VA Achieves Historic Milestones in Providing Minnesotans Care

(KNSI) – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs set several new records for aiding military members and their families in Minnesota.

The VA set all-time highs in veteran trust at 80.4% this year, an increase of 25% since 2016. The VA healthcare system also had a record 92% trust rate. More women signed up for health care through the VA than ever before. The government agency supported a record number of women Veterans, with 7,501 receiving aid in Minnesota, representing an estimated $164 million in benefits.

Another new benchmark reached is the VA helping 960 Minnesota survivors get pension benefits worth $9.6 million. Additionally, 7,902 spouses and dependents received benefits valued at $160 million.

The government provided over 2.2 million health care appointments and enrolled another 5,611 Minnesotans in VA care. It also processed 31,487 disability benefit claims. In Minnesota, the VA National Cemeteries gave 2,576 Minnesota veterans a final resting place. Overall, 104,656 Minnesota veterans received compensation, and 1,720 received pensions in 2024.

Officials say a big reason for the record numbers is due to the expansion of eligibility for care to all toxic-exposed veterans thanks to the PACT Act.

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