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“Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions asked of my office on Veterans Affairs. If you do not find an answer to your question here, please feel free to contact my district offices. My staff will be more than happy to assist you in dealing with Federal agencies. My office in Bristol can be reached at 215-826-1963 and my office in Doylestown can be reached at 215-348-1194, or you can fill out my convenient web form."
- Congressman Patrick J. Murphy
If you require immediate assistance please call 215-826-1963 for the fastest response or click here to request assistance via email.
How can I contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?
What's the difference between disability compensation and disability pension?
What are the types of VA claims?
How do I get a copy of my military records?
How can I get replacement medals?
What are some of the veterans benefits and programs specific to the 8th District?
How can I contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?
The VA has toll free numbers for the convenience of veterans and dependents.
VA Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
Health care: 1-877-222-8387
Education: 1-888-442-4551
Life Insurance: 1-800-669-8477
Debt Management: 1-800-827-0648
Mammography Hotline: 1-888-492-7844
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1-800-829-4833
CHAMPVA: 1-800-733-8387
Headstones/Markers: 1-800-697-6947
Special Health Issues:
Gulf War/Agent Orange/Project 112/Shad: 1-800-749-8387
Sexual Trauma Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
Websites
VA Home Page
VA Health Care
Returning Veterans
Survivors
VA Facilities
VA Forms
VA Benefit Payment Rates
Education Benefits
Home Loan Guaranty
Life Insurance
Vocational Rehabilitation
Burial and Memorial Benefits
Veterans Employment and Training
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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. This is considered to be “service-connected.”
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.
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What are the types of VA claims?
There are Four Types of claims:
- 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.
- Claim for increase: A claim for increased compensation for a disability already found to be service-connected.
- New Claim: A claim for compensation for a disability not part of the original claim. Also known as a supplemental claim.
- 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.
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How do I get a copy of my military records?
For copies of military service records, you may contact the National Personnel Records Center:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
For further guidance on requesting military service records, please visit the veterans section of the National Archives website.
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How can I get replacement medals?
For members who were in the Army or Air Force, the National Personnel Records Center handles requests for replacement medals:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
For Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard requests, the Retired Records Section of Navy Personnel Command is the point of contact:
Navy Personnel Command
Liaison Office Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Get more information on replacing medals
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What are some of the veterans’ benefits and programs specific to the 8th District?
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offers several benefits and services to the 1.1 million veterans in the Commonwealth. These include operating six veterans’ homes throughout the state, running the Scotland School for Veterans Children near Chambersburg, and offering a exemption from real-estate taxes for 100% service-connected disabled veterans meeting certain criteria. More information about state-run veterans programs can be found here
In addition, each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties also has an office concerned with veterans’ issues.
Bucks County Office of Military Affairs:
Neshaminy Manor Center
Building K
Route 611 & Almshouse Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: 215-345-3307
Fax: 215-345-3833
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Bucks County Government Services Center
7321 New Falls Rd.
Levittown, PA 19055
Phone: 215-949-5800, ext. 249
Fax: 215-949-5819
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Quakertown Government Services Center
515 S. West End Blvd.
Quakertown, PA 18951
Hours: Wednesday, 9:00AM – Noon
Montgomery County Department of Veterans Affairs:
Human Services Center
1430 DeKalb Street
PO Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404-0311
Phone: 610-278-3285
Fax: 610-278-5935
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30AM - 4:15PM
Philadelphia Veterans Office:
317 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3205
Phone: 215-686-3256
Fax: 215-686-3267
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
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