VA Benefits Explorer

Medical care through VA facilities covering primary care, specialty care, preventive services, inpatient treatment, and prescriptions. Veterans are assigned to one of eight priority groups that determine copay levels.

Guide: 11 things to gather, 15 steps

Mileage reimbursement for travel to VA or VA-authorized health care, currently 41.5 cents per mile, claimed online through the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS, sign-in via AccessVA) or on paper with VA Form 10-3542. Covers travel at a 30%+ service-connected rating, travel for a service-connected condition at any rating, VA pension recipients, income below the maximum annual VA pension rate, and VA-preapproved special mode transport such as an ambulance or wheelchair van. A $3 deductible applies to each one-way trip ($6 round trip), capped at $18 per month; VA waives the deductible for pension recipients, VA claim exam travel, and income-based hardship. Claims must be filed within 30 days of the appointment; later claims are usually denied.

Guide: 5 things to gather, 5 steps

Monthly tax-free payment for veterans with service-connected physical or mental health conditions. Compensation amount is based on the combined disability rating (0% to 100%) and the number of dependents.

Guide: 12 things to gather, 16 steps

Allows veterans unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected conditions to receive compensation at the 100% rate, even if their combined rating is below 100%.

Guide: 11 things to gather, 13 steps

Pre-discharge program allowing servicemembers to file a disability claim 90 to 180 days before separation so VA can begin processing before the member leaves the military.

Guide: 8 things to gather, 16 steps

Covers tuition and fees (up to the highest in-state public school rate or a national cap for private schools), a monthly housing allowance based on BAH rates, and an annual books and supplies stipend.

Guide: 8 things to gather, 13 steps

Monthly education benefit for veterans who contributed $100/month for 12 months while on active duty. Provides up to 36 months of benefits for approved degree programs, vocational training, and apprenticeships.

Guide: 5 things to gather, 7 steps

VA-backed home loan with no down payment as long as the sales price is not above the home's appraised value, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive interest rates for purchasing a primary residence. You may need to pay a one-time VA funding fee.

Guide: 11 things to gather, 14 steps

Veterans Pension is a monthly payment for wartime veterans who are 65 or older, have a permanent and total disability, live in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or get Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. VA bases the payment on the difference between yearly income for VA purposes and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), the most VA pays. Paid medical expenses that insurance does not cover can lower that income, counting only the amount above 5% of the MAPR. The net worth limit counts assets and income, but not the primary home or car, and it is $163,699 from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026.

Guide: 12 things to gather, 18 steps

Increased pension rate for veterans who need the regular aid of another person for daily activities, or who are substantially confined to the home due to a permanent disability.

Guide: 7 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