The VA offers more than two dozen categories of benefits — yet the average veteran uses fewer than three. Whether you served for two years or twenty, understanding the full scope of what you've earned could mean thousands of dollars a month in compensation, free healthcare, tuition assistance, a zero-down home loan, and much more.
VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment to veterans who have a service-connected disability — a physical or mental health condition that was caused or worsened by military service. It's one of the most valuable VA benefits available, and millions of eligible veterans have never claimed it.
Monthly payment depends on your combined disability rating (10% to 100%) and number of dependents. At 100% with a spouse and children, compensation can exceed $4,500/month.
The VA operates the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, with over 1,200 facilities including hospitals, clinics, and community-based outpatient centers. Most veterans with service-connected disabilities receive VA healthcare at no cost. Veterans without service-connected conditions may still qualify based on income, combat service, or discharge status.
To enroll, veterans complete VA Form 10-10EZ — Application for Health Benefits. You can apply online at VA.gov, by phone, or in person at any VA medical center.
Enrolling in VA healthcare is separate from filing a disability claim. You should enroll in healthcare as soon as possible — even while your disability claim is pending — to establish access to care and document treatment.
claim.vet surfaces every benefit you've earned based on your unique service history. It takes about 10 minutes and it's completely free.
Discover My Benefits — FreeThe GI Bill provides education and training benefits to eligible veterans, service members, and their families. There are multiple GI Bill programs, but the most widely used is the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), which can cover full in-state tuition at public schools, up to $28,937/year at private schools, a monthly housing allowance, and a $1,000 annual books and supplies stipend.
The VA home loan is one of the most powerful financial tools available to veterans. Unlike conventional mortgages, VA-backed home loans require no down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and offer competitive interest rates.
To use your VA home loan benefit, you'll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which you can obtain through VA.gov, your lender, or with help from claim.vet. Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10% or higher are also exempt from the VA funding fee, saving thousands at closing.
VA pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans who have limited income and net worth and who are permanently and totally disabled due to a non-service-connected condition (or are aged 65 or older).
VA pension rates in 2026 range from approximately $1,500 to $2,700/month depending on family situation. Veterans with a need for regular aid and attendance may qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit — an additional monthly payment for veterans who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or feeding.
The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) provides stipends, healthcare coverage, mental health services, and respite care to family caregivers of eligible veterans. As of 2023, the program was expanded to include veterans of all eras, not just post-9/11 veterans.
Eligible caregivers may receive:
The VA offers several life insurance programs to protect veterans and their families:
VA burial benefits are among the most overlooked. Eligible veterans can receive:
72% of veterans don't use their full benefits. claim.vet helps you find every benefit you've earned — disability, healthcare, education, housing, and more. It's free for veterans, always.
Start Your Benefits Review — FreeAll veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions may qualify for a range of VA benefits. The exact benefits depend on service history, discharge status, income, and whether you have a service-connected disability. Most universally available benefits include VA healthcare enrollment, the GI Bill, VA home loan guaranty, and life insurance programs. Disability compensation requires a service-connected condition.
Veterans with other-than-honorable (OTH) discharges may still be eligible for some VA benefits, particularly VA healthcare for conditions connected to military sexual trauma (MST) or mental health conditions that may have contributed to the discharge. Veterans can request a Character of Discharge review, and the VA may grant benefits on a case-by-case basis.
The best way to find out which VA benefits you qualify for is to use a benefits screening tool like claim.vet, or speak with an accredited VSO representative. Your eligibility depends on your service history, discharge status, income level, whether you have dependents, and whether you have a service-connected disability. Many veterans are surprised to discover benefits they didn't know they had.