Veterans officer says part-time hire would bring county millions in VA benefits

A veterans service officer told Franklin County commissioners that the office processed about 50 completed compensation cases in 2025 and 42 year-to-date in 2026, and argued that adding a part-time Veterans Service Officer (VSO) would increase net benefit receipts to the county. “The total amount of revenue from VA benefits coming into the county is 16,505,000,” the presenter said while describing the mix of compensation, pension and medical benefits tracked by VA figures.

The presenter said compensation and pension alone accounted for $7,487,000 and noted that for each dollar paid to the VSO office the county received a multiple in benefit inflows; commissioners asked whether a part-time hire would expand office hours and outreach. The board signaled support for keeping the veteran-services line but deferred formal salary and hiring decisions to further budget review.