THOMAS M. HARVIN 392 East 95 th street - Brooklyn NY 11212 -1833 

thomasmharvin@gmail.com Home: (347) 685-5937  

   Experience:   Veterans Service Representative (VSR)  Department of Veterans A�fairs, New York, NY  

June 2014 - Present 

● Makes determinations as to eligibility for the type of bene�t sought and fully analyzes, develops, and requests required evidence for certain claims requiring a rating decision.  

● Decides the necessity for and type of examinations, reexamination or opinions to determine the existence of or to evaluate disabilities resulting from diseases or injuries.  

● Develops comprehensive requests for these examinations/opinions to ensure appropriate evidence is received from which to adjudicate the claim.  

● Prepares correspondence to members of Congress and special interest groups on case assignments and other "controlled" correspondence. 

● Rotates through the Pre-Determination, Post Determination, Public Contact, Appeals ● Triage teams to gain experience in all aspects of the position and acquire the competencies to 

successfully complete the "certi�cation" process ● Utilizes various electronic data processing (EDP) systems for inputting data related to claims 

adjudication, processing, monitoring, and correspondence preparation. • ● Acts as an advocate for veterans and their bene�ciaries in their dealings with other VA elements 

and organizations that aÍect their claims.   Veterans Service Claims Assistant Department of Veterans A�fairs, New York, NY  

April 2010 -June 2014 

● Explain bene�t programs and entitlement criteria regarding disability, pension and compensation to veterans in the tri-state area 

● Provides high-quality customer service by determining the best approach for handling issues ● Processes applications and associated documents and input information into the database  ● Provide information to the public on rights, bene�ts, privileges, or obligations under body of law ● Handled all claims processing phases, public contact, triage, pre-determination, and 

development ● Communicate techniques appropriate for a wide diversity of audiences regarding VA laws, 

rules, regulations, and policies governing claims, bene�ts, and eligibility 

  

Veterans Services Program Support Clerk Department of Veterans A�fairs, New York, NY 

December 2009-April 2010 

● Maintain Contents of claims folders ● Handle all mail and evidence associated processing claims ● Research methods for information related to laws, rules, and policies ● Applicable electronic data processing and tracking systems ● Policies and procedures regarding privacy and release of information 

Intern Program-File Clerk, Department of Veterans A�fairs, New York, NY  

April 2003- December 2007 

● Daily update and maintenance of Veteran's School Payments ● Preparation of documents and �les to be examined for veteran's claims and bene�ts ● Creation of new �les on disabled/deceased veterans in New York/New Jersey Area 

Administration Assistant Education Alliance @ Marta Valle School PS 122 New York, NY 

J an 2002 - July 2002 

Keeping account and records of hired teachers on the payroll for our a�ter-school program  

● Curriculum Design, Development, and Counseling  ● Communication and collaboration with other a�ter school programs within the same school 

and analyze problems to identify signi�cant factors ● With strict promotion, manage to increase students' attendance from 9 students to 30 students 

daily 

Intern-Social Worker/ Assistant Kingsbridge VA Medical Center Bronx, NY 

Dec 2000 – Jan 2002 

 ● Construct the medical centers' �rst automated tracking system for Vision Impaired ● Vets and increase the roster to 200 patients receiving bene�ts and su��cient medical 

treatment  ● Communicate e�fectively and in writing; and deal e�fectively with others in person-to-person 

situations.   ● Setting up patient appointments and contacting patients for out-patient care  ● Lead a team of medical assistants to cater to patients needs 

 

 

 

 

Events and facilities Management     Five Towns College Dix Hills, NY     Dec 1999 – Sept 2000 

 ● Collaborated with the Dir. of Athletics to construct the �rst Sports program in the Colleges' 

history �rst with a men's basketball program and women's volleyball  ● Personal O��ce Assistant who worked with school security nightly 

 

   

Education: ● The New School University Manhattan NYC- Masters of Arts in Media Studies ● Lehman College Bronx CUNY- Mass Communications/ Multilingual Journalism ● Five Towns College Dix Hills NY- Music Business Management ● U.S. Navy Great Lakes IL- Millington, Tenn - 95"- 97 

Related Skills: ● Microso�t Excel, MS Word, MS Access, Final Cut, Email, and Internet. ● Experience with heavy phone lines.