You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways:
- Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state. Find your PMC
- Work with an accredited representative. Get help filing your claim
- Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee. Find a VA regional office near you
What benefits does the VA offer veterans?
You may be able to get help with some non-medical services, like:
- Beneficiary travel benefits (help paying for travel related to treatment)
- Caregiver support (help for the person who cares for you)
- Veterans transportation service (help getting to and from appointments)
Do I need Medicare if I have veterans benefits?
To keep things brief, no, you do not need Medicare if you have VA benefits. You can get all of your care through your VA benefits. That said, the VA will put you into “groups” based on your disability’s severity.
What VA benefits Am I eligible for?
You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true: You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training And at least one of these must be true:
What VA benefits Am I entitled to?
Veterans’ groups said a big part of the problem is that families don’t always know what benefits they are entitled to or if eligibility has been expanded or changed to include them.
How do I access my VA benefits?
Once I'm signed in, how do I check my VA claim or appeal status?Go to your "My VA" dashboard. You'll find the link for this dashboard in the top right corner of the page once you're signed in.Scroll down to the "Track Claims" section. ... Click on the "View Status" button for a specific claim.
Is every veteran eligible for VA benefits?
All veterans, regardless of priority group, are generally entitled to the same medical services after enrollment. Visit the VA website for a comprehensive description of the medical benefits provided, including doctors' visits, mental health care, emergency care, in-patient hospital services, and more.
What qualifies you for Veterans benefits?
Open to Veterans (active duty, Guard, and Reserve) If you served on active duty during wartime, are at least 65 years old or have a service-connected disability, and have limited or no income, find out if you qualify for Veterans Pension benefits.
Do Veterans get free healthcare for life?
If you are a 50% or greater disabled veteran or a former POW, all your medical care from the VA is free. There are other groups that may get some, or all VA medical care for free, see our VA Copay page for details.
What is the VA 5 year rule?
The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.
How many years do you have to serve to be a veteran?
"Anyone who has reached 20 years of service, even if they were never activated on a [federal] order for more than 180 days outside of training, will now be considered a veteran," he said. The change in law, said Krenz, simply recognizes those who serve.
How many priority groups are there for VA?
When you apply for VA health care, you’ll be assigned 1 of 8 priority groups. This system helps to make sure that Veterans who need immediate care can get signed up quickly. Your priority group may affect how soon we sign you up for health care benefits.
What does enhanced eligibility mean?
You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status (meaning you’ll be placed in a higher priority group, which makes you more likely to get benefits) if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below. At least one of these must be true.
How many months of active duty do you have to serve?
If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981,you must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless any of the descriptions below are true for you.
Can I get VA health care benefits if I served in the military?
Am I eligible for VA health care benefits? You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
How Do You Sign Up for VA Benefits?
To apply for VA health care benefits, including enrollment, you must fill out an application for registration, VA Form 10-10EZ. You may obtain this form by one of the following means:
How Do You Access Your Benefits Through the Department of Veterans Affairs?
Access to VA benefits is available offline and online for veterans. They can access their benefits via official websites like VA.gov and eBenefits, or Veterans can visit the branch near them.
Who Is Eligible for VA Benefits?
To be eligible for veterans benefits, veterans and their family members must meet different criteria depending on the type of benefit they wish to receive. These are listed below:
What Is the VA 5 Year Rule?
According to the VA disability 5-year rule, a Veteran’s disability rating cannot be reduced if their condition has not improved in the first five years after receiving their initial rating. Veterans cannot have their rating reduced after five years unless their situation has significantly improved. The Department supervises their benefits if they qualify for disability compensation after five years.
What do veterans get for their rehabilitation?
While enrolled in a rehabilitation program, veterans receive a monthly subsistence allowance in addition to compensation or retirement pay.
What is the VA?
There are many vital services provided to America’s veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Former military personnel and their dependents have access to VA health care services, benefits programs, and national cemeteries.
Why are veterans hospitalized?
They are hospitalized in a military hospital for a condition likely to be compensable; They were discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions; The VA determines they need vocational rehabilitation services to achieve suitable employment because of an employment handicap.
When will VA extend the presumptive period for chronic disabilities?
VA has extended the presumptive period to Dec. 31, 2026 for qualifying chronic disabilities rated 10% or more resulting from undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War Veterans.
Does the VA endorse external links?
External Link Disclaimer: This site contains links that may take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
Where can I learn more about successfully claiming my VA benefits?
If you’re still confused or overwhelmed about “how do I access my VA benefits,” these will help. In addition to VA.gov and local Veteran Service Organizations, VA Claims Insider offers a wealth of helpful educational resources for veterans who want to learn more about what they earned and how to successfully file a claim that gets you everything you deserve—as quickly and easily as possibly.
What is VA eBenefits?
eBenefits is a joint VA/DoD online service that enables veterans, service members, and their families to research, access, and manage military benefits and personal information (note: much of the functionality of eBenefits has migrated to VA.gov).
What VA benefits are most commonly available to me as a veteran?
The most common benefit type (and the one most people think of when they refer to “my VA benefits”) is disability compensation, and that’s certainly a significant one. Most veterans return from service with one or more disabilities that are in need of care and for which they deserve to be compensated.
How many veterans does VACI serve?
VACI currently serves more than 300,000 unique veterans per month across its websites and membership programs. VACI’s mission is “Veterans helping veterans access education-based resources to get the VA disability rating and compensation they deserve.”
What is a service connection VA?
When you file a disability claim with the VA, you need to prove service connection (a nexus—or link—between the disability and your service, or secondary to a service connected disability). With your condition service-connected, the VA will assign a disability rating to your condition (s). With a disability rating (or combined disability rating) from the VA, you may be eligible for monthly compensation.
What are the benefits of being a veteran?
Other veteran benefits include health care, education, employment, business, home loan and other financial help, and recreational privileges. Some veteran benefits are federally-administered, and some are unique to the state you live in.
What is the number to call for disability?
If you already receive disability, pension or education payments, call 1-800-827-1000 for more info.
What types of VA letters can I download using this tool?
You can download a variety of VA letters that include information about your benefits and service history.
Do you need a letter to receive VA benefits?
To receive some benefits, Veterans need a letter proving their status. Access and download your VA Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called a VA award letter) and other benefit letters and documents online.
Do you get disability benefits if you are in the military?
Do you have disabilities resulting from a disease or injury related to your military service? You may be eligible for monthly benefits, no matter when or where you served. Learn More
Can a low income veteran receive supplemental income?
If you are a low-income, wartime period Veteran who meets certain age or disability requirements - or if you are a surviving family member of a Veteran who meets the criteria – you may be eligible to receive tax-free, supplemental income. Learn More
Do you have to log out of VA benefits?
To ensure your security and privacy, when using a shared or public computer, make sure you always log out of VA/DoD eBenefits and then close all browser windows when finished accessing the site.
