California Code, Military and Veterans Code - MVC § 971

(a) The county veterans service officer shall assist every veteran of any war of the United States and every qualified former member, and the dependents of every deceased veteran and every qualified former member, in presenting and pursuing any claim the veteran or the qualified former member may have against the United States and in establishing the veteran's or qualified former member's right to any privilege, preference, care, or compensation provided for by the laws of the United States or of this state.

(b) The county veterans service officer shall present and pursue claims against the United States referred by any public agency pursuant to Section 721.

(c) For purposes of this section, “qualified former member” means any former member of the United States Armed Forces, who is eligible under federal law to receive any veterans benefit from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other agency of the federal government.