Find the ones nearest you
Accredited in Lockport, NY
| Name | Phone | Type | Organization | Accredited | VA reg # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Heim | 716-438-4090 | VSO representative | American Legion | 2026 (est.) | 61143 |
| Douglas Kalota | 716-438-4090 | VSO representative | American Legion, Jewish War Veterans of the USA | 2022 (est.) | 53662 |
| Alvin Thompson | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | American Legion | 2011 (est.) | 21148 |
| David Wohleben | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Jewish War Veterans of the USA | 2021 (est.) | 49919 |
2 of these listings ring a switchboard, not a desk
The VA publishes one phone number per representative, and for 2 of the people on this page that number is an organization's main line shared by hundreds of representatives across the country — not a direct line to them. It is marked switchboard in the table. Ask for the person by name and by VA registration number, and if you cannot get through, any other representative from the same organization can take the case.
Within 25 miles
| Name | Phone | Type | Organization | City | Accredited | VA reg # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Anderson | 202-543-2239switchboard | VSO representative | Veterans of Foreign Wars | Buffalo | 2018 (est.) | 45905 |
| Matejka Baumgardner | 716-862-8902 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2024 (est.) | 56014 |
| David Bowes | 212-807-3157 | VSO representative | Disabled American Veterans | Buffalo | 2025 (est.) | 58682 |
| Leon Colucci | 703-549-3622shared line | VSO representative | Catholic War Veterans of the USA | Buffalo | 2008 (est.) | 1330 |
| Brandon Czerwinski | (716) 632-4190 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2026 (est.) | 62127 |
| Nathan Doherty | 716-858-8721 | VSO representative | American Legion | Buffalo | 2022 (est.) | 53401 |
| Tori Einher | 617-303-1395switchboard | VSO representative | Paralyzed Veterans of America | Buffalo | 2022 (est.) | 52339 |
| Joshua Fritz | 716-857-3354 | VSO representative | Disabled American Veterans | Buffalo | 2025 (est.) | 58684 |
| Dolores Garcia | 716-857-3344 | VSO representative | Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans' Voice of America | Buffalo | 2008 (est.) | 7328 |
| Eric Hutcheson | 716-857-3330 also listed: 518-474-6114 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2020 (est.) | 48394 |
| Emma Jennings | 716-858-2796 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Buffalo | 2025 (est.) | 58273 |
| Kevin Justian | 518-474-6114shared line | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2008 (est.) | 3169 |
| Tracy Kinn | 518-474-6114shared line | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2008 (est.) | 3289 |
| Felice Krycia | 716-858-4834 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Buffalo | 2014 (est.) | 30193 |
| Shawn Lavin | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | American Legion | Buffalo | 2022 (est.) | 53185 |
| Arthur Lawson | 518-474-6114shared line | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2008 (est.) | 11133 |
| John Lombardo | 716-857-3349 | VSO representative | Veterans of Foreign Wars | Buffalo | 2014 (est.) | 30224 |
| Micah Lyness | (716) 533-4201 also listed: 518-474-6114 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2018 (est.) | 44855 |
| Norman Machelor | 716-857-3403 | VSO representative | Veterans of Foreign Wars | Buffalo | 2020 (est.) | 48331 |
| Benjamin Mannion | 716-858-2816 | VSO representative | American Legion | Buffalo | 2026 (est.) | 62144 |
| Timothy McGowan | 716-857-3354 | VSO representative | Disabled American Veterans | Buffalo | 2008 (est.) | 10431 |
| Gregory Price | 518-474-6114shared line | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2021 (est.) | 49748 |
| Daniel Ratka | 716-858-2959 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Buffalo | 2017 (est.) | 40633 |
| Norbert Steinwandel | (716)857-3404 also listed: 202-554-3501 | VSO representative | Disabled American Veterans | Buffalo | 2018 (est.) | 44046 |
| Robert Stutz | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Williamsville | 2016 (est.) | 39827 |
| Thomas Todaro | 202-543-2239switchboard | VSO representative | Veterans of Foreign Wars | Buffalo | 2008 (est.) | 6175 |
| Ryan Waller | 716-862-6703 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2022 (est.) | 52830 |
| Matthew Wezka | 617-303-1395switchboard | VSO representative | Paralyzed Veterans of America | Buffalo | 2022 (est.) | 52711 |
| Konrad Zechman | 716-632-4190 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Buffalo | 2024 (est.) | 58106 |
| Samantha Axberg | 716-847-0650 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2023 | 55270 |
| Caleb Beatty | 716-885-6529 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2025 | 59391 |
| Jeffrey Freedman | 716-855-0850 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2010 | 17449 |
| Richard Maltese Jr. | 347-408-5436 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2019 | 48176 |
| Caleb Mammen | 716-847-0650 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2023 | 54895 |
| Jeffrey Marion | (716)-481-7309 | Attorney | — | Williamsville | 2010 | 16056 |
| William Mattar | 716-444-4444 | Attorney | — | Williamsville | 2015 | 28757 |
| Joseph Morath | 716-863-8448 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2023 | 54494 |
| Matthew Morton | 716-445-7897 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2024 | 56289 |
| Michael Ponterio | 716-849-0701 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2009 | 13339 |
| Robert Stephens | 716-852-7590 | Attorney | — | Buffalo | 2026 | 60705 |
The organizations behind these representatives
| Organization | Accredited reps nationally |
In New York | Median years accredited | Appointing them |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Legion | 3,712 | 172 | 5.5 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| Jewish War Veterans of the USA | 157 | 7 | 8.5 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers | 1,992 | 32 | 4.5 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| New York State Department of Veterans' Services | 240 | 199 | 3.8 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
Median years accredited is estimated from VA registration number sequence for VSO representatives, whose accreditation dates the VA does not publish; it is exact for attorneys and claims agents.
How stretched New York is
662,406 veterans live in New York and 703 accredited representatives of all kinds are listed there — about 942 veterans per representative.
That is a statewide ratio, not any one person's caseload, and not every veteran has a claim open. It is here because it is the only workload figure anyone publishes. Veteran counts: VA VetPop2023 State Estimates, FY2023.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
What any of them may charge you
- VSO representatives cannot charge a fee. Ever. Not for filing, not for "document review", not a percentage of back pay (38 CFR 14.636(b)).
- Accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge, but only after the VA has issued an initial decision on the claim (38 USC 5904; 38 CFR 14.636(c)). Anyone charging to file your first claim is either not accredited or not allowed to.
- Nobody who is not on the VA's roster may prepare or prosecute your claim for a fee (38 CFR 14.629), whatever they call themselves.
Check any name on this page against the VA Office of General Counsel accreditation search before you sign a thing, or check a name or a whole list of registration numbers on our roster check. VetAid takes no payment for placement here and endorses nobody.
Elsewhere in New York
All accredited representatives in New York · Search by ZIP code
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