A chance meeting at a party honoring a WWII veteran culminated in a retro payment to a widow for over $238,560.
“Last year I was at a party for a 100 year old WWII veteran and presented him a Galveston County Appreciation plaque alongside Senator Mayes Middleton. Upon leaving I saw a Purple Heart on a lady’s license plate and that’s where it all began,” said Galveston County Veteran Services Officer and Marine Corps veteran Jeff Gottlob. “I talked to her a bit, gave her my card and she came in to see me.”
That lady’s husband was a Vietnam War veteran and had passed away in 2009. Soon after, she tried for Dependent Indemnity Compensation but was not awarded “and left it alone,” said Gottlob. “The veteran was service connected for multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen in Vietnam and was medically discharged with 50% disability rating. He eventually was diagnosed with brain cancer, awarded 100% and died in ’09.”
With Gottlob’s help, the surviving spouse refiled for compensation in November 2023. Additionally, the widow’s claim was updated to include the expanded conditions made possible by the PACT Act, which was enacted in 2022. This would include the veteran’s brain cancer.
In November 2024, they were notified of an award of over $238,569 in retro payment to the surviving spouse.
“Most of my VSO weeks are spent with more VA disappointments than wins…but every once in awhile we hit one out of the park!” said Gottlob. “This makes it all worthwhile.”
The surviving spouse expressed her appreciation to Gottlob stating:
“Good morning Jeff,
I just wanted you to know you were an angel God blessed me with a year ago. When you stopped to ask who’s Purple Heart was on my car plates.
I’m so thankful for your help, I would have never thought of checking with the VA benefits if you hadn’t stopped to talk to me. I received a check for over $200,000.00! You can’t imagine how this will help me live out the rest of my life in peace.
You are a very special person, you’re an ordinary person who accomplishes extraordinary things for others, and you make a difference in their lives, you are blessed. Thank you for your service and helping our service men and women.”
