HomeMy WebLinkAbout25.08.06 - Minutes, Veteran's Advisory CommitteeWashington County Veterans Advisory Committee
Minutes
Date: Wednesday, 06 August 2025 @ 18:30
Location: Boonsboro Community Center/Shafer Park
37 Park Drive, Boonsboro MD 21713
Attendance
Present- Niki Falzone (Vice Chair), Jim Sword (Secretary), Derek Harvey (County
Commissioner), Robert Breeding, Robert Summers
Not Present- Stephanie Pulver -Breeden (Chair)*, Darrell Nelson, Aaron Palmer, Jamaal Brown*,
Starlene Hamilton*
Guests
Mr. G. Egdens, Mr. Gordon, Mr. P. Hylenski
Committee Vice Chair Stephanie Pulver -Breeden called the meeting order at 18:31. After Roll
Call a quorum was unable to be established to conduct Committee business. Guests were
introduced to the Committee members present.
Presentation
Mr. Paul Hylenski, the founder and CEO of Vet Mentor AI, provided a presentation to the
Committee.
After being discharged from the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Hylenski developed an AI
platform to assist veterans with their benefits and claims through the Veterans Administration.
Vet Mentor AI is currently running a 95% success rate.
The program platform acts as "claims optimizer" for the veteran by simulating the information
provided by the veteran as VA Rater. The platform then grades the information provided by the
veteran on a scale of 1-10 on how likely a claim will be approved. The program then provides
information to the veteran to increase the veteran's probability of getting an approved claim.
Additionally, the program has the capability to assist veterans with other Veterans
Administration claims such as Home Loans and Education benefits. Statistically, a veteran will
file 3 to 5 claims with the Veterans Administration in their life time.
Vet Mentor AI can be integrated within the veteran's home county to assist in finding the closest
VSO and schedule appointments.
Washington County has an estimated 10,500 military veterans. Each year, on average, 35-40%
of veterans file claims through the Veterans Administration. The estimated cost and investment
anticipated of the County is $10.00 per veteran to create this integration or $36,750.00. The
return on investment for the county is 1) if the veteran's claim is successful, there will be more
disposable income available for the veteran to spend in the county and 2) a potential decreased
burden on health care services due to the likelihood the veteran will seek care through the VA.
The program does not file the claim for the veteran. The veteran enters the information into the
system and no records or information are retained by the program except name, telephone
number and email address.
Mr. Hylenski will provide the Veterans Advisory Committee with additional information on the
financial benefits and return on investment data to consider and present to the Board of County
Commissioners.
Business Meeting
No Old Business or New Business was able to be discussed and those agenda items were tabled
until the next meeting.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Announcements/Upcoming Events
NEXT VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE HELD
WEDNESDAY, 03 SEPTEMBER 2025 AT 18:30 AT THE AMVETS LOCATED AT 770
FREDERICK STREET, HAGERSTOWN.