THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE HAS RELOCATED TO

135 SUNNY SLOPE DRIVE, HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP

NEW PHONE NUMBER: (856) 453-2239

 

        

• Provides NACVSO accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) services, information, and referral to other resources to our county military veterans and their families.
  
• Advocates for clients with the application process for benefits from the Veterans Administration and other federal and state agencies.
• VA Benefits include Service Connected Disability, Non-Service Connected Pension, Aid and Attendance, Survivors Pension, DIC, Burial Benefits, TDIU and referrals for assistance with Education Benefits and Eligibility Certificates for home ownership.
• Oversees the operations and day-to-day activities of the Cumberland County Veterans' Cemetery to include working with all funeral homes servicing the families of our departed veterans, spouses and/or dependents.
• Orchestrates the issuance of interment memorial markers and Presidential Memorial Certificates.
• Maintains a close liaison-ship with county veterans' organizations.
• Responsible for distributing Memorial Day Flags to all organizations designated to place flags at the over 70 cemeteries in the county.
• Holds the annual "Military Honors" event with the presentation of the Cumberland County Military Service Medal.
• Works with the Rotary Club to hold the annual "Wreaths of Remembrance" event held each December.

 

 

A Message to Cumberland County Veterans

 

                         

 

 

Military Discharge Upgrades

                                               

 

If you have a less than fully Honorable discharge characterization and feel that you received this due to an unjust or erroneous reason, you may apply for a discharge upgrade. Discharge Review Boards (DRB) and Boards for Correction of Military/Navy Records (BCM/NR) have been directed by Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) to apply new legislation and DOD Memoranda known as the Hagel, Kurta, Wilkie, and Carson memoranda. These documents direct that veterans who satisfy certain conditions receive "liberal consideration" from the DRB and BCM/NR. Liberal consideration requires that Boards determine whether PTSD, TBI, MST, or other mental health conditions mitigate and outweigh misconduct.

Additionally, some Service members were separated with less than a fully honorable discharge characterization solely for their refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine, depriving them of veterans' benefits. The DRB and BCM/NR have been directed to remove adverse actions in a Service member's records if it is solely associated with their refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccination or sought an exemption. Discharge upgrade applications based on an unjust decision solely for refusal to take the vaccine are encouraged.

How can we help

• An accredited VSO will review your case and determine next steps in the discharge upgrade process
• Veteran must supply a copy of their DD-214 along with any documentation from their STR regarding the "misconduct", any court martials or Articles they were charged with, and any other supporting documentation they have to support the application for upgrade such as VA rated service connected disabilities that relate to their particular situation
• VSO will assist with forms (DD-293 and/or DD-149) and putting together a comprehensive packet for submission to the DRB