Pittsburgh VA Regional Office Calendar of Events

Veterans Benefits Administration sent this bulletin at 01/15/2021 12:26 PM EST

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Pittsburgh VA Regional Office Calendar of Events

Pittsburgh Regional Office Status of Operations

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Pittsburgh Regional Office (RO) is  currently closed for in-person services.  Veterans with questions regarding their VA benefits are urged to schedule virtual appointments with our Public Contact Team to address specific concerns and claims related inquiries. To schedule an appointment for in-person or virtual services:

  • Veterans may call (412) 360-2832 or,
  • email PCU.VBAPIT@VA.GOV or,
  • Call PA Serves at 1-855-838-7744

Veterans are encouraged to work with their appointed Veterans Service Officer.

Veterans can continue to get information about benefits or file a claim for benefits by visiting our website at www.va.gov. For claims related or other questions, Veterans may request information via Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) or by calling 1-800-827-1000.

We are maintaining all other business operations. Monthly benefit payments will continue uninterrupted.  For future updates, please check our website:

Pittsburgh RO's website

COVID Vaccination Events at VAPHS

WHAT:  VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is hosting two walk-in COVID-19 vaccination events.  No advance appointment is needed. 

WHO:  All Veterans ages 75 and up who are eligible and enrolled for VHA care, and who receive care from VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

WHERE:  VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive Campus, Main Entrance Atrium,  4100 Aliquippa Street, Pittsburgh, PA  (Ample parking is available in the VAPHS Parking Garage.)

WHEN:  Saturday, January 16, 2021, and Monday, January 18, 2021.

TIME:  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Note:  This vaccine requires two doses. Veterans who receive their first dose during the walk-in vaccine clinic will be scheduled to return to VAPHS for their second dose on or around February 13 or February 15, 2021. 

Every Veteran will be scheduled for their second dose before leaving the vaccine clinic.

For additional information, please review the VA PHS COVID19 Vaccination Letter.

Veteran Health & Wellness 

VA & Fitbit Initiative

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new initiative with Fitbit that will provide eligible Veterans, caregivers and VA staff with access to Fitbit programs and services to help manage stress, improve sleep and increase physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative will be focused on participants who currently use Fitbit devices.

VA has contracted with Fitbit to initially provide 10,000 eligible Veterans, caregivers and VA staff a one-year free membership to Fitbit Premium. This includes access to guided programs, hundreds of workouts, mindfulness content, a wellness report and a health metrics dashboard. Participants will also have access to Fitbit Health Coaching, one-on-one coaching and guidance from a certified health coach or licensed health professional.

As VA and Fitbit assess the feedback from the program and the outreach efforts, they will consider new ways to help support the health and wellbeing of Veterans. To learn more about the initiative and eligibility, visit Fitbit Health Solutions.

To read this article in its entirety, please visit: 

VA & Fitbit

New Online VA Debt Management Tool

On January 5, 2021, the Debt Management Center (DMC) launched the VA Debt Landing Page on VA.gov. This new online tool allows Veterans to view debt letters, history, and repayment options. It provides a quick and easy way to manage VA benefit debt in one convenient location.

Veterans and beneficiaries with questions regarding benefit overpayments may submit requests through the IRIS system or call DMC at 800-827-0648. Call volume is generally lower Tuesday – Friday.

For health care co-payment debts, Veterans may contact the Health Resource Center at 866-400-1238 or https://www.pay.gov for payments.

C&P contract exams for Veterans and service members

In May, VA resumed in-person disability compensation and pension (C&P) medical exams performed by VA contractors. As of December 31, 2020, the available C&P exam locations for scheduling grew to 42,516 U.S. zip codes.

Facilities in some areas are performing in-person exams, but do not allow removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). There are facilities in other areas that allow for PPE removal during in-person examinations, as determined by the examiners.

The Medical Disability Program Office (MDEO) administers the Medical Disability Exam (MDE) contract program. MDEO contracts allow vendors to provide examinations to Veterans and service members who are seeking disability benefits from VA. The goal of the program is to reduce claims processing time by increasing access to examinations.

VA will request a contract examination in support of a Veteran’s claim, if needed. After VA orders an exam, the vendor will contact the Veteran by telephone, registered mail, or email to schedule an appointment within three business days of acknowledging the request from VA. If the vendor is unable to reach the Veteran by telephone, they will schedule the examination and mail a notification to the Veteran with the appointment details.

Vendors will provide confirmation of all scheduled examinations by letter at least five business days prior to the appointment – or less if verbal confirmation of attendance to the appointment is received. Vendors will also follow up with the Veteran by telephone prior to a scheduled appointment.

Veterans have the opportunity to contact the contract vendor identified in their appointment letter directly to request their appointments be rescheduled. If Veterans have questions concerning their examination, or if they need to cancel or reschedule their appointment, they should contact the contract vendor that scheduled their appointment directly.

For more information on C&P exams:

* This article was originally published on the VAntage Point Blog. 

VA Telebenefits

In cooperation with the Butler VA Medical Center, a representative from the VBA Pittsburgh RO will be available to meet with Veterans and claimants via Tele-benefits on select Fridays.

Next upcoming availability:

  • January 22, 2021
  • February 5, 2021
  • February 19, 2021

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Butler VA Medical Center (Report to the lobby; offices for the Tele-benefits site are to the left of the main lobby area with VAMC Social Workers)

Details: Veterans can meet with a representative from the VBA Pittsburgh RO via video conferencing

Help Us Serve You!

If you are interested in having a VA representative from the Pittsburgh RO attend an upcoming virtual event, participate in a virtual speaking engagement, or provide a benefits briefing please let us know! 

Request a VA Representative Attend a Virtual Event

VA Welcome Kit

Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.

Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.

Feel free to share this guide with friends or family members who need help with their benefits too. Download your VA Welcome Kit and print out copies for yourself and others!

How to Apply for a Veteran ID Card

A Veteran ID Card (VIC) can be used to get discounts offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses.  Find out if you’re eligible for a Veteran ID Card and how to apply.  

How to Obtain a Veteran ID Card

Veteran Crisis Line

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?

Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs, many of whom are Veterans themselves.

This free support is confidential and available every day, 24/7 and serves

  • All Veterans
  • All Service members
  • National Guard & Reserve
  • Their family members & friends

Please note: T-Mobile recently announced the availability of the three-digit 988 dial-out to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and VCL for T-Mobile cellular service subscribers only.   For more details regarding the T-Mobile 988 emergency lifeline, please visit:  http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/about/988.

For additional information, visit: Veteran Crisis Line

*The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate.