Custer County veteran service officer reports surge in claims, $240,000 annual compensation increase

Dominic Edgerton, Custer County veteran service officer, told the Custer County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 23 that his office has stepped up outreach and benefits work and that the local veteran population has seen substantial financial gains as a result.

"I was in office 10 out of the 16 days that we were open. I had 39 scheduled appointments, 1 no show, 3 home visits that were not scheduled, 11 walk ins," Edgerton said, listing recent office activity. He told commissioners that, since arriving, he submitted 366 claims, of which 297 have been rated, and that increases in monthly compensation totaled "a little over 240,000,0.0." He also said retroactive payments totaling almost $120,000 have been received, with additional large retro payments pending.

Edgerton said the claims work is producing local economic gains for veterans and their families. "That's tax free dollars coming to the county," he said, noting 178 veterans have been rated since he began and…