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I am committed to
honoring and helping our nation's veterans, and I am more than
happy to help you with issues such as VA claims, getting military
records, discharge papers and medals. Please use the Constituent Response Form to write to me or call my Toll-Free Help Line at 1-800-222-2346 if you have questions.
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 VA home loan?
How do I get a copy of my military records?
What do I do if my records were destroyed in the 1973 fire?
How can I get replacement medals?
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
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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.
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 VA Home Loan?
There are 5 steps to get a VA Loan:
- 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.
VA Regional Office and Insurance Center
5000 Wissahickon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144-486
The form can be found by following the link above.
- Decide on a home the buyer wants to buy and sign a purchase agreement.
- Order an appraisal from VA. (This is usually done by lender.)
- 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.
- Close on loan and you move in!
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How Do I Get a Copy of My Military Records?
For copies of your military service records you may contact:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100
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What do I do if my records were destroyed in the 1973 fire?
You may contact the National Personnel Records Center at:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100
You can also find out the status of your records by phone at the following numbers:
Army Records: (314) 538-4261
- For service during 1912 - 1959
Air Force Records: (314) 538-4243
- For service during 1964 - Present
- 1947 - 1963 (for individuals with the last names of A through Hubbard, James D.)
- For
service during 1947 - 1963 (for individuals with the last names after
Hubbard, James D.) contact Air Force Records at (314) 538-4261
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Records: (314) 538-4141
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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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