Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Office Location: 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 631, Dallas, TX 75207-2710
Phone: (972) 692-4939  Fax: (214) 819-2880
Email: veteran.services1@dallascounty.org
Office Hours: 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Monday - Friday
Closed weekends and on County holidays

How can the Veteran Services Office help me?

The Veteran Services Office serves veterans and their dependents with the filing of complex claims for the various benefits they are eligible to receive. The Service Officer holds numerous accreditations with a service organization and attend mandatory training conferences two times a year to stay abreast of the ever changing laws and regulations concerning veterans.

The advocacy doesn't stop after the filing of a claim. We continue to follow the progress of the claims process with the Veteran/Dependent throughout the often lengthy time it takes the VA to reach a decision

What is an “Appointment of Service Representative” and why do I need one?

The VA uses Form 21-22 (Appointment of Service Representative) authorizing the claimant to have professional representation in pursuing their claim with the VA.

If I select a Service Organization as my representative, are there any charges or meetings I must attend?

Organizations selected to represent claimants before the VA must provide a statement that no charges, fees or gratuities will be charged or accepted. Membership in the organization or attendance at meetings is not required, but is permitted.

What types of benefits are available?

There are too many benefits to list here. You may get more information concerning veterans benefits from the VA's website at www.va.gov.

I need a copy of my DD214/Military Discharge. How can I get a copy?

Hopefully you registered your DD 214/military discharge document with your local county clerk for safekeeping when you were discharged. If so, you can get a CERTIFIED copy from them free of charge. If not and you have access to a computer and a fax machine, you can order them online at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/. You should receive the requested copy in two to three weeks. You can also complete a SF Form 180 and mail it to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO requesting a copy be sent to you. The address is listed on the form. The form can be found on and printed from the Internet. While requesting your DD 214/military discharge, also request a copy of your military medical and personnel records, awards, citations, and replacement medals/decorations. These may come in handy when trying to support your claim with the VA. Also, if you've ever filed a claim before with the VA Regional Office in Waco, they will have a copy of your DD 214/military discharge. Their number is (800) 827-1000.

I would like to find out more about military discharge upgrades and correction of military records. Where can I go to get information?

While we can’t suggest one source of information over the other, the American Legion as a pamphlet that explains these issues in great detail. You may get a copy at the following web site: http://www.legion.org/pdf/dodguide.pdf.

Also listed below are addresses and web sites for discharge review boards for each branch of service:

Organization	Address	Web Site
Army	Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) Attention: SFMR-RBB 1901 South Bell Street, 2nd Floor Arlington, VA 22202-4508	arba.army.pentagon.mil/index.htm
Navy & USMC	Navy Discharge Review Board 801 N. Randolph St., Suite 905 Arlington, VA 22203	boards.law.af.mil/NAVYboards.htm
Air Force	Air Force Personnel Center Attention: DPMDOA1 Randolph AFB, TX 78150-6001
Coast Guard	Coast Guard Attention:GPE1 Washington, D.C. 20593

Discharge Review and Board of Correction of Military Record Reading Rooms boards.law.af.mil/index.htm

Where do I go for a military ID card?

Contact the military installation nearest you. For the Dallas/Fort Worth area, call the Naval Air Station Pass & I.D. section at (817) 782-5244. You may need to acquire a letter of disability from the VA to establish eligibility. You can get this letter by calling the VA Regional Office at (800) 827-1000.

How do I enroll in the VA Medical System?

Visit any VA health care facility. Ensure you take with you your DD-214/military discharge showing the character of discharge. You should also be prepared to answer questions related to your current income and whether or not you have any other medical insurance

Will the VA fill my prescriptions from my private doctor?

You may bring the prescriptions to the VA if you are enrolled and if your Primary Health Care Provider agrees with the medications. He or she may provide you with a VA prescription for the medications.

NOTE: The VA physician may or may not agree with the need for these medications.

Are there any VA medical facilities in the North texas area and where are they located?

Yes there are three primary medical facilities and one community based clinic located in the North Texas area. The locations are as follows:

How can I get a copy of my VA medical records?

Regardless of where you received treatment, you may get a copy of your records at either the VA hospital in Dallas or the clinic in Ft Worth. The records are electronic, and are therefore accessible from both locations. The first copy is free and you will pay a fee for subsequent copies.

I think my current disability/illness was caused by the military and want to file a claim for service connected benefits. What should I do?

Claims for service connection are so complicated that they should only be attempted with a counselor's assistance. We have trained counselors in our office that understand the VA's claim process and how to properly apply for VA benefits. Call us, or another Veteran Service Office, to see if you have a valid claim.

I have been turned down several times before for my service connected injuries and no one can help me.

This office understands the law under which the VA must operate, Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations. We apply the law in the interest of the veteran not the VA.

Is there a listing of all the things I need to file a claim with the VA?

Due to the complexity of the VA system, the forms needed to file a claim vary. You should contact our local representative or call 1-800-827-1000.

Can I get a copy of my VA claim file that includes everything I ever sent the VA and everything the VA ever sent me concerning any claim I’ve submitted?

Yes. Send a letter asking to receive a copy of the veteran's claim file. Be sure to include the veteran's full name, social security number and a mailing address. If the claim was submitted to the VA Regional Office in Waco, TX, mail the letter to:

Department of Veteran Affairs
Waco Regional Office
701 Clay Ave.
Waco, TX 76799

You may only receive a copy if you are the veteran or the surviving spouse or dependent of the veteran.

I am a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran. How do I get a disability status letter from the VA so that I may take advantage of my property tax exemption benefits?

If you are a disabled veteran rated as least 30% or the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who was rated 100% permanently and totally disabled at death, you may get a disability status letter from the VA to take advantage of property tax exemption benefits.

Call the VA Regional Office at (800) 827-1000.

Who is eligible for Non-Service Connected (NSC) pension?

Pension is a benefit payable by the VA to veterans discharged under honorable conditions who have at least 90 days of service with at least one day during a period of war and are disabled because of non-service connected disabilities and whose income is below the allowable limit.

Can a widow of a veteran who was receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) which was terminated due to remarriage have the benefit payments reinstated if their current spouse dies, or they get divorced?

Yes, a widow becomes eligible to receive DIC benefits based on a previous marriage to a veteran if the remarriage of a surviving spouse is terminated by death, divorce, or annulment. Certain evidence is required to establish the status of the surviving spouse as of the date of death of the veteran. Resumption of benefits can only be made from October 1, 1998 even if the cessation of the relationship occurred prior to this date.

I’m concerned about my education benefits and have questions. Who do I call?

Call the VA’s Education Benefit Office at (888) 442-4551.

I’m a veteran living in Texas. Does Texas have state benefits for veterans?

Yes, you can find out about Texas state benefits by visiting the Texas Veterans Commission website at https://www.tvc.texas.gov/. Click on State Benefits at the bottom left of the screen.

I want to apply for a VA Home Loan and need a Certificate of Eligibility. What should I do?

First, complete a VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits and mail it to, VA Loan Eligibility Center, P. O. Box 20729, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27120. They also have provisions for sending the form overnight. They can be reached at (888) 244-6711. You can also get the form from the VA's website at www.va.gov or by performing a search on the Internet.

Are there any state homes for veterans in Texas?

Yes, the Texas Veterans Land Board has homes for veterans in Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, McAllen, Tyler, and Temple. They provide excellent care to enhance the quality of life of each resident. You can find out more by visiting their web site at https://vlb.texas.gov/ or by calling them at (800) 252-8387.

The costs of my prescriptions are more than I can afford. Will the VA fill them for me?

No, the VA will not directly fill a civilian doctor’s prescriptions. However, if you are eligible to use VA medical facilities you can take those prescriptions to a doctor’s appointment with the VA and the attending physician can prescribe like medicines for you with a small co-pay per prescription.

I’m a retired, VA disability rated veteran. How can I find out more about the Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program?

Information is available at the following DoD/Service web sites and phone numbers:

Organization	Telephone Number	Web Site
Army	(866)281-3254	myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
Navy & Marine Corps	(877)366-2772	www.nmcrs.org
DoD		https://www.defense.gov/

I’m a retired, VA disability rated veteran. How can I find out more about the Concurrent Retirement & Disability Pay (CRDP) program?

This program is administered through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). They can be contacted at (800) 321-1080.

As an honorably discharged veteran, I know that I am eligible to be buried in a VA cemetery. Is there one in the North Texas area and can I reserve a spot?

The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery is located at 2191 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, telephone is (214) 467-3374. The VA will provide a gravesite, grave-liner, headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, U.S. Flag and perpetual care of the gravesite. Surviving spouses of honorably discharged veterans may also be buried there.

Who do I call to report the death of a retired military member?

If the member was receiving military retired pay, you should call the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), at 1 800 321-1080. If the member was receiving compensation or pension from the VA, you should call the VA at 1 800 827-1000. Also, you may want to call one of the following numbers depending upon what military branch the veteran was retired from: Air Force - 877 353-6807; Army - 800 626-3317; Navy - 800 368-3202; Marines - 800 847-1587; Coast Guard - 800 323-7233.

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We strongly advise applicants to consult with the County Veterans Services Office prior to submitting all documents to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistance is available to all who are shut-in and require help in completing applications and acquiring supporting documents. This may help to reduce delays in receiving benefits or preventing the denial of benefits.