VA Benefits Explorer

Free counseling and treatment for physical and mental health conditions related to sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service. No formal report or proof required.

Guide: 5 things to gather, 11 steps

Community-based counseling centers offering individual, group, and family therapy for combat veterans and MST survivors, with outreach to help veterans transition to civilian life.

Guide: 7 things to gather, 12 steps

Free, confidential crisis support available 24/7 by phone (988, press 1), text (838255), or online chat, staffed by VA responders trained in veteran-specific mental health crises.

Guide: 4 things to gather, 7 steps

Dedicated suicide prevention coordinators at every VA medical center who provide safety planning, lethal means counseling, and care coordination for veterans identified as high-risk.

Guide: 4 things to gather, 7 steps

Decision review lane allowing veterans who disagree with a VA decision, whether the claim was granted or denied, to have it reviewed again by submitting new and relevant evidence such as updated medical records, new nexus opinions, or buddy statements.

Guide: 8 things to gather, 14 steps

Decision review lane where a more senior VA claims adjudicator re-examines the same evidence on record for clear errors of fact or law. No new evidence may be submitted.

Guide: 8 things to gather, 14 steps

Veterans may appeal to the BVA for review by a Veterans Law Judge, choosing from direct review, evidence submission, or a hearing with the judge as their docket option.

Guide: 8 things to gather, 15 steps

SBA certifies veteran-owned (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) small businesses through its VetCert program; the job moved from VA to SBA on January 1, 2023. Certified SDVOSBs can compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government, and certified VOSBs can compete for them at VA under its Vets First program.

Guide: 3 things to gather, 6 steps

Walk-in clinics at VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and Community Resource and Referral Centers where one team of medical staff, nurses, social workers, mental health and substance use counselors, and homeless program staff provides care, case management, and help toward permanent housing.

Guide: 4 things to gather, 6 steps

Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma may file disability claims for conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety linked to MST. VA relaxed evidentiary standards allow personal statements as corroborating evidence.

Guide: 12 things to gather, 12 steps

Veterans whose service-connected condition has worsened since their last rating may file for a rating increase at any time. VA orders a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam when the records are not enough to rate the condition as it is now.

Guide: 6 things to gather, 6 steps

Veterans may claim secondary service connection for a new condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability; for example, knee arthritis secondary to a service-connected back injury.

Guide: 5 things to gather, 5 steps

Federal Article I court where veterans can appeal Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions. VA's appeal rights notice says free representation is available through the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program.

Guide: 4 things to gather, 6 steps

Free two-day, in-person entrepreneurship course for service members (including Guard and Reserve) and military spouses, offered through the Transition Assistance Program at participating military installations. Veterans of all eras can take Boots to Business Reboot in their communities, and either course leads to a six-week online follow-on course.

Guide: 2 things to gather, 7 steps

Free professional financial counseling from FinancialPoint, an independent company, for beneficiaries who receive an SGLI, VGLI, FSGLI, or TSGLI insurance payout. Includes up to 40 hours of personal counseling over two years plus a free online will preparation service.

Guide: 3 things to gather, 6 steps