Financial & Insurance

🚗 VA Travel Pay Reimbursement

You can get reimbursed for driving to VA appointments.

Last updated Fri Sep 04 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

Sources

https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay — BTSSS travel pay reimbursement — official filing portal

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