FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LINKS

     The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Never underestimate the government's ability to give you information.  It's all here!  Reams upon reams...so much for the Paperwork Reduction Act.  In the box below you'll find important toll-free VA phone numbers and a listing of VA web sites.
 


 

Important Phone Numbers

VA Benefits      1-800-827-1000
Health Care      1-877-222-8387
Education      1-888-442-4551
Life Insurance      1-800-669-8477
Debt Management      1-800-827-0648
Mammography Hotline      1-888-492-7844
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)      1-800-829-4833
CHAMPVA      1-800-733-8387
Headstones and Markers      1-800-697-6947
Special Health Issues: Gulf War, Agent Orange, Project 112/Shad
1-800-749-8387

Web Sites

VA Home Page ....................................................... www.va.gov
VA Health Care ............................. www.va.gov/health_benefits/
Returning Veterans ................. www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/
Survivors .......................... www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm
VA Facilities ................... www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
VA Forms ................................................. www.va.gov/vaforms/
VA Benefit Payment Rates ........ www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/
Education Benefits ........................................ www.gibill.va.gov/
Home Loan Guaranty ......................... www.homeloans.va.gov/
Life Insurance ....................................... www.insurance.va.gov/
Voc Rehab ........................... www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
Burial and Memorial Benefits ......................... www.cem.va.gov/
Veterans Employment and Training .............. www.dol.gov/vets/
Federal Jobs ......................................... www.usajobs.opm.gov/
Veterans Preference ............ www.opm.gov/veterans/index.asp
Records .............. www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
Department of Defense ............................ www.defenselink.mil/
 


     The National Archives and Records Administration is where you can order a copy of your military personnel and medical records.  Always have copies of these.

     The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims could be your next step if your claim has been denied.  Study this site carefully...you will find everything needed to take your claim to the court.

     You can get to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs with this link.  Are your Senators working for you?

     Click on this link to find out how your Senator has voted.  There are lots of great links on this page...especially check out the appropriations link.

     Here is the link to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.  Find out what your reps are doing for you.

     You can click on this link to find out how your representative in the House has voted.  Again, there are other great informational links on this page.

     If you want to write to the elected Representative for your district...here is the page to find them.

     If you want to write to your Senator...here is the page to find them.

     And, firstgov.gov is a portal that will take you to all government sites.
 

     To call Capitol Hill:

     U.S. House of Representatives
     switchboard 202/225-3121

     U.S. Senate
     switchboard 202/224-3121
 
STATE VETERANS OFFICES

     Here is a list of the states and links to their Veterans Offices.  Once you get to your state be sure to look for county and city listings for veterans.  There is lots of great help at the local level.

 
 
ARMED SERVICES

     Here are links to the armed services.

ARMY               NAVY               AIR FORCE               MARINES               COAST GUARD
 

SERVICE, HELP AND INFORMATION ORGANIZATIONS FOR VETERANS

     The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is one of the best organizations when it comes to fighting for your benefits.  even if you are not a member the VFW has Service Officers at most VA facilities who can help you with your claims.

     The American Legion is the largest veterans organization in the world.  Again, a great source of information and help if you need it.  The Legion can represent you in the claims process and you don't have to be a member.

     A great organization with incredible resources and lots of information is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).  Just click the link to peruse their services and see if they might be able to help with your particular situation.

     Here is the link to AMVETS, another great service organization.

     Even if you aren't a Vietnam vet the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) can provide great information on VA benefits and dealing with the VA.  This is a great site to explore.

     USDR is the Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees.  This is a great site for retirees who are disabled.  Always up-to-date information.  Find them here...
 

     For veterans' legal assistance in the Los Angeles area... http://www.lafla.org/ and
http://www.innercitylaw.org/ .

     Just for women veterans...the help and information you need at...Sisters Bound by Honor...
http://www.sistersboundbyhonor.org

     Blue Water Navy ... Dioxin exposure information for sailors.

     Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) ... formerly known as Operation Truth.

     Veterans Rest Camp of Minnesota is open to all vets.  Click here for more.....

     The Kitchen Table Gang offers assistance to hospitalized vets and will properly dispose of your old American flags.

     The National Gulf War Resource Center provides incredible information for anyone who served in the Gulf at any time.  The site is NGWRC.org.

     And don't forget the International Gulf War Council -- a centralized working group for the advancement of veterans health issues.