You served. You deserve a clear path to care.
VA healthcare has its own application, its own facilities, and its own rules. This page walks you to the right official starting point — in plain language, one step at a time.
If this is a life-threatening emergency
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right now. Go to the closest one — it does not have to be a VA facility. Get care first; sort out coverage and paperwork afterward.
In crisis, or thinking about suicide?
The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential, and open 24/7. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use it.
After an emergency, tell VA within 72 hours so your care team knows. VA's emergency care page explains what to do next. VA emergency care guidance(opens in a new tab)
What do you need help with?
Tap any card to jump into the Navigator with that topic already selected.
Veterans Healthcare Navigator
Answer three short questions and get a personalized checklist with the official VA pages for each step.
Veterans Healthcare Navigator — Step 1 of 3
Who are we helping today?
Three quick questions. Nothing you tap is sent anywhere or saved to your record — we only use it to build your checklist on this device.
Your Navigator answers stay in your browser. We record only which topic was chosen so we can improve this page — never health details.
Already working on a bill, denial, or appeal?
Veteran is a full pathway inside The Murray Standard's Healthcare Navigator. Start there and your VA context carries into bills, denials, appeals, and coverage questions.
Open the Veterans pathwayMental health support
Reaching out is a strength. These are VA's own mental health resources — several of them do not require VA enrollment.
- Official sourceVA.gov
Vet Centers (opens in a new tab)
Community-based counseling centers offering readjustment counseling and referrals. VA lists eligibility and locations on this page.
Link verified
- Official sourceVeterans Crisis Line
Veterans Crisis Line — Dial 988, then press 1 (opens in a new tab)
Free, confidential support 24/7 for Veterans, service members, and their families. Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. VA enrollment is not required.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
VA mental health (opens in a new tab)
VA's mental health hub: PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use, military sexual trauma, and how to start care.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
National Center for PTSD (opens in a new tab)
VA's education center on PTSD: what treatment involves, self-assessment tools, and how to talk to a provider about symptoms.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Make the Connection (opens in a new tab)
VA's library of Veteran stories and local resource search, built for Veterans who are deciding whether to reach out.
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Caregiver support
If you take care of a Veteran, VA has programs for you too — training, respite, peer support, and a dedicated phone line.
- Official sourceVA.gov
VA Caregiver Support Program (opens in a new tab)
VA's program for family caregivers: training, peer support, respite options, and the Caregiver Support Line.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (opens in a new tab)
The application process and criteria VA reviews for the comprehensive caregiver program. VA decides each application individually.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
CHAMPVA for family members (opens in a new tab)
VA's health coverage program for certain spouses, dependents, and survivors. It is separate from TRICARE and from VA health care.
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Official VA resources
Every destination below is a government source. We list the date each link was last verified.
- Official sourceVA.gov
VA health care — main hub (opens in a new tab)
VA's starting point for health care: what the program covers, how to apply, and how to manage care once you are enrolled.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
VA health care eligibility (opens in a new tab)
VA's official eligibility page. It explains the service, discharge, and income factors VA reviews. Only VA can decide whether you qualify.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
VA priority groups (opens in a new tab)
How VA assigns enrolled Veterans to priority groups 1–8, and what that assignment affects. VA assigns your group after it reviews your application.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
The PACT Act and your VA benefits (opens in a new tab)
VA's overview of the PACT Act, which changed how VA handles toxic exposure. VA encourages Veterans who were previously denied to check the current rules.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Get free help from an accredited representative (opens in a new tab)
VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers, attorneys, and claims agents help you file at no cost. VA maintains the directory.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
VA health care copay rates (opens in a new tab)
VA's published copay rates, including medication tiers. What you personally owe depends on the group VA assigns you.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Community care eligibility (opens in a new tab)
The criteria VA reviews for community care, including drive time and wait time standards. VA must authorize community care in advance in most cases.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
CHAMPVA for family members (opens in a new tab)
VA's health coverage program for certain spouses, dependents, and survivors. It is separate from TRICARE and from VA health care.
Link verified
- Official sourceVA.gov
How to apply for VA health care (opens in a new tab)
Apply online with VA Form 10-10EZ, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. This page lists what VA asks you to have ready.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Application for health benefits (10-10EZ) (opens in a new tab)
The application form itself. You can start it online, save your progress, and come back to finish it.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Connect to VA care (opens in a new tab)
VA's guide for Veterans who are not yet using VA care — how to get started, what to bring, and who to call for help.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Find a VA location (opens in a new tab)
VA's official facility locator: medical centers, community clinics, Vet Centers, and urgent care. Search by ZIP code and filter by the service you need.
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- Official sourceVA.gov
Vet Centers (opens in a new tab)
Community-based counseling centers offering readjustment counseling and referrals. VA lists eligibility and locations on this page.
Link verified
- Official sourceVA.gov
VA urgent care benefit (opens in a new tab)
How the VA urgent care benefit works for conditions that are not emergencies, and how to find an in-network urgent care location.
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All links last verified .
More Veterans coverage guides
Our Veterans care library covers dental, vision, TRICARE, CHAMPVA, and community programs in more depth.
Browse Veterans care resourcesImportant: we are not the VA
The Murray Standard is an independent educational and navigation resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. We do not make eligibility determinations, provide medical diagnoses, or state what VA will cover. Only VA can decide your eligibility, your priority group, and your benefits — always confirm details with VA directly at VA.gov or 877-222-8387.