DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VISION

Establish and maintain a consistent, innovative veteran’s benefits delivery system that enables all South Dakota veterans, and their family members, to receive professional assistance, advocacy and counseling in obtaining the benefits they have earned. The Department of Veterans Affairs, the County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers, and other service providers must have the technology, training and level of professionalism necessary to properly serve and enhance the lives of veterans and their families, now and in the future.

MISSION

The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the network of County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers is to ensure that veterans, their dependents and survivors receive the full measure of benefits and services to which they are entitled.

CORE FUNCTIONS 

(1) Provide ongoing training and supervision to our state’s network of County & Tribal Veterans Service Officers in all areas of federal and state laws and programs pertaining to veteran’s benefits.

(2) Counsel and assist veterans and their family members with preparing and submitting claims for benefits they are eligible for through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and any other state or federal agencies.

(3) Advocate for the claimant(s) by ensuring that all award actions and decisions by the VA or other agencies are accurate and in compliance with existing laws and regulations.

(4) Evaluation, approval and supervision of all programs/schools that offer educational opportunities to those eligible for VA educational benefits; also provide overview for those programs offered at training establishments.

(5) Provide public relations and outreach efforts to properly promote and educate the public on all programs and services available to our veterans, military service personnel and their families.

(6) The Department serves as primary liaison between state agencies, the SD Veterans Commission, Veterans Community and other service partners (federal, national, state).

(7) Ensure the protection, privacy and integrity of all veteran and claimant personal identity data, medical information, and VA claim/military data entrusted to the Department staff and the state’s network of County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers, as an ethical and legal obligation.