Skip to content I have lost my discharge. Can I get a replacement copy?
- Yes. We have a number of sources we can check in the State of Ohio for your discharge. If it is not available here, we can order it via a system called EVETRECS and have it for you in approximately 6 weeks or sometimes sooner.
- In most cases, we can help you order copies of your military records, service medical records, and replacement awards and decorations.
My father was a veteran. Does that make me eligible for benefits from VA or your financial assistance?
- Not necessarily. VA benefits for dependents vary based on the benefit to which the sponsor (parent) was entitled. Children of veterans may be eligible for financial assistance from our office in very limited circumstances.
My ex-spouse was a veteran. Am I entitled to benefits?
- Generally, the answer is no. The end of the marriage normally means the end of eligibility for benefits.
I am a veteran. The VA will pay for my funeral and burial expenses, right?
- No. Only veterans who are receiving monetary benefits at the time of death qualify for the payment of burial and/or funeral expense. Even in those cases, VA payments will not come close to paying for the average funeral and burial expense.
I got hurt when I was in the service. Does that means I am service connected?
- No. You are not service connected until the VA adjudicates your formal claim and grants service connection. It is a formal, legal process.
I was told I cannot file a claim for service connection because I have been out too long?
- Not true. It may be harder to get your claim approved, but there is no time limit for filing a claim for service connection. We recommend you file as soon as possible after release from active duty, because the effective date of your claim is determined by when you file, and the start payment date is the same. If you got out in 1958 and your claim is approved in 2010, you will be paid only from the date you filed your claim – not back to your discharge.
How do I apply for a VA guaranteed loan?
- You can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. At some point, you will need to get a Certificate of Eligibility from VA to prove to the lender that you are eligible for a VA loan.
How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?
- Complete a VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility: You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by submitting a completed VA Form 26-1880, Request For A Certificate of Eligibility For Home Loan Benefits, to the Atlanta Eligibility Center, along with proof of military service. In some cases it may be possible for VA to establish eligibility without your proof of service. However, to avoid any possible delays, it’s best to provide such evidence.
Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility for me?
- Yes, it’s called Web LGY. Most lenders have access to the Web LGY system. This Internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through Web LGY – only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records. However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate.
