Overview
Dental and vision care are two areas where VA benefits get confusing. Unlike most VA health care, dental care is NOT automatically included with standard VA enrollment. Vision care has broader coverage. Here's who qualifies for what.
VA Dental Care
Who Gets Free VA Dental
Dental eligibility is much more restricted than medical eligibility. You qualify for full, free dental care if any of the following apply:
- 100% service-connected disability rating (schedular or TDIU)
- Service-connected dental condition or injury — a dental condition directly linked to service
- Former POW
- Veteran with a dental condition aggravating a service-connected medical condition
- Homeless veteran or veteran in a VA residential program
- Veteran participating in a VA vocational rehabilitation program (Chapter 31) who needs dental care to complete the program
One-Time Dental Benefit
Veterans who were not given a dental exam at separation can apply for a one-time dental treatment through the VA. You must apply within 180 days of separation — do not miss this window.
VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP)
If you don't qualify for free dental, you can purchase discounted dental insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP). Two insurance carriers participate:
- Delta Dental
- MetLife
Premiums are generally lower than comparable plans on the open market. Enrolled veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries are eligible.
VA Vision Care
Vision coverage is more generous than dental:
Routine Eye Exams
All enrolled veterans are eligible for routine eye exams through the VA. This includes:
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses
- Screening for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration
Free Glasses
The VA provides free eyeglasses if you meet any of the following:
- You have a compensable service-connected disability (any rating)
- You are a former POW
- You received a Purple Heart
- You are legally blind
- You need glasses as a result of a VA-treated eye condition
- You are enrolled in VA health care and your eye condition is connected to your care
Specialty Eye Care
Veterans with service-connected eye conditions — including diabetic retinopathy, traumatic eye injuries, or glaucoma — receive comprehensive ophthalmology care at no cost.
Tips
- Don't skip the one-time dental benefit. If you recently separated, apply within 180 days
- Dental conditions can support claims. Bruxism (teeth grinding) secondary to PTSD is ratable
- Keep your VA eye exam results. They can support claims for migraine (visual aura), TBI (vision changes), and other conditions
- VADIP is worth it if you don't qualify for free dental — the premiums are reasonable and well below civilian rates