Department of Human Services. Office of Veterans' Affairs Veterans' case files, i 1973-1979.

In 1973 the legislature created the Office of Veterans' Affairs within the Department of Social Services. As defined in the law ( Laws of Utah, 1977, ch. 171, sect. 3.), the office was to "provide counseling on veterans' benefits; assistance to veterans or their dependents in presenting claims against the United States or in establishing their rights to benefits, compensation or privileges to which they are entitled under federal or state law; and informational and advisory services to agencies."

These case files contain information pertinent to requests for information or assistance in obtaining educational benefits, discharge upgrades, death benefits, loan guarantees, medical benefits for self or dependents, pensions, etc. Most of the files begin with an information sheet of basic data collected by the agency: name, address, phone number, social security number, service dates, date and place of birth, what assistance needed, and who in the agency has been assigned as therepresentative. Most files also have a memorandum of what actions were taken in the case on what date.

Beyond the basic data, the content and extent of an individual file varies depending on the request. Much of the additional information consists of photocopies of federal military records requested by the Veterans' Affairs Office to help document the veteran's claim. Contents of the file may include form letters and other correspondence, applications for compensation, copies of vital statistics records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates), copies of discharge papers, complete service record copies, copies of medical and dental records, and power of attorney appointing the Veterans' Affairs Office as representative in a claim. Applications for benefits often include income information as many benefits were provided only to veterans or their families having limited income. Complete service records generally are included only when anindividual has requested an upgrade in his type of discharge from a dishonorable or general discharge to an honorable discharge in order to be eligible for benefits, a common request in these files.

In 1979, a legislative act reorganizing the Department of Social Services abolished the Office of Veterans' Affairs ( Laws of Utah, 1979, ch.102, sect. 17).