Virginia VA Disability Benefits and Resources for Veterans

Overview

Virginia is home to approximately 700,000 veterans, giving it one of the highest veteran populations per capita in the United States. The state’s deep military heritage is rooted in its proximity to the Pentagon and U.S. Department of Defense headquarters, the massive military installations of Hampton Roads (Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Naval Air Station Oceana, Fort Gregg-Adams), the Marine Corps installations at Quantico, and the numerous defense contractors and military agencies across Northern Virginia.

Virginia’s strategic position as the seat of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs central office in Washington, D.C., combined with its own robust state veterans programs, creates a uniquely supportive environment for veterans. The state has 18 VA facilities, a dedicated VA regional office in Roanoke, and a comprehensive set of state benefits administered by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS).

For veterans with service-connected disabilities, Virginia offers meaningful financial benefits including full property tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans, state income tax advantages for military retirement pay, and access to state-funded education programs. The state’s active veteran service organization community and network of county and city veterans services offices ensure that help is accessible across the Commonwealth.

VA Regional Office

The Roanoke Regional Office serves as the VA regional benefit office for all Virginia veterans. Located at 210 Franklin Road SW in Roanoke, this office is responsible for processing disability compensation claims, pension claims, education benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and other VA benefit requests.

Despite Virginia’s large military presence in the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia regions, the Roanoke office is the sole regional office for the state. Veterans across Virginia can access the Roanoke office by:

• Filing online through VA.gov, which is the fastest filing method and eliminates the need to travel to Roanoke.
• Visiting in person at the Roanoke office for face-to-face assistance (appointments recommended).
• Working with local representatives at VA facilities in Richmond, Hampton, Salem, or Northern Virginia, where VA benefit advisors and veteran service organization representatives are available.
• Contacting the office by phone at 1-800-827-1000 (the national VA hotline).

Veterans in Northern Virginia also benefit from proximity to the VA Central Office in Washington, D.C., though the Central Office does not process individual claims. However, the strong VSO presence in the D.C. metro area means Virginia veterans have access to national-level representatives from major organizations like DAV, VFW, and the American Legion.

VA Healthcare Facilities

Virginia’s 18 VA facilities provide healthcare services across the Commonwealth:

• Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center (Richmond) — A major VA medical center providing comprehensive medical, surgical, mental health, and long-term care services. Affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine for advanced specialty care and research. Serves as a referral center for complex cases in central and southern Virginia.
• Salem VA Medical Center — Located near Roanoke, this facility provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services including medical, surgical, mental health, and rehabilitative care to veterans in western Virginia.
• Hampton VA Medical Center — One of the oldest VA medical facilities in the country, serving veterans in the Hampton Roads area with comprehensive medical, surgical, psychiatric, and long-term care services. Located near the large military community at Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Naval Station Norfolk.

Virginia veterans in the Northern Virginia area also have access to:

• Washington DC VA Medical Center — Located in the District of Columbia, this facility is readily accessible to Northern Virginia veterans and provides comprehensive medical services.

Community-based outpatient clinics are located throughout Virginia in:

• Northern Virginia: Fredericksburg, Stafford, Manassas
• Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Lynchburg
• Southwest Virginia: Danville, Tazewell, Wytheville
• Hampton Roads: Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Williamsburg

These clinics provide primary care, mental health services, and some specialty services, reducing the need for veterans to travel to a major medical center for routine care.

State Veterans Benefits

Virginia offers a strong package of state-level veterans benefits through the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS):

Property Tax Exemptions:

• Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA are fully exempt from real property taxes on their primary residence. This exemption covers the entire assessed value of the home and land, regardless of property value.
• The exemption extends to surviving spouses as long as they continue to reside in the home and do not remarry.
• Some Virginia localities offer additional property tax relief or deferrals for veterans with disability ratings below 100%. Contact your local commissioner of the revenue for locality-specific programs.

State Income Tax Benefits:

• VA disability compensation is fully exempt from Virginia state income tax.
• Virginia provides an income tax subtraction for military retirement pay — up to $40,000 per year for veterans aged 55 and older. This subtraction amount is scheduled to increase in coming years, moving toward a full exemption of military retirement pay.

Education Benefits:

• Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) — Provides tuition-free education at Virginia public colleges and universities for spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner of war, or rated 90% or more permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service.
• Virginia institutions actively participate in the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program.

Vehicle Benefits:

• Disabled veteran license plates are available through the Virginia DMV for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
• Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled are exempt from Virginia motor vehicle registration fees.
• Free parking in metered spaces for vehicles displaying disabled veteran license plates in many Virginia localities.

Hunting and Fishing:

• Virginia offers reduced-cost or free hunting and fishing licenses for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating through the Department of Wildlife Resources.

State Veterans Care Centers: Virginia operates two state veterans care centers:

• Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center (Richmond) — A modern skilled nursing facility providing long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, memory care, and hospice services.
• Virginia Veterans Care Center (Roanoke) — Provides skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and rehabilitative services in a residential setting.
• Additional veterans care centers are planned or under development across the state.

Employment Programs:

• Virginia provides veterans’ preference in state government hiring.
• The Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program connects veterans with private-sector employers committed to hiring, retaining, and advancing veterans in their workforce.
• Virginia Employment Commission offices provide priority services to veterans seeking employment.

How to File a VA Claim in Virginia

Filing a VA disability claim in Virginia follows the national process:

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence Assemble your DD-214, service treatment records, post-service medical records, medical nexus opinions, and buddy or lay statements. Having a strong evidence package from the start leads to faster decisions.

Step 2: Choose Your Filing Method

• Online: File at VA.gov using VA Form 21-526EZ for the fastest processing and claim tracking.
• In person: Visit the Roanoke Regional Office (appointment recommended) or contact a local DVS benefit services office.
• By mail: Send completed forms and evidence to VA Regional Office, 210 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24011.
• With assistance: Work with a Virginia Department of Veterans Services benefit advisor, VSO representative, or VA-accredited attorney or claims agent.

Step 3: File a Fully Developed Claim Submit all supporting evidence with your initial claim to qualify for Fully Developed Claim processing. This bypasses the VA’s evidence development phase and moves your claim directly to a rating decision, reducing wait times.

Step 4: Attend Your C&P Exam Expect to be scheduled for a Compensation and Pension examination at a VA medical center in Richmond, Salem, or Hampton, at a VA-contracted exam facility, or via telehealth. This exam is critical — attend it and honestly describe your worst symptoms and how your condition affects daily life and work.

Step 5: Review Your Decision Your rating decision letter will arrive by mail. If the decision is not favorable, you have one year to choose an appeal lane: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Virginia-Specific Tip: The Virginia Department of Veterans Services operates benefit services offices across the Commonwealth. DVS benefit advisors are accredited to help with VA claims at no cost. Find your nearest DVS office at dvs.virginia.gov or call 1-844-698-2311.

Veteran Service Organizations

Virginia has a strong VSO presence, particularly in the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia areas:

• Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) — The state agency dedicated to connecting Virginia veterans with benefits and services. DVS operates benefit claims offices, veterans care centers, employment programs, and cemetery services statewide.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) — Active across Virginia with offices providing free claims representation. DAV has a strong presence near military installations in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — VFW posts throughout Virginia offer claims assistance through accredited service officers and community support for veterans and their families.
• American Legion — Has a significant Virginia presence with posts across the state providing claims assistance, programs, and advocacy.
• Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) — A DVS program providing peer-to-peer support and connection to services for Virginia veterans and their family members, with regional coordinators statewide.
• Legal Aid Works — Provides free legal assistance to Virginia veterans, including help with VA claims, discharge upgrades, and other legal matters.
• Virginia Wounded Warrior Program — A DVS initiative connecting combat veterans and their families with mental health and rehabilitative services.

Additional Resources

• VA.gov — Official VA website for claims filing, healthcare enrollment, and benefits management.
• Virginia Department of Veterans Services (dvs.virginia.gov) — Comprehensive information on state veterans benefits, care centers, cemeteries, and benefit services office locations.
• Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program — Employment program connecting veterans with Virginia employers committed to veteran hiring.
• Virginia Employment Commission — Priority employment services for veterans including job search assistance, training, and career counseling.
• VA Caregiver Support Program — Virginia veterans with serious service-connected injuries may qualify for comprehensive caregiver assistance.
• Veterans Crisis Line — Call 988 (then press 1), text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. Available 24/7 for veterans in crisis.
• Virginia Veteran and Family Support — Call 1-844-698-2311 for peer support and service connection for Virginia veterans and family members.

For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent.