CVSO Spring Training

Stoney Creek Event Center - Stoney Creek Hotel, 5291 Stoney Creek Ct, Johnston, IA 50131 

Our spring school is scheduled for April 14-16, 2026 at the Stoney Creek Inn, Johnston, Iowa. We have an exciting and robust training agenda (attached) that will cover several areas ranging from VA Disability Compensation Overview, Initial Claim Development/Preparation, and Navigating the AMA (Appeals Modernization Act) Review System.  We will have small group discussion and practical exercises and helpful tips on effective strategies for oral and written advocacy before the VA among other topics.

IDVA is pleased to introduce our partnership with the National Veterans Legal Services Program, a nationally accredited organization by the VA that for over four decades has been training VSOs to efficiently help veterans secure VA benefits. The goal of NVLSP training is to teach VSOs how to obtain the highest amount of VA benefits for deserving veterans and their family members as early in the claims process as possible.

Since 1981, NVLSP has worked to ensure that the government delivers to the 18 million veterans and active duty personnel the benefits which they have earned because of disabilities resulting from their military service to our country AT NO COST TO THE VETERAN. NVLSP is an active member in appealing  board decisions to the CAVC, burn pit claims assistance, class actions, family caregiver assistance program, combat related special compensation, discharge upgrades, medical retirement, and has an entire training and publications team dedicated to ensuring that organizations such as IDVA and CVSOs receive the most up to date and relevant training to optimize success in the claims process.

To register for the event please go to the following link: Click here for IDVA 2026 School Registration or use the QR Code:

To reserve a room at the Stoney Creek Inn please call 515-334-9000 and use code: 0426VETS or use this direct booking link: Details - Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

We will be doing food a little differently this time around.  Lunch will be on the economy each day. There will be snacks and drinks provided each day of training. NOTE: Daily meal reimbursement rate for In State Travel is $37.00 (SAE Procedure 210.205). Travel Reimbursement forms will be available on the last day of training to fill out.

Lastly, I want to be very clear that IDVA has a mission and responsibility per Iowa Code to provide training for you, the CVSO.  Our 5-year training plan was sent out last year so that you had our dates of training to help you better plan out your calendar for the years to come.  For those of you that are new, attached is our 5 year training plan.  Our goal is and always will be to provide accessible, relevant training in state at no cost to you so that you can receive your required CEUs annually and equipping you with the tools to be successful at your job servicing our Veterans.

We look forward to seeing you all in April!  If there are any questions please contact Gavin Sandvig, Bureau Chief, Benefits and Cemetery at gavin.sandvig@iowa.gov or 641-758-5318.

Planned Agenda

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. Introduction and IDVA-NVLSP MOA (20 min)
8:20 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Role of a VSO (10 min)
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. VA Disability Compensation Overview (60 min)
Benefit of the doubt, Duty to assist; Veteran status;
Current disability; Nexus / 5 theories of service
connection; Disability ratings; TDIU; SMC; Rating
reductions; Effective date; Ancillary benefits
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Break (15 min)
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. VA Disability Compensation Overview (cont’d) (30 min)
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Non-Service-Connected Disability Pension (30 min)
Basics / Eligibility; MAPR and countable income;
Medical expense deductions; Net worth; Assets;
Asset transfer and penalty periods; Other issues
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break (15 min)
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Non-Service-Connected Disability Pension (cont’d) (60 min)
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (90 min)
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. VA Benefits for Survivors of Veterans (90 min)
DIC; Survivors pension; Accrued benefits and
substitution; VA burial and memorial benefits
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break (15 min)
3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Navigating the AMA Review System (105 min)
Types of claims; Rating decisions; Supplemental
claims; Higher-level review; BVA appeals;
other issues

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Ethics for VSOs (60 min)
9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. Break (10 min)
9:10 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. Initial Claim Development/Preparation (90 min)
Interviewing the claimant, Reviewing the record;
Obtaining supporting evidence; Special issues to
lookout for
10:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Break (10 min)
10:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Legal Research for VSOs and Effective Strategies (70 min)
for Oral and Written Advocacy Before the VA
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (90 min)
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Small-Group AMA Practical Exercises (90 min)
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break (15 min)
3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Presumptions of Service Connection (90 min)
 

5- Year Training Plan

In consultation with the Iowa Commission of Veteran Affairs, the Iowa Department of Veteran Affairs has developed an outline for the upcoming trainings and requirements.
1. The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) provides regular in-person training for county veteran service officers, county commissioners, and board of supervisors members. All training is provided at no cost to participants. Spring and Fall dates will be the second full week of the month as follows:
a. 2025: CVSO Training October 21-23; Commissioner/Supervisor Training October 13
b. 2026: CVSO Training April 14-16 & October 13-15; Commissioner/Supervisor Training October 12
c. 2027: CVSO Training April 13-15 & October 12-14; Commissioner/Supervisor Training October 11
d. 2028: CVSO Training April 11-13 & October 10-12; Commissioner/Supervisor Training October 9
e. 2029: CVSO Training April 10-12 & October 9-11; Commissioner/Supervisor Training October 8
f. 2030: CVSO Training April 9-11 & October 15-17; Commissioner/Supervisor Training October 14
2. The October 2025 training will focus on “back to the basics”, with updates to current forms and procedures, presumptive conditions for disabilities, and other topics, TBD. As the October training gets closer, a complete training schedule and number of continuous education units will be announced.
3. IDVA training provides participants with the resources and network that county veteran service professionals need to excel in their duties. Those attending receive instruction on subjects such as: Eligibility updates; VA claims and appeals process and forms; Fiduciary process; Medicaid/SNAP; Suicide prevention; Benefits and pensions; Death and survivor benefits; Office outreach; Best practices, and more. Subject matter experts from IDVA, counties, state agencies, VA regional offices and medical facilities, and congressional offices will all be available to answer questions and become a resource for attendees.
4. Please ensure that these dates are communicated to all board of supervisors and commissioners so that they are aware of this invitation to attend at no cost with our encouragement that they join us to understand how we can better serve and connect with Iowa Veterans.
5. The IDVA point of contact is Ben Dales, Veterans Benefits Specialist, ben.dales@iowa.gov or 641-854-1683.