A service-connected rating can make you eligible for 32 federal programs nationwide, across health care, housing, education, financial support, and employment. Each entry lists the minimum rating and how to claim it.
If you have disabilities affecting paired extremities (both knees, both arms, etc.), the VA adds 10% to the combined bilateral rating before merging with other conditions.
How to claim: Automatic. VA applies bilateral factor during rating calculation.
Monthly compensation increases for eligible dependents: spouse, children under 18, children 18-23 in school, and dependent parents. Only available at 30%+.
How to claim: Add dependents via VA.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. Provide marriage certificate, birth certificates.
One-time grant up to $24,768 toward purchase of vehicle, plus adaptive equipment for veterans with qualifying service-connected loss of use of extremities or vision.
How to claim: Apply via VA Form 21-4502. Must have qualifying loss of use of hands, feet, or vision loss.
Annual allowance for veterans whose service-connected disability requires medication that damages clothing, or who use a prosthetic or orthopedic device that wears out clothing.
How to claim: Apply via VA Form 10-8678 at your local VA medical center prosthetics department. Deadline is August 1 each year.
Tax-free monthly payment for retirees with combat-related disabilities. Alternative to CRDP, veteran receives whichever is higher.
How to claim: Apply through your branch of service. Requires documentation that disability is combat-related.
Full access to military commissaries, exchanges, and online military exchanges for all service-connected disabled veterans and their dependents.
How to claim: Present VHIC card at installation. Online access at shopmyexchange.com with VA verification.
Military retirees with 50%+ VA rating (or 20+ years service) can receive full military retirement pay AND full VA disability compensation without offset. Phase-in begins at 50%.
How to claim: Automatic for eligible retirees. No application needed. DFAS and VA coordinate.
Monthly tax-free compensation payment based on disability rating. Even 0% establishes service connection for future increases.
How to claim: File VA Form 21-526EZ online at VA.gov.
Veterans rated 100% with additional severe disabilities may qualify for SMC, compensation above the 100% rate. SMC ranges from $4,408 to $11,271/month depending on level.
How to claim: VA should proactively consider SMC. File supplemental claim if you believe you qualify.
If your combined rating is 70%+ with at least one condition rated 40%+, and you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment, you can be compensated at the 100% rate.
How to claim: File VA Form 21-8940. Provide employment history and medical evidence of unemployability.
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. If a single service-connected condition rated 60%+ prevents you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you can be compensated at the 100% rate.
How to claim: File VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability).
Reimbursement at 41.5 cents per mile for travel to ALL VA healthcare appointments, not just service-connected care. Includes Community Care appointments.
How to claim: File via Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) after each appointment.
Comprehensive healthcare coverage for spouse and dependents not eligible for TRICARE. Covers most healthcare services with minimal cost sharing.
How to claim: Apply via VA Form 10-10d. Requires P&T rating. Spouse/dependents cannot be eligible for TRICARE.
Eligible veterans may qualify for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, which provides a monthly stipend, healthcare through CHAMPVA, respite care, and mental health counseling for the caregiver.
How to claim: Apply via VA Form 10-10CG with your designated caregiver.
Comprehensive dental care at no cost for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled. Includes preventive, restorative, and surgical dental services.
How to claim: Enroll at your local VA dental clinic. Present proof of 100% SC rating.
Free dental care if service-connected condition is aggravating dental health. Also free for 100% rated or former POWs.
How to claim: Contact your VA dental clinic. Eligibility depends on dental trauma documentation or 100% SC rating.
Zero copay for all treatment, medications, and medical equipment related to service-connected disabilities.
How to claim: Automatic. VA bills your private insurance for non-SC care but you owe nothing to either VA or insurer.
Highest priority for VA healthcare. Completely free care and medications for ALL conditions, service-connected and non-service-connected. No copays whatsoever.
How to claim: Automatic upon 50%+ rating.
Upgraded to Priority Group 2. Enhanced access to VA healthcare with minimal or no copays for most services.
How to claim: Automatic upon rating increase.
Upgraded to Priority Group 3 for VA healthcare. Free outpatient care and medications for service-connected conditions. First 3 urgent care visits free per year.
How to claim: Automatic upon VA disability rating. Enroll in VA healthcare if not already.
Eligible to enroll in VA healthcare system. Placed in Priority Group 5 or lower depending on income. Free care for service-connected conditions.
How to claim: Apply online at VA.gov or in person at any VA medical center with DD-214.
Grant up to $46,809 for veterans with specific service-connected disabilities to adapt an existing home. For blindness, loss of use of hands, or severe burn injuries.
How to claim: Apply via VA Form 26-4555.
Grant up to $117,014 for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities to build or modify a home for wheelchair accessibility or other adaptive needs.
How to claim: Apply via VA Form 26-4555. Requires qualifying permanent disability (loss of use of extremities, blindness, severe burns, ALS).
Complete waiver of the VA home loan funding fee (normally 1.25-3.3% of loan amount) for veterans with any service-connected disability rating. Saves thousands on home purchases.
How to claim: Automatic. Lender verifies SC status through VA. No action needed.
No down payment, no PMI mortgage backed by VA. Available to all veterans with qualifying service, no disability rating required.
How to claim: Apply through any VA-approved lender. Obtain Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at VA.gov.
Up to 36 months of education benefits for spouse and children of veterans with P&T disability rating. Covers degree programs, certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.
How to claim: Dependents apply via VA Form 22-5490. Veteran must have P&T rating.
Complete discharge of ALL federal student loans. Direct Loans, FFEL, and Perkins Loans. Also cancels TEACH Grant service obligations. The Department of Education conducts quarterly data matches with the VA and may discharge loans automatically. If not automatic, veterans can apply manually. Forgiven amount is permanently tax-free at the federal level. No post-discharge income monitoring period for VA-based approvals. Payments made after your disability determination date may be refundable.
How to claim: May happen automatically via VA/DoE data match, check your loan servicer. If not automatic: apply at studentaid.gov/tpd-discharge with your VA disability documentation showing 100% P&T or TDIU. Process takes approximately 20 minutes online. Do NOT pay any third party to file this for you, it is free.
Job training, education, resume development, and employment assistance for veterans with service-connected disabilities that create employment barriers.
How to claim: Apply online at VA.gov. Requires evaluation by VR&E counselor.
Up to $40,000 in whole life insurance coverage. Guaranteed acceptance for service-connected veterans under age 81 within 2 years of new SC rating.
How to claim: Apply online at VA.gov. No medical exam required.
Burial in VA national cemetery, headstone/marker, burial flag, and Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost.
How to claim: Apply at time of need through VA National Cemetery Administration.
Free TSA PreCheck® enrollment and renewal for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities. TSA PreCheck means faster, dedicated airport security lanes, keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on and leave laptops and compliant liquids in your bag. The Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act waives the enrollment fee for eligible veterans.
How to claim: VA identifies eligible veterans and uploads an eligibility letter to your VA.gov account (sign in, then Records → Download your VA benefit letters). Enroll or renew with IDEMIA and email your eligibility letter to IDEMIA customer support with 'VETS Safe' in the subject line to get the fee-waiver code. After an in-person fingerprint and photo visit, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) typically arrives in 3–5 days; some applications can take up to 60 days.
Who qualifies: Veterans enrolled in VA health care who have a service-connected disability of permanent blindness, or who require a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb.
Veterans with 100% P&T rating and dependents may fly Space-Available on military aircraft, both domestic and international.
How to claim: Register at AMC passenger terminal or via Patriot Express. Requires VHIC or VA letter confirming P&T status.
Federal benefits at every rating are free in VA Ready for iOS, Vet Ready for Android and VA Ready for Windows, along with the combined-rating calculator; Pro adds every state's benefits and Claim Intel.
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