The Pittsburgh VA Regional Office (VARO) is located in the William S. Moorhead Federal Building in downtown Pittsburgh. The regional office provides veterans benefits to over 500,000 veterans and dependents in 27 counties of Western Pennsylvania and four counties in the panhandle of northern West Virginia. The 130 employees of the regional office are responsible for the administration of compensation and pension (C&P), and vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) benefits throughout the area, as well as providing information and guidance on numerous other veterans programs.

The VARO staff conducts extensive outreach in the community.  A field person provides full-time service at the Erie VA Medical Center.  In addition, a full-time field person is dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless veterans. 

 Western Pennsylvania has one of the highest percentages of veterans in population in the United States. Additionally, the average age of veterans located within the VARO jurisdiction, is somewhat higher than the national average. Working with great support and cooperation in the community, this office continues to strive to meet the special needs of our veteran population. Representatives of nine veterans service organizations also share space with the regional office, working in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide information, assistance, and professional support to the veterans and their families served.

 In October 2003, the C&P international work, formerly processed by the Washington Regional Office, was transferred to the Pittsburgh Regional Office.  In addition, the VR&E international work, also processed by the Washington Regional Office, was transferred in April 2006.  We now process claims for any veteran living in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. 

 Beginning in October 2005, the Pittsburgh Regional Office assumed the oversight of the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Intake Activities in Korea and Germany.  These BDD sites receive claims from service members; however, the consolidated BDD sites (Winston-Salem and Salt Lake City) are responsible for the rating and promulgation of these claims.

 Korea Office

The BDD Intake Activity in Korea is located at the Army base in Yongsan.  We process pre-separation claims from servicemen and servicewomen who are separating from service in Korea.  AP/DTAP briefings in Korea are coordinated through the Army ACAP Program.  In addition to the recurring TAP/DTAP briefings, we provide briefings to the Retiree Council and the USFK Casualty Assistance Officers.

 Germany Office

The BDD Intake Activity in Germany is located in Landstuhl.  We process pre-separation claims from servicemen and servicewomen who are separating from service from the Landstuhl Medical Facility.