Representative Christopher P. Carney, Proudly serving the People of the 10th District of Pennsylvania image of Capitol

Veterans Information

Seeing to the needs of veterans is incredibly important to me. Here are some cases where my office can offer assistance:

  • Requests for a claim to be expedited for terminal illness or other major emergency.
  • Determining the current status of a pending application/claim.
  • Assisting in overcoming a bureaucratic "logjam."
  • Locating military service and medical records. (To begin the process, click here)
  • Obtaining military service medals or ribbons

For all concerns, please contact Joe Fabricatore in our Clarks Summit District Office to inquire or set up an appointment.

Joe Fabricatore
(570) 585-9988
Joe.fabricatore@mail.house.gov

You can also begin your casework online by clicking here

 

How Can I Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The VA has toll free numbers for the convenience of veterans and dependents.

Benefits Information 1-800-827-1000
Life Insurance  1-800-669-8477
Debt Management 1-800-827-0648
Mammography Hotline 1-888-492-7844
Tele. Dev. for Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833
CHAMPVA 1-800-733-8387
Headstones/Markers  1-800-697-6947
Gulf War Helpline 1-800-749-8387
Sexual Trauma Hotline 1-800-827-1000
Emotional Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

 

What's the difference between disability compensation and disability pension?

Disability Compensation: A monthly monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred in or aggravated during military service.

Disability Pension: A monetary benefit paid to veterans of a period of war who are permanently and totally disabled for reasons not the result of their own willful misconduct and not related to their military service. This benefit is income-dependent.

 

What Are the Types of VA Claims?

 There are Four Types of claims:

  1. Original Claim: The very first claim for disability benefits compensation or pension) filed by a veteran.  All original claims must be filed on VA Form 21-526.  
  2. Claim for increase: A claim for increased compensation for a disability already found to be service-connected.
  3. New Claim: A claim for compensation for a disability not part of the original claim.  Also known as a supplemental claim.
  4. Reopened Claim: A claim asking for reconsideration of an issue previously considered and finally disallowed by VA (after more than one year has passed).

The type of claim determines how much development is required by VA and/or the nature of the supporting evidence the veteran must submit in support of the claim. The processing time for a claim varies depending on the type of claim and the supporting evidence provided by the veteran.

 

How Do I Get a VA Home Loan?

There are 5 steps to get a VA Loan:

1. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.  A Veteran who doesn't have a certificate can obtain one by filling out and sending the VA Form 26-1880, Request for Determination of  Eligibility and Available Loan Guaranty Entitlement, to the local VA office.

Department Of Veterans Affairs
20 Washington Place
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone 1 800 827 1000
  

2.   Decide on a home the buyer wants to buy and sign a purchase agreement.

3.   Order an appraisal from VA.  (This is usually done by lender.)

4.   Apply to a mortgage lender for the loan.  While the appraisal is being done, the lender can be gathering credit and income information.  If the lender is authorized by the VA to do automatic processing, upon receipt of the appraised value determination, the loan can be approved and closed without waiting for VA review of the credit application.  For loans that must first be approved by VA, the lender will send the application to the local VA office, which will notify the lender of its decision.

 5.   Close on loan and you move in!

 

How Can I Get Replacement Medals?

You can request replacement for lost or stolen medals from the National Personnel Records Center or write to:

National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri   63132-5100

Or

DATC-PAP-BC
Chief Military Awards Branch
Military Personnel Branch
Hoffman Building #2
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332

All requests must be completed in writing.



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