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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:
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 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
making application on VA Form
26-1880, Request for Determination
of Eligibility and Available Loan
Guaranty Entitlement, to the local
VA office.
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Loan Eligibility Center
P.O. Box 20729
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
Email:
nceligib@vba.va.gov
Website:
http://www.homeloans.va.gov/
phone number: 1-800 244-6711
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 of loan and you move in!
Who is eligible for a VA Home Loan?
Veterans with active duty service,
that was not dishonorable, during
World War II and later periods are
eligible for VA loan benefits.
WWII, Korean conflict, and
Vietnam era veterans must have at
least 90 days service. Veterans
with service only during peacetime
periods and active duty military
personnel must have had more than
180 days active duty service.
Veterans of enlisted service
which began after September 7,
1980, or officers with service
beginning after October 16, 1981,
must in most cases have served at
least 2 years. Persian Gulf
conflict reservists and National
Guard members who were activate on
or after August 2, 1990, and
served at least 90 days with an
honorable discharge are eligible.
Members of the Select Reserve,
including National Guard, who are
not otherwise eligible and who
have completed 6 years of service
and have been honorably discharged
or have completed 6 years of
service and are still serving may
be eligible. The expanded
eligibility for Reserves and
National Guard individuals will
expire in October, 2003. Call the
VA toll free at 1-888-487-1970 for
further information on
eligibility.
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
- 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
63132-5100
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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