An annual report by the Texas Veterans Commission shows Denton County among the top counties in the state for winning benefits claims, and officials expect continued success.

Roger Cortez

According to the report, the Denton County Veterans Service Office worked to bring in $81 million to the county in 2008, filing 1,237 claims with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That total includes medical care, insurance and indemnities, compensation and pension, and education.

“We’re always going out and advocating for our veterans and shaking the trees,” said Roger Cortez, service officer with the Denton office.

Medical care and insurance allotments fluctuate based on the VA budget, but education and compensation benefits are directly tied to the work Cortez’s office does.

The Denton veterans office garnered $64 million in 2006 and $73 million in 2007.

Cortez expects the amount to hit the $100 million mark within two years.

“If we’re not lobbying or fighting, it will go down,” Cortez said.

Veterans office representatives function like attorneys on the veterans’ behalf. Claims are filed individually, and information packets are prepared to send to the government.

“Everyone has a different story, and you always have to use different tactics to win,” Cortez said.

While local counties have multiple people representing various entities to file claims — for example, Dallas County has 42, and Tarrant County has 28 — Denton has four. Despite that relatively small number, Denton is in the top five in North Texas for winning claims, Cortez said.

“We have to turn people away from other counties who have heard our reputation, not only because it would overburden us, but we are reserved for Denton County veterans,” Cortez said.

“Overall, this county has done a good job of helping its citizens, and I am just trying to help our veteran population.”

County Judge Mary Horn said she hears the job of advocating for veterans’ benefits is gratifying.

“I always hear wonderful stories when they have success helping vets who have had trouble getting some kind of service, and they get it worked out for them,” Horn said. “It’s definitely life-changing. Persistence is the name of the game, and they get what these people are rightly entitled to, and that’s great.”

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .