Frequently Asked Questions

VSOs have three ways to assist by obtaining a copy of your DD214.

1. Register of Deeds - Most cases your DD214 was sent to the County that you lived in when you were discharged from service.
2. DPRIS (Defense Personnel Records Informational Retrieval Systems) was developed as a single enterprise gateway, to provide access to vital military personnel information on demand and in near real-time through secure system-to-system interfaces and Web access by employing leading edge technologies, including all aspects of information assurance. Dates are limited as noted:
   
   Air Force - October 1, 2004
   Army - October 1, 2002
   Marine Corps - January 1, 1999
   Navy - January 1, 1995
   
   
3. NPRC - St. Louis Personnel Records Center is the site that stores all military discharges, DD 214s, service medical records, and other personnel information pertaining to the veteran.

Request your military service records online.

The 10-10EZ form can be obtained in our office or at the Wilmington HCC or Jacksonville CBOC or apply online.

To apply, the Form 10-10EZ and copy of your DD214 should be mailed to:

VAMC Fayetteville
Attn: Eligibility
2300 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301

Permanent and Total veterans are awarded Chapter 35 benefits. You can refer to your last VA award letter or log into Ebenefits and review your summary of benefits. Your tax abatement letter or summary of benefits will state if you are permanently and totally disabled. If you have issues obtaining the following information, please contact your VSO for assistance.

Healthcare claims are usually processed within 30 to 60 days. Any disability claims, including pension and compensation take approximately 4 to 6 months. Please ensure you respond to all VA requests/letters so there is no delay to your claim.

You can track the status of your claim by registering for eBenefits.

Claims Process

There are eight distinct steps that most claims for disability compensation follow. These phases may vary in time depending on the complexity of the claim, the amount of evidence that must be gathered to support the claims, and the type of evidence. You are strongly encouraged to submit as much evidence as possible with your claim to help minimize processing time. The eight steps of claims processing are as follows:

Step 1. Claim Received

Your claim has been received by the VA. If you applied online with VONAPP Direct Connect, you should see receipt in your list of Open Claims within one hour. If you applied through the U.S. mail, please allow mailing time plus one week for us to process and record receipt of your claim.

Step 2. Under Review

Your claim has been assigned to a Veterans Service Representative and is being reviewed to determine if additional evidence is needed. If we do not need any additional information, your claim will move directly to the Preparation for Decision phase.

Step 3. Gathering of Evidence

The Veterans Service Representative will request evidence from the required sources. Requests for evidence may be made of you, a medical professional, a government agency, or another authority. It is common for claims to return to this phase, should additional evidence be required.

Step 4. Review of Evidence

We have received all needed evidence. If, upon review, it is determined that more evidence is required, the claim will be sent back to the Gathering of Evidence phase.

Step 5. Preparation for Decision

The Veterans Service Representative has recommended a decision, and is preparing required documents detailing that decision. If more evidence is required, the claim will be sent back in the process for more information or evidence.

Step 6. Pending Decision Approval

The recommended decision is reviewed, and a final award approval is made. If it is determined that more evidence or information is required, the claim will be sent back in the process for more information or evidence.

Step7. Preparation for Notification

Your entire claim decision packet is prepared for mailing.

Step 8. Complete

The VA has sent a decision packet to you by U.S. mail. The packet includes details of the decision or award. Please allow standard mailing time for your packet to arrive before contacting a VA call center.

Length of Process

The length of time it takes to complete a claim depends on several factors, such as the type of claim filed, complexity of your disabilit(ies), the number of disabilities you claim, and the availability of evidence needed to decide your claim.