VA Benefits Overview for Veterans and Families
Quick answer
VA benefits fall into a few families. Disability compensation pays Veterans for service-connected conditions. Decision reviews let you challenge a VA decision. Pension, with Aid and Attendance or Housebound add-ons, supports wartime Veterans and survivors with limited income. DIC supports survivors of service-related deaths. Health care, education and housing programs sit alongside these. Start with the family that matches your situation.
Disability compensation
Monthly, tax-free payments for conditions caused or worsened by military service. Start with VA disability claims, then go deeper:
- VA disability rating increase when a rated condition gets worse.
- Secondary conditions caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.
- C&P exams: what happens and how to prepare.
- How combined ratings work, with a calculator.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for severe disabilities and care needs.
- TDIU when service-connected conditions prevent work.
Denied or underrated? Decision reviews
VA offers three ways to challenge most decisions. See VA disability appeals, the Supplemental Claim and the Higher-Level Review.
Pension and care-related benefits
VA pension is needs-based support for wartime Veterans and survivors. Aid and Attendance and Housebound add to pension when daily help is needed or the person is confined to the home.
Survivor and family benefits
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) supports eligible survivors. See spouse and family benefits for other programs.
Health care, education and housing
Getting help
You can file on your own or with help. Free help is available from accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives, and accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge fees only in limited circumstances. Learn how to verify a VA-accredited representative and explore VA basics.
Common questions
What is the difference between VA disability compensation and VA pension?
Disability compensation is based on service-connected conditions and does not depend on income. Pension is needs-based: it requires wartime service and has income and net worth limits.
Can a surviving spouse receive VA benefits?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, survivors may qualify for DIC, Survivors Pension (with possible Aid and Attendance), and other family benefits.
What if VA denied my claim?
Most decisions can be reviewed through a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review or a Board Appeal. Acting within one year of the decision generally helps protect your effective date.
Where do I start if I’m not sure what I qualify for?
Use Find My Benefits to see which benefit areas may be worth exploring, or start a benefits review with our team.
Is Veteran Benefits USA part of the VA?
No. Veteran Benefits USA is an independent organization and is not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.