We
can help you manage your claim for VA pensions, disability benefits, VA
hospital care, home loans, military records and burial benefits. Contact my Nashville office at
615-736-5295 for help. In order to assist you, we will need a signed Privacy Release Form. For information about benefits, you may also visit the Veterans
Administration online at www.va.gov.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
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
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:
- 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.
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.
Department of Veterans Affairs
110 9th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 800.827.1000
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!
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
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 or for service during 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
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
63132-510
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or
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DATC-PAP-BC
Chief Military
Awards Branch
Military Personnel
Branch
Hoffman Building
#2
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA
22332
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All
requests must be completed in writing.
Privacy Release Form
When requesting information it is sometimes necessary to provide a privacy
release form to give us access to retrieve your information. Please download
this form, fill it out, sign and mail to the appropriate location.
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