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Kossuth County veterans services reports November activity, VA claims and benefit totals
Summary
The county veterans services staff presented a monthly update covering phone calls, walk-ins, VA claim workload and recent training. The office reported monthly awards, retroactive benefits and ongoing case counts and said it is preparing a quarterly report and budget projections.
At the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors meeting, county veterans services staff delivered a monthly report covering client contacts, VA claim activity, training and benefit amounts.
The presenter reported 27 phone calls, 39 messages and emails, 24 walk-ins, 25 scheduled appointments and one appointment outside the office during the month being reported. The office aided one veteran transport and submitted over 70 Department of Veterans Affairs forms. Staff said they are tracking 1,237 records in the county database and have 39 open VA claims in the VA system, nine ready for decision and 18 under development. The presenter also reported one supplemental claim and two recent health-care enrollments for veterans.
For the month reported, the office recorded monthly awards totaling $8,693.88 and retroactive benefits of $4,560; year-to-date monthly awards were reported at $46,470.37 and retroactive benefits year-to-date at $156,827 (figures reported by the presenter). Staff said they completed computer-based training on VA decision processes and district training earlier in the month, and trained/mentored a new assistant county BSO in a neighboring county.
The presenter described major 2025 changes to VA ratings for several conditions (mental health/post-traumatic stress, obstructive sleep apnea, digestive system conditions, and hearing/tinnitus) and said it is not yet clear how those rating changes will affect existing claims or whether a grandfathering provision will apply. The office is preparing a calendar-year metrics report and requested that budget materials be submitted to the auditor; staff said they will send requested information about CEU credit for a training course if asked.
No decisions were required of the board; this was a report for information and planning.
