Office of Advocacy and Assistance

Meeting with veterans

Find the programs and services you need

The Office of Advocacy and Assistance (OA&A) is here to help Veterans and their families. We assist them in getting federal, state, and local benefits. Our accredited Veteran Service Officers help with the following:

  • Helping Veterans file claims for their rights, benefits, and privileges
  • Collecting and preparing data for Veterans’ benefits and services
  • Surveying nursing homes to find out if resident Veterans or their spouses can get benefits
  • Working with service organizations to share information
  • Helping with advice on education, health, housing, and jobs
  • Representing Veterans on U.S. VA claims and compensation
  • Frontline support of and assistance with women Veterans issues
Read the legal definition of a veteran  

Meet the OA&A Manager

John S. Carragher
John S. Carragher is the Manager of the Office of Veterans Advocacy and Assistance at the Connecticut Veterans Affairs (CT DVA). He manages Connecticut's Veterans Service Officers at the five district offices across the state. Mr. Carragher is also the Director of Connecticut Veterans Cemeteries. He advises elected and appointed officials and veterans service organizations on military and Veteran issues.
Read manager bio  

Municipal Veterans Representative Program

Veteran smiling
The Municipal Veterans Representative Program is directed by Connecticut General Statutes section 27-135. The purpose of the program is to provide an initial point of contact in each municipality for Veterans seeking assistance. Municipal Veterans Representatives (“VetReps”) are appointed by the chief executive officer of each municipality. In some cases, municipalities choose to form a committee to meet this requirement. Additionally, several municipalities have banded together to work Veterans issues at the regional level. No one knows better the resources available to Veterans than the local VetRep.
Find your Municipal Veterans Representative  

Programs and services provided by CT Veterans Affairs

Commissioner meets with veterans

Our Veteran Service Officers help CT Veterans apply for several programs run by Connecticut Veterans Affairs. These programs include:

  • Connecticut Wartime Service Medal
  • Veteran Indicator on Driver’s License or Identification Card
  • Veteran License Plates
  • Veteran Status Certification
  • Veteran-owned Micro-Business Certification
Learn about the CT Wartime Service Medal and how to apply.
Learn how to apply for the Posthumous CT Wartime Service Medal.
Learn how to get your Veteran Indicator on your driver’s license or ID card.

Learn how you can display your U.S. Veteran status on your vehicle’s license plates.

Apply for your Judicial Veteran Status Certification.
Get your Veteran-owned micro-business certified by the State of CT.

Programs and Services provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs

Veteran in wheelchair

The Office of Advocacy and Assistance also offers help for Connecticut Veterans in applying for federal VA services. Below, you can find information and forms for applying for:

  • Disability Benefits
  • Veterans Pension
  • VA Survivors Pension
  • Veteran Readiness and Employment
  • VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)
  • VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance
  • VA Healthcare Enrollment
  • Request a Discharge Upgrade
Learn how to apply for federal VA Disability Benefits.
Learn more about the federal Veterans Pension and how to apply.
Get information about the VA Survivors Pension for Veterans’ family members.
Learn more about employment support or services.
Benefits for family of Veterans who died from service-related causes.
Benefits for eligible Veterans who are housebound.
Learn if you qualify and how to apply for federal VA healthcare benefits.
Step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction.
Information on VA benefits, services, and opportunities for women Veterans.

More information for CT Veterans

Veteran and wife
Your feedback is important to us! If you received services or assistance from our main office or from one of our district offices, please take a moment to complete or survey. Please tell us how we did and where we can improve. We also welcome your positive feedback so we can appropriately recognize our hard-working employees!
Veteran customer satisfaction survey  

District offices

Download our DVA Districts by Town (XLS) sheet to find your district.


Dawn Waldron 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
Devon Julien 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
555 Willard Avenue 
Newington, CT 06111 
E-Mail: oaa-d1.dva@ct.gov 
Office Phone: 860-594-6604 
Fax: 860-594-6622 

See map of 1st District >
Jeannie Gardiner 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
Eric Vickers 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
Michael Andrews 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
100 Broadway 
Norwich City Hall (Room 305) 
Norwich, CT 06360 
E-Mail: oaa-d2.dva@ct.gov 
Phone: 860-887-9162 
Fax: 860-885-0644 

See map of 2nd District >
Anne Mosher 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
Edward Porto 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
70 West River Street 
Milford, CT 06460 
E-Mail: oaa-d3.dva@ct.gov 
Phone: 203-874-6711 
Fax: 203-874-6716 

See map of 3rd District >
Michael Cardozo 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
Mary Harris 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
The Bigelow Center for Senior Activities 
100 Mona Terrace 
Fairfield, CT 06824 
E-Mail: oaa-d4.dva@ct.gov 
Phone: 203-418-2005 
Fax: 203-336-2569 

See map of 4th District >
Jason Coppola 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
William Muhl 
Veterans Service Officer 
 
Rowland State Government Center 
55 West Main Street, Suite 140 
Waterbury, CT 06702 
E-Mail: oaa-d5.dva@ct.gov 
Phone: 203-805-6340 
Fax: 203-805-6341

See map of 5th District >

Contact us

Map of CT VA
Manager of Veterans Advocacy and Assistance:
John S. Carragher

Address:
287 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067

E-Mail: oaa.dva@ct.gov
Phone: 860-616-3685

Veteran Services Support Center 
287 West Street 
Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067 
 
Paul Spedaliere 
Veterans Service Officer Supervisor 
Phone: 860-616-3769 
 
Jose Arguelles 
Veterans Service Officer 
Phone: 860-616-3768