VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE

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1 VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE Stearns County Service Center 3301 County Road 138 Waite Park, MN October 1, 2014 Phone: (320) Fax: (320) Dear Commanders, The colors outside are changing and the air is a little crisper that can only mean that Ole Man Winter is right around the corner again. That also means we will be inside more and more suspect to the little colds that lead to more serious health issues like FLU. You can combat the Flu bug this year with a shot. The VA is trying to reach out to those who have to make long trips to St Cloud or the Minneapolis VA s to get there shots. On October 15 the St Cloud VA will have a traveling flu shot clinic. They will be at the American Legion in Sauk Centre from 09:30 11:30. Then they will travel to the Belgrade VFW to set up shop from 1:00 3:00. If you are enrolled in the VA Health System you can receive your flu shot at one of these clinics. If you use the Alexandria CBOC you can get your shot at one of these clinics. Don t miss out on a great opportunity. Also with the cold weather approaching what kind of shape is that furnace in? Do you owe for propane or fuel oil from last winter and don t know where you are going to get the funds to cover this winter? Depending on the situation the State Soldiers Assistance Program can pay to get that old bill covered, fill the tank and maybe fill one more. Maybe you are in need of a new furnace? We have been able to get that done in the past. The point I am trying to stress is that not all veterans and widows of veterans are well enough off to afford these things. Come and ask. We know that propane jumped real high last year. It doesn t cost anything to ask. We try to make it easy for you to get your benefits. Remember our outreach sites. On the first Tuesday of each month a VSO will be at Albany City Hall from 10:00 12:00 and Holdingford City Hall from 1:00 3:00. On the Second Thursday of each month a VSO will be Paynesville American Legion from 1:00 4:00 and on the Third Wednesday of each month a VSO will be at the Sauk Centre American Legion from 1:00 4:00. I would like to introduce Robin Mustian as a new Assistant County Veteran Service Officer. Robin started at the beginning of the month and getting her feet wet in a hurry. Robin is seeing clients already so don t be afraid to ask her any questions about your benefits. I have attached general information for the general membership. Sincerely, Terry L. Ferdinandt Stearns County Veterans Service Officer

2 Vietnam PTSD Discharges DoD Has Agreed to Reconsider The Defense Department has agreed to reconsider the bad-paper discharges for thousands of Vietnam-era veterans who may have suffered from combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder but were kicked out of the military in the era before that became a diagnosable condition. In a new rule announced 3 SEP, the Pentagon said veterans from the Vietnam era and other past wars with other-than-honorable discharges will be given liberal consideration if they seek to correct their military records and provide some evidence of a PTSD diagnosis that existed at the time of their service. Upgraded discharges could result in the restoration of some benefits, such as disability pay, separation pay or GI Bill benefits from the Veterans Affairs Department, which are typically denied to vets who receive other-than-honorable discharges. Health care in the VA system is typically provided to veterans regardless of their discharge. U.S. soldiers carry a wounded comrade through a swampy area during action in Vietnam in In today s military, PTSD is considered a mitigating factor for misconduct and behavioral problems. The military services are required to grant a medical evaluation to any service member who claims PTSD before finalizing a bad discharge. vthe Pentagon s new rule comes in response to a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of several veterans in March that claimed the Defense Department was wrongfully denying discharge upgrade applications from veterans with claims and evidence of PTSD. The new policy was applauded by the Yale Law School Veterans Legal Service Clinic, which is spearheading the federal McTiernan, a student intern involved with the lawsuit. However, she said, it s too early to tell how the new rule will be. [Source: NavyTimes Andrew Tilghman Sep 03, ]

3 VA Loans Appraisal Process When VA lenders approve a VA loan application there are really two distinct approvals issued one for the veteran and one for the property. Both must be separately approved during the loan process. A borrower with $100,000 in the bank, an 850 credit score and single digit debt ratios won t get a VA loan unless the subject property is approved as well. How do VA appraisals work and what do they look for? Note that an appraisal and a property inspection are two separate items. An appraisal reports the current market value of a property while a property inspection reviews the physical condition. An appraisal report will make note of the physical condition and may even point out issues that need to be corrected before a final value can be made, but the primary purpose of the appraisal is to independently report the value of the home, which you can read more about here. Valuations. The appraised value must be at least the same as the sales price. If the appraised value comes in lower than the agreed upon price, the veteran has three basic choices negotiate a lower price, come to the closing table with the difference between the sales price and appraised value or walk from the transaction altogether. The appraiser arrives at a value by comparing recent sales prices of similar homes in the area. A similar home means comparing a single family residence with another. Comparing a single family home with a condominium won t work. Recent sales means homes that have sold within the previous six or twelve months. It is rare that two separate properties are exactly alike. One home may have a view of the mountains and one may not. Homes with views can have a higher value compared to similar homes in the neighborhood. Other items can add value such as the overall condition of the home, updated appliances, wood floors or other amenities. Fewer bedrooms, square footage and a smaller lot may provide a lower value as well. Let's say the appraiser sees that a 2,000-square-foot home sold for $200,000. That s $100 per square foot. The appraiser also finds two more homes that sold for $105 and $99 per square foot. If the subject property being financed has a contract price at or around $100 per square foot, then these additional sales will be used to support the sales price of the home. If the price comes in above that value, all the better. But if the value works to say $85 per square foot after all adjustments are made then there s a problem. The veteran is now left with the same three choices, negotiate, pay the difference or walk. But there might be one more thing that can be done to salvage the deal an additional comparable sale. The appraiser researches public records and the local multiple listing service for recent sales to compare. Sometimes however there a properties that sold that never appeared in the MLS, a so-called pocket listing. Your real estate agent can do some research to see if there have been any such transactions and bring that property to light.

4 Minimum Property Requirements. A VA appraisal also has additional protections for the veteran that other appraisals don t have. These protections are called Minimum Property Requirements, or MPRs. MPRs require the property meet certain conditions before being VA eligible. In essence, the property must be habitable. The veteran must be able to move in right away with functioning water, electricity and other major systems in place. The MPRs include: Adequate heating to ensure a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper utilities throughout the property. No evidence of termites or other wood-destroying pests. The roof must be in good condition If there is a basement, there can be no evidence of moisture. Crawl spaces must be easy to access and free of debris and moisture. No lead-based paint. No hazards such as improper or non-existent stair railings or exposed wiring. Easy access to the home and property. Void of any physical defects and deferred property maintenance. The appraiser will complete the MPR form and include it with the appraisal report. It's important to remember the appraisal isn't the same thing as a home inspection. Inspections aren't mandatory, but buyers should consider them an essential part of the home buying process. Ideally, sellers will pay to make necessary repairs in order for the loan to close. But VA borrowers can also consider paying to make repairs, even those related to the MPRs. Whether that's a good investment is a question to consider in much greater detail, often in concert with your real estate agent and a good loan officer. [Source: Military.com Chris Birk Sep 05, ] Also attach the Shot schedule for Sauk Centre and Belgrade. Thank you. Terry L. Ferdinandt Director Stearns County Veterans Service Office 3301 County Road 138 Waite Park, MN Phone: Fax:

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