If you go w Hamden I suggest you look in the Centerville or Mt Carmel areas which are close to I-91 and the Wilbur Cross Pkwy. From there to the VA in the AM would be about 25-30 min. Another issue to factor in at the VA is parking. The lots fill up fast and you may have to spend time finding a space and then walking from it to your work site. Shouldn’t be too bad if you start at 8 AM but ask people who are there now what to expect.