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Veterans Service Office reports more than $1.1 million in retroactive payments to local veterans
Summary
Jay Roberts, director of the Codington County Veterans Service Office, told commissioners the office completed 234 claims this year producing about $1.1 million in retroactive payments for veterans, with 156 open claims at present and ongoing staffing and volunteer challenges.
Jay Roberts, director of the Codington County Veterans Service Office, told the county commissioners Tuesday that the office has completed 234 claims year to date, producing about $1,107,502 in retroactive payments to veterans and increasing total year-to-date benefits to $1,149,774.
Roberts said the office currently has 156 open claims. He said the office saw about $14,967 in increased claims for veterans in August alone, and explained that part of the work involves assisting veterans who have never filed for benefits before.
"In the end, what it means is we're doing good things for veterans," Roberts said.
Roberts reported staffing and volunteer items: deputy VSO Eric Lewis completed his first level of VA training and the office is working with the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs in Sioux Falls on next steps so the office will have a fully qualified VSO ready when Todd Rose retires at the end of the month. Roberts said volunteer drivers for the county’s transport program declined from eight to five as some long-time volunteers retired.
Upcoming events and training Roberts noted include annual VSO certification training Sept. 9–12 in Sioux Falls, a veterans appreciation event Nov. 8 at Joy Ranch and a retiree summit for the 147th Field Artillery out of Watertown. Roberts also said the county’s veteran-of-the-year selection will be decided by the county commanders later in the month and presented in November.
Roberts closed by thanking outgoing staff and noting Todd Rose’s retirement on Sept. 30; he described Rose’s tenure as a period in which "veterans have prospered pretty well."
