Start here
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Get your DD-214
Your discharge papers are the key to almost every benefit. Request them online through milConnect or the National Archives (eVetRecs), or by mailing Standard Form 180 to the National Personnel Records Center. Ask for the Member-4 copy, which shows your character of service.
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File an Intent to File
Submitting VA Form 21-0966 (or calling 800-827-1000) holds your place. If your claim is approved within a year, your back pay can start from the day you filed the intent, not the day you finished the paperwork.
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Get a free, accredited helper
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) such as the DAV, the American Legion, VFW and your county veterans service officer file claims at no cost. You can look up anyone's accreditation on the VA Office of General Counsel's search page.
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Make an account on VA.gov
You can apply, upload evidence and track your claims there. We can sit with you and set it up.
Watch out for "claim sharks"
It is against federal law for anyone to charge you to prepare or file your initial VA claim. Be wary of any company that promises a higher rating for a percentage of your back pay, asks you to sign a contract, or wants your VA.gov login. Accredited help is free.
Health care
VA health care
Medical, mental health, prescriptions and more at VA facilities and approved community providers. Most veterans who served on active duty and were not dishonorably discharged can apply.
Toxic exposure
If you served near burn pits or Agent Orange, or were exposed to other toxins, the PACT Act expanded both health care and disability benefits. Many conditions are now presumed to be service-connected.
PTSD and counseling
VA mental health care and community-based Vet Centers offer free, confidential counseling for combat veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma, and their families. Vet Center Call Center: 877-927-8387.
Additional care
Eligibility depends on your disability rating and other factors. Ask your VA facility's eligibility office what you qualify for.
Disability compensation
Tax-free monthly payments for injuries or illnesses caused or made worse by your service, including physical injuries, hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, depression and toxic-exposure conditions. Ratings run from 0% to 100%.
- Form: VA Form 21-526EZ.
- Evidence: service treatment records, private medical records, and lay statements from you, your family and the people you served with.
- The exam: the VA will likely schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. Go to it, because missing it can sink your claim.
- Denied? You have options. You can file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, request a Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Usually you have one year from the decision.
Education and training
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Tuition, a monthly housing allowance and a book stipend for college, trade school or apprenticeships.
Veteran Readiness & Employment
Job training, education and career counseling for veterans with a service-connected disability. This is also called VR&E or Chapter 31.
Montgomery GI Bill
For veterans who paid into the program during service. We can help you compare it with the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Home loans and housing
- VA home loan: buy a home with no down payment in most cases and no private mortgage insurance. Start by requesting your Certificate of Eligibility.
- Homeless or at risk? Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, available 24/7. Programs like HUD-VASH and SSVF help with rent, deposits and rapid rehousing.
- Housing help: we connect soldiers with housing programs and help fill out the applications.
Jobs and the civilian transition
It is not always obvious how a military job translates to a civilian one. We help with:
- Turning your military job (MOS) into a resume that civilian employers understand
- Practicing interviews, and getting to job fairs and hiring events
- Veterans' preference for federal jobs, and state veteran employment representatives
- Licensing and certification credit for your military training
Don't forget life insurance
Your SGLI coverage ends 120 days after you separate. See Insure Your Loved Ones for VGLI deadlines and other ways to keep your family protected.
Money for low-income veterans
The Veterans Pension is a needs-based monthly payment for wartime veterans who have limited income and are 65 or older, or permanently disabled. Additional amounts called Aid and Attendance and Housebound can help pay for in-home care or assisted living.
Common questions
I was denied years ago. Can I try again?
Yes. You can file a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence at any time. Laws like the PACT Act have also changed what the VA presumes is service-connected, so a claim that was denied before may be approved now.
My discharge is not honorable. Can I get anything?
Possibly, yes. The VA makes its own decision about your "character of discharge," and some benefits, including emergency mental health care, are available regardless. See our Discharge & Clemency guide.
I'm still in the military. When should I start?
Before you get out. You can file a disability claim 180 to 90 days before separation through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, so your benefits can begin soon after you leave.
Do I need a lawyer?
For most initial claims, no. A free accredited VSO representative is enough. For appeals, an accredited attorney may charge a fee, but only after a decision has been made, and only within limits set by law.