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VA can support you and your loved ones in different ways throughout your life. Your VA Welcome Guide provides a broad overview of services VA can offer you.
Apply for Veterans Affairs Healthcare
VA health care covers care for your physical and mental health. This includes a range of services from checkups to surgeries to home health care. It also includes prescriptions and medical equipment.
Here’s what you’ll need to apply:
We’ll also ask you for this optional information:
If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, we strongly encourage you to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.
Request Pertaining to Military Records
Related to: A non-VA form. For other government agency forms, go to the GSA forms library.
Form last updated: December 2022
When to use this form
Use GSA Form SF180 to request your military service records, like your DD214 or other separation documents, your orders and endorsements, and your military medical records.
To receive some benefits, Veterans need a letter proving their status. Access and download your VA Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called a VA award letter) and other benefit letters and documents online.
Request for a Certificate of Eligibility
Related to: Family member benefits, Housing assistance, Service member benefits
Form last updated: March 2023
When to use this form
Use VA Form 26-1880 to apply for a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You’ll need to bring the COE to your lender to prove that you qualify for a VA home loan.
Nearly two million Americans have been awarded the Purple Heart. Unfortunately, there is no publicly available master database of all those who have been wounded or killed in action while protecting our nation and the freedoms we cherish. To help ensure all our Purple Heart heroes are memorialized for generations to come, the Honor Mission and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor are building the Roll of Honor, the nation’s foremost repository of Purple Heart recipients and their stories.
Appointment of Individual As Claimant's Representative
Related to: Burials and memorials, Careers and employment, Disability, Education and training, Family member benefits, Health care, Housing assistance, Life insurance, Pension, Service member benefits
Form last updated: February 2024
When to use this form
If you want to have an individual help you with your claim or benefits, have that person complete and submit this form.
VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will
Related to: Health care
Form last updated: March 2022
When to use this form:
Use VA Form 10-0137 to give specific people permission to make health care decisions for you, and to let VA health care providers know your wishes for medical, mental health, long-term, and other types of care.
Request for and Authorization to Release Health Information
Related to: Health care
Form last updated: October 2023
When to use this form
Use VA Form 10-5345 to authorize us to share your health information with a non-VA (or third-party) individual or organization.
A veteran can get a complete copy of their VA medical records directly from their VA health facility. Keep reading on this page to learn how to request records from their health facility’s medical records office. They’ll need to fill out an Individuals’ Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information (VA Form 10-5345a). Submit the completed form to the veteran's VA health facility’s medical records office by mail, by fax, or in person. This office is also called a Release of Information Office.
VA Form 21-0845 is known as an Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party. This form should be submitted by someone who wishes to have the Department of Veterans Affairs release their personal information to a third party. This information could be about your beneficiaries or about your claim(s).
Form name:Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act (PA) Request: This form is ONLY used to request military records or a veteran's benefit records. Please complete the attached form to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act (PA) request. It must be signed by the requester, veteran or third-party authorized to act on behalf of the requester. WHAT IS A FOIA REQUEST? A FOIA request provides the public the right to request access to records from Federal agencies, except those protected by the nine FOIA exemptions.
An intent to file sets a potential start date (or effective date) for your benefits. If you notify us of your intent to file, you may be able to get retroactive payments (payments for the time between when you submitted your intent to file and when we approved your claim).
You can notify us of your intent to file if you plan to file a claim or a Supplemental Claim for these types of benefits:
You can submit an intent to file form or call us at 800-827-1000 to notify us of your intent to file. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. If you want to notify us by submitting the form, download and fill out an Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC (VA Form 21-0966).
Request for Change of Address / Cancellation of Direct Deposit
To notify the Department of Veterans Affairs of a change in address, cancellation of direct deposit, or both, complete this form and mail it to the VA office having your records.
Court Appointed Fiduciary's Account
Related to: Family member benefits, Pension
Form last updated: May 2022
Personalized Career Planning and Guidance/Chapter 36
Related to: VBA
Form last updated: June 2023
When to use this form
Use this form to apply for personalized career counseling and support to help you find a training program or job.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.
Application for VA Education Benefits
Related to: Education and training
Form last updated: March 2023
When to use this form
Use VA Form 22-1990 if you want to apply for education benefits under any of the following programs:
Education Benefit Entitlement Restoration Request Due to School Closure, Program Suspension or Withdrawal
Related to: Education and training
Form last updated: October 2023
Appointment of Individual As Claimant's Representative
Related to: Burials and memorials, Careers and employment, Disability, Education and training, Family member benefits, Health care, Housing assistance, Life insurance, Pension, Service member benefits
Form last updated: February 2024
When to use this form
If you want to have an individual help you with your claim or benefits, have that person complete and submit this form.
VBA-20-0995 Supplimental Claim
Use this form to request a SUPPLEMENTAL CLAIM of the decision you received that you disagree with. A SUPPLEMENTAL CLAIM is a new review of an issue(s) previously decided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on submission of new and relevant evidence. For additional information on the SUPPLEMENTAL CLAIM process or other decision review options such as a higher-level review and appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, visit https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/.
You may contact your accredited representative (attorney, claims agent, and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) representative) to assist you in completing this request form. If you have not already selected a representative, or if you want to change your representative, a searchable database of VArecognized VSOs, VA-accredited attorneys, claims agents, and VSO representatives is available at https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.
VBA-20-0996-Higher Level Review
Use this form to request a Higher - Level review of a Decision You Received. A Higher-Level Review is a new review of an issue(s) previously decided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on the evidence of record at the time VA issued notice of the prior decision. The Higher-Level Reviewer will not consider any evidence received after the notification date of the prior decision. A Higher-Level Review may not be requested for the review of a Higher-Level Review decision or a Board of Veterans' Appeals decision. This form must be submitted to VA WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE DATE VA PROVIDED NOTICE OF OUR DECISION. For additional information on the Higher-Level Review process or a list of review options that allow VA to consider new evidence and how to file, visit www.va.gov/decision-reviews/.
10-0137 - Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care & Living Will
10-5345 - Authorization to Release Health Information
10-5345a - Personal Health Record Request (My Health eVet)
20-572 - Cancellation-Change of Direct Deposit
20-0995 - Decision Review Request-Supplemental
20-0996 - Decision Review Request-Higher Level
20-0998 - Review of Decision
21-22a - Appointment of Representative
21-686c - Declaration of Dependant Status
21-0781a - Claim for (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault
21-0845 - Disclosure of Information for a Third Party
21-0966 - Intent to File for Benefits
21P-4706c - Court Appointed Fiduciary Account
22-0989 - Restoration of Education Benefit
22-1990 - Application for Education Benefits
26-1880 - Certificate of Eligibility
26-8937 - Verification of VA Benefits
27-0501 - Veterans Benefits Timetable
28-1902w - Rehabilitation Needs Inventory
28-8832 - Request for Educational-Voc. Counseling
29-0151 - Service-Disabled Insurance
29-0975 - Personal Info to a 3rd Party (insurance)
3288 - Release of Information
10182 - Reveiw of Decision
Apply for a Discharge Upgrade
Office of Survivors Assistance
SF 180 - Military Records Request
VA Dental Insurance Program
VA form 9 - Appeal to Board of Veterans Appeals
VA VocRehab Process (31)
VA’s Fiduciary Program (Am. Legion)
Apply for a Discharge Upgrade
The Forgotten Veteran Resource Guide is a collaboration of Veterans Affairs, veteran - centric organizations, and public and community agencies to provide transitional resources and supportive services to transitioning veterans experiencing homelessness with the objective of obtaining sustainable housing and personal wellness. Are you a veteran or do you know of a veteran in need of resources or supportive services? Please click: Veterans Resources Questionnaire
The Forgotten Veteran for providers is a comprehensive guide that amasses all the resources and supportive services in one place. For resource and service providers that would like to have their information added to The Forgotten Veteran website or inclusion in the resource guide, please click: The Forgotten Veteran Provider's Questionnaire