
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
How does someone know if they qualify for VA benefits?
- Were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
- Were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
- Served prior to September 7, 1980
What are the best VA benefits to have and use?
- VA loans, VA IRRRL, and VA refinance loans are a focus area for the NBKC
- Features customized rates and fee estimates without needing to input personal information
- Application process and loan tracking can be done fully online
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)
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:

How do I start the VA benefits process?
Go to eBenefits.va.gov to find a Veterans Service Officer who can provide free, expert assistance. Gather supporting documents, including your DD-214, service and private medical records, and buddy statements. Initiate your claim at eBenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 for assistance.
How do I know if I qualify for VA benefits?
Basic Eligibility: A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits including qualifying Reserve and National Guard members.
Are all Veterans eligible for VA benefits?
All enrolled Veterans receive the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) comprehensive Medical Benefits Package which includes preventive, primary and specialty care, diagnostic, inpatient and outpatient care services.
What disqualifies you from VA benefits?
If you're a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.
Do all veterans get free healthcare?
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.
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 long do you have to be in the military to get VA benefits?
24 monthsGenerally, you must have 90 days or 24 months of active service (depending on when you served) to qualify. *You are also eligible if you previously completed 24 continuous months of active service prior to the date above, or received an early discharge under Section 1171 of Title 10.
What is the maximum income to qualify for VA benefits?
Annual Income Limits - Health BenefitsBased on Income Year 2020Veteran with:VA National Income ThresholdVA Pension with Aid and Attendance Threshold0 dependents$34,616 or less$23,2381 dependents$41,539 or less$27,5492 dependents$43,921 or less$29,9314 more rows•Feb 14, 2019
How to apply for VA health benefits?
Why apply for VA health benefits? 1 There is no cost to apply. 2 Enroll once – comprehensive health care services will be available when and where you need them. 3 Remain enrolled, even if you don't use VA for your health care. 4 Enrollment in VA health care meets health care law requirements; you don't need any other coverage. 5 If you are not eligible to enroll at this time, VA will save your application and contact you if eligibility criteria change.
How to apply for VA 10-10EZ?
You will need Adobe Reader 9.2 or newer to open the 10-10EZ form. You can also apply by phone by calling our toll-free number at 877-222-VETS (8387) or in person at your local VA medical center.
Is it expensive to apply for VA health insurance?
There is no cost to apply. Enroll once – comprehensive health care services will be available when and where you need them. Remain enrolled, even if you don't use VA for your health care. Enrollment in VA health care meets health care law requirements; you don't need any other coverage.
How to apply for VA disability?
How do I prepare before starting my application? 1 Find out if you’re eligible for VA disability compensation 2 Gather any evidence (supporting documents) you’ll submit yourself when you file your VA disability claim. 3 Be sure your claim is filled out completely and you have all the supporting documents ready to send in along with your claim. This will help us process your claim quickly.#N#Learn about fully developed claims 4 Find out if you’ll need to turn in any additional forms with your claim
What are VA medical records?
VA medical records and hospital records that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your rated disability has gotten worse. Private medical records and hospital reports that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your disability has gotten worse.
How to submit intent to file?
You can submit your intent to file by phone or by written form. Note: If you file your claim online, you don't need to separately send an intent to file form. The online application already includes your intent to file.
Who can help you fill out a VA claim?
An accredited representative, like a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), can help you fill out your claim. Get help filing your claim. Vision and dental benefits. You may qualify for vision and dental benefits as part of your VA health care benefits. Vision benefits.
Does the VA cover vision?
Vision benefits. VA health care covers routine eye exams and preventive tests. In some cases, you may get coverage for eyeglasses or services for blind or low-vision rehabilitation. Learn more about vision care through VA. Dental benefits. In some cases, you may receive dental care as part of your health care benefits.
You can still file a claim and apply for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic
Get the latest information about in-person services, claim exams, extensions, paperwork, decision reviews and appeals, and how best to contact us during this time. Go to our coronavirus FAQs
What evidence will I need to provide to support my claim?
You can help to support your VA disability claim by providing documents, such as:
Should I submit an intent to file form?
If you plan to file for disability compensation using a paper form, you may want to submit an intent to file form first. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date).
What happens after I file my VA disability claim?
You don’t need to do anything while you’re waiting unless we send you a letter asking for more information. If we schedule exams for you, be sure not to miss them.
More information about filing disability claims
Learn about standard claims, supplemental claims, secondary claims, and more.
Inside Veterans Benefits
We appreciate your patience as we continue to work with you during this time of crisis.
VA Outreach Events
Veterans benefits help Veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and more. Join an event for conversation and information.
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 are the benefits of a VA national cemetery?
Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the grave site, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or special grave sites for cremated remains. Headstones, markers and their placement are provided at government expense.
What is the DVA for alcohol?
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment. Eligible veterans are admitted to any of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) medical centers for the treatment of alcohol or drug dependence or associated medical conditions.
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.
How much is the Federal Benefits booklet?
It is sold for $5.50 a copy through the U.S. Government Printing Office.
How many cemeteries does the VA have?
Veterans, service members and family members are eligible for burial in one of the VA’s 114 national cemeteries. An eligible veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and have completed the required period of service.
What is a military retirement home?
Military Retirement Homes. A wide range of services and benefits are available to help veteran-eligible military members who leave the service after retirement or after their military obligations have been met. This is part of what you earn when you serve your country.
What are the discharge requirements for VA compensation?
Discharge Requirements for Compensation Benefits#N#To receive VA compensation benefits and services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
What is the Montgomery GI Bill?
To receive VA education benefits and services through the Montgomery GI Bill program or Post-9/11 GI Bill program, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be honorable. To receive VA education benefits and services through any other VA educational benefits program, including the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) ...
Can you receive VA benefits if you are dishonorable?
However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA.#N#Read the factsheet on claims for benefits involving other-than-honorable discharges.
Can you get VA benefits for bad conduct?
However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA. Read the factsheet on claims for benefits involving other-than-honorable discharges.
Is there a character of discharge bar for veterans?
Generally, there is no character of discharge bar to benefits to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance. However, for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance and Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance benefits, the Veteran’s character of discharge must be other than dishonorable.
Can a veteran receive a VA home loan?
To receive VA home loan benefits and services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). Discharge Requirements for Insurance Benefits.
