DAV Chapter 10 Lyle C Pearson Sr, Mankato

09/01/2026

Benefits You Should Know: Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions

Some Veterans and survivors may be eligible for VA benefits connected to Agent Orange or other herbicide exposure, but many people assume they do not qualify because they were told “no” years ago.

The rules have changed over time.
For example:
• Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is now recognized as an Agent Orange presumptive condition
• Blue Water Navy Veterans may now qualify under rules that expanded the presumption of herbicide exposure to certain offshore waters of Vietnam
• Some conditions and locations that were not recognized years ago may be treated differently today
• A prior denial does not always mean the issue is over

VA recognizes certain health conditions as presumptive for Veterans with qualifying service or exposure. That means VA may presume the condition is connected to military service if the Veteran meets the eligibility requirements.

This can also matter for surviving spouses and families when a Veteran’s cause of death may be connected to a presumptive condition.

Every situation is different. A County Veterans Service Officer or accredited Veterans Service Organization can help review service history, diagnosis, prior claims, and possible next steps.

Find your local CVSO here: https://www.macvso.org/find-a-cvso.html

Learn more from VA:
https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/

Please share this with a Veteran, surviving spouse, or family member who may benefit.

08/29/2026

08/26/2026

Behind every tag is a story.

A veteran. A family. A life shaped by service.

The United in Service Tribute Garden will bring those individual stories together in one place of remembrance—and you can add the name of a veteran who matters to you.

Tribute Tags are $50 and orders close September 15.

Honor a veteran: UnitedInServiceMN.org

08/26/2026

Benefits You Should Know: Vehicle Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

Minnesota Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability may qualify for several vehicle-related tax and fee exemptions.
A few things to know:
• Motor vehicle sales tax exemption
• Registration tax exemption for up to two vehicles
• Wheelage tax exemption for up to two vehicles
• Most title fee exemptions
• Driver’s license or Minnesota ID card fee exemption

These benefits can save eligible Veterans significant money, but many people still do not know they exist.

Documentation rules apply, and some fees are not included. Check with Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, your deputy registrar, or the official DVS information before purchasing, titling, or renewing a vehicle.

Learn more from Minnesota DVS:
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/vehicle/vehicle-fees/military-and-veteran-vehicle-sales-tax-and-registration-exemptions

Please share this with a Minnesota Veteran or family member who may benefit.

08/18/2026

Walk through 250 years of courage, sacrifice, and service.

United in Service is a free experience coming to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds October 15–18. Explore stories of service across generations and experience a Tribute Garden filled with thousands of personalized tags honoring those who served.

Add your name—or the name of a veteran you know—to the Tribute Garden. Tribute Tags are $50 and must be ordered by September 15.

Create yours at UnitedInServiceMN.org

08/18/2026

Benefits You Should Know: DIC Survivor Benefits
When a service member or Veteran passes away, families may not know what benefits they should ask about.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, often called DIC, is a tax-free monthly VA benefit that may be available to eligible survivors.

A few things to know:
• DIC may be available to certain surviving spouses, children, or parents
• It may apply when a service member dies in the line of duty
• It may also apply when a Veteran dies from a service-connected injury or illness
• In some cases, a service-connected condition may contribute to the death, even if it was not the only cause
• This is different from VA Survivors Pension

DIC can be complicated, and families should not assume they are ineligible without asking.

Eligibility rules apply. Contact your County Veterans Service Officer or an accredited Veterans Service Organization for help understanding where to start.

Learn more from VA:
https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/survivor-compensation/dependency-indemnity-compensation/

Please share this with a surviving spouse, family member, or Veteran family who may need to know this.

08/11/2026

Benefits You Should Know: Veteran Small Business Certification

Are you a Veteran business owner interested in government contracting?

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Veteran Small Business Certification, often called VetCert, may help eligible Veteran-owned and service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses compete for certain government contracting opportunities.

A few things to know:
• This is for eligible Veteran-owned small businesses
• Service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses may qualify for additional federal contracting opportunities
• Certified Veteran-owned businesses may also have opportunities through VA’s Vets First program
• Certification does not guarantee contracts
• Business owners should get guidance before investing time or money into government contracting

This will not apply to every Veteran, but for Veteran business owners, it may be worth researching.

A good place to start is SBA’s VetCert information. Minnesota business owners can also contact the Minnesota APEX Accelerator for help understanding government contracting, registrations, certifications, and next steps.

Learn more from SBA:
https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-contracting-assistance-programs

Minnesota APEX Accelerator:
https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/apexaccelerator/about/

Please share this with a Veteran business owner who may benefit.

08/04/2026

Benefits You Should Know: State Dental Assistance

Dental care can be expensive, and too many Veterans put it off because they do not know where to start.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has a Dental Assistance Program that may help eligible Minnesota Veterans and their dependents with dental care costs. Some surviving spouses may also qualify.

This is a Minnesota state benefit through MDVA, not the same as federal VA dental eligibility.

A few things to know:
• This benefit is income AND asset-based
• Eligible applicants may receive up to $1,500 for annual routine dental care
• Dentures may be authorized up to $4,000 when necessary
• Extractions needed for dentures may be authorized up to $2,500
• Applications are made through a County Veterans Service Office

Dental benefits are open year-round, and the routine dental benefit is generally limited to once every 12 months.

Eligibility rules apply. Contact your County Veterans Service Officer to learn more and apply.

Learn more from MDVA:
https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/healthdisability/dentalassistance.jsp
Find Your CVSO Here:
https://www.macvso.org/find-a-cvso.html

Please share this with a Minnesota Veteran or family member who may benefit.

08/03/2026

The Joint Opening Session for the 2026 DAV & Auxiliary National Con...

08/03/2026

Benefits You Should Know: VA Home Loan Guaranty

The VA Home Loan Guaranty is one of the most valuable benefits available to eligible Veterans, service members, and some surviving spouses, but it is also one of the most misunderstood.

A few key things to know:
• Private lenders provide the loan
• VA guarantees a portion of the loan
• VA-backed purchase loans often require no down payment
• VA loans do not require private mortgage insurance, or PMI
• Lenders may have different rates, fees, timelines, and requirements

The lender matters. If you are considering using your VA home loan benefit, do your research and work with a reputable lender who understands VA loans.

Ask questions about rates, fees, closing costs, funding fees, appraisals, timelines, and whether the lender regularly works with VA-backed loans.

Be careful with anyone who makes it sound too easy, pressures you to move fast, or cannot clearly explain the process.

Learn more directly from VA:
https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/

Please share this with a Veteran, service member, or surviving spouse who may be thinking about buying a home.