Stone County Health Department partners with VSO to help local veterans access earned benefits – KY3

Stone County Health Department partners with VSO to help local veterans access earned benefits  KY3

Navigating military benefits can often feel overwhelming, but a local initiative in Stone County is working to ensure area veterans don’t fall through the cracks. STONE COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) – Navigating military benefits can often feel overwhelming, but a local initiative in Stone County is working to ensure area veterans don’t fall through the cracks. The Stone County Health Department has introduced regular, in-person access to a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) at its facility, offering dedicated assistance every third Friday of the month. The monthly clinic was established in May 2026 after local advocates identified a critical need for more direct support for former service members in the area. Kevin McClain, a Navy veteran and adjutant at American Legion Post 697, has spent years looking out for fellow veterans and says accessing basic benefits should never be an uphill battle.

“It breaks my heart,” McClain said. “Everybody that serves this country deserves health care, period. End of question. That’s part of the contract.” For many veterans, the barrier is simply knowing where to begin. Organizers noted that navigating complex federal claims and paperwork often leaves former service members unaware of what they are legally entitled to receive. “There are so many vets out there for some reason that do not know what their benefits are, or where to even go