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DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSNATIONAL APPEALS OFFICEto identify those in which a veteran’s claim wasimproperly denied. Thanks to DAV, more thanfive hundred of these cases were appealed to thecourt. While we are still working toward ourgoal of appealing each and every significant case,it is hard to believe that just a few years ago, wehad yet to crack the two hundred case per yearmark.The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) is the highestappellate level within the VA responsible for thefinal decision concerning entitlement to veteransbenefits. About 96 percent of the claims before theboard involve disability compensation issues. Ourhighly skilled National Appeals Officers serveappellants in the preparation of written briefs forBVA review and conduct formal hearings beforeVeterans Law Judges. We maintain the largest staffof any advocacy group, representing more than 30percent of all cases decided by the BVA in 2010.The substantial growth of this program would nothave been possible without the coordinated effortsof two top-notch law firms – Finnegan Hendersonof Washington, D.C. and Chisholm Chisholm& Kilpatrick of Providence, Rhode Island andWashington, D.C. Robert Chisholm (of theChisholm firm) and Ron Smith (of Finnegan) aretwo of the nation’s most accomplished membersof the veterans’ bar, and DAV is pleased to havethem in prominent roles in our enlarged programat the court. We hope to report, by this time nextyear, another substantial jump in the number ofappealed cases.JUDICIAL APPEALS OFFICEDAV continues to expand its pro bonorepresentation program for veterans seeking reviewin the United States Court of Appeals for VeteransClaims. In fiscal 2009-10, the BVA took actionon more than 14,000 cases involving DAV clients.Each and every one of those cases was reviewedSEATTLE, WAWHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VTFT. HARRISON, MTFARGO, NDPORTLAND, ORALBANY, NYFORT SNELLING, MNBOISE, IDBUFFALO, NYSIOUX FALLS, SDCHEYENNE, WYRENO, NVSACRAMENTO, CAOAKLAND, CACHICAGO, ILLINCOLN, NESAN DIEGO, CAST. LOUIS, MOWICHITA, KSNORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARPHOENIX, AZHUNTINGTON, WVLOUISVILLE, KYNASHVILLE, TNMUSKOGEE, OKALBUQUERQUE, NMPITTSBURGH, PACLEVELAND, OHCINCINNATI, OHLEAVENWORTH, KSW. LOS ANGELES, CAWILKES-BARRE, PAINDIANAPOLIS, INDENVER, COLAS VEGAS, NVDETROIT, MIMILWAUKEE, WIDES MOINES, IASALT LAKE CITY, UTDECATUR, GAJACKSON, MSANCHORAGE, AKPROVIDENCE, RINEWINGTON, CTNEW YORK, NYNEWARK, NJPHILADELPHIA, PAWILMINGTON, DEBALTIMORE, MDWASHINGTON, DCROANOKE, VAWINSTON-SALEM, NCCOLUMBIA, SCMONTGOMERY, ALWACO, TXORLANDO, FLBAY PINES, FLSAN ANTONIO, TXFT. SAM HOUSTON, TXTOGUS, MEMANCHESTER, NHBOSTON, MASYRACUSE, NYHOUSTON, TXWEST PALM BEACH, FLNEW ORLEANS, LAMIAMI, FLHONOLULU, HISAN JUAN, PRDISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS6ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSTRANSITION SERVICE PROGRAMFor those servicemembers making the allimportant transition back into civilian life,DAV participates in Transition Assistanceand Disabled Transition Assistance programs.Due to a generous grant provided by the GEFoundation, we have been able to increase ourstaff of Transition Service Officers.Our TSOs provide benefits counseling andassistance to servicemembers filing initial claimsfor VA benefits at more than 100 militaryinstallations throughout the country. By filingcompensation claims at separation centerswhere service medical records and examinationfacilities are readily available, we are able toprovide prompt service to these future veterans.Over the last year, our TSOs conducted 2,759formal presentations to 82,155 transitioningservicemembers. During that same time theyfiled 26,598 claims for VA benefits. Counsel andrepresentation for active duty servicemembersduring their transition was provided throughthe military’s Disability Evaluation System.We devoted approximately 1.8 million to thisprogram in 2010.DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSMOBILE SERVICE OFFICE PROGRAMBy literally putting our service offices on theroad, assisting veterans where they live, DAVis increasing their accessibility to benefits. Withten specially equipped Mobile Service Offices(MSOs) visiting communities across the country,this outreach effort generates a considerableamount of claims work from those veteranswho may not otherwise have the opportunity toseek assistance at our National Service Offices.During 2010, our MSOs traveled more than114,248 miles, visiting 815 cities and towns. OurNSOs interviewed 20,190 veterans and otherpotential claimants. The Harley-DavidsonFoundation in August 2010 pledged a second 1million over four years to partner with the DAVto form the Harley’s Heroes program. During2010, the MSOs visited 183 Harley-Davidsondealerships as part of this program. Nearly 870,000 was expended for the Mobile ServiceOffice program in 2010.7ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSOUTREACH PROGRAMScommunity-based events, including participationwith state and county fairs, air shows, MajorLeague Baseball, the National Football League andNASCAR.The National Service Department has thecooperation, support and assistance ofDepartment and Chapter Service Officers acrossthe country. Each receives the training andinformation necessary to assist those we serve.Our Department and Chapter Service OfficerCertification Training Program guarantees thevitality and growth of our local service programs.This provides an environment where our HospitalService Coordinators, Department and ChapterService Officers and volunteers work together forthe common goal of service to disabled veterans. In2010, DAV trained and certified 1,409 Departmentand Chapter Service Officers in 33 states.EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMOur National Service Program is responsible forthe organization’s employment-related programand works alongside the Department of Labor,the VA, the Office of Personnel Management,Congress and other government agencies to ensure that disabled veterans are treated fairly andequitably in the work force.Historically, disabled veterans have not fared aswell as non-disabled veterans and other workersin the job market. Our primary goal is to seek legislation and policies to enhance programs and services provided by the Departments of Labor andVeterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, the Office of Personnel Management andother government agencies. Our active involvement and oversight ensure disabled veterans getfair consideration in the job market.During 2010, we conducted 42 Information Seminarsat various Chapters across the country, with 6,603individuals in attendance. These seminars providethe opportunity for veterans to discuss VA benefitswith our NSOs in their own community and giveChapters an opportunity to recruit new membersand encourage their involvement.Since 2006, DAV NSOs have offered services at otherDISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS8ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSWOMEN VETERANSHOMELESS VETERANSIn historic numbers, women are serving ourcountry with pride, patriotism and honor equal totheir male counterparts. But women veterans useVA health care facilities and other earned benefitsin lower numbers than their male counterparts.As a result, we advocate for women veterans ona variety of fronts. We have organized top-levelforums designed to bring women veterans andgovernment policymakers together to addresstopics of concern openly.The DAV’s Homeless Veterans Initiative is to seeklegislation and policies to enhance programs andservices to help homeless veterans break the cycleof poverty and isolation and move from the streetsto self-sufficiency. Many of our Departments andChapters are actively involved in the homelessinitiatives in their respective communities as well.We are involved in the congressionally charteredVA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Inaddition, our own Women’s Advisory Committee,primarily made up of women veterans from acrossthe country, meets annually at our NationalConvention. We actively seek out and recruitwomen veterans for our National Service Officercorps.National Service Officer Judy C. Orosco helps a veteran apply earned benefits. In addition tohiring disabled women veterans, the DAV advocates on behalf of women veterans both withtheir claims before the VA and with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS9ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSPast National Commander and Chairman of the Board Roberto “Bobby” Barrera, right,meets with Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-Texas). Below, President Barack Obamaaddresses DAV members at the 89th National Convention in Atlanta, Ga.DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS10ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSNATIONAL LEGISLATIVEPROGRAMIt is the DAV’s policy to seek only reasonable,responsible legislation to assist disabledveterans and their families. Our NationalLegislative Department advocates in supportof federal legislation that creates, improves andprotects programs for disabled veterans, theirfamilies and survivors.down proposals that posed real threats to serviceconnected disability benefits. Simultaneously,we pressed Congress to move forward on otherinitiatives, which may enhance VA benefits to alevel equal to the sacrifices disabled veterans madeto earn those benefits.DAV’s Stand Up for Veterans initiative, begun in2007, continues as a special advocacy campaignto generate broad public awareness and focuson areas that demand further action by ourgovernment to meet the needs of severely disabledThis legislative activity requires an intensive effort veterans, especially those injured during wartimethroughout the year, to advocate directly with service. These concerns include sufficient, timelycongressional members andand predictable fundingtheir staffs, provide testimonyfor veterans health care;to congressional committeesimproved diagnosis andand use other means oftreatment of traumaticcommunication as Congressbrain injuries; screeningThe VA provides the highest qualitydebates the President’s budgetand treatment for mentalhealth care to disabled veterans forless than Medicare, Medicaid or theand various appropriationshealth problems; supportprivate sector.bills that incorporate fundingfor caregivers of disabledCongress must protect and preservethe veterans health care system andlevels into laws that supportveterans; additional focusall earned benefits by providing fullveterans programs.on the unique needs offunding, without any gimmicks.womenveterans;andThe guiding principles ofreform of the claimsDon’t balance the budget on thethe Legislative Departmentprocessing system.backs of America’s veterans!are born from our legislativeagenda as set forth by theVeteranshealthcareresolutionsadoptedbyfunding reform has beendelegates to our annuala top legislative priorityNational Convention and setfor DAV for more than aforth in DAV’s Constitutiondecade and as part of ourand Bylaws. Additionally,Stand Up for Veteranswe must effectively articulate our position on initiative, DAV placed added focus on solvingother pertinent legislation presented during the this chronic problem and led the way in drafting,congressional session. Through our focused introducing and building support for fundingadvocacy, DAV, as the primary voice to Congress reform legislation. In response to this intenseof America’s wartime disabled veterans, advances pressure, Congress passed the Veterans Healththeir interests and works for their betterment.Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act andon October 22, 2009, the president signed it intoOur advocacy progressed on multiple fronts law. Due to the commitment and dedicationduring 2010, including a grassroots initiative aimed of DAV members, Congress is now requiredat assisting our newest generation of veterans and to approve funding one year in advance for VAthe challenges specific to their needs. Further, medical services, medical support and medicalwith grassroots support, we continued to face facilities.He’s sacrificedenough already.DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSwww.dav.orgDISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS11ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSSubsequently, both the House and Senateapproved the VA appropriations legislation forfiscal year (FY) 2010, which included advanceappropriations for VA’s three medical careaccounts for FY 2011. Because of a governmentwide continuing resolution for FY 2011, thevast majority of federal programs have beenoperating at FY 2010 funding levels. VA howeverreceived a 4 billion increase for FY 2010 throughadvanced appropriations. The Department hastherefore been able to meet increasing demandfor health care and continue to provide highquality, cost-effective health care to over 6 millionenrolled veterans without having to worry aboutthe interruptions or disruptions caused bybudget breakdowns and short-term continuingresolutions.DAV’s success in its Stand Up for Veteranscampaign resulted in a finalized agreementbetween the House and the Senate, which hadseparately approved a comprehensive health carepackage. Signed into law on May 5, 2010, theCaregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health ServicesAct of 2010 includes provisions that work towardour goals of proper diagnosis and treatment oftraumatic brain injury, improved services forwomen veterans, support services for caregiversof disabled veterans and improved mental healthservices for post-deployment readjustment.This new law is a step in the right direction, but werecognize more needs to be done. DAV must nowensure VA works with deliberate speed for properand timely implementation of this comprehensivehealth care bill. Additionally, DAV is working toincrease access to high quality VA care for womenveterans, establish a comprehensive program forveterans suffering from traumatic brain injuryand expand the eligibility for caregiver benefits.Just as our efforts will also be spent on makingsure that funding is spent wisely by enhancingprograms and services to meet the needs of sickand disabled veterans today and far into thefuture, we will continue to work to ensure thatthe Administration and Congress fully meetour nation’s obligations to the men and womenwho bear the physical and mental scars of theirwartime service defending our freedoms.No funds from charitable contributions areused to cover the expenses of our LegislativeProgram, with the exception of contributionsdonated explicitly to fund legislative efforts.All other legislative operations are funded frommembership dues. During 2010, 1.7 million wasspent on legislative activities. While the costs of theLegislative Program areonly about one percentof total expenditures, itis an essential part of ourmission. The successesand ongoing efforts of thisprogram demonstrate ourdedication, strength andleadership in advocacyfor the protection ofveterans’ rights and thebenefits they have earned.President Obamasigns the Caregiversand VeteransOmnibus HealthServices Act.DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS12ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSNATIONAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAMDAV operates an extensive network of programs through whichdedicated volunteers provide a variety of services to disabledveterans. During 2010, the organization devoted 40,797,407 tothese Voluntary Service initiatives.TRANSPORTATION NETWORKOne of the largest of theseprograms is our nationwideTransportationNetwork,through which volunteers drive sickand disabled veterans to and from VAmedical facilities for treatment. Thisprogram fills a substantial communityneed, since the federal governmentterminated its program that helpedmany veterans pay for transportationto VA medical facilities. More than185 Hospital Service Coordinatorsmanage the transportation needsfor disabled veterans to and fromnearly every VA medical center inthe country. In 2010, 105 vans wereadded to the Transportation Network.Ford Motor Company also donatedDISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS13 200,000 for the purchase of anadditional seven vans, representinga unique partnership between DAVand corporate America. Since 1987,2,368 vans have been purchased bythe National Organization, Chapters,Departments and the National ServiceFoundation Columbia Trust at a cost of 51,204,507. These vans have all beendonated to VA hospitals for use in theTransportation Network.The National Organization devoted 39,260,696 in contributed servicesto the Transportation Network in2010. DAV and Auxiliary volunteersand a growing number of generousnonmembers provided 1,883,007 millionhours and drove 25,509,350 miles, toprovide free rides to 673,474 veterans.ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSVOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAMVolunteers contributed an additional 313,054hours of service to veterans at VA hospitals, clinicsand nursing homes through the VA VoluntaryService (VAVS) program in 2010. Based on ourinterpretation of generally accepted accountingprinciples, these in-hospital volunteer hours are notrecognized as contributed services in the financialtables that follow. However, this volunteer timehas a value of 6,527,175, according to the VA.The National Organization’s 2010 investmentwas 862,817 to coordinate programs throughits VAVS and transportation efforts. In additionto services in VA facilities, volunteers annuallycontribute approximately one million hours atveterans medical facilities outside the VA, such asthose operated by state governments.NATIONAL DISABLED VETERANSWINTER SPORTS CLINICWorking in cooperation with the VA for the24th consecutive year, our organization cosponsored the 2010 National Disabled VeteransDISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSWinter Sports Clinic, devoting 565,894 in directexpenditures to this program. That is in additionto other indirect expenditures, which are part ofour ongoing VAVS program. This program hashelped veterans overcome the impact of severedisability and empowered many to take their livesin new directions they might otherwise never havedreamed possible.YOUTH VOLUNTEER SCHOLARSHIPSTo encourage our young people to get involvedin volunteer work to assist sick and disabledveterans, we created the Jesse Brown MemorialYouth Scholarship Program to honor outstanding young volunteers who areactive participants in theVA Voluntary Serviceprogram. In 2010, atotal of 80,000 incollege scholarshipswas awarded to12 outstandingyouth volunteers.14ANNUAL REPORT 2010

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANSCELEBRITY ENTERTAINMENTPROGRAMthe opportunity to provide valuable assistanceto veterans within their communities. During2010, 2,029 volunteers donated 146,011 hours ofvolunteer service to disabled veterans living inrural and underserved areas.Another volunteer initiative is the DAV CelebrityEntertainment Program, featuring Major LeagueBaseball Umpires Larry Barnett and Jerry Layne,and professional athletes from the NationalFootball League and Major League Baseball,who continue to visit hospitalized veterans in VAmedical centers. In addition, Ultimate FightingChampionship star Rich “Ace” Franklin began visitingseveral VA medical centers during the past year.Because Chapters and Departments account fortheir activities separately, the tables that followdo not reflect the impressive financial investmentassociated with their volunteer work at the localand state levels. In an effort to encourage evengreater involvement in the lives of veterans atthe community and state levels, the NationalService Foundation established the ColumbiaTrust. Through the Trust, well-funded Chaptersand Departments are providing invaluable helpto other Chapters and Departments that lackthe funds to support their service programs. Inaddition to these contributions to the Trust, theDAV National Organization provided another 37,375 in part for the purchase of TransportationNetwork vans in 2010. The National Organizationhas contributed 4,312,870 to the Trust since itsinception.LOCAL & STATE VOLUNTEERISMChapters, Auxiliary Units, state-level Departmentsand associated organizations work on behalf ofdisabled veterans in the communities they serve.These programs range from initiatives for homelessveterans to advocacy for the removal of barriersto handicapped people; from household choresto driving severely disabled veterans to the storeor bank. The Local Veterans Assistance Program,created during the fall of 2007, offers volunteersAbove, Kevin Quigley, right, volunteer, helpsAlvin Hoffman, a disabled World War IIveteran, shop at a local grocery store. Right,National League Umpire Jerry Layne visitspatients at Jesse Brown VAMC.DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS15ANNUAL REPORT 2010

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DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS ANNUAL REPORT 2010. 5 . O. ur largest endeavor in fulfilling the DAV's mission is our National Service Program. In 110 offices throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico, we employ a corps of approximately 260 National Service Officers (NSOs) and 31 Transition Service Officers (TSOs) who counsel and