VC
Built by veterans, for veterans·Free forever

Your VA Benefits,
Finally Clear

The VA system is confusing on purpose. Dense forms, unclear deadlines, ratings math that doesn’t add up. Search for a condition or benefit and get a straight answer.

13+

Guides

4

Benefit Areas

67

Conditions

~30%

of eligible veterans never file a claim

150+ days

average VA claim processing time

70%+

of claims are initially underrated

We built VetCompass so you don’t need to hire a claims agent or wade through jargon to understand what you’re owed.

How it works

From question to filed claim

Whether you’re filing your first claim or appealing a denial, every step is covered.

1
Look up your condition
Search our database of conditions with VA rating criteria straight from 38 CFR.
2
Understand your rating
Use the calculator to see how VA math combines multiple ratings into one number.
3
Build your evidence
Walk through the claim wizard checklist so nothing gets missed before you file.
4
File with confidence
Submit to the VA knowing your evidence is tight and your claim is ready.

Disability Claims

Filing your first claim, prepping for a C&P exam, or understanding why your rating came back lower than expected.

Filing a Claim
Step-by-step first claim guide
C&P Exams
What to expect & how to prepare
VA Math & Ratings
How combined ratings work
Appeals Process
Three lanes to fight a denial

Tools

Calculators and checklists that run in your browser. Nothing saved, nothing tracked.

Popular
Rating Calculator
See your real combined % using VA math — with bilateral factor support
Claim Wizard
Evidence checklist for your first filing
Condition Checker
Look up rating criteria from 38 CFR
Claim Timeline
What each status actually means

All Benefit Areas

Disability pay is what most people come here for, but there’s a lot more — education, housing, health care, vocational rehab.

VA Disability Compensation
Understand the claims process, ratings, C&P exams, appeals, and how to get the compensation you earned through service.
Education & Employment
GI Bill, VR&E, career transition, federal employment benefits, and more educational opportunities.
Health Care
VA health care enrollment, CHAMPVA, dental, vision, community care, mental health resources, and more.
Housing
VA home loans, homeless assistance, property tax exemptions, and housing support programs.
Death & Survivor Benefits
DIC, survivor pension, life insurance, death benefits, and support for families of veterans.
VA Pension
Aid & Attendance, Housebound benefits, Medal of Honor pension, and survivors pension programs.
Miscellaneous
State-specific benefits, veteran discounts, discharge upgrades, legal help, and other resources.

Featured Guides

Good starting points if you’re not sure where to begin

View all
VA Disability Compensationbeginner
Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams
What to expect at a C&P exam, how to prepare, and what to do if you get a bad examiner.
4 min read
VA Disability Compensationbeginner
Filing a VA Disability Claim
A complete step-by-step guide to filing your first VA disability claim, from Intent to File through decision.
3 min read
VA Disability Compensationintermediate
Filing an Appeal
Understand the three appeal lanes after a VA claim denial or unfavorable rating: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, and Board Appeal.
4 min read
VA Disability Compensationintermediate
PACT Act & Presumptive Conditions
Understanding the PACT Act, burn pit exposure, Agent Orange, and other presumptive conditions that simplify your claims process.
3 min read
VA Disability Compensationintermediate
Secondary Service-Connected Conditions
How to identify, document, and claim conditions caused or worsened by your existing service-connected disabilities.
6 min read
VA Disability Compensationbeginner
Types of VA Disability Claims
Understand the four main types of VA disability claims: original claims, claims for increase, secondary service connection, and supplemental claims.
7 min read

VetCompass helps you claim benefits you legitimately earned. We encourage honest reporting. Need personalized help? We always recommend a free Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

You shouldn’t need to hire anyone for this

Claims agents charge hundreds of dollars for information that should be freely available. Everything here is free, written in plain language, and will stay that way.