Service Officer

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The American Legion C/O VAMC , 3200 Vine St, Room B149a
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513-475-6440
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513-475-6346

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Chillicothe VAMC Department Service Officer

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The American Legion C/O VA 17273 State Route 104 Building #31, Room # G-128 Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

Department Service Officers

Bill Genochio, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

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VBA – VA&R Coordinator / Department Service Officer / PSO Instructor
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216-522-3504 ext. 53746
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215-713-1285
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genochio@ohiolegion.com

Thomas White, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

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DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor
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216-522-3504 ext. 53743
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twhite@ohiolegion.com

Michelle Jones, Mother of U.S. Army active-duty Serviceperson

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DSO Cleveland VARO / PSO Instructor
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216-522-3504 ext. 53747
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jones@ohiolegion.com

Nicole (Jessica) Reese, U.S. Navy

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DSO Cleveland
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216-522-3504 ext. 53741
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JReese@ohiolegion.com

Melissa Manzie, Daughter of U.S. Army Serviceperson

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Cleveland Office Administrative Assistant
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216-522-3504 ext. 53748
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mmanzie@ohiolegion.com

Vacant

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DSO Cincinnati VAMC
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513-861-3100
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legion@ohiolegion.com

Gary Felver, U.S. Navy

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DSO Dayton VAMC / PSO Instructor
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937-268-6511 ext. 2967
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gfelver@ohiolegion.com

Darell Bishop, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army

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DSO Wade Park VAMC / PSO Instructor
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216-791-3800 ext. 64154
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Dbishop@ohiolegion.com

Troy Elliott, U.S. Army

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DSO Chillicothe VAMC / PSO Instructor
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740-773-1141 ext. 16252
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telliott@ohiolegion.com
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troy.elliott@va.gov

A Post Service Officer provides an important link between the veteran or dependent and a representative holding American Legion accreditation. An effective PSO understands benefits afforded to veterans and dependents; however, the PSO is not authorized to file any claims on behalf of the claimant. PSOs serve as valuable resources to veterans in local posts to ensure that our veterans and their dependents receive their earned benefits.

Post Service Officers Manual

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POST SERVICE OFFICER SCHOOL 2026

When: September 19, 2026
Time: 0800 to 1600 (8 – 4:00pm)
Where: Department Headquarters, DEC Room (60 Big Run Road, Delaware, OH 43015)
Who: All Post Service Officers (PSO) and or those becoming a PSO

To attend this year’s Post Service Officer Training please RSVP to BOTH genochio@ohiolegion.com AND
mmanzie@ohiolegion.com prior to September 10, 2026, to reserve your seat!

Download and print your 2026 Post Service Officer School Invitation.

print invitation

Post Service Officer School, Slides

VA & R WELCOME Slides

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Determining VA Eligibility
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Service Connection (no link)
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Non Service Pension - needs link
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Survivors Pension & DIC
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How to Interview Veterans
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Assisting Veterans with Community Resources
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Burial Benefits
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Understanding VA Health Care
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Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
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Understanding the Appeal Process
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VA Correspondence & Internal Documents
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Agent Orange
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Gulf War
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Pact Act
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TDIU
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How to Obtain Records
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Mental Health & MST

Funeral Planning Guide

The American Legion Department of Ohio offers free assistance and representation not only to veterans filing claims and/or appeals with the Department of Veterans Affairs, but also to their dependents, both while living or in Post Everlasting. Our Department Service Officers (DSOs) are skilled advocates who are highly trained in the VA Benefits available to veterans and their families. The DSOs also represent veterans and their families at various levels of appeals within the VA. Assistance is always provided at no cost to our veterans and their families.

Funeral Planning Guide Brochure

Eligibility for Benefits Chart

How to Obtain Military Awards

Direct Deposit Process Change

Please be advised that VBA is switching to an online direct deposit process for veterans.

Veteran Leaders,

To improve security and make changes more efficiently, Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) is transitioning to an online process for Veterans to initiate or change their direct deposit information.

While the process is ongoing, Veterans will be able to use the legacy forms and fax method through the end of the year.

As always, we will be able to help any Veteran with questions about the process by calling our helpline at 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711), or by going to your nearest VA regional office (if accepting in-person appointments) and change this information in person.

Link to update direct deposit