Patrick R. Waldron Director
Address:	198 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810
Telephone:	203-797-4620

About Us:
 The Director of Veterans Affairs is responsible for the knowledge of laws, benefits, and rights from the federal and state governments available to veterans and their dependents.  The director interviews local veterans to determine initial and continuing eligibility for benefits. Information is then verified and evaluated and applications are prepared and filed with the appropriate local, state, or federal agencies.  Veterans Affairs also provides information and answers inquiries regarding veterans’ benefits, and interprets laws and regulations to veterans and eligible dependents.  Veterans are also assisted with the preparation and filing of appeals of decisions denying benefits when required.  The director also makes referrals to other local, state, or federal agencies offering specialized services, administers as local Chairman of the State Soldiers, Sailors & Marine Fund; speaks before interested groups on laws relating to veteran benefits; prepares reports, budgets, and maintains office files and case folders.

Our Accomplishments:

 In the last 20 years, the Veterans Affairs Office has served 5,264 veterans and 11,845 family members. The Veterans Affairs Office has reached out to several organizations to coordinate a “Welcome Home Package” for new veterans.  The package contains both federal and state benefits, and provides our new veterans with information, aid, and program resources.  The office is committed to continuing its efforts at security grant funding for veterans.

 The director worked in unison with Veterans Affairs administrators and Congressman Chris Murphy to continue to obtain monetary funding for the full time V.A. Medical Clinic in Danbury to serve all of our area veterans.  The Disabled American Van, for transporting local veterans, drove 312 veterans throughout the year to the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers at no cost to the city.  In addition, the office continued to work closely with the V.A. Medical Clinic in Danbury to reduce a large backlog.

 The office continued to receive monetary funding for the 2008-2009 fiscal year in the amount of $1,232,184 and $62,748 from the State of Connecticut Soldiers, Sailors & Marine Fund.