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    VA Benefits & App Coach

    Don\'t miss what you\'ve already earned.

    VA Health Care

    • Eligible: most who served on active duty. Even decades later.
    • Cost: free for service-connected conditions. Low or no cost for many other conditions.
    • Includes: primary care, specialists, mental health, prescription drugs ($0-11/month copay), hearing aids (FREE), vision, dental (varies).
    • How to apply: va.gov/health-care/apply or call 1-877-222-VETS.
    • Bring: DD-214, copy of insurance, list of meds.

    Disability Compensation

    Tax-free monthly payment for service-connected conditions, even if not disabling. Most veterans miss this.

    • Hearing loss/tinnitus from your service — qualifies.
    • Knee/back issues from service — qualifies.
    • PTSD, anxiety, depression — qualifies if linked to service.
    • Diabetes (Agent Orange exposure) — qualifies for Vietnam vets.
    • Cancer (burn pit exposure) — PACT Act 2022 expanded coverage.
    • 10% rating = ~$170/month tax-free for life. 100% = $3,800+/month.

    Apply at va.gov/disability/file-claim. Use a free Veterans Service Organization (VSO) — VFW, American Legion, DAV — to help file. They\'re trained.

    Aid & Attendance (most overlooked)

    For wartime veterans (and their surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities. Up to $2,727/month tax-free for couples (2025).

    • Wartime service (any of: WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq/Afghanistan).
    • Need help with daily activities (bathing, dressing) OR limited income/assets.
    • Apply at va.gov → "Pension benefits".

    Burial benefits

    • Free burial in any of 155 national cemeteries.
    • Free headstone or marker.
    • Burial allowance: $796 service-connected death; $300 non-service.
    • Free flag for casket/cremation urn.
    • Apply at va.gov/burials-memorials.

    VA App (free)

    Install VA: Health and Benefits from App Store / Play Store. Lets you:

    • See your benefit letters and ratings.
    • Check disability claim status.
    • Refill prescriptions.
    • Schedule and join VA telehealth.
    • Message your VA doctor.
    • Apply for new benefits.

    Free help with your claim

    • VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) — free claims help. Find a Service Officer at vfw.org.
    • American Legion — same. legion.org.
    • DAV (Disabled American Veterans) — DAV.org.
    • State Veterans Service Officer — every state has free veterans benefits help.
    • NEVER pay a "claims agent" percentage of your claim — it\'s illegal.

    PACT Act expanded benefits in 2022

    If you served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or near burn pits — you may now qualify for compensation for cancers and respiratory conditions previously denied. Apply or re-apply: many denied claims are getting reconsidered.