Monroe County Veterans Affairs files VA compensation, pension, survivors', health care, education, burial and appeal claims, including virtual Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings, from Key West (1100 Simonton Street, 305-295-5150) and Key Largo (102050 Overseas Highway, 305-453-8777), weekdays 8 to 5, with a Marathon library visit every second Wednesday and a veterans transportation programme three days a week.
Also called: veterans service officer, VSO, MCVAD, VA claim, appeals, Board of Veterans Appeals, pension, Cathy Crane, Gato Building, transportation, Community Services, Florida Keys, Key West, Key Largo, Marathon, Tavernier, Big Pine Key, Plantation Key.
For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child, survivor.
Florida's counties may run veteran service offices under chapter 292; see the Florida entry. Monroe County's Veterans Affairs Department sits under the county administrator by section 2-211 of the Code, and since June 18, 2025 (Resolution 233-2025) inside the Community Services Department, whose director, Cathy Crane, is a veteran service officer. The page counts eight employees serving "approximately 8,000 full-time and 2,500 seasonal Veterans", trained under 38 C.F.R., section 292.11 and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.
What it does. Claims for service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pension, burial and survivors' benefits, education and vocational rehabilitation, home loan eligibility, and "Appeals of any denied benefit"; replacement medals and service records; VA health care applications; paperwork for disabled veteran plates, property tax exemptions, education benefits and commissary privileges; and help with the State's free plates and fishing licences for 100% service-connected veterans. Its monthly reports to the Board describe virtual hearings before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, prepared and argued by the staff, which the reports call a service "unavailable in all 67 counties"; briefings for service members leaving Naval Air Station Key West; and checks of the county's indigent and unclaimed dead for veteran status, with honor guard ceremonies. For fiscal year 2025-26 through July 2026 the reports count $14,313,142.66 in compensation and pension awards won for its clients.
Where and when. Key West: the Historic Gato Building, 1100 Simonton Street, 1-190, 305-295-5150. Key Largo: Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Suite 244, 305-453-8777. Both Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marathon: the Monroe County Public Library, 3490 Overseas Highway, every second Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; "Appointments are recommended but not required." An online Veteran Affairs Intake Application starts a request (it asks for the full Social Security number and discharge details).
Transportation. The courtesy Veterans Transportation Program, 1200 Truman Avenue, Suite 204, Key West (305-295-5159), runs Wednesday to Friday with vans the Miami VA Medical Center supplies; reservations Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The page does not say where it drives; ask when booking.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Monroe County Veterans Affairs
Gate
Rule
Veterans, service members, survivors and families in the Keys
For veterans, service members, survivors and dependents, full-time or seasonal residents. No rating is needed.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.