Veterans

If you are having difficulty with a claim you have filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs, we can contact the agency on your behalf to check on the status of your claim.  To request assistant, please call our district office at (859) 219-1366.

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
• Health Benefits    1-877-222-8387
• Education Benefits    1-888-442-4551
• 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:

   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 appeal a decision?

A claimant has one year from the date of the notification of a VA decision to file an appeal.  The claimant must file a written notice of disagreement with the VA regional office or medical center that made the decision.  Following the receipt of the written notice, VA will furnish the claimant a "Statement of the Case" describing what facts, laws and regulations were used in deciding the case.  The claimant must then file a "Substantive Appeal" within 60 days of the mailing of the Statement of the Case or within one year from the date the VA mailed its decision, whichever period is later.

Although it is not required, a veterans service organization, an agent or an attorney may represent a claimant.

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.

          VA Regional Office
          545 South Third Street
          Louisville, KY 40202
          Phone: 1-800-827-1000

      The form can be found by following the link above.
   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 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 call the main customer service line at:

    314-801-0800

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.