County gains medical clinic for veterans

Dyer County will become a new location for a veterans medical clinic, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker announced Friday.

"We're tickled about it," said Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill. "It's got a lot of advantages for the veterans in the county. Some of them have to go to Memphis for routine things. Now they won't."

The exact locations and type of medical treatments that will be available at each clinic have not been determined yet, according to the release.

Hardeman, Campbell, Roane, Sevier and Warren counties were also informed Friday of their selection as veterans clinics.

"This is going to be a big asset for all our veterans," said Hill.

The location of the clinic or when it will open has not been determined.

"The announcement to open six new clinics comes at a critical time for a population that is experiencing growth in the number of new and aging veterans seeking care through the VA system," Corker said. "I applaud the leadership of the VA for reaching and treating veterans in their own communities and expanding options for care, particularly in Tennessee."

Tennessee is getting six of the 14 locations in seven states, said the release.

Many of the new clinics were designated as priorities under VA's Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) plan. CARES, completed in 2004, was intended to ensure that VA uses its resources as effectively and efficiently as possible, said the release.