Upon request, the director of veterans' affairs, or his or her designee, shall, in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Department of Veterans' Affairs of the United States, prepare and present all veterans' pension and compensation claims qualifying under the provisions of § 42-12-5. The office of veterans' affairs shall render this assistance without charge to the claimant for the assistance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-17.1-4