Frequently Asked Questions

Call Washington County Veteran Services to make an appointment at one of our offices. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except for federal holidays. When required, in-person meetings are by appointment only at all three of our locations: Stillwater, Cottage Grove, and Forest Lake.

Service connection for a disability may be established in the following ways: 

• Direct:  Service medical records show that the disabling condition was diagnosed during military service and the condition has continued to affect the Veteran.
• Aggravation:  Evidence demonstrates that the disabling condition which existed prior to service was aggravated beyond normal progression during military service.
• Presumptive:  Evidence demonstrates that the disability is one predetermined by the VA to be presumed for service connection by time, place and type of service.
• Secondary:  Evidence demonstrates that the disability developed as a result of, or residual of, another service connected disability.
• Injury as a Result of VA Medical Treatment:  This is a disability that the Veteran incurred, had aggravated or died from because of medical treatment at a VA Facility.

A service connected disabled Veteran does not have to pay for medical care at a VAMC for his/her service connected disability. Depending on the percentage of disability, the service connected Veteran may have co-payments for non-service connected disability services and/or prescriptions. These co-payments may be waived if the Veteran completes a financial means test and meets the criteria for exemption. Note: 50–100 percent service-connected Veterans do not have any co-pays for services and/or prescriptions, even for non-service related conditions. If a Veteran is not service-connected, there may be co-payments for services and prescription costs.

Call 612-467-2768.

• Transportation to VA appointments is provided free of charge. Riders are not eligible to collect travel pay since there is no cost incurred.
• Veterans are encouraged to request transportation as soon as they know about their appointment(s) and at least a week prior.
• Riders are always first-come first-serve and based on availability.
• Riders may have to wait before or after appointments to serve other ride requests.
• Family members and caregivers may ride along, space dependent.
• Please let the Transportation Coordinator know if you have any mobility limitations, require a walker, manual wheelchair, oxygen tank, or have other needs.

The widow/widower of a recognized war-time Veteran may be eligible for a pension. This pension is based solely on financial need. The widow/widower of a Veteran who died of a service-connected disability is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, also known as DIC. This compensation is not based on financial need. The widow/widower of a Veteran who was rated at 100 percent, permanent and total, service connected disabled for ten years or more is also eligible for DIC even if the Veterans death was not due to service connected conditions. In this circumstance, there may be an additional allowance for the widow/widower if he/she was married to the Veteran for eight years or more and lived continuously with the Veteran prior to death.

When a Veteran is rated 30 percent service connected or more, the Veteran is given an additional allowance for dependents. Veterans who are in receipt of pension are also given an allowance for dependents; however, with pension all dependent income is counted/included. When a Veteran is rated at 100 percent permanent and total or a Veteran dies due to a service connected disability, dependents are eligible for education benefits.