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Bourbon County, KS Veterans Service Office (VSO): phone and address

Find veterans benefits contacts for Bourbon County, Kansas.

Offices for Bourbon County

Other offices serving Bourbon County

KOVS Independence Field Office

Kansas Office of Veterans Services

Type of help
Benefits and claims assistance
Location
Independence

Veterans benefits and claims assistance. Contact the provider to arrange help and confirm what to bring.

Area served: Allen County, Bourbon County, Cherokee County, Crawford County, Labette County, Montgomery County, Neosho County, Wilson County. Physical office: Independence, Montgomery County.

201 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 105, Independence, KS 67301

Hours are not confirmed. Contact the provider before planning a visit.

Help from anywhere in Kansas

Getting help in Bourbon County

Contact the listed county or regional service for benefits assistance. Confirm the appointment, eligibility and meeting location with the provider.

Official service information (opens in a new tab) · Official service information (opens in a new tab) · Official service information (opens in a new tab)

Office closed right now?

Call the Claim Raven 24-hour VSO prep line to get your records ready before your appointment. Claim Raven is not a VSO office. Your VSO's number is listed above.

Call (833) 387-1649

Veterans in Bourbon County

The ACS estimates about 655, give or take 134 civilian veterans in Bourbon County.

By ACS estimates, Bourbon County has the 37th largest veteran population among Kansas's 105 counties and equivalents.

Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
MeasureBourbon CountyKansasUnited States
Share with a service-connected rating11 percent; a small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Share rated 70 percent or higher6 percent; a small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared

Bourbon County has about 168, give or take 63 veterans 75 and older; both the county and Kansas round to a 26 percent share.

Veterans under 35 account for 2 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Bourbon County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.

Women veterans account for 4 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Bourbon County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.

Income, work and education in Bourbon County

Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
MeasureBourbon CountyKansasUnited States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income$39,638 ± $9,168$53,041 ± $964$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income$34,258 ± $3,670$40,823 ± $270$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over5.4% ± 4.3 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over44.8% ± 13.9 points31.6% ± 0.7 points30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 6456.9% ± 16.7 points75.4% ± 1.3 points73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 6414.8% ± 23.9 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over99.2% ± 1.1 points96.7% ± 0.4 points95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over36.2% ± 12.1 points31.7% ± 1.0 points31.8% ± 0.2 points

Income is in 2024 dollars. These figures describe civilians. Poverty and disability shares use veterans whose poverty status is determined. Census disability measures daily functioning, not a VA service-connected rating. Tables and method.

VA projects fewer veterans here in 2035. VetPop2023 projections for small counties show direction only. Projection source and method.

VA disability compensation in Bourbon County

VA reports 198 veterans in Bourbon County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.

VA recipients by service-connected rating, FY2025
Rating groupRecipients
0 to 20 percent45
30 to 40 percent29
50 to 60 percent29
70 to 90 percent57
100 percent38

FY2019: 180 recipients. Change to FY2025: +18.

VA does not publish some small counts. Those show as “Not published.” VA county compensation data (opens in a new tab).

VA home loans in Bourbon County

In 2025, lenders reported 12 VA-backed home loans out of 176 home loans made in Bourbon County (6.8% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

Average VA loan amount reported: about $218,000.

The 2026 FHFA one-unit county loan limit here is $832,750. This limit matters for a VA loan only when part of your entitlement is still tied to another VA loan. VA explains remaining entitlement and loan limits (opens in a new tab).

HMDA 2025 and FHFA 2026 sources.

When they served

The largest reported service groups are Vietnam era only (about 206, give or take 87) and between the Vietnam and Gulf War eras (about 154, give or take 80; a small survey sample; treat as rough).

For questions about Vietnam-era exposure rules, read the Agent Orange guide; eligibility depends on your service and condition.

VA money in Bourbon County

VA reported about $4.9 million in compensation and pension spending and about $4.1 million in medical care spending in Bourbon County for FY2025.

Nearest VA locations

Call to confirm hours before you go.

The second-nearest medical center to Bourbon County is Colmery-O'Neil Veterans' Administration Medical Center (opens in a new tab) in Topeka, KS, about 94 miles in a straight line from the county center.

Outside Kansas, in Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Mobile Vet Center (opens in a new tab) is Bourbon County's second-nearest Vet Center, about 83 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The state registry lists Wichita RO (station 452); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.

Veterans cemeteries and State Veterans Homes

Nearest open VA national cemetery

Fort Scott National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
900 E National Avenue Fort Scott, KS 66701
913-212-4612

About 8.9 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

Nearest VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery

Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Winfield (opens in a new tab)
1208 N College St Winfield, KS 67156
620-705-6300

About 123.6 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

State veterans cemeteries set their own eligibility rules.

National Cemetery Administration lists checked October 2, 2026. Cemetery coverage and distance method.

Cleanup and former military sites in Bourbon County

Formerly Used Defense Sites

Military branch is not listed in the USACE FY2024 property data.

These lists use site points within county boundaries. A site may extend into another county.

For VA’s service-location rules, see the presumptive conditions list. A location listing does not establish personal exposure or eligibility.

Veterans experiencing homelessness

On one night in January 2024, Kansas Balance of State CoC counted 79 veterans experiencing homelessness (62 sheltered, 17 unsheltered).

KS-507 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid). This Balance of State area covers communities outside separate local CoCs.

The HUD workbook reports 66 veterans for the 2019 comparison.

This is a one-night count for the whole CoC area, not a county or annual total. CoC mapping method.

If you need housing help, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You can call any time, day or night.

Your nearest VA medical center by straight-line distance is Kansas City VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab), 816-861-4700. Ask for the homeless coordinator.

Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Bourbon County

VA's FY2026 Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) intake list names these providers. About VA SSVF (opens in a new tab).

VA homeless programs (opens in a new tab)

Cities and towns in Bourbon County

  • Fort Scott (city): about 7,555 residents
  • Bronson (city): about 537 residents
  • Uniontown (city): about 467 residents
  • Mapleton (city): about 213 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Fulton (city): about 93 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
More places (3)
  • Devon (unincorporated community): about 73 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Redfield (city): about 71 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Garland (unincorporated community): about 22 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)

Census incorporated places and census-designated places, sorted by ACS 2020-2024 population. Figures are ACS estimates for the whole place, not only the part inside this county. Places are assigned by their 2024 Census internal point and may cross county boundaries. Sources and mapping method.

Free tools and help

For the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 then press 1. VA crisis support (opens in a new tab)

Kansas benefits

Qualifying Kansas veterans rated at least 50 percent service-connected can receive an income-based homestead refund of up to $700.

Kansas offers qualifying dependents and spouses of disabled military personnel a public college tuition and required fee waiver, subject to appropriated funding.

See every Kansas benefit by rating

Get ready for your appointment

  • Your DD-214 or other discharge papers
  • Any VA decision letters you have received
  • Medical records you want to discuss

Full appointment checklist

Starting a new claim? Ask about an intent to file

Ask the office about VA Form 21-0966 to preserve a potential benefits start date while gathering evidence. Check your intent to file deadline.

Search or filter Kansas listings

Nearby counties

Sources and method

ACS 2020-2024; VA FY2025; geography/locations/benefits 2026; adjacency 2024. Distances: straight line from county center. Full method.

VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents near Bourbon County

Distances are straight-line estimates between county internal points. Representatives may serve clients outside their local area.

Kenneth Carpenter

Attorney · Topeka · KS

VA-accredited since 2008 · checked

VA accreditation number 9031

4.2 · 54 reviews · Firm rating

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Your request goes straight to Kenneth Carpenter's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Kansas

Virginia Girard-Brady

Attorney · Lawrence · KS · About 76 miles away

VA-accredited since 2008 · checked

VA accreditation number 9051

5.0 · 6 reviews · Firm rating

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Your request goes straight to Virginia Girard-Brady's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Kansas

Benjamin Malotte

Attorney · Lawrence · KS · About 76 miles away

VA-accredited since 2018 · checked

VA accreditation number 45538

4.4 · 17 reviews · Firm rating

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Your request goes straight to Benjamin Malotte's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Kansas

Sydney Michels

Attorney · Lawrence · KS · About 76 miles away

VA-accredited since 2026 · checked

VA accreditation number 60912

5.0 · 6 reviews · Firm rating

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Your request goes straight to Sydney Michels's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Kansas

VA-accredited attorneys in Kansas

Claim Raven is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We do not recommend or endorse any attorney or claims agent. Listings come from VA's public accreditation records. Paid placements are advertising. Check an attorney's accreditation on VA's accreditation search (opens in a new tab) before you hire them.

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