Veteran Benefits
Beneficiary Travel (Mileage Reimbursement)
Beneficiary travel pay reimburses eligible veterans for the cost of getting to and from VA health care - mileage, tolls, parking, and sometimes public transportation, meals, and lodging. For veterans on a fixed income making regular trips to the VA, it adds up to real money over a year.
Who this is for
Every mile you drive to the VA can put money back in your pocket. Veterans who are 30% or more service-connected, on a pension, or traveling for a service-connected condition can claim mileage, tolls, and parking - most just never file. Set it up once and claim every trip.
In plain language
What Beneficiary Travel (Mileage Reimbursement) covers
- Mileage reimbursement for VA-authorized appointments and C&P exams
- Who qualifies - by rating, condition, pension status, or income
- How the deductible works and when it is waived
- Tolls, parking, public transit, and pre-approved meals and lodging
41.5¢/mi
Mileage reimbursement rate (confirm current rate on va.gov)
$3 / $6
Deductible per one-way / round-trip, capped at $18 a month
30 days
Deadline to file each claim after your appointment
The full picture
Everything you need to know
Nothing hidden behind a click. Here is the whole story in plain language, so you can decide what fits your situation.
Key facts & current figures
- The VA reimburses eligible veterans for mileage to and from VA-authorized health care at 41.5 cents per mile (confirm the current rate on va.gov).
- A small deductible applies first: $3 one-way / $6 round-trip, capped at $18 per month - after you hit $18 in a month, the rest of that month's approved travel is fully covered.
- You are generally eligible if you are 30% or more service-connected, traveling for a service-connected condition, receiving a VA pension, below the pension income limit, or traveling for a scheduled C&P exam.
- The deductible is often waived for pension recipients and for C&P (compensation & pension) exam travel.
- File within 30 days of the appointment, easiest through the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) online or the VA Health and Benefits app; set up direct deposit for the fastest payment.
General figures, current as of December 2025 and reviewed each year. Your exact amount depends on your situation - always confirm on va.gov.
Who is eligible
- Veterans rated 30% or more service-connected, or traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition.
- Veterans receiving a VA pension, or whose income is below the maximum annual pension rate.
- Veterans traveling for a scheduled C&P (compensation & pension) exam, and those in special groups such as spinal-cord-injury, vision-impaired, or transplant care. A medically necessary attendant who must travel with you may also be covered.
The mileage rate and deductible
- Reimbursement is 41.5 cents per mile, figured on the shortest reasonable door-to-door route (confirm the current rate on va.gov).
- A deductible of $3 one-way / $6 round-trip comes out first, but it is capped at $18 a month - after that, approved travel that month is paid in full.
- The deductible is commonly waived for pension recipients and for C&P exam travel, so those trips are reimbursed from the first mile.
What else is covered
- Beyond mileage, the VA may reimburse tolls, parking, and pre-approved public transportation such as bus, train, or air fare.
- Meals and lodging can be reimbursed when medically justified and pre-approved, typically up to a set share of the local government rate.
- Keep receipts for tolls, parking, and transit, and note your appointment dates - it makes filing in BTSSS quick.
How to file and get paid fast
- Submit each claim within 30 days of the appointment through BTSSS on va.gov or the VA app - it walks you through mileage automatically.
- Enroll in direct deposit so reimbursements land in your bank account rather than waiting on a check.
- If you make the same trip often, save it as a recurring claim so future filings take seconds.
Your complete benefit picture
41.5¢ a mile
back in your pocket for every trip to VA-authorized care - plus tolls and parking. Veterans who are 30% or more service-connected, on a pension, or traveling for a service-connected condition qualify; most just never file. Confirm the current rate on va.gov.
Money left on the table
Set up BTSSS once and claim every single trip
This benefit is small per trip but easy to miss - many veterans simply never file for it.
The deductible is modest and is waived entirely for pension recipients and for C&P exam travel.
Who qualifies
30%+ service-connected, traveling for a service-connected condition, on a VA pension, or below the pension income limit.
Get paid faster
Enroll in direct deposit so reimbursements land in your bank instead of waiting on a check.
A clear path forward
Your step-by-step action plan
No rush and no pressure - but a little order helps. Applying is always free.
First
Confirm you qualify
30% or more service-connected, on a VA pension, or traveling for a service-connected condition or C&P exam.
Set up once
Register in BTSSS
Create your Beneficiary Travel Self-Service account on va.gov or the VA Health and Benefits app.
Within 30 days
File each trip
Submit your mileage claim within 30 days of the appointment - BTSSS figures the distance for you.
Every time
Save recurring trips
Store your regular appointment as a recurring claim so future filings take seconds.
Who to call & where to go
These are free, official VA lines. Have your Social Security number handy when you call.
MyVA411 - Main VA Line
Not sure who to call? Start here. One number for anything VA - they route you to the right office.
Rather have us handle it?
No phone tag, no hold music. Call our office and a real, VA-accredited person walks you through it - start to finish.
702-992-4883Not sure where to start?
The fastest way is the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) at va.gov or in the VA Health and Benefits app - submit your claim within 30 days of the appointment. You can also file at the travel office in your VA medical center. Set up direct deposit so payments arrive quickly. If you are unsure whether you qualify, ask the travel clerk at your VA facility or call MyVA411 at 800-698-2411.
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