Frequently Asked Questions
My
pension/disability check hasn't arrived yet. Can you verify when it
was mailed?I was born
overseas while my mom/dad was in the military. How can I get a copy
of
my birth certificate?How
can I obtain contact information of a buddy from an old unit?How can I provide military
funeral honors for a veteran who has recently died?Who is eligible for Military
Funeral Honors?What can
the family of an eligible veteran expect?I am a returning OEF/OIF veteran. How do I apply
for benefits?Are VA
educational benefits taxable?Where can I obtain information on Agent
Orange?On June 29, 2006, the
US Department of Veterans Affairs announced the recovery of the
laptop containing sensitive electronic data that was stolen from
the home of a VA employee in early May. What is the latest update
on this?
How do I obtain a
copy of my discharge papers, service records, or medical
records?
A. If you do not have a copy of your discharge papers, service
records, or medical records you can obtain them by filling out a
Standard Form 180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records. You can
download a copy from this site or obtain a copy from your local
State Division of Veterans' Affairs office or the United States
Department of Veterans' Affairs.Download Standard Form 180 - Request Pertaining
to Military Records
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My pension/disability check hasn't arrived yet.
Can you verify when it was mailed?
No, the Tulsa Mayor's Office does not dispense benefits from this
office. If you need to inquire about when your pension or
disability check was mailed you may contact the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs at:
Muskogee
Regional Office
125 South Main Street
Muskogee, OK 74401
Phone: (800) 827-1000
Fax: (918) 781-7509
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I was born overseas while my mom/dad was in the
military. How can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
You may call 202-955-0307, or write:
Department of State
Vital Records Section
Suite 510
1111 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20522
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How can I obtain contact
information of a buddy from an old unit?
The Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits releasing the last known address
of former service members without their written consent. However,
the agency identified below will assist your search by forwarding
your letter to the service member's last know address. Instead, to
pursue locating a former service member:
-
Write a letter to the service member. Place this letter in a
sealed and stamped envelope, including your full name and return
address.
-
Write a letter addressed to the National Personnel Records
Center requesting their assistance with your search. Be sure to
include the service member's name, serial number and/or social
security number, and date of birth if available.
-
Place your envelope addressed to the service member AND the
letter to the National Personnel Records Center in ONE
envelope.
Address this envelope to:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5200
Please note: current addresses for discharged service members
are not maintained at the Records Center. This center only has the
service member's last officially recorded address. Letters to
service members the Record Center cannot identify, or who are
deceased, will be returned to you.
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How can I provide military funeral honors for a
veteran who has recently died?
Military Funeral Honors have always been provided whenever
possible. However, the law now mandates the rendering of Military
Funeral Honors for an eligible veteran if requested by the family.
As provided by law, an Honor Guard detail for the burial of an
eligible veteran shall consist of not less than two members of the
Armed Forces. One member of the detail shall be a representative of
the parent service of the deceased veteran. The honor detail will,
at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the folding and
presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing
of Taps. The veteran's parent Service Representative will present
the flag. Taps will be played by a bugler, if available, or by
electronic recording. Today, there are so few buglers available
that the Military Services often cannot provide one. For more
information, please visit www.cem.va.gov.
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Who is eligible for Military Funeral
Honors?
The following are eligible for Military Funeral
Honors:
-
Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
-
A former military member who served on active duty and departed
under conditions other than dishonorable.
-
Former military members who completed at least one term of
enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected
Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
-
Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due
to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
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What can the family of
an eligible veteran expect?
The core elements of the funeral honors ceremony, which will be
conducted, are:
- Flag folding
- Flag presentation
- Playing of Taps
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I am a returning OEF/OIF veteran. How do I
apply for benefits?
Returning veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and
Operation Iraqi Freedom should register for benefits with the US Department of Veterans Affairs
immediately upon return.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has appointed special
points of contact for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation
Iraqi Freedom veterans to assist you in your transition to the Jack
C. Montgomery VA Medical Center. Please contact:
Nanette Waller
OIF/OEF Program Manager
Phone: (918) 577-4150
Fax: (918) 577-3701
Annette Lee
OIF/OEF Administrative Specialist
Phone: (918) 577-4151
Fax: (918) 577-3742 Back to Top
Are VA educational benefits
taxable?
No, veteran's benefits, paid under any law and administered by the
VA should not be reported as income to the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS).
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Where can I
obtain information on Agent Orange?
Information on Agent Orange can be found online.
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On June 29, 2006, the US
Department of Veterans Affairs announced the recovery of the laptop
containing sensitive electronic data that was stolen from the home
of a VA employee in early May. What is the latest update on
this?
For information on this very important matter:Read Secretary Nicholson's announcementVisit the Federal Trade Commission's site to
learn how to protect yourself from identity theftRead VA Inspector General's July 11, 2006 Review
- in pdf
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