Find the benefits you earned.

Answer a short set of questions about your service, discharge, and household. The pathfinder checks your answers against common federal and state programs and shows what you may qualify for.

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Your service profile

Pick a preset to fill in common answers, or enter your own details below.

Service history
Discharge and disability
Household and income

Your potential benefits

Based on your answers, you may qualify for the programs below. Each entry includes what it covers, why you might qualify, and what to do next.

No results yet

Fill in the questionnaire above and press "Check my eligibility" to see which programs may apply to you.

Common scenarios

These examples show how different situations lead to different benefit combinations. Use them to understand how the pathfinder works before entering your own details.

Post-9/11 veteran with a 70 percent rating

Maria served in the Army from 2004 to 2012 with two deployments to Afghanistan. She has a 70 percent VA disability rating for PTSD and a knee injury. She is unemployed and has two children.

Likely eligible for: VA disability compensation (70 percent rate), VA health care, Post-9/11 GI Bill (if not already used), Vocational Rehabilitation, CHAMPVA for dependents, property tax exemption (state dependent), and possibly TDIU if she cannot maintain employment.

Vietnam era veteran, general discharge

James served in the Navy from 1968 to 1972. He received a general discharge under honorable conditions. He was exposed to Agent Orange. He is retired with a household income of $35,000.

Likely eligible for: VA health care, Agent Orange presumptive conditions, VA pension (if income eligible), Aid and Attendance (if help with daily activities is needed), and state veterans property tax relief.

Surviving spouse of a service-connected veteran

Carol's husband served 20 years in the Air Force and passed away from a service-connected condition. She has not remarried. She is 62 and has limited income.

Likely eligible for: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors Pension, CHAMPVA health coverage, burial benefits, and possibly state-level survivor benefits.

Peacetime veteran, no disability rating

David served four years in the Marines during the 1980s with an honorable discharge. He has no VA disability rating. He is employed full-time and owns a home.

Likely eligible for: VA health care (income dependent), VA home loan guarantee, GI Bill (if not used), state veterans benefits, and potential disability claim if new conditions arise.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a general discharge blocks all benefits. It does not. Many programs accept general discharges under honorable conditions.
  • Not filing for conditions that started in service but got worse later. The PACT Act expanded coverage for toxic exposures.
  • Skipping VA health care because you have private insurance. VA care can work alongside other coverage and may cost less.
  • Waiting too long to file. Some benefits have time limits. Others are retroactive only to the filing date.

What to bring to your VSO appointment

  • Your printed results from this pathfinder.
  • DD-214 or other discharge papers.
  • VA disability rating letter (if you have one).
  • Recent tax return or proof of income.
  • Marriage certificate and birth certificates for dependents (if applicable).

Assumptions and limits

This pathfinder covers the most common federal programs and some widely available state benefits. It does not include every state-specific program. Income limits and eligibility rules change. Some programs require a service-connected condition. Others are needs-based. Always confirm with a VA representative or an accredited Veterans Service Officer before making decisions.

Where to get help

Contact a Veterans Service Organization such as the American Legion, VFW, DAV, or your county veterans service office. They provide free help filing claims. You can also call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit va.gov.