Fairfield board denies veteran’s appeal over property tax exemption; cites statute requiring 100% VA rating

The Fairfield Board of Assessment Appeals voted 0-4-1 on April 28, 2025, to deny an appeal from a local veteran, Mr. Retco, who sought a dwelling exemption under the state’s new veterans’ property tax law (Title 12, Section 83 of the Connecticut General Statutes) after the assessor’s office concluded his Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) award letter showed a combined service‑connected evaluation below 100 percent.

The matter matters because the Legislature revised the statute and related guidance this year to limit the exemption to veterans with a 100 percent service‑connected disability valuation as determined by the VA (participants in the meeting referred to House Bill 7067 passed March 3, 2025). Fairfield staff told the board the change and subsequent interpretation affected several accounts and reopened the grand list for appeals this tax year.

Board members and staff reviewed the appellant’s documents during a special…