Sometimes the most valuable conversations happen over a cup of coffee.
Veterans from around the Great Falls area gathered Tuesday morning for the monthly Veterans Coffee at the Great Falls Senior Center. While attendance was smaller than usual, the discussion was packed with practical information that could make a significant difference in the lives of local veterans and their families.
The guest speaker was Kari Brunken, Veteran Service Officer (VSO) with the Montana Department of Military Affairs. Brunken offered an inside look at the services available to veterans while answering dozens of questions from those in attendance.
Serving Veterans Across North Central Montana
Many veterans are surprised to learn just how small the local Veteran Service Office team really is.
“There are only three of us serving the Great Falls area,” Brunken explained. “We cover Malmstrom Air Force Base, the Montana Air National Guard, and seven surrounding counties.”
Although much of the region includes Air Force personnel, the office assists veterans from every branch of military service, regardless of where or when they served.
The office is located at 104 2nd Street South, on the second floor of the Galleria Building in downtown Great Falls.
More Than Disability Claims
One of the biggest misconceptions Brunken addressed is that Veteran Service Officers only help file disability claims.
In reality, their office assists with a wide range of benefits, including:
- VA disability compensation
- Veteran pensions
- Low-income pensions
- Survivor benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Burial benefits
- Home adaptation grants
- Education benefits
- Assistance for veterans entering long-term care facilities
- Discharge upgrade requests
- Appeals of denied claims
When working on disability claims, the process begins with a detailed review of a veteran’s military medical records.
“We literally go through every page of your medical records,” Brunken said. “Then we sit down with you and determine what conditions are still affecting you today.”
Changes Could Be Coming
A large portion of the discussion centered around proposed changes to VA disability ratings.
Brunken explained that regardless of pending federal legislation, the VA is expected to change its rating schedule beginning in January.
Among the anticipated changes:
- Tinnitus may move from an automatic 10% disability rating to a 0% service-connected rating.
- Sleep apnea ratings may also change, with CPAP use no longer automatically qualifying veterans for a 50% rating.
Veterans who already have approved ratings for these conditions would generally be grandfathered under the current system.
For veterans considering filing claims related to tinnitus or sleep apnea, Brunken encouraged them not to wait.
“As long as your claim is submitted before the regulation changes, it will be evaluated under the current rules,” she explained.
Beware of “Claim Sharks”
One of Brunken’s strongest warnings involved companies that advertise online offering to help veterans obtain benefits.
These organizations—often referred to as “claim sharks”—are not accredited Veteran Service Officers and frequently charge veterans significant fees for services that are available free through accredited representatives.
Brunken shared examples of veterans who unknowingly signed agreements and later found themselves owing money after benefits were awarded.
“The benefits belong to the veteran,” she said. “They shouldn’t be paying someone who isn’t accredited to help file a claim.”
She encouraged veterans to work only with accredited Veteran Service Officers, county veteran service offices, or recognized veteran service organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, DAV, or similar organizations.
Bringing Millions Back to Montana Veterans
One statistic surprised many in the room.
In 2025, the three Veteran Service Officers serving the Great Falls area completed approximately 1,050 claims, helping secure more than $83 million in benefits for local veterans.
Those dollars flow directly back into the community through healthcare, disability compensation, survivor benefits, and other earned programs.
A Success Story
Brunken estimated that approximately 95% of initial claims filed through the Great Falls office are successful.
She also reminded veterans that a denial is not always the end of the process.
Veterans can request higher-level reviews, submit additional evidence, or pursue appeals through several different avenues. While appeals once took years to resolve, today’s process is often considerably faster than it was a decade ago.
Building Trust
Several veterans attending the coffee shared positive experiences with the VA Clinic in Great Falls, praising the professionalism of its staff and the quality of care they have received.
Brunken acknowledged that recruiting healthcare providers to Montana remains a challenge, but emphasized that the VA continues working to improve services while helping veterans navigate an often-complex system.
An Invitation to Every Veteran
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the morning was a simple one: veterans don’t have to figure the system out alone.
Whether someone is filing their first claim, appealing a previous decision, exploring survivor benefits, or simply wondering what benefits may be available, the local Veteran Service Office is there to help—at no cost.
Sometimes all it takes is walking through the front door and starting a conversation.
For veterans living in Great Falls and the surrounding region, that conversation could make all the difference.
Veteran Service Office
📍 104 2nd Street South, Second Floor (Galleria Building)
Great Falls, Montana
If you have questions about disability compensation, survivor benefits, pensions, education benefits, burial benefits, or other VA programs, the office encourages veterans and their families to stop in or schedule an appointment.
Editor’s Note: Veterans Coffee will take a brief break during August and September due to travel schedules and will resume monthly gatherings in October. These informal gatherings continue to provide veterans with an opportunity to connect, learn about available resources, and support one another while enjoying a cup of coffee.
