Friday January 30, 2009
Veterans Affairs FAQs
|
| What You Are Writing About |
See also:Our country's veterans have provided an invaluable service through their efforts, and I am pleased to be able to assist them when they have a question or concern regarding their interactions with a federal agency, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This page gives you some of the most frequently-asked questions regarding veterans issues and claims. As always, you are also welcome to contact one of my Regional Offices for personal assistance.
- How do I contact the VA?
- It's been several months since I've heard anything from the VA regarding my claim. What should I do?
- 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?
- What is the difference between disability compensation and disability pension?
- What are the types of VA claims?
- How do I get a VA home loan?
- Can you help me with getting a medical appointment or appropriate care at the VA Medical Center?
How do I contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?
There are several toll-free numbers that you can use to contact the VA. You can also send inquiries to the VA online through the agency's website.
| Benefits Information | 1-800-827-1000 |
| CHAMPVA | 1-800-733-8387 |
| Debt Management | 1-800-827-0648 |
| Gulf War Helpline | 1-800-749-8387 |
| Headstones/Markers | 1-800-697-6947 |
| Life Insurance | 1-800-669-8477 |
| Mammography Hotline | 1-888-492-7844 |
| Sexual Trauma Hotline | 1-800-827-1000 |
| TDD (Telecommunications Device for Deaf) | 1-800-829-4833 |
It's been several months since I've heard anything from the VA regarding my claim. What should I do?
You should contact your veteran's representative who is helping you with your claim and see if they have an update. My office would also be happy to send an inquiry asking for an update. In order for my office to do so, you would need to complete the Privacy Release Form and provide your Social Security number or C number.
How do I get a copy of my military records?
To receive a copy of your military service record, you should contact the National Personnel Records Center. The address is:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
You can also find out the status of your records at the following numbers:
Air Force Records:
For service from 1964 to present, (314) 538-4243
For service from 1947 to 1963 with last names of A through Hubbard, James D., (314) 538-4243
For service from 1947 to 1963 with last names after Hubbard, James D., (314) 538-4261Army Records:
For service between 1912 and 1959, (314) 538-4261Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy Records:
(314) 538-4141
You can also request a copy of your records or those of a deceased veteran if you qualify as next-of-kin using an online service. If you don't meet either of these categories, you may make a request for military records using Standard Form 180.
What do I do if my records were destroyed in the 1973 fire?
In July of 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, destroyed approximately 16 to 18 million Official Military Personnel Files. There were no duplicate copies of those records maintained. Additionally, the VA also had millions of documents in its inventory that had been loaned from other entities. Therefore, a complete listing of the records lost is not available. Generally, the affected record collections are Army personnel discharged November 1, 1912, to January 1, 1960, and Air Force personnel discharged September 25, 1947, to January 1, 1964 (with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.).
If your records were among those destroyed, you may contact the National Personnel Records Center at:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
You can also find out the status of your records at the following numbers:
Air Force Records:
For service from 1964 to present, (314) 538-4243
For service from 1947 to 1963 with last names of A through Hubbard, James D., (314) 538-4243
For service from 1947 to 1963 with last names after Hubbard, James D., (314) 538-4261Army Records:
For service between 1912 and 1959, (314) 538-4261Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy Records:
(314) 538-4141
How can I get replacement medals?
Requests for replacement for lost or stolen medals can be made to the National Personnel Records Center. You can work with my office in making such a request or you can write directly to the Center with your request. The address is:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100or
DATC-PAP-BC
Chief Military Awards Branch
Military Personnel Branch
Hoffman Building #2
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332
What is the difference between disability compensation and disability pension?
Disability compensation is a monthly monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred in or aggravated during military service.
Disability pension is a monetary benefit paid to veterans of a period of war who are not 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 VA claims:
1. Original Claim: This is the 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: This is also known as a supplemental claim. A claim for compensation for a disability not part of the original 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).
To qualify for a VA loan, you first need to apply for a certificate of eligibility. If you don't have one, you need to complete VA Form 26-1880, Request for Determination of Eligibility and Available Loan Guaranty Entitlement. You can obtain a copy of the form online or from a local VA office.
Once you have received your Certificate of Eligibility, you need to find a home and sign a purchase agreement. At this point, your lender will order an appraisal from the VA. You should apply to a mortgage lender for the loan. While the appraisal is being done, the lender can be gathering the information needed to complete the mortgage. If the lender is authorized by the VA for 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 the VA, the leander will send the application to the local VA office, which will notify the lender of its decision.
Can you help me with getting a medical appointment or appropriate care at the VA Medical Center?
Veterans sometimes have long waits to get appointments at the VA Medical Center, and my staff is ready to assist you whenever appropriate. Additionally, if you have concerns about the care you have received, my staff is ready to assist you to have those concerns resolve. Please contact my local Regional Office to discuss your case in detail. You will also need to complete the Privacy Release Form for me to act on your behalf.
The Privacy Act of 1974 requires that I have your written authorization before I can obtain any information about you from a federal agency. While a friend or family member can certainly contact my office on someone else's behalf, the privacy release form must be signed by the individual needing the assistance. On any correspondence sent to me, please include your phone number and contact information so that my staff can be as responsive as possible to your request. All information provided will remain confidential. You can read my office's Privacy Policy here.
Please keep in mind that due to the constitutional separation of the legislative and judicial branches of government, an elected official is not allowed to be involved in legal matters. You would need to seek advice from a legal counsel. Additionally, I can only assist with federal agencies. If your concern is with a state or local entity, you would need to contact the appropriate jurisdiction for those.
Again, I am more than happy to assist with issues you might have with the federal government and look forward to being your advocate whenever possible.
 |
|
Return to Help With Federal Agencies main page.