Rated, Now What
Benefits by Rating
Rated 100 percent (Permanent and Total)
Print-and-take checklist. Tick each box as you go, and keep it with your paperwork.
- Downloaded my Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter from VA.gov: Download VA letters, with combined rating, service-connected status, and Permanent and Total (P&T) boxes checked.
- CHAMPVA: confirmed my family isn't already on TRICARE, gathered dependent documents, and filed VA Form 10-10d at VA.gov: Apply for CHAMPVA.
- Education: filed VA Form 22-5490 for my spouse or child's Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) or Fry Scholarship at VA.gov: Apply for DEA/Fry, and checked whether transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill or Yellow Ribbon pays more.
- Student loans: logged into studentaid.gov to check my Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge status, and confirmed my name, Social Security number, and address match VA's records.
- VA home loan: got my Certificate of Eligibility at VA.gov: Request a COE and told my lender in writing that I'm exempt from the funding fee (or requested a refund if I was charged in error).
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): reviewed my rating decisions for any already-documented losses (limb, vision, hearing, aid and attendance) and, if found, started a claim with a free accredited VSO.
- If I'm a military retiree: checked my myPay retiree account for a Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) line item, and if any condition is combat-related, filed DD Form 2860 with my branch's Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) office.
- VA health care: enrolled (or confirmed enrollment) with VA Form 10-10EZ at VA.gov: Apply for VA health care and confirmed I'm coded Priority Group 1.
- Requested my Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) for commissary and exchange access.
- Property tax: visited Benefits by State for my state's exact form, threshold, and county deadline.
Full step-by-step guide: ratednowwhat.com/benefits-by-rating#h2_5741b200
Education only. Not the VA, not a government agency, and not financial, tax, or legal advice. Help with a VA claim or rating is always free through a VA-accredited Veteran Service Officer.