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Accredited in Wappingers Falls, NY
| Name | Phone | Type | Organization | Accredited | VA reg # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Cohen | 845-831-2000 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | 2020 (est.) | 48729 |
| Karen Saffari | 516-253-4602 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | 2019 (est.) | 46379 |
| Gina Thomaselli | 518-474-6114shared line | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | 2017 (est.) | 41468 |
| Jane Zalsky | 518-474-6114shared line | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | 2019 (est.) | 46599 |
Within 25 miles
| Name | Phone | Type | Organization | City | Accredited | VA reg # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Becker | (845) 392-7985 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Montrose | 2025 (est.) | 60007 |
| Richard Buck | (703) 207-9588 x240switchboard | VSO representative | Marine Corps League | Patterson | 2025 (est.) | 59336 |
| Beth-Anne Canero | 845-486-2060 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Pleasant Valley | 2025 (est.) | 59930 |
| Christian Farrell | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | American Legion | Goshen | 2014 (est.) | 32140 |
| Julie Gayle | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | American Legion | Poughkeepsie | 2013 (est.) | 29447 |
| Kevin Hathorn | (854) 486-2060 | VSO representative | American Legion, Marine Corps League | Pleasant Valley | 2023 (est.) | 54045 |
| Julie Leslie | 845-486-2060 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Poughkeepsie | 2020 (est.) | 49677 |
| Tanya Pennella | 845-808-1620 | VSO representative | American Legion | Carmel | 2024 (est.) | 57155 |
| Stephen Renna | 845-291-2464 also listed: 202-861-2700 | VSO representative | American Legion | Goshen | 2020 (est.) | 48805 |
| Adam Roche | 845-486-2060 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Poughkeepsie | 2021 (est.) | 49888 |
| Karl Rohde | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services, American Legion | Carmel | 2014 (est.) | 32151 |
| Brian Romick | 914-788-4367 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Montrose | 2026 (est.) | 60782 |
| Natalie Rostran | n/a | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion | Goshen | 2016 (est.) | 39170 |
| William Smith | 518-474-6114shared line | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Montrose | 2017 (est.) | 40928 |
| Cavin Vaughan | 914-788-4367 | VSO representative | New York State Department of Veterans' Services | Montrose | 2023 (est.) | 54951 |
| Sean Witoshynsky | 845-808-1620 | VSO representative | American Legion | Patterson | 2026 (est.) | 62205 |
| Deanna Arden | 914-368-2673 | Attorney | — | Goshen | 2021 | 49995 |
| Cheryl Beverson | 877-574-8529 | Attorney | — | Goshen | 2025 | 58607 |
| Gary Gogerty | (845) 561-0550 ext. 380 | Attorney | — | New Windsor | 2009 | 13451 |
| Edward Lent | 508-356-5798out-of-state | Attorney | — | Poughkeepsie | 2024 | 57307 |
| Nancy Morgan | 845-562-0203 | Attorney | — | Newburgh | 2008 | 10659 |
| Dennis O'Brien | 845-551-7004 | Attorney | — | Goshen | 2025 | 60058 |
| Vincent Pastore | (516) 243-8833 | Attorney | — | Newburgh | 2013 | 28430 |
| Linda Sampson | 914-737-0050 | Attorney | — | Cortlandt Manor | 2014 | 29953 |
| Rachel Saunders | 845-471-0058 | Attorney | — | Poughkeepsie | 2026 | 60645 |
| Richard Shapiro | (845) 291-0011 | Attorney | — | Goshen | 2010 | 16157 |
| Dane St-Cyr | (917) 524-8305 | Attorney | — | Mahopac | 2025 | 59947 |
| Christopher Westbrook | 845-820-2400 | Attorney | — | Bloomingburg | 2013 | 26607 |
| John McAuliffe | (201) 247-0580out-of-state | Claims agent | — | Highland Falls | 2021 | 50330 |
| Nory Picos | —no phone published | Claims agent | — | Newburgh | 2016 | 38927 |
| Lauren Scharfenberg | 845-563-9640 | Claims agent | — | Newburgh | 2012 | 25269 |
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 |
| 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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