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Quick quiz: which has been around longer, Veterans Day or Veterans Service Officers?  The state legislature first granted authorization to counties to have a VSO as an optional part of staff, in 1945. Counties were then mandated to provide a VSO for county vets as of March 1978.   Veterans Day as we know it on November 11 was created by President Eisenhower in a proclamation October 1954, redefining it from its original designation as Armistice Day.  

So, Veterans Service Officers were around for a decade before Veterans Day formally arrived.

Chisago County has Ryan Skog in the VSO slot right now, with offices in Center City at the Government Center. His one year anniversary here was just the end of October and the term he is appointed to runs four years.   

He encourages Chisago veterans to get connected with the office and himself or Wendy—at 651-213-5680 or 213-5605.  Currently the case count ranges from 20 to 50 cases on his to-do list each month; but he insists his goal is to help more people and “...ensure they are maximizing what they have earned and deserve” he stated.

Officially Chisago County has 3,613 veterans confirmed as residents but this excludes active duty and National Guard members.

One great reason to connect is that benefits have been updated and new services were created as the years have gone by, so his message, especially to veterans from earlier conflicts, is, “I’d like to meet them. Veterans benefits are widely under utilized,” he added.  

Even if you have enrolled in various assistance services, or already are receiving care from the Veterans Administration facilities, Skog finds his veterans  need a hand tracking existing claims, and staying up-to-date on the ailments and disabilities that are eligible for assistance.

Benefits for dependents and survivors are often overlooked and there are things the VSO can follow up on when mistakes are made in VA disability level decision-making.  He understands the VA system is complicated and confusing but he has experience with the process.  And, honestly, he even sounds like he enjoys the challenge.

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