VA Mileage Reimbursement for Veterans
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In this guide
A lot of veterans drive to every VA appointment without ever claiming a cent back, simply because nobody explained that mileage reimbursement exists, or how different it is from an ordinary business mileage claim. The VA runs its own separate system, with its own rate and its own paperwork — worth knowing before your next appointment, not after.
TL;DR
The VA Beneficiary Travel program reimburses eligible veterans for mileage to VA medical appointments, using a VA-specific rate that's separate from the IRS business mileage rate. Most veterans pay a small round-trip deductible per appointment, waived for those with a service-connected rating of 30%+ or who meet the income threshold. Claims must be filed within 30 days, online, at the facility, or by mail.
How VA Beneficiary Travel works
The VA Beneficiary Travel program reimburses eligible veterans for the cost of travelling 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, on top of whatever care you're receiving there.
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 travelling 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 for the specific rules that apply to your situation.
The VA beneficiary travel mileage rate
The VA sets its own mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel — a figure that's entirely separate from the IRS standard business mileage rate covered in our 2026 IRS mileage rate guide. Check the current VA rate at benefits.va.gov or ask your local VA facility, since the rate is updated periodically and doesn't move in lockstep with the IRS figure.
| VA Beneficiary Travel | IRS standard mileage rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets it | Department of Veterans Affairs | Internal Revenue Service |
| What it covers | Travel to VA medical appointments | Business, medical, moving or charitable driving |
| Deductible applies? | Yes, unless waived | No — it's a straight per-mile figure |
| Where to check the current rate | benefits.va.gov | irs.gov |
VA vs IRS mileage reimbursement
The deductible
Most veterans pay a round-trip deductible per appointment before reimbursement kicks in. Veterans with a service-connected rating of 30% or higher, or those who meet the income threshold, have the deductible waived entirely. If you make multiple VA trips in one month, there is an annual maximum deductible cap, beyond which further trips aren't subject to the deductible for the rest of that period.
“VA may pay you back for mileage and other travel expenses to and from approved health care appointments.”
— U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, va.gov
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 generally be filed within 30 days of the appointment — later claims can be rejected on timeliness grounds alone.
Estimate before you go
Before each appointment, enter your mileage in our mileage reimbursement calculator to get a quick estimate of the distance involved, then apply the current VA rate and deductible to see roughly what you'll net back. It helps you decide whether driving yourself or taking VA-arranged transport makes more practical sense for a given appointment.
Is VA mileage reimbursement the same rate as the IRS business rate?
No — the VA sets its own separate mileage rate for beneficiary travel, updated periodically and independent of the IRS standard mileage rate.
Do all veterans have to pay the VA travel deductible?
No — veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher, or who meet the VA income threshold, have the deductible waived.
How long do I have to file a VA mileage claim?
Claims generally need to be filed within 30 days of the appointment date to be accepted.
Can I file a VA mileage claim online?
Yes — through the AccessVA travel reimbursement portal, in addition to filing at a facility kiosk or by mail with VA Form 10-3542.
Calculate it now
Use the free GSA per diem and IRS mileage calculators.