Most veterans leaving the military claim fewer than half the benefits they are entitled to. The VA administers over 30 distinct benefit programs. This interactive checklist covers every major benefit, what you need to qualify, and exactly how to claim it.
Key Rule
You have one year from your separation date to file an Intent to File with the VA and preserve your effective date. File it the day you separate - it costs nothing and protects your back-pay entitlement.
File an Intent to File First
Before anything else, file an Intent to File (ITF) at va.gov/decision-reviews/intent-to-file. This takes 5 minutes and locks in your effective date. If your disability claim is approved, your compensation goes back to this date - potentially worth thousands of dollars in retroactive pay.
Healthcare Benefits
VA Healthcare EnrollmentEnroll at va.gov/health-care/apply. Priority Group 1-6 based on disability rating and income. Free or low-cost for most veterans with honorable discharge and 24+ months active service. Apply within 5 years of separation for automatic enrollment.
TRICARE Reserve Select (if joining Guard/Reserve)If transitioning to Guard or Reserve, TRICARE Reserve Select provides affordable health coverage. Enroll within 90 days of separation to avoid coverage gaps. Cost: approximately $250/month for family coverage as of 2025.
Mental Health ServicesVA provides free mental health care for combat veterans for 5 years post-separation regardless of discharge status. Includes counseling, PTSD treatment, substance use treatment. Vet Centers (separate from VA hospitals) provide community-based counseling with shorter wait times.
Disability Compensation
File VA Disability Claim for ALL Service-Connected ConditionsDocument every condition that started or worsened during service - physical injuries, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, back pain, PTSD, TBI, MST. File a claim for each one separately. Tinnitus and hearing loss are the most commonly overlooked - if you were around aircraft, weapons, or heavy equipment, file. Average processing time: 100-150 days.
BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) ProgramIf you are 90-180 days from separation, file your disability claim NOW through the BDD program. You will receive your rating decision shortly after separation rather than waiting months after. This is the single most impactful thing you can do before leaving the military.
TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability)If your service-connected conditions prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for TDIU - which pays at the 100% rate even with a lower rating. Requires a single disability rated at 60%+ or multiple disabilities totaling 70%+ with one at 40%+.
Supplemental Claim for Denied or Low-Rated ConditionsIf the VA denied a condition or gave a lower rating than you believe is warranted, file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence or a Higher-Level Review within one year of the decision. Getting a VSO or accredited attorney to assist is strongly recommended.
Education Benefits
GI Bill Transfer to DependentsIf you served 10+ years and have 4+ years remaining, you can transfer unused GI Bill months to a spouse or child. This must be done BEFORE separation while still on active duty. It cannot be done after you leave.
Home Loan Benefits
VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)The VA home loan guaranty allows you to buy a home with no down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates. Request your COE at va.gov before house hunting - sellers and agents take offers more seriously when you have it in hand. The funding fee (1.25-3.3% typically) is waived entirely if you have a service-connected disability rating of 10%+.
IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan)If you already have a VA loan and interest rates drop, the VA IRRRL allows refinancing with minimal paperwork and typically no out-of-pocket costs. No appraisal required. VA funding fee is only 0.5%.
Financial Benefits
SGLI to VGLI ConversionYour Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) can convert to Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within 240 days of separation - no medical exam required within the first 240 days. After 240 days, health underwriting applies. Do this within 240 days even if you plan to get private insurance later.
TSP RolloverRoll your Thrift Savings Plan into a civilian IRA or 401k to maintain investment continuity and potentially access better investment options. You can also leave it in TSP, which has some of the lowest expense ratios of any investment vehicle. Do not cash it out - the tax penalties are severe.
State-Specific Financial BenefitsEvery state offers additional benefits for veterans ranging from property tax exemptions to vehicle registration fee waivers to business licensing priority. Check your state's Department of Veterans Affairs website - these benefits are not automatic and must be applied for separately.
Additional Benefits
Commissary and Exchange Access (disabled veterans)Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of any percentage retain Exchange online shopping access. Veterans with a 100% disability rating (or TDIU) retain full commissary, Exchange, and MWR access for life. This benefit alone can save $3,000-$6,000 annually for a family.
Burial BenefitsVeterans with honorable discharge are eligible for burial in a national cemetery at no cost, a government headstone or marker, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a burial flag. Register your wishes with the VA now so your family knows what is available.
eBenefits / VA.gov ProfileSet up your VA.gov profile now. This is where you track claims, access your benefits letters (critical for state and employer verifications), request COEs, and manage your VA healthcare. Download your benefits summary letter immediately - you will need it for many civilian applications.
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