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I'm a Veteran
Get guidance based on your service
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I'm helping a Veteran
Spouse, family, friend, or caregiver — no verification needed
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Assist a Veteran
VSO / nonprofit — guide someone through benefits
Veterans: quick verify once, then skip it every time Helpers: jump right in — no account or verification needed
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Quick setup — tell us about your service
Pick one. Either way takes under a minute.
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Scan your military ID
Take a photo or upload. Your image stays on your phone — never sent anywhere.
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Quick Verify
2 questions, 30 seconds. Your answers stay on your device.
Fast
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Sign in with ID.me
Already have an ID.me account? Same login VA.gov uses.
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What is ID.me?
ID.me is a free identity verification service used by the VA, IRS, and other government agencies. If you've ever logged into VA.gov, you probably already have one.
Verify your identity with a photo ID (driver's license or passport)
For veteran status, ID.me may ask for your DD-214 — but many vets verify with just a photo ID. Don't have your DD-214? Request a free copy.
Once verified, come back here and click "Sign in with ID.me" above
Don't want to deal with ID.me right now? No worries — use Quick Verify above instead. Takes 30 seconds. You can link ID.me anytime later.
🔒 Your photo never leaves your device. We don't upload, store, or send your ID anywhere. It's just for you to confirm your info.
Take a photo of your military ID, veteran ID card, VA health card, or retiree card.
Works with: CAC, VA ID, Veteran Health ID, Retiree Card, state veteran ID
✓ Photo captured — your image stays right here on your device.
Your info stays on your device. Nothing is sent to our servers. This is just to personalize your experience.
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Assist a Veteran
Start a temporary session to help someone navigate their benefits. No data is saved to your account.
Session-based only. All data entered during this session stays on this device temporarily. Nothing is attached to your organization account. The individual must verify everything independently.
Important: This session is for assistance only. Final verification and filing must be done by the individual. Do not enter sensitive personal information (SSN, etc.) into this tool.
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Good on you for helping.
No sign-up needed. Answer a couple of quick questions and we'll tell you exactly what to do.
VA Benefits Navigator
Don't know where to start? We've got you.
You don't need to figure this out alone.
If you serve or have served, this is free. Period.No paywalls. Verify with ID.me
📋 Quick — save your VA info once
You already log into VA.gov with ID.me. Open your dashboard, grab your rating, and drop it here. We'll remember it so you never have to type it again.
Not sure which to pick? If you have new evidence → Supplemental Claim. If you think they got it wrong → Higher-Level Review. If both failed → Board Appeal. You can also
find a free VSO to help you through the process.
How to read your denial letter: Find the section called "Reasons and Bases." That's where the VA explains exactly why they said no. If it says "no nexus" — that means they need a doctor's letter connecting your condition to your service. Get that letter, then file a Supplemental Claim.
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.
How VA Combined Ratings Work
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a remaining percentage method:
Start at 100% "whole." A 50% rating takes 50 of 100 = 50%.
Next 30% takes 30% of the remaining 50 = 15. Total = 65% (rounds to 70%).
Next 10% takes 10% of remaining 35 = 3.5. Total = 68.5% (rounds to 70%).
Key thresholds: 100% = full benefits + dependent pay. 70%+ = more dependent benefits. 50%+ = additional dependent allowances. 30%+ = dependent pay starts. Dependents can include a spouse, children, or in some cases a parent who depends on you for support. Every percentage point counts toward the next threshold.
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.
📂 You Have New Evidence — Here's What To Do With It
New records, a new diagnosis, or a buddy letter can reopen a denied claim or make an existing one stronger.
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What Counts as "New"
Anything the VA hasn't seen before: medical records, a new diagnosis, doctor's notes, buddy statements, a nexus letter, service records you forgot to include, or proof your condition got worse.
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What's a Nexus Letter?
A letter from any doctor saying "this condition is connected to their military service." It's the #1 missing piece in denied claims. Your regular doctor, a specialist, or even a private physician can write one.
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What's a Buddy Statement?
A written statement from someone who saw your condition — during service or after. A fellow Marine, your spouse, a friend, a coworker. They just describe what they noticed in their own words.
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)
You don't need to know the official reason. Just tell us what happened — or snap a photo of the decision letter and we'll read it for you.
— or —
Photo or PDF. Your image stays on your device unless you choose to have us read it.
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decision_letter.jpg
Ready to analyze
This sends your letter to our AI to extract the denial reasons. The image is not stored.
✓ Here's what we found in your letter:
If you know the official reason, you can pick it here (optional)
✓ We already know your info
combined
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 phone. We don't store or send your VA data anywhere.
Building your battle plan...
This takes about 10–15 seconds. We're analyzing your situation and building a custom step-by-step plan.
⚔️ Your Battle Plan
Check off steps as you go. Your progress is saved — close this and come back anytime.
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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.
Open a note on your phone or a piece of paper. Write down every condition — physical or mental — that started during or got worse because of your service. Be specific: dates, incidents, symptoms.
Gather your medical evidence
Collect medical records, doctor's notes, and buddy statements that support your conditions. The more evidence, the stronger your claim.
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.
This tool will always be free for veterans. If you want to help keep it running, that's entirely your call.
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Ask anything about VA benefits
Hey — I'm here to help you navigate VA benefits. Ask me anything. What's your discharge type? What benefits are you looking for? I'll point you in the right direction.
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