VA Mileage Reimbursement for Veterans

The VA Beneficiary Travel program reimburses eligible veterans for the cost of traveling to and from VA medical appointments. If you meet the income or disability criteria, you can recover a portion of every mile you drive to a VA facility.

Who qualifies for VA travel pay

• Veterans with a service-connected disability rated 30% or higher.
• Veterans whose household income falls at or below the VA pension threshold.
• Veterans traveling for a VA-approved compensation and pension exam.
• Some veterans receiving care for a non-service-connected condition may also qualify — check with your local VA travel office.

The VA beneficiary travel mileage rate

The VA sets its own mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel — separate from the IRS business mileage rate. Check the current rate at benefits.va.gov or ask your local VA facility, as the rate is updated periodically.

The deductible

Most veterans pay a round-trip deductible per appointment. Veterans with a service-connected rating of 30% or higher or those who meet the income threshold have the deductible waived. If you make multiple VA trips in one month, there is an annual maximum deductible cap.

How to file a VA mileage claim

• Online: submit through the VA's AccessVA travel reimbursement portal at ebenefits.va.gov.
• At the facility: use a beneficiary travel self-service kiosk on the day of your appointment.
• By mail: complete VA Form 10-3542 and send it to your VA medical center's travel office.
• Claims must be filed within 30 days of the appointment.

Estimate before you go

Before each appointment, enter your mileage in PerDiemWise to estimate the reimbursement you'll receive after the deductible is applied. It helps you decide whether driving or taking VA-arranged transport makes more sense.