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Morrison County Veterans Service Office reports increased outreach, grants and claims work
Summary
The county veterans office reported outreach initiatives, expanded claims work under the PACT Act and significant use of state veterans relief grants; the board praised the office’s results and contributions to local veterans’ benefits and county cost avoidance.
Chris, the Morrison County Veterans Service Officer, told commissioners he has completed his third year in the position and described outreach and benefit work that increased service to local veterans and their families.
Chris said the office organized community outreach — including retirement briefings at Camp Ripley and an annual pontoon ride for veterans — and staffed information booths to reach veterans who do not attend veterans clubs. The office also helped veterans apply for Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs relief grants (presenter said veterans received about $233,000 in such grants) to pay health, safety and emergency needs, and the office reported assisting individual veterans to secure VA disability ratings and back pay.
The presenter attributed much of the increase in claims to the PACT Act (effective Aug. 10, 2022), which expanded eligibility and prompted many veterans to file or re-open claims. He said the office handled more than 800 claims last year and that coordination with Camp Ripley and other partners helped identify veterans eligible for benefits.
Chris described examples of individual outcomes: a Camp Lejeune–related cancer claim that led to a 100% service-connected rating, a lump-sum payment to cover medical bills and enrollment in VA health care for the veteran. He said the office’s partnerships with nonprofit and state programs helped reduce homelessness and secure back pay for widows in some older cases.
Commissioners praised the office and asked about metrics; Chris noted an internal estimate that the office’s return on investment is about 58-to-1 when accounting for benefits and payments to veterans that reduce county costs. He said staffers have increased training time in 2025 and that a newer staff member, nicknamed “research and development,” is nearing accreditation to support complex claims research.
The report was informational; no formal board action was taken.
