VA Benefits Navigator

Don't know where to start? We've got you.

You don't need to figure this out alone.

🌐 Not a US veteran? Read this. tap to expand

This tool covers the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you served outside the US, your benefits flow through your country's own veterans agency — completely different system, different forms, different language.

🇨🇦 Canadian veterans → Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)

Disability + rehabilitation + caregiver + education benefits administered through VAC. My VAC Account at veterans.gc.ca/eng/e_services. Free. Different from US VA in scope + structure.

🇵🇭 Filipino veterans → Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO)

Pension, disability, education, hospitalization, burial benefits. PVAO offices in Camp Aguinaldo + regional offices. Filipino veterans of US WWII service may also have US VA eligibility — separate tracks.

🇬🇧 UK veterans → Veterans UK (MoD)

War Pensions Scheme + Armed Forces Compensation Scheme + medical assessments. Helpline 0808 1914 2 18. Royal British Legion + SSAFA + Combat Stress are the major service-charity partners. NHS Op COURAGE provides veteran-specific mental-health pathways.

🇦🇺 Australian veterans → Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)

DVA administers MRCA / DRCA / VEA across three benefits frameworks (depends on service period). MyService portal for online claims. Open Arms (formerly VVCS) provides 24/7 mental-health counselling: 1800 011 046. RSL state branches + Soldier On for advocacy + transition support.

🇮🇳 Indian veterans → Dept of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) / ECHS

DESW (Ministry of Defence) administers veteran benefits + pension. ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) — polyclinics + empaneled hospitals nationwide. DGR (Directorate General Resettlement) for retirement transition + jobs. Kendriya Sainik Board federal + state Rajya / Zila Sainik Boards handle local administration. SPARSH PCDA portal for pension. Reserve Bank of India special pension treatment for veterans.

🇲🇽 Mexican veterans → SEDENA / SEMAR medical systems

Mexican military veterans receive healthcare + pension through SEDENA (Army) and SEMAR (Navy) parallel medical systems — distinct from IMSS / ISSSTE. ISSFAM (Instituto de Seguridad Social para las Fuerzas Armadas Mexicanas) administers retirement + family benefits. Active + retired military + dependents covered. Smaller diaspora overlap than other systems; consult SEDENA / SEMAR offices directly.

🇧🇷 Brazilian veterans → Forças Armadas medical systems

Brazilian military veterans receive healthcare + pension through Forças Armadas medical systems: Hospital das Forças Armadas (HFA, Brasília), Hospital Naval Marcílio Dias (Marinha), Hospital Central do Exército (Exército), Hospital de Força Aérea (FAB) — distinct from SUS + private. Caixa Beneficente das Forças Armadas (CBMF) + branch-specific funds for retirees. Active + retired military + dependents covered. Smaller diaspora overlap; consult branch-specific offices directly.

🇳🇱 Dutch veterans → Veteraneninstituut + Defensie zorg-voor-veteranen

Dutch military veterans (Krijgsmacht — Koninklijke Landmacht / Marine / Luchtmacht / Marechaussee) receive care through Veteranenloket (helpline 088 334 0000), Landelijk Zorgsysteem voor Veteranen (LZV) network of healthcare partners, and Veteranenombudsman for complaints. Mental health via Centrum '45 + ARQ Nationaal Psychotrauma Centrum (PTSD specialist). Vfonds charity supports remembrance + welfare. Veterans pension separate from civilian AOW. Smaller diaspora overlap; consult Veteranenloket directly.

🇮🇩 Indonesian veterans → Kementerian Pertahanan + TNI medical systems

Indonesian military veterans (TNI — Angkatan Darat / Laut / Udara) receive care through TNI medical systems: RSPAD Gatot Soebroto (Army central hospital, Jakarta), RSAL Mintohardjo (Navy), RSAU Esnawan Antariksa (Air Force), plus regional military hospitals. ASABRI (Asuransi Sosial ABRI) administers veterans + active-duty social security + pension. Veteran RI status is formally recognized by Kementerian Pertahanan. Active + retired military + dependents covered. Smaller diaspora overlap; consult ASABRI / Kemhan offices directly.

🇩🇪 German veterans → Bundeswehr Veteranenbüro + Sozialdienst

German military veterans (Bundeswehr — Heer / Marine / Luftwaffe / Sanitätsdienst / Streitkräftebasis / Cyber- und Informationsraum) receive care through Bundeswehrkrankenhäuser (Berlin / Hamburg / Koblenz / Ulm / Westerstede), Veteranenbüro (helpline + advocacy), Sozialdienst der Bundeswehr for welfare matters, Soldatenseelsorge for spiritual + emotional support. **PTBS (PTSD) / EinsatzWeiterVerwendungsgesetz** for combat-veterans. Major veteran orgs: Deutscher BundeswehrVerband (DBwV) + Verband der Reservisten der Deutschen Bundeswehr. Smaller diaspora overlap; consult Veteranenbüro directly.

OSOK doesn't yet have country-specific tooling for VAC / PVAO / Veterans UK / DVA / DESW / SEDENA-SEMAR / Forças Armadas / Veteraneninstituut / TNI-ASABRI / Bundeswehr-Veteranenbüro. We're working toward feature equivalence; until then, the official agencies above are the right path. Prime can answer general questions about any of these systems if you ask.

Let's get you started

If you have any VA paperwork, drop it here. No documents? No problem — we'll work without them.

Upload your DD-214 (discharge papers)

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Drag and drop or tap to select

PDF, JPG, or PNG

✓

Got it. We'll use this.

Any other paperwork you have (optional)

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Decision letters, medical records, anything else

PDF, JPG, or PNG — upload as many as you need

✓

Got it. We'll use these.

Tell us a little about your service

Skip anything you're not sure about. We'll work with whatever you give us.

Where did you serve or get deployed? (optional)

Bases, countries, or areas where you served. This helps us check for environmental exposure.

Do you have a VA disability rating right now? (optional)

Anything the VA already rates you for? (optional)

Just list what you remember. Names, percentages, whatever you know.

How it works

Tell us about your service

Branch, years, discharge type.

See what you qualify for

We match you to benefits.

Take the next step

Clear actions, no confusion.

Tell us about your service

Branch Years of service Discharge type

Most veterans have Honorable. If yours is different, select it — we'll show you what's still available.

✅ You Have a Rating — Here's What's Next

You're already in the system. These are the most common next moves.

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My Condition Got Worse

If things have gotten worse since the VA last looked at it, you can ask for a higher rating. See your doctor, get it documented, then file form 21-526EZ and select "increase."

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One Problem Caused Another

If something the VA already rated you for caused a new problem — like bad knees leading to back pain, or PTSD causing sleep apnea — you can claim it. You'll need a doctor's letter (nexus letter) connecting the two.

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Submit New Evidence

Got a new diagnosis, buddy statement, or nexus letter? File a Supplemental Claim with the new evidence to reopen or strengthen your case.

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How Does VA Math Work?

50% + 30% doesn't equal 80% at the VA. They use a weird formula. Tap here to see how it actually works and what your number means for pay.

Pro tip: Before filing for an increase, get seen by your doctor and document your worst symptoms. At the C&P exam, describe your worst days — not your best. Use specific numbers: "I can only stand for 10 minutes," "I wake up 4 times a night."

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Dependent Healthcare (CHAMPVA)

If you're rated 100% P&T, your dependents — spouse, children, or in some cases a dependent parent — may qualify for healthcare through CHAMPVA. Click to learn more.

What is CHAMPVA?

CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) is a healthcare program for your dependents — not for you. It can cover your spouse, children, surviving spouses, and in some cases a dependent parent. It works like health insurance: doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health, emergency care, and more.

Who Qualifies

Your dependents may qualify if:
• You are rated 100% permanent and total (P&T)
• OR you died from a service-connected condition
• OR you were rated P&T at time of death

Who counts as a dependent? Usually your spouse and children. In some cases, a parent who depends on you for financial support may also qualify. The VA has specific rules — relationship alone isn't enough; financial or care dependency matters.

Key rule: Dependents who are eligible for TRICARE cannot use CHAMPVA. If your spouse has TRICARE through their own service or another sponsor, they use that instead.

How to Apply — 3 Steps

Step 1: Confirm eligibility.
You need a 100% P&T rating. Check your VA disability letter — it should say "permanent and total." If it doesn't say "permanent," you may need to request a review.

Step 2: Gather forms and documents.
• VA Form 10-10d — the CHAMPVA application
• Marriage certificate (for spouse), birth certificate (for children), or proof of dependency (for a parent)
• Your VA rating decision letter showing P&T status
• Medicare card (if dependent is 65+ or has Medicare)
• For a dependent parent: proof of financial support and any medical documentation showing need for care

Step 3: Report Other Health Insurance (OHI).
If your dependent has any other insurance (employer plan, marketplace, Medicare), you must report it. CHAMPVA acts as a secondary payer — it covers what the other insurance doesn't. This isn't optional; failing to report OHI can delay or deny claims. Include the insurance company name, policy number, and group number on the application.

OHI in plain English: "Other Health Insurance" just means any insurance your dependent already has. CHAMPVA wants to know about it so they pay the right amount — they cover whatever the other insurance leaves behind. If your dependent has no other insurance, CHAMPVA is their primary coverage. Either way, report it on the form.

Apply for CHAMPVA → Get Form 10-10d →

Got denied or rated too low? You have options. See how to fight your decision →

📎 Upload Your Documents

Upload your DD-214, medical records, decision letters, buddy statements, or any evidence. We'll analyze them and help you figure out next steps. Your files stay on the server temporarily and are auto-deleted within 24 hours.

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Tap to select files or take a photo

PDF, images (JPG/PNG/HEIC), Word docs — up to 20MB each (max 10 files)

Step 1 of 5

Who are you supporting?

Pick the person you help or care for.

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Spouse

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Child

Under 18, student, or disabled adult child

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Parent

Mom, dad, stepparent, or parent-in-law

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Other family member

Sibling, grandparent, or other relative

Do they live with you?

This helps determine the level of support you provide.

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Yes

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Part-time

They split time between your home and somewhere else

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They live somewhere else

Do you provide financial support?

Housing, bills, food, medical costs — anything you pay for them.

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None

They cover their own expenses

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Some

I help with some bills or expenses

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Most

I cover most of their living costs

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All of it

I pay for everything

Do you help care for them day-to-day?

Meals, transportation, medical help, bathing, or other daily tasks.

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They handle daily tasks themselves

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Some help

I help out with some things regularly

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Primary caregiver

I'm their main source of daily care

Can they live on their own without your help?

Financially and physically — could they manage independently?

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Yes

They could manage on their own if needed

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They depend on me to get by

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Not sure

It's hard to say

Step 1 of 3

What's happening right now?

⚔️ Build Your Battle Plan

Answer a few questions. We'll give you a step-by-step plan with time estimates — small enough to knock out one piece at a time.

What do you need to do?

Pick everything that applies. We'll build one plan that covers all of it.

Tell us more

The more specific you are, the more useful your plan will be. Nothing leaves this device until you hit "Build my plan."

What evidence do you already have?

Do you already have a VA rating? (optional — helps us build a better plan)

combined

What are you already service-connected for? (optional)

This is on your VA.gov dashboard under "Your disability rating." If you don't know, skip it — we'll work with what you have.
🔒 Everything stays on your device. We don't store or send your VA data anywhere.

Anything else? (optional)

Your info is processed by AI to build your plan. Nothing is stored.

Optional resources

Start here. We'll walk you through it.

You're getting ready to file

Getting Started Checklist

List conditions from your service

Write down any injuries, illnesses, or mental health issues connected to your time in service. Include things that got worse because of service too.

Gather your medical evidence

Collect medical records, doctor's notes, and buddy statements that support your conditions. The more evidence, the stronger your claim.

What evidence do I need?

Check what you already have

See what benefits you're already receiving before applying for more.

Check on VA.gov

Create your ID.me account

You'll need this to file on VA.gov. If you verified through OSOK already, you're set.

Create account

Do you have your DD-214?

This is your discharge paperwork — it's for your records. VA.gov asks for it when you file a claim. If you don't have it, no stress — you can request a free copy online.

Request a free copy

Quick Links

Check Disability Eligibility — see if your condition qualifies Apply for VA Healthcare — many veterans qualify and don't know it GI Bill Benefits — education for you and dependents VA Home Loans — no down payment, no PMI PACT Act Benefits — 300+ presumptive conditions from burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation & more. Get diagnosed, then file.

Who's this for?

Quick setup — tell us about your service

What is ID.me?

Already have an ID.me account?

Don't have one yet? Here's how to set it up:

Assist a Veteran

Good on you for helping.

Don't know where to start? We've got you.

You don't need to figure this out alone.

Let's get you started

Tell us a little about your service

Tell us what's going on

We've got it from here

We're putting this together for you

Here's what we put together

Tell us about your service

See what you qualify for

Take the next step

Tell us about your service

⚖️ Fight Your Decision

Supplemental Claim

Higher-Level Review

Board Appeal

✅ You Have a Rating — Here's What's Next

My Condition Got Worse

One Problem Caused Another

Submit New Evidence

How Does VA Math Work?

How VA Combined Ratings Work

Dependent Healthcare (CHAMPVA)

What is CHAMPVA?

Who Qualifies

How to Apply — 3 Steps

📂 You Have New Evidence — Here's What To Do With It

What Counts as "New"

What's a Nexus Letter?

What's a Buddy Statement?

🎖️ Survivor Benefits & Lost Records

Survivor compensation

Posthumous rating increase

Their records "don't exist"

🏠 Homelessness — Veteran Programs

At risk of losing housing

Without a home right now

HUD-VASH — long-term voucher

SSVF — rapid rehousing + prevention

📎 Upload Your Documents

Who are you supporting?

Do they live with you?

Do you provide financial support?

Do you help care for them day-to-day?

Can they live on their own without your help?

What's happening right now?

Do you know why?

What feels right for you right now?

⚔️ Build Your Battle Plan

⚔️ Your Battle Plan

Getting Started Checklist

Quick Links