Veterans’ Affairs Q&A
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Veterans Affairs Common Questions & Answers
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?
Who is eligible for 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 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:
- 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.
How do I get a VA Home Loan?
There are 5 steps to get a VA Loan:
- 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
3700 Crestwood Parkway, NW, Suite 500
Duluth, GA 30096-5585
Phone: 678-924-5700
Fax: 678-924-5757 - Decide on a home the buyer wants to buy and sign a purchase agreement.
- Order an appraisal from VA. (This is usually done by lender.)
- 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.
- Close of loan and 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.
VA Facilities in Georgia
Veterans Health Administration - VISN Offices
Station ID
Facility
Address
Phone
10N7
3700 Crestwood Parkway, NW, Suite 500 Duluth, GA 30096-5585
678-924-5700
557GB
417 4th Avenue Albany, GA 31701
229-446-9000
508GA
9249 Highway 29 South- Suite A Athens, GA 30601
706-227-4534
508
1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 321-6111 or (800) 944-9726
0304
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 1100 Box 55 Atlanta, GA 30324
(404)-347-7264
509
1 Freedom Way Augusta, GA 30904-6285
(706) 733-0188 or (800) 836-5561
557
1826 Veterans Blvd. Dublin, GA 31021
(478) 272-1210 (800) 595-5229
31902
1310 13th Street Columbus, GA 31906
706-257-7200
508
755 Commerce Drive, 2nd Floor Decatur, GA 30030
404-417-5200
508GA
1513 Cleveland Avenue East Point, GA 30344
404-321-6111 x2600
508
1970 Riverside Pkwy Lawrenceville, GA 30043
404-417-1750
557GA
5398 Thomaston Road, Suite B Macon, GA 31220
478-476-8868
508GE
3931 Munday Mill Road Oakwood, GA 30566
404-728-8212
534BY
325 West Montgomery Crossroads Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 920-0214
0323
308 A Commercial Dr Savannah, GA 31406
(912)-652-4097
508GF
562 Concord Road Smyrna, GA 30082
404-417-1760
573GA
2841 N. Patterson Street Valdosta, GA 31602
229-293-0132
316
1700 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033
1-800-827-1000
788
1700 Clairmont Road 4th floor Decatur, GA 30033
404-929-5899
922
2025 Mount Carmel Church Ln. Canton, GA 30114
(866) 236-8159
859
500 Washington Avenue Marietta, GA 30060
770 428 3258