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Veteran's Tech Guide: VA Benefits, MyHealtheVet, and Online Resources

A plain-English guide for veterans (and the families helping them) on using VA.gov, MyHealtheVet, VA Video Connect telehealth, checking and filing claims, downloading your DD-214, free VA mental health apps, avoiding VA scams, and getting human help when you need it. Written for real people, not IT pros.

41 min read 11 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

Why the VA is mostly online now — and what you need

~3 min

Over the last few years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has pushed nearly every major service onto the web. You can still call, and you can still visit in person — but the fastest path for most things is now through your computer, tablet, or phone. Here is what the VA typically expects you to do online in 2026: • Schedule, check, and cancel medical appointments • Order prescription refills and see your medications list • Send secure messages to your VA doctor or care team • View your lab results, imaging reports, and health records • Apply for (or check the status of) disability compensation, pension, or GI Bill education benefits • Upload supporting documents for a claim • Do telehealth visits by video • Download your DD-214 discharge document • Update your address, direct deposit, and dependents What you need to do most of this: • A device with internet — a computer, tablet, or smartphone. All three work. • A working email address. If you do not have one, a free Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.com account works fine. • A cell phone number that can receive text messages. The VA uses texts for security codes. • A VA.gov account (we will set that up next). One account unlocks nearly everything. • A little patience. The first-time setup is the hardest part — after that, day-to-day use is much simpler. What you do NOT need: • You do not need to be "good with computers." Millions of veterans in their 70s, 80s, and 90s use these systems every day. • You do not need to pay anything. All VA online services are free. Anyone asking for money to help you file a claim, get records, or access benefits is either a scam or an unnecessary middleman. • You do not need to do this alone. Your local Veterans Service Officer (VSO), the DAV, and VA tech support will all walk you through setup for free. More on that in the last step. One more important note: if you are helping a veteran spouse, parent, or friend set this up, the account must be in THEIR name and verified with THEIR identity documents. You cannot legally create a VA.gov account for someone else — but you can absolutely sit next to them and help them click through the setup. The VA also has a formal way to designate you as a representative or power of attorney for benefits matters; ask any VSO and they will guide you through it.

Quick Tip

Before you start setup, gather these in one place: your Social Security number, your VA file number (if you know it), a current cell phone, and a photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport). Having all of this in front of you will cut the setup time from an hour to about fifteen minutes.

Setting up a VA.gov account — Login.gov vs ID.me

~4 min

Here is where a lot of veterans get stuck, so let us make it simple. To use VA.gov you need a "sign-in partner" — a third-party service that verifies your identity. The VA no longer uses its old "My HealtheVet login" or "DS Logon" for new users. Today there are two options: • Login.gov — the U.S. government's official single sign-on. Free, run by the government, works across many federal agencies (Social Security, IRS, USPS, and more). • ID.me — a private company the VA has partnered with for years. Also free, and if you already have an ID.me account (many veterans set one up during COVID for unemployment or other services), you can reuse it. Which should you use? For most veterans starting fresh in 2026, Login.gov is the simpler choice. It is operated by the U.S. government, it is free, and the identity verification is a bit more straightforward. If you already have an ID.me account from something else, you can stick with that — both work equally well on VA.gov. Step-by-step setup with Login.gov: 1. On your computer or phone, go to va.gov. Type that exactly — "va.gov" — into the address bar. Do not click ads or Google results that look slightly different (va-benefits.com, myvaonline.com, etc. are often scams or middlemen). 2. Click "Sign in" in the top-right corner. 3. Choose "Sign in with Login.gov." 4. Click "Create an account." 5. Enter your email address and click the link the VA emails you to confirm it. 6. Create a password. Use something long and memorable — a phrase like "Mabel-Loves-Apples-1952" is much stronger than "Password123" and much easier to remember. 7. Set up two-factor authentication. Login.gov will ask for a second way to verify you — a text message to your phone, an authenticator app, or a backup code. A text message to your cell phone is the simplest option. 8. Verify your identity. This is the part that takes the longest. Login.gov will ask for: - Your Social Security number - Your date of birth and address - Your state-issued ID (driver's license or state ID). You can type the numbers in, or (on a phone) take a photo of the front and back. - A selfie photo to match to your ID (on a phone or webcam) 9. When that is done, you will be sent back to VA.gov and your account will be ready. Step-by-step setup with ID.me (if you prefer): 1. Go to va.gov and click "Sign in." 2. Choose "Sign in with ID.me." 3. Click "Create an ID.me account" and enter your email and a password. 4. Complete the identity verification — similar to Login.gov, it will ask for SSN, date of birth, ID, and usually a selfie. 5. ID.me offers a "video chat with a Trusted Referee" option if the automated ID check does not work — a real human on a video call who will verify you. This is excellent for veterans whose IDs do not scan cleanly or whose names have changed. Troubleshooting the most common setup problems: • "It will not accept my ID photo." Use better lighting, lay the ID flat, and make sure all four corners are visible. With ID.me, switch to the Trusted Referee video option. • "It says my information does not match." This often happens if your name on your ID differs slightly from VA records (maiden names, middle initials). Call the VA at 1-800-698-2411 and ask them to update your profile. • "I never get the text code." Check that the phone number on file is correct. If the texts truly never come, use the backup options (authenticator app or backup codes). • "I am locked out." Use the "Forgot password" link on Login.gov or ID.me. If you are still locked out, call the VA.gov help line at 1-800-698-2411.

Quick Tip

Write your Login.gov (or ID.me) username and password down on a physical piece of paper and keep it somewhere safe — a file folder with your other important documents, not stuck to the monitor. You will need it every time you log in, and password recovery from these services can take days.

Warning

Legitimate VA sign-in is ONLY at va.gov, login.gov, or id.me. If any website with a different address asks for your SSN, your service history, or payment to "activate" your account, close it immediately. The real VA never charges to access your own records.

Using MyHealtheVet — the VA patient portal

~4 min

MyHealtheVet (pronounced "My Health e-Vet") is the VA's patient portal — the online hub for everything related to your VA health care. It is available on the web and as a phone app. Once you are signed into VA.gov, you can jump to it without signing in again. How to get to MyHealtheVet: • Web: go to va.gov, click "My HealtheVet" on the home page, or go directly to myhealth.va.gov. • Phone app: download "My HealtheVet" from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Sign in with the same Login.gov or ID.me account you use for VA.gov. What you can do in MyHealtheVet: 1. View and schedule appointments Click "Appointments." You will see upcoming and past appointments, with the clinic, provider, date, time, and location. You can request new appointments or cancel ones you cannot make. Some clinics let you schedule directly online; others will respond to your request within a few business days. 2. Refill prescriptions Click "Pharmacy" or "My Medications." You will see every medication the VA has prescribed you, with how many refills remain and when it was last filled. Click "Refill" next to any medication. The VA mail-order pharmacy will ship refills to your home, usually within 7-10 days. No more waiting in a pharmacy line — this alone is worth learning the system. If a medication is out of refills, your doctor has to renew it. You can send them a secure message (next bullet) asking for a renewal. 3. Send secure messages to your care team Click "Messages" or "Secure Messaging." This is like email, but encrypted and HIPAA-compliant. You can write directly to your primary care doctor, mental health provider, or specialty clinic and ask: • "Can you renew my blood pressure medication?" • "I have been having more back pain — should I make an appointment?" • "What were the results of my last lab work?" • "Can you send me a letter for my employer about my recent surgery?" Most VA teams respond within 2-3 business days. This is often faster than phone calls and always leaves you a written record. 4. View your medical records and test results Click "Health Records" to see lab results, imaging reports, pathology, and clinical notes from your visits. Under the VA's current policy, most results appear in MyHealtheVet as soon as they are finalized — even before your doctor calls to discuss them. If you see a result you do not understand, do not panic. Send a message to your provider and ask what it means. And remember, you can always paste the result into an AI assistant or search engine to help you understand the terminology before your follow-up call. 5. Download your VA Blue Button report Click "Download My Data" (the Blue Button). This gives you a single PDF with your medications, appointments, lab results, allergies, and more. Great for taking to a non-VA doctor, traveling, or keeping a family medical binder. 6. Manage your profile and preferences Update your address, phone number, and emergency contact. Change how you receive appointment reminders (text, email, or both). Set your pharmacy shipping address if different from your home. Troubleshooting common MyHealtheVet issues: • "I do not see a doctor/clinic in messages." Your provider may not be set up for messaging, or you may need to be assigned to them first. Call your clinic and ask them to enable messaging. • "My medication list is wrong." This often means prescriptions from non-VA doctors are not included — MyHealtheVet only shows VA-prescribed medications. Keep a separate list of outside medications. • "I cannot refill a medication." Check that it still has refills remaining. If not, send your provider a secure message to request a renewal. • "I cannot find my test result." Some results (especially biopsies) are held for your provider to discuss with you first. They will usually appear within a week.

Quick Tip

Turn on text message appointment reminders. Go to your profile settings in MyHealtheVet, under "Notifications," and add your cell phone. You will get a text 1-2 days before each appointment — no more missed visits because a letter arrived late.

Applying for or checking VA benefits — disability, pension, GI Bill

~4 min

The VA provides dozens of benefits, but the three most common online actions are filing a disability claim, applying for pension, and using (or checking) GI Bill education benefits. All of these run through VA.gov. Disability compensation claims (for service-connected conditions): 1. Sign in at va.gov and click "Disability." 2. Click "File a disability claim" or "Check your claim status." 3. For new claims: the online form is called VA Form 21-526EZ. It asks for: - Your personal and service information - The conditions you are claiming (back pain, hearing loss, PTSD, etc.) - When each condition started and how it relates to service - Medical evidence (you can upload doctor's notes, test results, buddy statements) 4. Submit. You will get a confirmation number to track your claim. 5. To check a claim: go back to "Check your claim status" any time. You will see where your claim is in the process — Claim Received, Under Review, Evidence Gathering, Review of Evidence, Preparation for Decision, Preparation for Notification, Complete. Claims can take anywhere from 3 months to over a year. This is frustrating, and the process has not gotten much faster despite years of promises. Do not take it personally — it is the system, not you. How to strengthen a disability claim: • Get a "Nexus letter" — a statement from a doctor explicitly linking your condition to your military service. • Submit "buddy statements" — statements from people who served with you describing what happened. • Include any civilian medical records that show ongoing treatment. • Work with a VSO (Veterans Service Officer) BEFORE you file. They are free and they know exactly what the VA looks for. The DAV, VFW, American Legion, and your state veterans office all have VSOs. The PACT Act (toxic exposure): If you served in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, or other areas with burn pits or toxic exposures, the PACT Act of 2022 expanded many conditions as presumptively service-connected. This means the VA assumes your condition is service-related — you do not have to prove the link. Conditions now covered include many cancers, respiratory illnesses, and hypertension for certain Vietnam veterans. If you have not looked into this, go to va.gov/pact and read the list. Many veterans qualify for benefits they did not know about. VA pension (for wartime veterans with limited income): Pension is different from disability — it is a needs-based benefit for low-income wartime veterans age 65+ (or permanently disabled). File online at va.gov under "Pension," or use Form 21P-527EZ. Aid and Attendance is an additional benefit on top of pension for veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily living or are homebound. GI Bill and education benefits: Go to va.gov and click "Education." You can: • Apply for Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E) • Check your remaining months of eligibility • Transfer benefits to a spouse or child (if still on active duty or in the Guard/Reserve) • Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to see how much you would get at different schools The online forms are VA Form 22-1990 (new application) and VA Form 22-1995 (change of program or school). Checking other claim types: At va.gov/track-claims, you can see the status of almost any pending VA action — disability, pension, education, appeals, dependency claims, and more. Health care enrollment: If you are not yet enrolled in VA health care, apply at va.gov/health-care/apply. Most veterans with any honorable service qualify for at least some level of VA health care, even if you have not used it in decades. There is no harm in enrolling — you can always also use private insurance or Medicare alongside it.

Quick Tip

Before you file ANY disability claim, call your local VSO (Veterans Service Officer) and have them review it with you — FREE. The DAV (Disabled American Veterans), VFW, American Legion, and your state Department of Veterans Affairs all have accredited VSOs. A well-prepared claim with proper evidence wins more often and faster than one you file alone. You can find a VSO at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation.

Warning

Never pay a "claim helper," "benefits consultant," or unaccredited agent a percentage of your back-pay to help with a VA claim. Accredited VSOs are FREE by law. If someone demands payment to file for you, walk away — several have been prosecuted for defrauding veterans.

VA Video Connect — telehealth through the VA

~4 min

VA Video Connect is the VA's telehealth (video visit) service. Instead of driving to the clinic, you have your appointment over video from home. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement, especially for rural veterans, veterans with mobility issues, or anyone who just does not want to sit in a waiting room. What kinds of appointments work over video: • Mental health visits and therapy • Medication check-ins • Follow-up appointments • Many primary care concerns • Some specialty consults In-person visits are still required for things like physical exams, imaging, labs, injections, and procedures — but a growing percentage of routine VA care can be handled by video. How to schedule a VA Video Connect visit: 1. Call your VA clinic and ask, "Can this be a video visit?" — or send a secure message through MyHealtheVet asking the same. 2. If yes, they will schedule it just like any other appointment. You will get a confirmation with a video link. 3. The appointment will also show up under "Appointments" in MyHealtheVet. How to do a video visit — step by step: About 15 minutes before your appointment: 1. Find a quiet, well-lit spot. Good lighting in front of you, not behind you (backlighting makes it hard to see your face). 2. If using a computer: open your email or MyHealtheVet and find the link for the visit. 3. If using a phone or tablet: download the "VA Video Connect" app from the App Store or Google Play. You can also just tap the link in your email and it will open in the app automatically. 5 minutes before: 4. Click the video link. The app will open a virtual waiting room. 5. Your browser or phone will ask for permission to use the camera and microphone. Tap "Allow" for both. Without this, your provider cannot see or hear you. 6. Test your audio and video. You should see yourself and hear a test tone. 7. Wait for your provider to join. They may be a few minutes late — just like an in-person visit. During the visit: • Speak normally, a bit slower than usual if you can. • Have a list of your questions written down. Telehealth time can feel rushed. • Have your medications nearby in case your provider asks. • If the video freezes or the audio drops, do not panic — the provider can call your phone as a backup. Make sure your cell phone is nearby and on. After the visit: • You will usually get a visit summary in MyHealtheVet within a day or two. • Any new prescriptions will show up in "My Medications." • Follow-up appointments will appear under "Appointments." Troubleshooting common video visit problems: • "I cannot hear them / they cannot hear me." Check that your microphone is not muted (look for a microphone icon with a line through it — click it to unmute). On a phone, make sure the volume is up. • "The video is frozen or blurry." Your internet may be slow. Move closer to your WiFi router, or switch to cellular data if on a phone. If still bad, ask the provider to call your phone and continue by voice. • "I cannot find the link." Check your email (including spam/junk). It is also in MyHealtheVet under the appointment details. If you truly cannot find it, call the clinic. • "My camera will not turn on." On a laptop, check that the privacy shutter is open (some laptops have a physical slider over the camera). On a phone, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and make sure the browser or VA app has permission. One nice feature: VA Video Connect works on nearly any recent device — you do not need an expensive computer or the newest iPhone. Even a basic tablet with a working camera will do the job.

Quick Tip

Do a test run before your first real video visit. Call your clinic and ask if they can set up a 5-minute "test" appointment, or use the "VA Video Connect Test Call" option in the app (check under settings). Getting the kinks worked out on a low-stakes call makes the real appointment much less stressful.

Finding your VA facility and services

~3 min

The VA operates more than 1,200 facilities across the country — hospitals, clinics (CBOCs), Vet Centers, and more. Knowing which one serves you and what it offers matters, especially if you move, travel, or need specialty care that your local clinic does not provide. The VA Facility Locator: 1. Go to va.gov/find-locations. 2. Type your zip code, city, or a full address. 3. Choose the type of facility: - VA Health — medical centers and outpatient clinics - Vet Centers — readjustment counseling, mostly mental health, often less formal than a hospital - Cemeteries — national cemeteries for burial benefits - Benefits Offices — regional offices for claims, education, housing - Providers — community care providers who accept VA referrals 4. The results show distance, contact info, hours, services offered, and directions. Pick the facility that fits the service you need: • A big VA Medical Center (VAMC) has hospitals, surgery, cardiology, specialty clinics, and more. • A Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) handles primary care, basic mental health, labs, and some specialty care. Many veterans get most of their care here. • A Vet Center focuses on readjustment counseling — PTSD, grief, military sexual trauma, transition — often in a more informal, non-hospital setting. No appointment required in many cases, and confidential from the rest of the VA medical record for most counseling. Community Care — seeing non-VA doctors: If the VA cannot see you within 20-28 days, or the nearest VA facility is far away, you may qualify for Community Care (previously called "VA Choice"). The VA pays a civilian doctor in your area to see you. To request it: 1. Talk to your VA primary care provider about what kind of care you need. 2. Ask whether you qualify for Community Care. 3. If yes, the VA coordinates the referral and appointment with a local provider. 4. You can check status at va.gov/community-care. What each facility typically includes (to help you call or plan a visit): • Pharmacy — prescription pickup (mail order is usually easier) • Lab and imaging — blood draws, X-rays, CT, MRI • Primary care and specialty clinics • Mental health — individual, group, medication management • Urgent care — for non-emergency same-day needs (hours vary; call first) • Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) offices — for claims help. NOT the same as medical facilities. In an emergency: Do not drive to the VA. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, VA or not. Federal law protects veterans from being stuck with the bill for an emergency at a non-VA hospital in most cases. Notify the VA within 72 hours by calling 1-844-724-7842 (Office of Community Care). Crisis support: For a mental health crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. This is the Veterans Crisis Line — staffed 24/7 by VA professionals, many of them veterans themselves. You do not need to be enrolled in VA care to use it.

Quick Tip

Save your local VA medical center's main number AND your primary care clinic's direct number in your phone contacts. The main hospital number is often an automated maze; the direct clinic line usually gets you to a human faster.

Downloading your DD-214 online

~4 min

Your DD-214 (the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is arguably the most important document from your military service. You will need it for: • Proving eligibility for VA benefits (disability, pension, GI Bill, home loan, health care) • Getting a veteran designation on your driver's license • Military honors at funerals and burial in national cemeteries • Some state and local veteran benefits (property tax exemptions, hunting/fishing discounts, license plates) • Employment — some jobs, especially federal jobs, give veteran hiring preference • VA home loan applications • Replacing lost medals and awards In the past, getting a copy of your DD-214 meant mailing Standard Form 180 to the National Archives and waiting weeks or months. Today, most veterans can do it online in about 15 minutes. Three ways to get your DD-214 online: Option 1: Through VA.gov (easiest for most veterans who left service after 2004) 1. Sign in at va.gov. 2. Go to "Records" > "Get Military Service Records." 3. Follow the prompts. If your service records are in the VA system, you can download your DD-214 as a PDF immediately. Option 2: Through the National Archives eVetRecs portal (for all veterans) 1. Go to archives.gov/veterans. 2. Click "Request Your Records" — eVetRecs. 3. Sign in with Login.gov (same account you use for VA.gov). 4. Fill out the short form with your name, service dates, branch, and SSN. 5. Submit. Digital requests are usually fulfilled in days, not weeks. The National Archives will email you when ready, and you can download a certified PDF copy. Option 3: Through milConnect (for more recent veterans and current retirees) 1. Go to milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil. 2. Sign in with a CAC, DS Logon, or (increasingly) Login.gov. 3. Click "Correspondence / Documentation" > "Defense Personnel Records Information (DPRIS)." 4. Download your DD-214 as a PDF. What if your records were in the 1973 St. Louis fire? In July 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed millions of records — especially Army personnel records from 1912-1960 and Air Force records from 1947-1964. If you served in that window and the Archives cannot find your file, do not give up. Alternatives include: • State National Guard or Reserve records • Your original discharge certificate (if you kept a paper copy) • Pay records, medical records, and morning reports (the Archives reconstructs from these) • VA claim files if you ever filed a claim • A "NA Form 13038 Certification of Military Service" — a substitute document the Archives can issue even without a DD-214 Once you have the PDF: • Save it to multiple places: your computer, a cloud service (iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive), and a USB drive in a safe. • Email a copy to yourself so you can find it anywhere. • Print a physical copy and keep it with your other important documents — safe deposit box, home safe, or a fireproof folder. • Give a sealed copy to a trusted family member who would need to arrange veteran honors or burial. If you need a certified (stamped) copy for a specific purpose (burial, court, etc.), request it through eVetRecs and ask specifically for a certified copy. Most purposes accept a regular PDF printout, but some government and court uses require certified.

Quick Tip

Once you download your DD-214, redact the full SSN before sharing digital copies. Many DD-214 forms have your Social Security number printed right on them. Use a black marker on a printout, or a PDF editor to mark over the middle digits before emailing. Keep the original with the full number in a safe place.

Warning

Never pay a third-party website to "get your DD-214 fast." Sites like DD214.org, DD-214.com, and similar charge $40-$100+ for something the government will give you for free. The official free sources are va.gov, archives.gov/veterans, and milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil. Anything else is a middleman.

VA mobile apps worth having

~4 min

The VA publishes a suite of free apps in the App Store (iPhone/iPad) and Google Play (Android). They are all free, none of them show ads, and most of them are genuinely useful. Here are the ones most veterans should consider. My HealtheVet app This is the mobile version of the MyHealtheVet web portal. Message your care team, refill prescriptions, see appointments and lab results, view the medications list — everything you can do on the website, formatted for a phone. If you only install one VA app, make it this one. VA Health Chat A quick way to get non-urgent medical questions answered by your VA care team over chat (like texting). Useful for things like "Should I take my medication with food?" or "Can I skip my appointment this week?" Does not replace appointments for complex issues but is great for quick check-ins. VA Video Connect The app that runs your telehealth video appointments. You can usually click a link from your email and it opens the app automatically, but installing it ahead of time prevents scrambling during the first visit. Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry For veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits, oil well fires, or airborne toxins (Iraq, Afghanistan, Southwest Asia, Vietnam, and other areas), this app helps you document your exposure and enroll in the VA Registry. Enrolling is free and creates a formal record, which can later support a disability claim. With the PACT Act expansion, this is especially important in 2026. VA Launchpad for Veterans Think of this as the "main menu" for all VA apps. It groups them by category (health, benefits, mental wellness) so you can find and install what you need without hunting the app store. PTSD Family Coach A companion app to PTSD Coach (next step), but designed for spouses, partners, parents, and other family members supporting a veteran with PTSD. Explains what PTSD is, how it affects relationships, how to support without losing yourself, and where to find help. Move! Coach The VA's weight management and healthy lifestyle app. Links to the free MOVE! program at VA clinics nationwide. Tracks activity, meals, weight, and goals. Annie (SMS text-based self care) Not exactly an app — Annie is a VA text message service that sends health prompts (blood pressure reminders, sleep check-ins, medication reminders) via text. Ask your VA provider to enroll you. Great for veterans who prefer text to apps. Stay Quit Coach For veterans trying to quit smoking or vaping. Structured plan, craving tools, progress tracking. Works alongside VA smoking cessation programs. Insomnia Coach / CBT-i Coach Evidence-based tools for improving sleep, based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. Used by many VA sleep programs. How to install any VA app: 1. On your phone, open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). 2. Tap the search icon and type the name — for example, "My HealtheVet" or "PTSD Coach." 3. Look for the one published by "Department of Veterans Affairs" or "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs." This is critical — there are copycat apps with similar names from other developers. 4. Tap "Get" (iPhone) or "Install" (Android). 5. Open the app and sign in with your VA.gov credentials when prompted. All VA apps are free. Anything charging you for access is NOT an official VA app.

Quick Tip

In your phone settings, turn on automatic updates for apps. That way the VA apps stay current without you having to think about it. On iPhone: Settings > App Store > App Updates (turn on). On Android: Play Store > Profile icon > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps.

PTSD, mental health, and wellness apps — all free from the VA

~4 min

The VA has quietly become a world leader in mental health apps. These are written by clinicians, evidence-based, used inside real VA treatment programs, and available to anyone — you do not have to be enrolled in VA care to download and use them. If you or someone you love is struggling, these are serious tools, not gimmicks. PTSD Coach Probably the single best veteran-focused mental health app on the planet. Free, no ads, no data selling. What it does: • Helps you understand PTSD symptoms • Tracks how you are feeling over time • Gives you immediate tools during a difficult moment — breathing exercises, grounding techniques, muscle relaxation, distraction tools • Has a section for trusted contacts, so you can call a friend, family member, or the Veterans Crisis Line with one tap • Links to professional help when you need it You do not have to have a PTSD diagnosis to use it. Many veterans find it useful for anxiety, anger, and stress generally. It has been downloaded millions of times worldwide and research studies consistently show it helps. Mindfulness Coach For learning meditation and mindfulness from scratch. The VA designed this for veterans who had never tried mindfulness before, so the explanations are plain and practical (no incense, no crystals). It has 8-week programs, guided exercises from 3 minutes to 30 minutes, and a progress tracker. Mindfulness genuinely helps with chronic pain, sleep, anxiety, and the hypervigilance many veterans carry. Worth trying even if it sounds "not for you" at first — many old-school veterans have been surprised by how much it helps. COVID Coach (repurposed for general stress) Originally built during the pandemic, this app is now a great general-purpose stress management tool. Mood tracking, coping tools, goal-setting, and links to resources. Mood Coach For tracking mood over time, scheduling enjoyable activities, and learning basic behavioral therapy techniques. Useful for depression. ACT Coach Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy — a proven therapy approach. Helps you clarify your values and take actions aligned with them, even when difficult feelings are present. Safety Plan (Stanley-Brown Safety Planning) If you or someone you love has ever had thoughts of suicide, a written safety plan can genuinely save a life. This app walks you through creating one — warning signs, coping strategies, trusted contacts, reasons for living — and keeps it accessible on your phone for when you need it most. Virtual Hope Box A digital "toolkit" of things that help you get through dark moments — favorite photos, songs, voice recordings, inspirational quotes, activities. You build it when you are doing well so it is ready when you are not. CPT Coach / PE Coach Companion apps for veterans enrolled in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE), two evidence-based PTSD treatments. Use these alongside therapy, not instead of it. How to install: Same as the previous step. Search the app store for the app name plus "VA" or "Department of Veterans Affairs." Look for the VA logo on the app listing. All are 100% free. If you are in crisis right now: • Dial 988, then press 1 — Veterans Crisis Line (24/7) • Text 838255 — Veterans Crisis Line • Chat online at veteranscrisisline.net • Go to any emergency room The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed by VA mental health professionals, many of whom are veterans themselves. You do not need to be enrolled in VA care. You will not be judged. You will not be mocked for calling "too soon" or for something that seems small. Use it. One more note: using these apps does not go into your VA medical record. They run entirely on your phone. You can track your mood for months without anyone else ever seeing it — unless you choose to show your therapist. Your privacy is respected.

Quick Tip

If you are working with a VA therapist or primary care doctor on mental health, tell them which apps you are using. They can often suggest how to use them between sessions — for example, reviewing your PTSD Coach mood tracker in your appointment can give them much better information than trying to remember how you have been doing.

Warning

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please do not wait. Call or text 988 and press 1, or go to the nearest emergency room. Apps are a supplement, not a substitute for immediate help when you are in danger.

Avoiding VA-related scams

~5 min

Veterans are a favorite target for scammers. Criminals know veterans often have benefits, pensions, VA-issued accounts, and a trusting relationship with anyone who says "I support our troops." Scams targeting veterans run in the hundreds of millions of dollars every year, and the FTC, VA Inspector General, and AARP publish warnings constantly. Here are the most common VA-related scams and exactly how to avoid them. The "VA representative" phone call The scam: someone calls claiming to be from the VA. They may know your name, partial SSN, or recent facility — scraped from data breaches. They say your benefits are being reviewed, there is a problem with your account, you owe money, or you are due extra money. They ask you to "verify" your SSN, bank account, or login credentials. The truth: the real VA does not call you out of the blue to ask for your SSN or banking info. They do not threaten to cut off benefits unless you pay today. They do not demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — ever. What to do: hang up. Call the real VA directly at 1-800-698-2411 if you want to check on anything. Do not trust caller ID — it can be faked. The "help you file a claim for a fee" scam The scam: a "claim consultant," "benefits coach," or unaccredited agent offers to file or appeal your VA claim for 20-40% of your back-pay — sometimes thousands of dollars. The truth: it is illegal under federal law for anyone to charge a fee to help a veteran file an initial claim. Accredited VSOs — DAV, VFW, American Legion, state veterans offices — are free. Period. Some accredited attorneys and agents can charge a fee on appeals after a decision, but only with a VA-approved fee agreement, and the fee is regulated. What to do: find a real VSO at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation. Never pay someone cash up front for claim help. If you see ads for "Veterans Benefits Experts" promising huge claim increases for a fee, run. The fake VA Home Loan refi call The scam: letters or calls saying you have been "pre-approved" for a special VA refinance or that your current VA loan is "under review." They ask for loan info and SSN to "process" the offer. The truth: the VA does not pre-approve refinances or randomly call veterans about their loans. The VA does not originate loans — private lenders do, with a VA guarantee. What to do: throw the mail away. Hang up the phone. If you actually want to refinance, call a reputable lender you choose yourself. The fake charity The scam: telemarketer calls or knocks asking for donations to help "wounded warriors," "homeless vets," or "the troops." Official-sounding name, heart-tugging story, takes credit cards over the phone. The truth: many veteran charities are legitimate and wonderful. But some "charities" spend 80-95% of donations on fundraising and very little on actual veterans. What to do: before donating, check the charity at give.org (BBB Wise Giving Alliance), charitynavigator.org, or charitywatch.org. Legitimate charities do not pressure you to donate right now over the phone. The "update your DD-214" scam The scam: websites or emails claiming you must pay to "update," "certify," or "renew" your DD-214. Sometimes they pose as the National Archives. The truth: your DD-214 never expires and does not need updating. The government does not charge for copies. What to do: ignore. Use archives.gov/veterans or va.gov to request records for free. The phony VA job or VA hiring scam The scam: someone says you are being considered for a great VA job but must pay for "background check processing" or buy equipment up front. The truth: the VA hires through usajobs.gov and never asks for payment from applicants. What to do: apply only through usajobs.gov. Never pay for any job application or processing fee. The romance/dating scam targeting veterans and widows The scam: someone online says they are a deployed service member, widow of a service member, or VA doctor. After weeks of sweet messages, they need money for a medical emergency, flight home, equipment, or to pay a fee to access their "military trust fund." The truth: real service members do not need strangers online to pay their bills. Military trust funds you pay to access do not exist. What to do: never send money to someone you have not met in person. Do a reverse image search of their photo (Google Images > camera icon > paste photo). If the same face shows up under different names, it is a scam. Report to the FBI at ic3.gov. How to spot a scam in general: • Any unsolicited call, text, or email asking for SSN, bank info, or passwords • Pressure to "act now" or "before benefits are cut off" • Requests for payment in gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency • Threats of arrest, garnishment, or loss of benefits • "Free" offers that somehow require a fee or your banking info • Caller ID that shows "VA" or "Social Security" (easily faked) If you think you have been scammed: • Call your bank immediately to stop charges and flag accounts. • Change passwords on anything the scammer may have accessed. • Report to the VA Office of Inspector General at va.gov/oig/hotline or 1-800-488-8244. • Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. • Report to local police — many scams involving money are crimes. • Tell someone you trust. Scammers count on shame to keep victims quiet. You did nothing wrong by being targeted.

Warning

One rule that blocks most scams: "If someone unexpected contacts me, I will hang up or delete the message, then call the real organization using a number I found myself — not the one they gave me." That single habit will protect you from the vast majority of VA-related scams.

Getting help when you are stuck

~5 min

All of this talk about online self-service assumes everything works and everything makes sense. Often it does not. Websites time out. Claims get denied for confusing reasons. Apps crash. Passwords get locked. Letters arrive that feel like they were written in another language. When this happens, you are not failing — the system is failing you. Here are the real humans who help veterans for free. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) A VSO is a trained, federally accredited advocate. Their whole job is helping veterans navigate VA benefits, appeals, and problems. VSOs are free. They do not work for the VA — they work for you. Major VSO organizations include: • DAV (Disabled American Veterans) — dav.org, 1-877-426-2838 • VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) — vfw.org • American Legion — legion.org • AMVETS — amvets.org • Vietnam Veterans of America — vva.org • Your state Department of Veterans Affairs (every state has one) • Your county Veterans Service Office (most counties have one too) What a VSO will do for you: • Sit down with you (in person, by phone, or increasingly by video) and go over your situation • File your disability or pension claims, with the right evidence and wording • Appeal a denied claim • Help you understand a confusing VA letter • Hold your power of attorney for benefits matters (so they can talk to the VA on your behalf) • Connect you to other resources — housing, employment, legal aid To find a VSO near you: go to va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation — or just call the DAV (1-877-426-2838) and ask where your nearest office is. Honest advice: pick ONE VSO and work with them consistently. Bouncing between organizations slows things down. DAV is a great default for disability claims — but any accredited organization will do. DAV digital services The DAV specifically has invested heavily in helping veterans navigate the online VA. They have: • Benefits assistance by video call • Help uploading documents to VA.gov • Help appealing denied claims • Tax preparation (free) through DAV tax programs at many local chapters • Transportation to VA medical appointments (free rides, often all volunteer-driven) Call 1-877-426-2838 or go to dav.org/veterans. VA.gov and MyHealtheVet tech support For purely technical problems (cannot log in, password not working, site errors): • VA.gov Help Desk: 1-800-698-2411 (select tech support option). Available 24/7. • MyHealtheVet Help Desk: 1-877-327-0022. Weekdays, 8am-8pm Eastern. They can reset logins, walk you through the site, and troubleshoot video visit problems. Be patient — wait times can be long — but they are real VA employees trained to help. Login.gov and ID.me support • Login.gov help: login.gov/contact or 1-844-875-6446 • ID.me help: help.id.me — includes a chat option with a live Trusted Referee if identity verification keeps failing VA Caregiver Support Line For family members caring for a veteran: 1-855-260-3274. They connect you to caregiver programs, respite care, and support groups. Many family caregivers qualify for a monthly stipend from the VA — ask. Veterans Crisis Line For any mental health crisis, 24/7, free, confidential: • Dial 988, then press 1 • Text 838255 • Chat at veteranscrisisline.net You do not need to be enrolled in VA care. Call even if you are not sure whether it "counts" as a crisis. Legal help Many communities have free legal aid for veterans — especially around housing, discharge upgrades, benefits appeals, and consumer issues: • Your state bar association often has a veterans legal project • Stateside Legal: statesidelegal.org — directory of free veteran legal services by state • Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program: vetsprobono.org — free attorneys for certain VA appeals A practical plan when you are stuck: 1. Take a breath. Being stuck on the VA does not mean you are the problem. Millions feel the same. 2. Write down exactly what you were trying to do, what went wrong, any error message or letter reference number, and your VA file number if you have one. 3. Call the right number from the list above. Start with tech support for website problems, VSO for claims problems, Crisis Line for mental health, Caregiver Line for family issues. 4. If the first person cannot help, ask politely to be transferred or ask for their supervisor. You are allowed to ask. 5. Keep notes of who you talked to, when, and what they said. Names and dates help on follow-up calls. You served. You earned every one of these benefits. Anyone on the other end of these phone numbers is there to help you get them. When the website fights you, the humans are still there. Thank you again for your service.

Quick Tip

Before calling ANY VA number, have these things ready: your full name as it appears in VA records, the last 4 of your SSN (never give the full SSN over the phone unless YOU initiated the call to a verified number), your VA file number if you know it, and a short written summary of the problem. This makes every call faster and less frustrating.

You Did It!

You've completed: Veteran's Tech Guide: VA Benefits, MyHealtheVet, and Online Resources

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First — thank you for your service. Whatever branch, whatever era, whatever job you did while you wore the uniform, this country owes you a debt that a website can never repay. This guide is written in that spirit.

Here is the reality in 2026: the VA has moved almost everything online. Appointments, prescription refills, disability claims, the GI Bill, your DD-214, messages to your doctor, even therapy sessions — nearly all of it now runs through VA.gov, MyHealtheVet, and a handful of VA apps. That is mostly a good thing. It means you can handle a lot from your kitchen table instead of driving an hour to the regional office or sitting on hold for forty-five minutes.

It is also, let's be honest, frustrating. The VA is a giant bureaucracy. Accounts get confusing (Login.gov? ID.me?). Passwords get lost. Websites time you out. Claims decisions arrive in envelopes full of acronyms. None of that is your fault, and you are not alone in finding it maddening — millions of veterans feel exactly the same way.

This guide walks you through the systems that matter most — how to set them up once, correctly, so they keep working — and what to do when they do not. It also covers the scams that specifically target veterans, and the real humans (DAV, VSOs, VA tech support) who will help you for free when the website will not.

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Official Resources

Medicare.gov MedlinePlus — Health Info AARP Health & Technology

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Why the VA is mostly online now — and what you need

Setting up a VA.gov account — Login.gov vs ID.me

Using MyHealtheVet — the VA patient portal

Applying for or checking VA benefits — disability, pension, GI Bill

VA Video Connect — telehealth through the VA

Finding your VA facility and services

Downloading your DD-214 online

VA mobile apps worth having

PTSD, mental health, and wellness apps — all free from the VA

Avoiding VA-related scams

Getting help when you are stuck

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