Veterans Affairs Answers On this Page:
How Can I Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?
What's The Difference Between Disability Compensation and Disability Pension?
What Are the Types of VA Claims?
How Do I Get a VA Home Loan?
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?
Links to Other Veterans Answers:
How can I get education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill?
How can I get medical benefits?
How can I get life insurance?
How can I get vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits?
How can I get survivor benefits?
What drug benefits are available?
Other Links:
Huntsville VA Clinic
Madison/Decatur VA Clinic
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
You may also click here to visit the VA's website.
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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.
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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.
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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 along with proof of military to the local VA office.
VA Loan Eligibility Center
PO Box 20729
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
For overnight delivery:
VA Loan Eligibility Center
251 N. Main St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27155
Click here to visit the Department of Veterans Affairs' website for VA Home Loans
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!
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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
National Personnel Records Center's Website
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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
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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
Or
Click here to visit the National Archives' Replacing Missing Medals website
All requests must be completed in writing.
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