AI Tools

Step-by-Step Guides

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Mental Health

Same-day access, Vet Centers, PTSD claims.

6 steps

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Healthcare Enrollment

Enroll in VA healthcare — most veterans qualify.

6 steps

🔗

Community Care

Get VA-paid care from your own doctor.

6 steps

⚖️

Denied Claims

The three appeal paths and which to choose.

6 steps

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GI Bill

Which chapter, how to apply, BAH, Voc Rehab.

6 steps

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Beneficiary Travel Pay

Get reimbursed for driving to VA appointments — most veterans don't know this exists.

5 steps

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Discharge Upgrade

Less than honorable discharge? You may be able to upgrade it and unlock your benefits.

5 steps

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The Complete Claim Process

Every step from FOIA to decision — evidence, DBQ, submission, C&P, decision, and appeals.

8 steps

➕

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

Extra monthly pay on top of your disability rating — for severe conditions. The VA owes it to you automatically. Most veterans never receive it.

3 steps

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Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)

Any VA decision — no matter how old — can be challenged if the VA made an undeniable legal mistake. Back pay runs to the original date.

3 steps

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DIC — Survivor Benefits

If a veteran died from a service-connected condition, their spouse, children, or parents may be entitled to monthly tax-free compensation.

4 steps

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Aid and Attendance / Housebound Pension

Monthly pension for wartime veterans who need help with daily activities or cannot leave their home. Income-based. Widely missed.

3 steps

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Accrued Benefits

If a veteran died with a pending VA claim, their family may be owed the compensation that was never paid. Strict deadlines apply.

3 steps

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Combined Ratings — Why Your Math Is Wrong

The VA does not add disability percentages together. 50% + 50% is not 100%. Here is how it actually works and why it matters.

Essential

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VA Life Insurance — Don't Miss the Window

VGLI must be converted within 1 year and 120 days of separation. After that, coverage may be permanently unavailable. Most veterans miss this.

Time Sensitive

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Specially Adapted Housing Grants

Grants to help veterans with severe disabilities adapt or purchase an accessible home. Up to $109,000+. Almost no one knows about this.

3 steps

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Get Your Records (FOIA)

Request your C-File, Service Treatment Records, and military records. Know what the VA knows about you.

Essential First Step

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🔒 Document Vault

Your records and evidence, stored only on this device.

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⚠️ Your documents live in this browser only

They're stored privately on this device — not on any server. They stay here when you close the app or log out, but clearing your browser storage will delete them. They won't appear on other devices or browsers.

🐕 Sarge's Orders: Sarge recommends you upload all your files to an external hard drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox so you can access them on the go and have them all in one place. If they're scattered about, Sarge requests permission to eat them.

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Mission Board

Track every VA task from Intent to File to appeal deadlines.

Notes & Call Log

Log every VA call, appointment, and important detail.

My Healthcare

Providers, medications, and upcoming appointments.

💡 Refill reminders work while this app is open in your browser. Bookmark it and keep the tab open. A native iOS and Android app is planned for Phase 2 with background notifications.

Find Your Forms

Tell us your situation — get the exact forms you need.

My Profile

Your service info, rating, and compensation.

If Your Payment Is Missing or Late

Confirm Your Expected Payment Date

VA disability compensation is paid on the first business day of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is issued the last business day before the 1st. Confirm this date before assuming a payment is missing.

Check Your Direct Deposit Information

Log into va.gov and confirm your bank account information is current. A recent bank change or address update can delay payment. Also check with your bank that no holds are on incoming government deposits.

Wait 3 Business Days

Banks sometimes take 1 to 3 business days to post government deposits even after the VA releases them. If it is within 3 business days of the expected date, wait before calling.

Call the VA

If payment is more than 3 business days late, call 800-827-1000. Tell them you are calling about a missing compensation payment. Have your VA file number or Social Security Number ready.

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET

If Payment Was Sent to a Closed or Wrong Account

The bank is required to return the funds to the VA within 3 business days of a failed deposit. The VA then reissues by paper check which takes 7 to 10 business days. Ask the VA representative to confirm your direct deposit information is updated for future payments.

If Payment Has Been Missing for More Than 30 Days

File a claim for a missing payment using the VA inquiry system or ask your VSO to submit an inquiry. Keep a record of every call including date, rep name, and reference number.

💡 Screenshot your VA file number, current rating, and effective date from your profile and keep it accessible. You will need these numbers every time you call the VA.

⚠️ Never give your full bank account number over the phone to anyone claiming to be from the VA. Update direct deposit only through va.gov or in person at a VA regional office.

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET

AI Navigator

Ask anything about VA benefits. Direct answers, no jargon.

👋 I'm your VA Navigator. Ask me anything — disability claims, appeals, mental health, GI Bill, community care. I'll give you a straight answer.

If you're in crisis, call 988 and press 1 right now.

Eligibility Quiz

8 questions — find every benefit you've earned.

State Benefits Guide

Property tax, education, healthcare — state benefits you've earned.

State benefits vary widely and can be substantial. Select your state to get a plain-English breakdown of what's available.

Your State

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET

Denial Letter Decoder

Your claim was denied. That's normal. Here's exactly what to do next.

⚠️ You have 1 year from the decision date to appeal. Put that date in your phone right now before you do anything else.

Paste your denial letter text

📞DAV — Free Appeals Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans

Search VA.gov

Ask anything. We translate the official VA page into plain English.

Searches only va.gov — always official information.

Quick Search

Mental Health Access

Same-day access, Vet Centers, crisis resources, and PTSD claims.

In crisis right now? Call 988, press 1. Text 838255. Chat at veteranscrisisline.net. Free, 24/7, confidential. You will speak with a veteran-trained counselor.

Same-Day Mental Health Access

Every VA facility is required to provide same-day mental health access under VHA Directive 1160.01.

💡 Magic phrase: "I need same-day mental health access under VHA Directive 1160.01." Say this exact phrase at the VA. They are required to respond that day.

If the VA turns you away without providing same-day access, contact the Patient Advocate at that facility and file a complaint.

📞VA Healthcare — 24/7800-698-2411

5 Years Free Mental Health — Post-9/11

Post-9/11 combat veterans get 5 years of free VA mental health care. The clock starts at discharge date — not when you enroll.

⚠️ If you served post-9/11 and are within 5 years of discharge, enroll in VA healthcare right now. This window closes and cannot be reopened.

Call 800-827-1000 or go to va.gov/health-care/apply to enroll today.

Vet Centers

Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers — not clinical VA hospitals. Walk-in friendly. No VA enrollment required. Free counseling for combat veterans and MST survivors.

Services: individual and group counseling, PTSD treatment, MST counseling, bereavement counseling, referrals.

💡 Vet Centers feel different from VA hospitals. Less bureaucracy. More focused on readjustment. Many veterans who resist "the VA" are comfortable at a Vet Center.

📞Vet Center Locator877-927-8387

Community Care for Mental Health

If VA wait times exceed 20 business days for mental health, you may qualify for Community Care — VA pays for a private therapist or psychiatrist.

💡 Phrase to use: "I am requesting Community Care due to access standards not being met."

⚠️ Always get prior authorization before seeing a community provider. VA will not pay without it.

📞Community Care Line866-606-8198 · M–F 8am–6pm ET

Crisis Resources

Veterans Crisis Line: 988 press 1 · Text 838255 · veteranscrisisline.net · 24/7 free confidential.

Walk-in urgent care: All VA facilities provide same-day urgent mental health care. You do not need an appointment.

If imminent danger: Call 911 and tell them it's a mental health crisis. Ask for a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) officer.

🆘Veterans Crisis LineCall 988 · Press 1 · Free 24/7

Filing a PTSD Claim

Use VA Form 21-0781 to document your in-service stressor event.

⚠️ If your PTSD involves Military Sexual Trauma (MST) — use Form 21-0781a ONLY. Never use 21-0781 for MST. The 0781a has special evidentiary standards and no official incident report is required.

Gather: buddy statements, civilian mental health records, personal stressor statement, DBQ for PTSD from your treating provider.

💡 Civilian mental health records from care you sought outside the military specifically to protect your career are often the strongest PTSD claim evidence. Submit them directly with your claim.

📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827

Healthcare Enrollment

Most veterans qualify. Enrollment takes 10 minutes.

Check Eligibility

Most veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable qualify for VA healthcare.

You automatically qualify if you: have a service-connected disability, served in combat after 11/11/98, were discharged for a disability incurred in service, are a former prisoner of war, or received a Purple Heart.

💡 If you're not sure, apply anyway. The VA will determine eligibility. It's free to apply and takes 10 minutes.

Gather Documents

You'll need: DD-214 (Certificate of Release from Active Duty), Social Security Number, financial information (income, assets), and current health insurance information if you have it.

💡 The VA bills private insurance but you are NOT responsible for copays your insurance doesn't cover for VA-covered services. Having insurance doesn't reduce your VA benefits.

Apply — Form 10-10EZ

Apply online at va.gov/health-care/apply (fastest), by phone at 800-827-1000, in person at any VA facility, or by mailing the completed form.

💡 Online is fastest — typically processed within 1–2 weeks.

📞VA Healthcare Enrollment800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET

Your Priority Group

The VA assigns you to a Priority Group (1–8) based on your disability rating, income, and other factors. Group 1 (50%+ SC disability) gets care with no copays. All groups get care.

💡 Even Priority Group 8 (no service-connected disability, higher income) gets comprehensive VA healthcare at low cost.

Get Set Up

After enrollment: call your assigned VA facility to schedule your first primary care appointment, get your VA Health ID card, and set up MyHealtheVet at myhealth.va.gov for online records and prescription refills.

💡 MyHealtheVet lets you refill prescriptions, message your care team, and view lab results — all online or via the VA Health and Benefits mobile app.

📞VA Healthcare — 24/7800-698-2411

What's Covered

VA healthcare covers: primary care, mental health, specialty care, inpatient hospital care, surgery, prescriptions, preventive care, and some dental and vision.

💡 Post-9/11 combat veterans get 5 years of free mental health care starting from discharge. If you're within that window, enroll now — this clock does not pause.

Community Care

VA-paid care from your own doctor — when VA can't see you fast enough.

What Is Community Care?

Community Care is VA-authorized, VA-paid medical care from private (community) providers outside the VA system. You see a doctor of your choice. VA pays them directly. This is NOT TRICARE.

💡 Community Care is a VA benefit you've earned — not a special favor. Advocate for yourself if you qualify.

When You Qualify

You qualify if: wait time exceeds 20 business days for primary care or mental health (28 days for specialty), you live more than 30 minutes drive from the nearest VA facility offering that service, VA doesn't offer the service you need, or VA determines community care is in your best medical interest.

💡 Track your wait times. If VA offers an appointment more than 20 business days out, you have grounds for Community Care.

How to Request It

Call your VA facility or ask your VA primary care team. Use this exact phrase:

"I am requesting Community Care due to access standards not being met."

VA is required to consider your request. You can also call the Community Care line directly.

📞VA Community Care866-606-8198 · M–F 8am–6pm ET

Authorization — Critical Step

Wait for VA to send your authorization before seeing any community provider. VA sends authorization directly to the provider and to you.

⚠️ Do NOT see a community provider without prior authorization. VA will not pay the bill. You will be responsible for the cost.

💡 Keep your authorization number somewhere accessible. You'll need it if there's ever a billing dispute.

Finding a Provider

Use VA's Community Care Provider Locator at va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers.asp or call the Community Care line. TriWest (western US) and Optum (eastern US) manage the networks.

💡 Your preferred doctor may already be in the network. Check before assuming they're not.

📞TriWest (Western States)844-455-2200

If You Get Billed

If a community provider bills you for authorized care, call VA immediately. Use this phrase:

"I am disputing this bill. I had prior authorization. My authorization number is [X]."

⚠️ Do not pay the bill first and try to get reimbursed later. Dispute it before paying.

📞Community Care — Billing Disputes866-606-8198

Denied Claims

Most first claims are denied. That's normal. Here's how to fight back.

⚠️ You have 1 year from the decision date to appeal. Put that deadline in your phone right now — before you read the rest of this.

Don't Give Up

Most first claims are denied or underrated. The VA system is designed — whether intentionally or not — to exhaust you. Most veterans who give up after a first denial had legitimate claims.

💡 A denial is information, not a verdict. It tells you exactly what the VA thinks is missing. That's what you address in your appeal.

📞DAV — Free Appeals Help877-838-6827

Three Appeal Paths

Supplemental Claim (20-0995) — new and relevant evidence. ~125 days. Fastest.

Higher Level Review (20-0996) — senior reviewer re-examines same record. No new evidence. ~90 days.

Board of Veterans Appeals (10182) — a Veterans Law Judge reviews. 1–3 years. Most thorough.

💡 The right path depends on why you were denied — not which sounds best. Use the Denial Letter Decoder to find out why.

Supplemental Claim — Form 20-0995

Use when you have new and relevant evidence the VA hasn't seen: a new DBQ from your private doctor, civilian medical records, a nexus letter, or a buddy statement you didn't have before.

This is the fastest path at ~125 days. It's the right choice when the denial was an evidence problem.

💡 PACT Act veterans who were previously denied: file a Supplemental Claim citing the PACT Act as new and relevant evidence. Presumptive conditions now require no nexus letter.

Higher Level Review — Form 20-0996

A senior VA reviewer re-examines the same record. No new evidence allowed. Use when you believe the examiner made a clear factual or legal error — not when you need more evidence.

Strategy: File HLR first — not to win, but to force the VA to write down their exact legal reasoning. Once you see precisely what argument they used, you can go to BVA and argue directly against that specific legal position.

Board of Veterans Appeals — Form 10182

A Veterans Law Judge reviews your case. Three options: Direct Review (judge decides on existing record), Evidence Submission (submit new evidence), or Hearing (in-person or virtual with the judge).

Must file within 1 year of the most recent rating decision. Longest path — 1 to 3 years — but most thorough.

⚠️ If BVA denies, your next step is the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) — a federal court. Get legal representation. Contact NVLSP at nvlsp.org.

Free Help at Every Level

DAV, VFW, American Legion, and your County VSO provide free help at every appeal level. Accredited VA attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless you win, capped at 20% of retroactive benefits.

Find accredited attorneys at va.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp. Find NVLSP at nvlsp.org.

💡 Do not stop at BVA if your claim is legitimate. The system is designed to create friction. Veterans who persist win cases.

📞DAV — Free Help877-838-6827

Appeals Strategy — How to Actually Win

The best first move after a denial or under-rating is almost always to file for Higher Level Review (HLR). Not because you expect to win there — but because HLR forces the VA examiner to write down their exact legal reasoning for the denial. Once you can see precisely what legal argument they used, you can build your BVA appeal directly against that argument.

The Four-Step Strategy

Step 1 — File HLR First

When you receive a denial or rating you disagree with, file VA Form 20-0996 (Higher Level Review). In the remarks section, specifically request that the reviewer provide a detailed explanation of the legal basis for each determination. You are forcing the VA to put their reasoning in writing.

Step 2 — Study the HLR Decision

When the HLR decision arrives, read it closely. What specific legal standard did they apply? What evidence did they say was insufficient? What exactly was the basis for the denial? Write this down precisely.

Step 3 — File BVA with a Targeted Argument

Now file VA Form 10182 (Board Appeal). Your argument is not "I disagree" — it is "the HLR applied the wrong legal standard" or "the HLR ignored evidence X" or "the rating criteria applied was incorrect because..." You are arguing against their specific legal position, not just restating your claim.

Step 4 — Get Legal Help for BVA

The BVA is where an accredited VA attorney or claims agent becomes highly valuable. Many work on contingency — no fee unless you win, with fees capped by law at 20% of retroactive benefits. Find accredited attorneys at va.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp. Your county VSO can also help you determine the right strategy and prepare your arguments.

Meet with your County VSO or attorney. Bring your rating decision and HLR decision and ask these specific questions:

• "What legal standard did the VA apply to deny this condition and is that the correct standard?"
• "What evidence does the VA say is missing or insufficient and what exactly do I need to provide?"
• "Is the percentage rating assigned consistent with the VA rating criteria in 38 CFR Part 4?"
• "Does my situation qualify for TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability) and should I file for it?"
• "Should I file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence first, or go directly to BVA?"
• "If we go to BVA, what is the strongest legal argument against the VA's stated reasoning?"

⚠️ If BVA denies your claim, the next step is the CAVC — Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. This is a federal court. Legal representation is essentially required at this level. Contact the National Veterans Legal Services Program at nvlsp.org. Do not stop at BVA if you have a legitimate claim.

The Bottom Line on Appeals

• A denial is not the end. The system is designed to make veterans give up. Do not give up.
• HLR is not where you win — it is where you learn what argument you need to make at BVA.
• BVA is where you win or lose the legal argument. Come prepared with the specific legal counterargument to whatever the VA said in the HLR.
• Every path has a 1-year deadline from the most recent decision. Put the deadline in your phone the day you receive any VA decision letter.
• Free help exists at every step: DAV (877-838-6827), your County VSO, and accredited attorneys at NVLSP (nvlsp.org).

📞DAV — Free Appeals Help877-838-6827

This is not legal advice. This app is not a lawyer. Consult an attorney or your county VSO.

GI Bill Guide

Which chapter, how to apply, housing allowance, and Voc Rehab.

Which Chapter Is Right for You?

Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) — if you served after Sept 10, 2001. Covers tuition + housing allowance (BAH) + books/supplies. The most comprehensive option for most veterans.

Chapter 30 (MGIB) — for pre-9/11 service or if you contributed to MGIB. Monthly stipend paid directly to you.

💡 Chapter 31 (Voc Rehab) — if you have a service-connected disability. Often pays MORE than Chapter 33: full tuition + housing + books + monthly subsistence + job training. Check this first if you have a disability rating.

Check Your Eligibility

Chapter 33 requires 90+ days of active duty after Sept 10, 2001 (or 30 days with a discharge for service-connected disability). Benefit level (40%–100%) is based on total months served.

100% benefit = 36+ months active duty. You get 36 months of full education benefits.

💡 You may be eligible even if you separated early due to service-connected disability. Call to confirm.

Apply — Form 22-1990

Apply at va.gov/education using VA Form 22-1990. Apply before school starts — processing takes 4–6 weeks. Your school's certifying official also needs to certify your enrollment each term.

If transferring to a different school, use Form 22-1995 (don't file a new 22-1990).

⚠️ Benefits don't start until VA processes your claim AND your school certifies enrollment. Apply early — delays are common at the start of fall semester.

📞GI Bill Hotline888-442-4551 · M–F 8am–7pm ET

Housing Allowance (BAH)

Chapter 33 pays a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) based on the E-5 with dependent BAH rate for your school's zip code. This is in addition to tuition.

⚠️ Online-only programs receive half the national average BAH — not the local rate. This is a significant difference. If you have a choice, attending even one in-person class per term may qualify you for the full local rate.

💡 Confirm your school certifying official reports enrollment on time each term. Late certification = delayed housing pay.

Books & Supplies

Chapter 33 pays up to $1,000 per academic year for books and supplies, prorated based on your benefit level. Payment goes directly to you, not the school.

💡 You receive books and supplies stipend at the start of each term — use it immediately. VA pays it based on certified credit hours.

Chapter 31 — Voc Rehab (Often Better)

If you have a service-connected disability of 10%+ (or 20%+ in some cases), Chapter 31 Voc Rehab may be your best option. It covers: full tuition and fees, housing allowance, books and supplies, and a monthly subsistence allowance — plus job training, resume help, and employment services.

💡 Veterans with a disability rating consistently underuse Chapter 31. If you have any rating, apply for Voc Rehab first and compare.

⚠️ You can use Chapter 31 AND reserve your GI Bill months for later. They are separate programs.

📞VA — Voc Rehab (Ch. 31)800-827-1000 · Use Form 28-1900

Beneficiary Travel Pay

You can get reimbursed for driving to VA appointments.

Who Qualifies

You qualify for travel pay reimbursement if you meet any one of these:

• 30%+ service-connected disability rating
• Income below the VA means test threshold
• Traveling for a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam
• Care is for your service-connected condition

💡 C&P exam travel is ALWAYS reimbursable regardless of your rating or income. If you're going to a C&P exam, you're covered — period.

The 30-Day Rule

You must file your travel pay claim within 30 days of the appointment. After 30 days the claim closes permanently and cannot be reopened or appealed.

⚠️ This is the #1 reason travel pay claims are denied. File the same day as your appointment — don't wait.

File Online via BTSSS

The Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) is the fastest way to file.

Go to va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay and sign in with your VA login. Select your appointment, confirm your home address (mileage is calculated automatically), and submit.

💡 Save your confirmation number after submitting. You'll need it if there's ever a question about your claim.

File In Person

Every VA facility has a Beneficiary Travel office. Go on the day of your appointment — same-day filing is easiest and avoids the 30-day risk.

Bring: your appointment documentation and your VA ID card.

💡 Ask VA staff at check-in where the travel office is located — it's often near the main entrance or the department you're visiting.

If Your Claim Is Denied

Wrong mileage calculated: Confirm your home address is correct in your VA profile and refile.

Filed after 30 days: This cannot be appealed — the only fix is to prevent it next time by filing same-day.

Not enrolled in VA healthcare: Enroll first at va.gov/health-care/apply, then refile.

Appointment type not eligible: Call the VA Travel Pay line to confirm eligibility for that specific appointment type.

📞VA Travel Pay855-574-7292

PACT Act Screener

Answer 5 questions — find out if toxic exposure benefits apply to you.

Pre-Separation Checklist

Track every critical action before and after separation.

💡 The average veteran loses $30,000+ in back pay by not filing Intent to File before separation. This checklist takes 20 minutes.

Discharge Upgrade

A less-than-honorable discharge does not have to be permanent.

Understand Discharge Types

Honorable and General (Under Honorable Conditions) — qualify for most VA benefits.

Other Than Honorable (OTH) — may qualify for some VA mental health care even without an upgrade.

Bad Conduct and Dishonorable — generally do not qualify for VA benefits.

However, the VA can grant a Character of Discharge determination that unlocks VA benefits without requiring a formal upgrade of your DD-214.

💡 If your discharge was related to mental health, MST, TBI, or PTSD — you have strong legal grounds for an upgrade. These are specifically recognized by DoD policy.

Two Upgrade Paths

Discharge Review Board (DRB) — available for all branches, must file within 15 years of discharge, can be done entirely by mail. Use DD Form 293.

Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCMR/BCNR) — no time limit, more powerful, can correct errors in your military record beyond just the discharge. Use DD Form 149.

💡 Start with the DRB if you're within 15 years of discharge. It's faster and simpler. If denied, you can still go to BCMR/BCNR.

Build Your Case

Gather everything that supports your case before filing:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release from Active Duty)
• Service records and personnel file
• Medical records showing PTSD, MST, or TBI
• Buddy statements from fellow service members
• Documentation of in-service trauma or the circumstances of discharge
• Any civilian mental health records

💡 A personal statement explaining the connection between your condition and the circumstances of your discharge is often the most powerful piece of evidence.

File Your Application

Download DD Form 293 (DRB) or DD Form 149 (BCMR/BCNR) from the DoD forms website at eforms.defense.gov.

Submit by mail to the appropriate board. There is no filing fee. Typical response time is 6–18 months.

⚠️ Do not file without evidence first. An unsupported application is almost always denied, and a denial can make future applications harder.

Free Legal Help

These organizations provide free discharge upgrade legal assistance:

• Swords to Plowshares — swords-to-plowshares.org
• Veterans Legal Clinic — Harvard Law School
• National Veterans Legal Services Program — nvlsp.org
• State legal aid organizations — search "[your state] veterans legal aid"

If your discharge was related to LGBTQ+ identity — including actions that occurred during Don't Ask Don't Tell — contact the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network for specialized legal support.

📞NVLSP — Free Legal Help844-858-5777

FOIA — Get Your Records

Freedom of Information Act — your legal right to every document the VA and military holds on you.

FOIA is a federal law that gives every citizen the right to request records held by government agencies. For veterans, this is one of the most powerful tools in a disability claim — it lets you obtain your complete C-File, all military service treatment records, C&P exam notes, and VA internal documents. Most veterans never use it. The ones who do are often surprised by what they find.

File the Same Day as Your Intent to File

File your FOIA requests the same day you file your Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966). The government has 20 business days to respond — in practice, VA FOIA requests often take 3 to 6 months for a C-File.

By the time your records arrive, you will be ready to build your full claim.

💡 Use the Privacy Act request (VA Form 20-10206) for personal VA records — it is faster than a standard FOIA request for your own file.

📞DAV — Free FOIA Help877-838-6827

Know What to Request

📂 C-File (Claims File)

The VA's complete file on you. Contains every previous claim, decision, rating, C&P exam, and correspondence. This is the most important document for understanding why claims were rated the way they were.

🏥 Service Treatment Records (STRs)

Your complete medical records from active duty service. Documents every sick call, injury, procedure, and mental health visit while you were in.

📋 DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)

Your official discharge document. Lists service dates, MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), decorations, and character of discharge.

🔬 C&P Exam Records

The VA examiner's notes and conclusions from your examination. These are routinely incomplete or inaccurate — and veterans have a right to see them.

🩺 VA Medical Records

All records from VA healthcare visits, lab results, imaging, and mental health treatment.

⚖️ Rating Decision Letters

Every past rating decision with the VA's legal reasoning for each determination.

Send to the Right Office

The VA FOIA system is decentralized. Different record types go to different offices. Sending to the wrong office delays everything.

C-File · STRs · DD-214 · C&P Exams

VBA — Privacy Act Request (fastest for personal records)

Form VA 20-10206 at va.gov/records/request-personal-records-form-20-10206/
Note: Use the Privacy Act request, not FOIA — it is faster for personal records.

VA Medical Records (VA facility care)

VHA FOIA

Online: department.va.gov/foia/
Email: vhafoia@va.gov
Includes: lab results, radiology, appointment notes, mental health records.

Military Service Records (NPRC)

National Personnel Records Center

Online: archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records (use eVetRecs)
Form: Standard Form SF-180
Mail: NPRC Military Personnel Records, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138

BVA Records

VA Central Office FOIA

Email: vacofoiaservice@va.gov
Mail: VA Central Office FOIA Team (005R1C), 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington DC 20420
Fax: 202-632-7581

OIG Records

VA OIG FOIA

Email: VAOIGFOIA-PA@va.gov · Website: vaoig.gov/foia

Not Sure Which Office?

VA Central Office FOIA Team will route it.
Email: vacofoiaservice@va.gov · Fax: 202-632-7581
Mail: 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington DC 20420

📞NPRC — Military Records314-801-0800

Write Your Request

There is no required form for a FOIA request — you can write a letter. For personal VA records, VA Form 20-10206 is the fastest route.

Your request must include:

• Your full legal name
• Date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN)
• Your VA file number if you have one
• A specific description of what you want
• The time period you are requesting (e.g., all records from 2005 to present)
• Your signature — required for personal records
• A statement that you are willing to pay fees, or a fee waiver request as a veteran (fees are often waived)

Sample Language — C-File and STR Request

"I am requesting a complete copy of my entire C-File (claims file) and all Service Treatment Records (STRs) currently in VA possession, including all C&P exam reports, rating decisions, correspondence, and medical records, for the period of my military service through the present date. I am requesting a fee waiver as this information pertains to my own VA disability claim."

My name: [NAME] · Date of birth: [DOB] · SSN: [SSN] · VA File Number (if known): [NUMBER] · Signature: ___________

Timeline and What to Do While You Wait

The government has 20 business days to respond — in practice, VA FOIA requests often take 3 to 6 months for a C-File.

Keep your submission confirmation number. Follow up at 90 days if no response.

While waiting:
• See your private provider and get a DBQ completed
• Gather buddy statements
• Collect civilian medical records
• Do not wait for FOIA before starting evidence collection

If denied: you have the right to appeal. The denial letter will explain the process.

💡 1973 Fire — A fire at the NPRC destroyed millions of Army records (pre-1960) and Air Force records (pre-1964). If your records were affected, the VA must apply special rules to assist you. Tell them explicitly if this applies to your era.

⚠️ Keep your submission confirmation number. Follow up at 90 days if no response.

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET 📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827

The Complete Claim Process

Step by step. Every acronym explained. The strategy veterans actually use.

Key Acronyms — FOIA = Freedom of Information Act. C-File = Claims File (the VA's complete file on you). STR = Service Treatment Record (your military medical records). DBQ = Disability Benefits Questionnaire (a standardized form a doctor fills out about your condition). ITF = Intent to File. C&P = Compensation and Pension exam. VSO = Veterans Service Organization (free claims help). HLR = Higher Level Review. BVA = Board of Veterans Appeals. CAVC = Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

File ITF and FOIA — Simultaneously

File VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File) at va.gov. This locks your back-pay start date. Do both of these on the same day. Today if possible.

File VA Form 20-10206 for your C-File and STRs at va.gov/records.

Get a free VSO — call DAV at 877-838-6827. They help at no cost through the entire process.

⚠️ Every day you wait without this is money you may never recover.

📞DAV — Get a Free VSO877-838-6827

See a Private Provider — Get a DBQ

Schedule an appointment with a civilian doctor — not VA only. Ask them to complete a DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire) for each condition you're claiming.

Ask them to address: current diagnosis, severity on your worst days, functional limitations, and whether the condition is related to your military service (the nexus statement).

A thorough DBQ from a doctor who knows you can single-handedly turn a denial into an approval.

Collect Your Evidence

Core evidence for every claim:
• DD-214
• STRs from your FOIA request
• Civilian medical records (especially mental health)
• Private provider records and completed DBQ
• Nexus letter connecting condition to service
• Buddy statements (VA Form 21-10210)
• Personal statement describing your worst days
• Lay statements from family describing your condition

Evidence Needed by Claim Type

PTSD
Form 21-0781 · buddy statements · mental health records · DBQ for PTSD · personal stressor statement · military records

MST / PTSD (Military Sexual Trauma)
Form 21-0781a ONLY · civilian mental health records especially important · no incident report required

TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
Military records documenting incident · medical records from time of injury · neurological evaluation · DBQ for TBI · buddy statements

Orthopedic / Back / Joint
STRs showing treatment or injury · imaging (X-rays/MRI) · DBQ from orthopedic specialist · records of surgery or physical therapy

Hearing Loss / Tinnitus
Noise-hazardous MOS records · audiogram · DBQ · claim both conditions separately

Respiratory / Burn Pit (PACT Act)
Service records confirming PACT Act deployment · Burn Pit Registry enrollment (optional) · pulmonology eval · spirometry · DBQ — no nexus required, presumptive

Agent Orange
DD-214 or service records confirming Vietnam-era service · current diagnosis of a presumptive condition — no nexus required

Mental Health (Non-PTSD)
Current diagnosis · civilian mental health records · DBQ · personal statement · treatment history

Scars / Skin
STRs · current dermatology eval · photographs · DBQ

Cardiovascular
STRs · cardiology eval and testing · DBQ for ischemic heart disease or hypertension — hypertension added as presumptive in 2025

Submit the Claim

File VA Form 21-526EZ online at va.gov/disability/apply. List every condition — you cannot easily add conditions after submission.

Use the FDC (Fully Developed Claim) program by attaching all evidence at submission. FDC targets 90–125 days; standard is 125+ days.

⚠️ Never submit a claim without attaching your evidence.

📞DAV — Free Filing Help877-838-6827

Verification and Intake

VA acknowledges your claim and may request additional information. Respond to everything within the stated deadlines.

Watch your mail and MyHealtheVet inbox. Track your claim at va.gov or on the VA Health and Benefits mobile app.

💡 FDC average: 90–125 days. Standard: 125+ days. If your claim exceeds 125 days without a decision, contact your VSO immediately — they can escalate on your behalf.

The C&P Exam

The VA will schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. Attend without exception. Missing it without a documented excuse can result in denial.

Bring your completed DBQ from your private doctor. Note everything the examiner did and did not ask. Request the exam report afterward through MyHealtheVet.

⚠️ Describe your WORST days. Do not say "I manage okay." Those words lower your rating.

The examiner works for VA or a VA contractor. Their job is to evaluate, not to advocate.

The Decision

Review your Rating Decision letter carefully. Check:

• Service connection established for each condition
• Percentage rating for each condition
• Effective date matches your Intent to File date

If your conditions prevent gainful employment, file for TDIU (VA Form 21-8940). Pays at the 100% rate if you have 60%+ on one condition, or 70% combined with one at 40%+.

💡 Multiple conditions are combined using VA's "whole person" formula — not simple addition. Use a VA combined ratings calculator to check your math.

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET

Appeals

(1) Supplemental Claim — Form 20-0995
Use when you have new evidence. ~125 days.

(2) Higher Level Review (HLR) — Form 20-0996
Senior reviewer re-examines same record. No new evidence. File within 1 year.

(3) Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) — Form 10182
A judge reviews. File within 1 year of decision.

Appeals Strategy

A. File HLR to get the VA's legal reasoning in writing.
B. Read the HLR denial letter: what specific legal standard did they apply? What evidence did they say was missing?
C. File for BVA with a targeted legal counterargument that directly addresses what the HLR decision said.
D. If BVA denies — contact CAVC. Do not stop here.

What to Ask Your VSO or Attorney:

• What legal standard did the VA apply and is it correct?
• What evidence do they say is missing?
• Does my rating match 38 CFR Part 4 criteria?
• Do I qualify for TDIU?
• Should I file Supplemental Claim or go directly to BVA?
• What is the strongest argument against the VA's legal reasoning?

⚠️ If BVA denies, the next step is CAVC (Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims) — a federal court. Contact the National Veterans Legal Services Program at nvlsp.org.

A denial is not the end. The system is designed to make veterans give up. Do not give up.

📞DAV — Free Appeals Help877-838-6827 📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET

Caregiver Support

Benefits and resources for the people supporting veterans.

This section is for the people keeping veterans alive. If you are managing a veteran's appointments, medications, crises, and care — this is for you.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

The VA's primary caregiver benefit program. If you qualify, you receive real financial and medical support — not just referrals.

What you get:

• Monthly caregiver stipend (based on veteran's care needs)

• Health insurance through CHAMPVA if not otherwise covered

• Free mental health counseling

• Respite care — temporary relief so you can rest

• Caregiver support coaches assigned to your case

Who qualifies:

• You are caring for a post-9/11 veteran with a serious injury requiring personal care services

• The veteran is enrolled in VA healthcare

How to apply:

Complete VA Form 10-10CG. Both the caregiver and the veteran must sign. Submit online at va.gov/family-member-benefits/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers or by mail.

💡 The monthly stipend is retroactive to the application date — not the home visit date. Apply as soon as possible, even if you're not sure you qualify. The VA will determine eligibility.

CHAMPVA Health Coverage

Health coverage for spouses, surviving spouses, and dependent children of veterans who are rated 100% Permanent and Total (P&T).

No monthly premium. Low cost-sharing. Covers most medical services including mental health.

Apply using VA Form 10-10d at va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/champva.

Mental Health Support for Caregivers

The VA Caregiver Support Line offers:

• Free peer support groups with other caregivers
• Building Better Caregivers workshops
• Respite care coordination
• Connection to local caregiver support coordinators

📞VA Caregiver Support Line855-260-3274 · M–F 8am–10pm, Sat 8am–5pm ET

Additional Resources

• Hope for the Warriors — hopeforthewarriors.org
Holistic support for service members, veterans, and caregiving families.

• Elizabeth Dole Foundation — elizabethdolefoundation.org
Advocacy and direct support for military caregivers.

• Give an Hour — giveanhour.org
Free mental health care from volunteer licensed providers.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

Compensation above your disability rating — for conditions the standard rating system doesn't fully cover.

SMC = Special Monthly Compensation. A&A = Aid and Attendance. TDIU = Total Disability Individual Unemployability. CUE = Clear and Unmistakable Error. COLA = Cost of Living Adjustment (rates change annually).

SMC is a higher rate of tax-free compensation paid to veterans with specific severe conditions above and beyond standard disability pay. The VA is legally required to award it automatically when your evidence qualifies. In practice, it is routinely missed. If you have severe conditions and were never told about SMC, there may be significant back pay owed to you.

The Three Most Common SMC Levels

SMC-K — Loss of Use or Creative Organ

Added on top of existing disability compensation — it does not replace it.

Applies to: loss or loss of use of a hand, foot, eye, or other extremity where no effective function remains. Also applies to loss of use of a creative organ (reproductive organ) — this includes erectile dysfunction secondary to a service-connected condition, and female veterans who have lost use of reproductive organs.

Veterans may receive up to three separate SMC-K awards. Apply using VA Form 21-526EZ.

💡 If you have a service-connected spinal condition, PTSD medications, diabetes, or any condition that has caused erectile dysfunction or reproductive loss — file explicitly for SMC-K. The VA will not volunteer this.

SMC-S — Housebound

Applies in two situations:

(1) You are permanently housebound — unable to leave home due to your service-connected disabilities.

(2) You have one disability rated at 100% (or TDIU) AND a separate service-connected condition rated at 60% or more. These two conditions must affect different body systems.

Example: 100% for PTSD plus 60% for a cardiac condition = SMC-S.

💡 Check your combined rating. If you have 100% or TDIU plus any separate condition at 60%+ you likely qualify regardless of whether you can leave the house.

⚠️ The VA is required to infer SMC-S when evidence clearly supports it. Failure to do so is a Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE). If you meet this criteria and were never awarded SMC-S, you may be owed back pay.

SMC-L — Aid and Attendance

Applies when you need another person to help you with activities of daily living — bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility. Also applies to certain combinations of severe physical losses (limb loss, blindness).

Apply using VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance), completed by your doctor.

This is different from the Aid and Attendance pension (which is income-based) — SMC-L is based on disability severity, not income.

💡 If your service-connected conditions prevent you from caring for yourself independently, file for SMC-L. Caregiver spouses should know about this because it directly affects household income.

How to Claim SMC

Review Your Existing Conditions

Review your existing conditions and current ratings. Do any conditions qualify for K, S, or L as described above?

File Explicitly

Use VA Form 21-526EZ for SMC-K and SMC-S. Use VA Form 21-2680 for SMC-L (Aid and Attendance) — your doctor must complete this form.

Back Pay — File a CUE if Needed

If you believe you qualified in the past and were never awarded SMC, talk to a VSO or VA attorney about filing a CUE (Clear and Unmistakable Error) claim. This has no time limit and can result in back pay to the original effective date.

💡 SMC rates change annually with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. Do not rely on rates listed anywhere other than the official VA website.

View Current Rates →

⚠️ The VA is legally required to identify and award SMC when your evidence supports it — this is part of the duty to assist and the inferred claims doctrine. If your conditions qualify and you were never awarded SMC, this is a potential duty to assist error or CUE. Talk to a VSO immediately.

📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans

Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)

No time limit. No statute of limitations. Any old decision is fair game.

CUE = Clear and Unmistakable Error. HLR = Higher Level Review. BVA = Board of Veterans Appeals. CAVC = Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. VCAA = Veterans Claims Assistance Act.

A CUE claim asks the VA to correct a final, old decision that contained an undeniable legal error. Unlike a regular appeal, there is no deadline. A decision from 1975 can be challenged for CUE today. If the VA agrees the decision was wrong, back pay runs all the way to the date of that original decision — which can mean decades of owed compensation.

CUE vs. Duty to Assist Error

These are related but different. A duty to assist error means the VA failed to gather evidence properly — it applies to current claims and can be raised in HLR. A CUE means the VA applied the wrong law, ignored evidence that was already in the file, or made a factual error so obvious that any reasonable person would agree — and it applies to old final decisions where the appeal window is closed.

Key rule: A duty to assist failure (like failing to schedule a C&P exam) cannot itself be CUE, because there is no guarantee the exam would have been favorable. CUE requires showing that the specific error made the outcome certain — that without the mistake, the veteran would have won.

What Counts as CUE

• The VA applied the wrong diagnostic code or rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4 (the federal regulations governing disability ratings).

• The VA ignored specific evidence that was already in the claims file at the time of the decision.

• The VA applied a law incorrectly or applied a law that did not exist at the time.

• The VA failed to infer an SMC level the evidence clearly supported — this is a well-established basis for CUE.

What Does NOT Count as CUE

• The VA made a judgment call you disagree with.

• New evidence developed after the original decision.

• A duty to assist failure like missing records or no C&P exam — these cannot be CUE because they do not guarantee a different outcome.

• A difference of opinion about how evidence was weighed.

How to File a CUE Claim

Identify the Error with Specificity

You must be able to point to exactly what the VA got wrong — the specific law they misapplied, the specific evidence they ignored, the specific rating criteria they used incorrectly. Vague disagreement is not CUE.

File a CUE Motion

There is no specific form for CUE — it is filed as a motion to revise a prior decision. Submit it to the office that issued the original decision (regional office, BVA, or CAVC). Include the specific decision you are challenging by date and issue, and explain exactly what the error was and why the outcome would have been different without it.

Get Legal Help

CUE cases are among the most technically complex in veterans law. VSOs handle them but an accredited VA attorney significantly improves outcomes. Many work on contingency (no fee unless you win). Find accredited attorneys at va.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp or through the National Veterans Legal Services Program at nvlsp.org.

If the VA failed to award SMC when your conditions clearly qualified, that failure may be CUE. If back pay from that decision would be significant, this is worth pursuing with a VSO or attorney. The National Veterans Legal Services Program (nvlsp.org) can connect you with free or low-cost legal representation.

⚠️ CUE is a high legal bar. You cannot win a CUE claim simply by disagreeing with a past decision or by having new evidence. The error must be undeniable and must have changed the outcome. Do not pursue CUE without talking to a VSO or accredited attorney first.

📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans 🔗NVLSP — Free Legal Helpnvlsp.org · National Veterans Legal Services Program

DIC — Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

For surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died from their service.

DIC = Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. P&T = Permanent and Total (disability rating). TDIU = Total Disability Individual Unemployability. SMC = Special Monthly Compensation.

DIC is a tax-free monthly payment from the VA to the surviving spouse, dependent children, or parents of a veteran who died on active duty or from a service-connected disability. It is separate from Social Security survivor benefits. Many surviving families never file because they do not know it exists.

Who Qualifies

Surviving Spouse

Married to the veteran at the time of death. Generally must have been married for at least 1 year, or have a child with the veteran, or the veteran died on active duty.

Also qualifies if the veteran was rated Permanent and Total (P&T) for a service-connected condition for at least 10 continuous years before death, OR at least 5 years from the date of discharge.

Surviving Children

Unmarried children under age 18 (or under 23 if in school) of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition.

Surviving Parents

Income-based DIC for parents of veterans who died from service-connected conditions. Eligibility depends on the parent's income.

💡 If the veteran's death certificate lists a cause of death related to a service-connected condition — even if the VA never made that determination during the veteran's lifetime — survivors can still file for DIC. The VA will evaluate the service connection as part of the DIC claim.

Additional DIC Benefits for Surviving Spouses

Aid and Attendance: If the surviving spouse needs help with daily activities, they may qualify for additional monthly Aid and Attendance payments on top of the DIC rate.

Housebound: If the surviving spouse is housebound, additional compensation may apply.

CHAMPVA: Surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans rated Permanent and Total (P&T) who do not qualify for DIC, or who do qualify for DIC, may be eligible for CHAMPVA health insurance. See the Caregiver Support section of this app.

How to File for DIC

Confirm the Cause of Death

Review the death certificate and any VA records. If the cause of death was a service-connected condition, a condition secondary to a service-connected condition, or occurred on active duty — you have a basis to file.

File VA Form 21P-534EZ

Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits. This is the primary form for all survivor benefits. File as soon as possible after the veteran's death.

Gather Supporting Evidence

• The veteran's death certificate
• Any VA rating decisions the veteran received during their lifetime
• Medical records connecting the cause of death to the service-connected condition
• If the veteran was never service-connected for the condition that caused death, a nexus letter from a doctor connecting the death to service is important

Get VSO Help

DIC claims can be complex, especially when the veteran was never rated for the condition that caused death. A free VSO can significantly improve outcomes. Call DAV at 877-838-6827.

⚠️ There is a strict 1-year deadline to preserve an earlier effective date for DIC benefits. Filing within 1 year of the veteran's death means back pay runs to the date of death. Filing after 1 year means benefits start from the date of application. File as soon as possible.

If the veteran had a disability rating of Permanent and Total (P&T) for at least 10 years before death, the surviving spouse qualifies for DIC regardless of the stated cause of death. This is an often missed pathway.

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET 📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans

Aid and Attendance & Housebound Pension

Extra monthly income for veterans and surviving spouses who need care support.

A&A = Aid and Attendance. MAPR = Maximum Annual Pension Rate (the income ceiling Congress sets). SMC = Special Monthly Compensation (different from this — see the SMC guide). DIC = Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

⚠️ Important distinction: This is the pension-based Aid and Attendance benefit — for wartime veterans with limited income who need care help. It is DIFFERENT from SMC-L (which is disability-based and not income-tested). You may qualify for one or both. See the SMC guide for the disability-based version.

What It Is

The VA offers a pension program for wartime veterans (and their surviving spouses) with limited income who need help with daily activities or are housebound. This pension can be increased with Aid and Attendance or Housebound add-ons.

The VA pays the difference between the veteran's income and the MAPR (Maximum Annual Pension Rate set by Congress). In 2025, a single veteran needing Aid and Attendance could receive up to approximately $2,700 per month depending on income and dependents.

💡 Rates change annually. Always check current rates at va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/ — do not rely on figures listed anywhere else.

Who Qualifies for the Base Pension

• Served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period (World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War). If entered service after September 7, 1980, generally need at least 24 months of service.

• Discharged other than dishonorably.

• Age 65 or older, OR permanently and totally disabled, OR in a nursing home, OR receiving Social Security disability benefits.

• Income and net worth must be below VA limits. Net worth limit in 2025 is approximately $163,699 — check current limit at va.gov as this changes annually.

Aid and Attendance Enhancement

Added to base pension if ANY of these are true

• Needs another person to help with bathing, dressing, feeding, or other daily activities.

• Must spend most of the day in bed due to illness.

• Is a patient in a nursing home due to disability.

• Has very limited eyesight (5/200 or less in both eyes even with glasses).

Housebound Enhancement

Added to the base pension if the veteran has a permanent disability and spends most of their time at home because of it.

Cannot receive both A&A and Housebound at the same time — the VA pays whichever is higher.

How to Apply

Confirm Wartime Service and Discharge

Check your DD-214 for service dates and verify they overlap with a qualifying wartime period.

Gather Documentation

• DD-214
• Current income and asset information (bank accounts, investments, property)
• Medical records documenting care needs or disability
• If applying for Aid and Attendance: VA Form 21-2680 completed by your doctor documenting the need for daily care assistance

File VA Form 21P-527EZ

Application for Veterans Pension. Submit to your nearest VA regional office or online at va.gov. Get VSO help — this application can be complex and an error can delay benefits significantly.

💡 Non-reimbursable medical expenses (medical costs your insurance does not cover) can be deducted from your income for VA purposes, which may make you eligible even if you think your income is too high. Report all out-of-pocket medical costs.

⚠️ The VA has a 3-year look-back period for asset transfers. Gifting money or property to family members in the 3 years before applying can result in a penalty period of ineligibility up to 5 years. Talk to a VSO before transferring assets if you are considering applying for this pension.

Surviving spouses of wartime veterans may qualify for the Survivors Pension (also called the Death Pension) plus Aid and Attendance or Housebound enhancements, using VA Form 21P-534EZ. The same income and care-need criteria apply.

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET 📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans

Accrued Benefits

The compensation a veteran was owed but never received — surviving family can claim it.

Accrued Benefits = compensation that became due during a veteran's lifetime but was not paid before death. DIC = Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (separate benefit — see the DIC guide). RAMP = Rapid Appeals Modernization Program.

When a veteran dies while a VA claim or appeal is still pending, the compensation they were owed does not simply disappear. Eligible surviving family members can file for those accrued (accumulated) benefits — the money that was due to the veteran but was never paid. This is separate from DIC or Survivors Pension. It covers what the veteran themselves was entitled to.

Who Can File

Surviving spouse (first priority). If no surviving spouse: children of the veteran. If no children: dependent parents.

What Can Be Claimed

• Compensation from a pending disability claim that was not decided before the veteran's death.

• Compensation from a pending appeal.

• Benefits that were approved but not yet paid at the time of death.

Note: the surviving family member cannot add new evidence or raise new issues for the veteran's original claim — the claim is decided based on the evidence that existed at the time of the veteran's death.

How to File for Accrued Benefits

Confirm a Pending Claim Existed

Check VA.gov or contact the VA to confirm whether the veteran had a pending claim, appeal, or approved but unpaid benefits at the time of death. You will need the veteran's VA file number and death certificate.

File Within 1 Year

File VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits) within 1 year of the veteran's death. Missing this deadline means the accrued benefits are lost permanently.

Get VSO Help Immediately

Given the 1-year deadline and the complexity of proving what was owed, contact a VSO as soon as possible after the veteran's death. Call DAV at 877-838-6827.

⚠️ The 1-year filing deadline is absolute. There is no extension. If a veteran dies with a pending claim and the family does not file for accrued benefits within 1 year, those benefits cannot be recovered. Contact a VSO within weeks of the veteran's death, not months.

💡 File VA Form 21P-534EZ to apply for accrued benefits, DIC, and Survivors Pension simultaneously. The VA is required to evaluate all three with one application. You do not need to know exactly which benefits the veteran was owed — the VA will determine that.

📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET 📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans

VA Combined Ratings

Why your total rating is lower than you expected — and what to do about it.

TDIU = Total Disability Individual Unemployability — pays at the 100% rate if your conditions prevent gainful employment, even without a 100% combined rating. Bilateral factor = a small bonus applied before combining when conditions affect both sides of the body (both knees, both arms, etc.).

Almost every veteran with multiple conditions is surprised by their combined disability rating. If you have a 50% rating and a 30% rating, you expect 80%. The VA gives you 65%. This is not an error. It is the VA's "whole person" formula. Understanding how it works is essential to knowing whether you should file for TDIU or additional conditions.

How the Formula Works

The VA treats you as starting with a 100% healthy body. Each disability is calculated against the remaining healthy portion, not against 100%.

Example 1: 50% + 30%

50% disability → 50% remaining

30% applied to 50% remaining = 15%

Combined total: 50 + 15 = 65%

VA rounds to nearest 10%: 60%

Example 2: 50% + 50%

First 50% → 50% remaining

Second 50% of 50% remaining = 25%

Combined total: 50 + 25 = 75%

VA rounds to nearest 10%: 70%

Example 3: 40% + 20% + 20%

40% → 60% remaining

20% of 60% remaining = 12% → running total: 52%

20% of 48% remaining = 9.6% → total: 61.6%

VA rounds to nearest 10%: 60%

💡 Rounding rule: The VA rounds down to the nearest 10% — except when the combined result is 5% or more above a whole ten. So 55% rounds up to 60%, but 54% rounds down to 50%.

Why This Matters

TDIU Threshold

To qualify for TDIU (which pays at the 100% rate), you need either one condition rated 60% or higher, OR a combined rating of 70% or higher with at least one condition at 40%+.

Many veterans are close to these thresholds without realizing it. Adding a secondary condition could push you over.

100% Combined Is Essentially Impossible

Because each new condition is applied to a shrinking healthy remainder, reaching a true 100% combined rating through conditions alone would require nearly complete incapacity across all body systems. TDIU is the pathway most veterans should pursue if they cannot work.

Bilateral Factor

Conditions affecting both sides of the body (both knees, both arms, both ears) get a bilateral factor added before combining — this slightly increases the combined rating. Ask your VSO whether any of your conditions qualify.

What to Do

List Every Condition and Rating

Look at your rating decision letter and write down every service-connected condition and its individual percentage rating.

Check the TDIU Threshold

Are you near 70% combined with one condition at 40%+, or near 60% on a single condition? If you are close, filing one additional secondary condition may push you over the TDIU threshold.

File for TDIU If You Cannot Work

If your conditions prevent gainful employment, file for TDIU using VA Form 21-8940 regardless of your current combined rating. The VA can grant TDIU on an extraschedular basis even without meeting the standard thresholds if circumstances are exceptional.

Use the VA's Combined Ratings Calculator

Enter your conditions and ratings at va.gov to see the exact combined result before meeting with your VSO.

💡 The VA is required to combine your ratings in the order that produces the highest combined result. If you believe the combination was done incorrectly, raise it with your VSO.

🧮Calculate My Ratingva.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings/ 📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans

VA Life Insurance

The deadlines most veterans miss — and how to protect your family.

SGLI = Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (coverage while on active duty). VGLI = Veterans' Group Life Insurance (coverage after separation — must convert from SGLI). S-DVI = Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (for veterans with service-connected disabilities, must apply within 2 years of a new service-connected rating). FSGLI = Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.

When you separate from service, your SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) coverage ends. You have a limited window to convert it to VGLI (Veterans' Group Life Insurance) without a medical exam — meaning your service-connected conditions cannot be used to deny coverage or raise your premiums above the standard rate. Most veterans do not know this. After the window closes, getting life insurance with a disability history can be very difficult and very expensive.

The VGLI Window

You have 1 year and 120 days from your date of separation to apply for VGLI.

Within the first 240 days: Apply with no medical exam required, regardless of health status.

After 240 days but within 1 year and 120 days: You can still apply but a medical exam is required.

After 1 year and 120 days: The VGLI option is closed. You cannot reopen it.

Coverage can be up to the amount of SGLI you had — up to $500,000 in increments of $10,000. Premiums are based on age, not health.

Apply online at benefits.va.gov/insurance or by calling 800-419-1473.

Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI)

If you receive a new service-connected disability rating, you have 2 years from that rating decision to apply for S-DVI.

Coverage up to $10,000. Premiums are waived if you are totally disabled. This is separate from VGLI and is specifically for veterans with service-connected conditions.

Apply using VA Form 29-4364.

If You Missed the Window

If VGLI has closed: look into state high-risk insurance pools, nonprofit veteran-serving insurance programs, or work with an independent insurance broker who specializes in veterans with disabilities. It is harder and more expensive but not necessarily impossible.

⚠️ The VGLI deadline is absolute. There are no extensions and no exceptions. If you are within your window right now — stop reading and apply. You can always cancel later. You cannot reopen a missed window.

💡 If you are still within 240 days of separation, apply for VGLI immediately even if you are not sure you need it. No medical exam is required. You can reduce your coverage amount later. You cannot undo a missed deadline.

📞VA Insurance800-419-1473 · VGLI and S-DVI applications

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH & SHA)

Grants — not loans — for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities.

SAH = Specially Adapted Housing (larger grant, for most severe disabilities). SHA = Special Home Adaptation (smaller grant, for qualifying adaptive needs). TRA = Temporary Residence Adaptation (for veterans temporarily living in a family member's home).

The VA offers grants — not loans, not repayment required — to help veterans with severe service-connected disabilities purchase, build, or adapt a home to meet their needs. The SAH grant can be used up to 3 times with a lifetime limit. Most veterans who qualify have never heard of it.

SAH Grant — Specially Adapted Housing

Qualifying Disabilities

• Permanent and total disability with loss or loss of use of both legs, or both arms, or one leg and one arm.

• Permanent and total disability with certain blindness combined with other severe conditions.

• Certain severe burn injuries.

The 2025 SAH grant maximum is updated annually — check current amounts at va.gov/housing-assistance/adaptive-housing-grants/. As of recent years it has been over $109,000.

Can be used up to 3 times with a lifetime cap. Can be used to:

• Purchase an existing home adapted for disability needs

• Build a new adapted home

• Adapt a currently owned home

SHA Grant — Special Home Adaptation

For veterans with qualifying disabilities including severe burn injuries, permanent and total disability with certain blindness, or loss or loss of use of both hands.

The SHA grant is smaller than SAH — check current amount at va.gov. Can also be used up to 3 times with a lifetime cap.

TRA — Temporary Residence Adaptation

A smaller grant for veterans who are temporarily living in a family member's home and need to adapt it for accessibility. Can be used while permanent housing plans are developed.

How to Apply

Confirm Eligibility

Review whether your service-connected conditions involve loss or loss of use of limbs, severe burns, or qualifying blindness at the levels described. Check the full eligibility list at va.gov/housing-assistance/adaptive-housing-grants/eligibility/.

File VA Form 26-4555

Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant. Submit to your nearest VA regional loan center.

Work with a VA SAH Agent

The VA assigns a Specially Adapted Housing agent to approved applicants who helps identify eligible contractors and ensures the work meets VA standards. This service is free.

💡 The SAH and SHA grants are use-it-or-lose-it within the lifetime cap — they do not expire per se but must be used for qualifying housing purposes. You can use them across multiple homes over time up to the lifetime maximum.

🏠Check Eligibility at VA.govva.gov/housing-assistance/adaptive-housing-grants/ 📞VA Main Line800-827-1000 · M–F 8am–9pm ET 📞DAV — Free Claims Help877-838-6827 · No cost to veterans

Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

You are not alone. Care and support are available regardless of your discharge status or rating.

MST = any sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred during military service. Affects veterans of all genders, branches, and eras. No disability rating is required to access free VA MST care. No formal complaint or incident report is required — ever. You do not need to prove it happened to receive treatment.

MST is one of the most under-reported issues in the veteran community. Many survivors don't know that VA care and disability compensation are available without a report, without proof, and without a discharge upgrade. This section explains exactly what you can access and how.

Care — What You Can Access Right Now

Every VA medical center and community-based outpatient clinic has a designated MST Coordinator who can connect you to services — confidentially and at no cost. You do not need to be enrolled in VA healthcare to speak with an MST Coordinator.

Free MST-related counseling and mental health treatment at every VA facility
No co-pay for MST care — even if you have co-pays for other VA services
Individual therapy, group therapy, PTSD-specific programs (PE, CPT)
Vet Centers provide confidential readjustment counseling for MST survivors
Care available to veterans with any discharge characterization, including OTH

Find your MST Coordinator: va.gov/find-locations/ → select your VA facility → request MST Coordinator

MST and Disability Claims

VA recognizes that MST survivors often have little or no documentary evidence. The rules are different — and more flexible — for MST-related claims:

No incident report required. A formal complaint, SHARP report, or military investigation is not required.
Use VA Form 21-0781a (Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for PTSD Secondary to Personal Assault) — not Form 21-0781, which is for combat PTSD.
Alternative evidence accepted: behavioral changes in service records, requests for transfer, duty performance changes, sick call visits, civilian mental health treatment records, personal statements, buddy statements from fellow service members
Personal statement matters. Write a detailed account in your own words. VA adjudicators are trained to give extra weight to personal statements in MST claims.
Civilian records: If you sought therapy or mental health treatment after service, those records are strong supporting evidence. Upload them to your Document Vault at va.gov/records/download-va-letters/.

Confidentiality Protections

VA MST-related care is confidential. Seeking treatment does not automatically trigger an investigation or notify your chain of command (you are out of service).
You may request a same-gender provider or a provider with MST training.
If you are concerned about privacy, speak with your MST Coordinator before filing a claim — they can walk you through the process privately.
Note: If you are still on active duty, mandatory reporting rules may apply — consult with a SHARP representative or legal counsel.

Steps to Access Care and File a Claim

Contact your VA MST Coordinator

Call 800-698-2411 and ask to be connected to the MST Coordinator at your nearest VA. You can also find them at va.gov/find-locations/. This is confidential and requires no paperwork to start.

Gather your evidence for a claim

Collect any behavioral records, sick call visits, transfer requests, or civilian mental health records. Write a personal statement describing your experience and its ongoing impact. Buddy statements from people who knew you during or after the event can help.

File using VA Form 21-0781a

Submit Form 21-0781a (Personal Assault PTSD Statement) along with your disability claim. File online at va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/ or work with a VSO who has MST experience. DAV, VFW, and American Legion all have trained VSOs.

Consider a discharge upgrade if needed

If your discharge characterization is Other Than Honorable (OTH) and MST is connected, you may have strong grounds for an upgrade. See the Discharge Upgrade section of this app. Protect Our Defenders and SLDN offer free legal help for MST-related upgrades.

If you are in crisis: Call or text 988, then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. You can also chat at veteranscrisisline.net or text 838255. The Crisis Line is available 24/7 and is completely confidential.

Important: VA's MST care program is one of the most under-used benefits in the system. You do not need a disability rating, a service record, or a completed claim to walk into a VA and ask for MST counseling. The care is free, and the coordinator is there specifically for survivors.

Additional Resources

VA MST information: va.gov/military-sexual-trauma/
Protect Our Defenders (legal help for discharge upgrades): protectourdefenders.com
Service Women's Action Network: servicewomen.org
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 (confidential, 24/7)
Vet Centers (community-based, lower-barrier than VA medical centers): 877-927-8387

📞VA Healthcare & MST Coordinators800-698-2411 · 24/7 📞Veterans Crisis Line988 then press 1 · 24/7 · Confidential 📞RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline800-656-4673 · 24/7 · Confidential 📞Vet Centers877-927-8387 · Community-based confidential counseling