There are a few steps that you must complete before you can claim benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and before the District’s Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) can assist you in your claims process:
ii. Request copies of military records online at the National Archives Records Administration’s (NARA) eVetRecs+.
The eVetRecs will allow you to create an electronic, customized order form to request information from your, or your relative's, military personnel records. You may use this system if you are a military veteran or next of kin of a deceased, former member of the military.
For more information go to the National Archives Records Administration’s (NARA)
website+.
2. Complete the Veterans Online Application
After you have received copies of your military records, you can apply for benefits.
The VONAPP (Veterans On Line Applications) website+ is an official US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website, which enables veterans to apply for benefits using the Internet. US military veterans and some service members within six months of separation or retirement can apply for compensation, pension, and vocational rehabilitation benefits.
US military veterans, service members with two years of service, and members of the Selected Reserve can apply for education benefits. VONAPP also has a link to VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits.
Note: When you use the VONAPP site to complete and send an application to the VA, your application will be sent directly to the VA office with jurisdiction over your application—in this case the District’s Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA). Processing will begin and you will receive an automated email response from the District’s OVA letting you know that it received your application.
Be sure to contact the District’s OVA at (202) 724-5454 if you have any questions about applying for benefits.
3. Find VA Medical Centers in DC
After you have received copies of your military records, applied for and received benefits, you must find VA medical facilities in your area. These facilities are authorized by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care to veterans with official medical claims. Read more about VA medical centers, clinics and nursing homes in the District of Columbia here.
4. Find VA Offices in DC
The US Department of Veterans Affairs and many of its related
offices are headquarted at 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20420. These offices include the Board of Veterans' Appeals, the Center for Minority Veterans and the Center for Women Veterans. Contact the District's Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) at (202) 724-5454 or by
email to learn more about how these offices can assist you.
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+ Access to outside websites is provided as a public service and convenience for our website visitors. The District of Columbia government is not responsible for information on websites outside the DC.Gov portal.
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