Veterans' Services

For more than 100 years, a Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) has been available in every Massachusetts city and town to provide an array of services to veterans and their dependents. VSOs are municipal employees with expert knowledge of federal, state, and local recourses and benefits for veterans. Your VSO is your first point of contact to access state Chapter 115 benefits.

VSO Personnel Expertise

Your VSO can provide information about:

  • Annuities
  • Awards and medals
  • bonuses
  • Burial
  • Chapter 115 benefits (Public Assistance)
  • Compensation
  • Education
  • Elder services
  • Employment
  • Financial assistance
  • flags and markers
  • Food
  • Graves care
  • Housing
  • Medical Assistance
  • Motor vehicle benefits
  • Outreach Centers
  • Pensions
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Property tax exemptions
  • Rights of Guard and Reserve members called up
  • SAVE program
  • SHARP program
  • Veterans Grave Markers
  • VA medical

Click Below for Military Records Request Application

Military Record Request Application

Veterans’ Bill of Rights

View the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 115 and 108 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR):

  • Appeal and request a hearing if you disagree with any action taken in your case [108 CMR: 8.07 (1)]
  • Be treated with dignity and respect and to receive accurate, courteous, and timely service.
  • Expect confidentiality: personal information will not be collected or used except for the purpose of determining your eligibility for benefits (M.G.L. chapter 40, section 51)
  • File a written application for veteran's benefits at any time. You can insist upon this right, even if told that you are ineligible. [108 CMR: 4.02 (1)]
  • Receive Assistance from your local Veterans Service Officer in completing your application (M.G.L. chapter 115, section 3)
  • Receive fair and equal treatment without regard to sex, race, religion, handicap, ethnicity, or national origin (M.G.L. chapter 151B, section 3)
  • Receive a full explanation of the services and benefits available under M.G.L. chapter 115, as well as other available benefits
  • Receive a written notice and explanation of the approval or denial of your application for benefits (108 CMR 8.02)

Veterans’ War Monument Policy

The Charlton Veterans’ War Monuments are designed to honor Charlton veterans of different war eras. The Veterans' War Monument Policy (PDF) allows eligible veterans to have his or her name added to the appropriate monument. This policy shall be effective April 1, 2014. The following war monuments are applicable to this policy:

  • Korea
  • Lebanon-Grenada
  • Persian Gulf
  • Vietnam
  • World War I
  • World War II