(a) The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs may employ veterans service officers, full-time or part-time, as may be determined necessary, within the limits of the funds appropriated for that purpose.
(b)
(1) A veterans service officer shall have served in the United States Armed Forces and shall have been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
(2) All veterans service officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall have knowledge of all laws, both federal and state, relating to the rights and benefits of all veterans and their dependents and shall aid and assist all veterans and their dependents in securing their rights and benefits.