Area veterans will be able to get care in Mankato as the Veterans Administration opens a clinic in the Nichols Office building.

For the first months, the clinic will see patients only for mental health care, but services will be expanded to full primary medical care.

“There is an increased demand for services and Mankato is centrally located,” said Ralph Heussner, public affairs officer with the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

Demand on the VA overall is driven by two factors, he said. “The Vietnam era veteran is approaching 60, retiring and qualifying for the VA benefits. And the Iraq veterans are returning home and seeking care.”

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