Newsletter/
The VA Owes You More Than You Think
Are you leaving benefits on the table? We uncover commonly overlooked VA entitlements and claims that many veterans miss, ensuring you get every dollar you’ve earned.
Projected VA COLA Increase
Veterans, prepare for a 2.5% COLA increase in your VA disability benefits, effective December 1, 2024. This adjustment, tied to inflation, ensures your monthly compensation keeps up with rising living costs.
Starting January 2025, you’ll see a boost in your payments—amounts will vary based on your disability rating. For example, veterans with a 100% rating could receive nearly $93 more per month. No action is needed—the increase will be applied automatically to your VA benefits.
Many veterans believe VA home loans are limited to first-time buyers, require a down payment, or are harder to get accepted by sellers. These are common misconceptions.
In reality, VA loans offer major benefits: no down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), competitive interest rates, and flexible eligibility—including for repeat use and surviving spouses. Understanding these facts empowers veterans to make informed, confident decisions about homeownership.
Understanding Community Care Options
Veterans can access VA Community Care if enrolled in VA healthcare and meet specific criteria—such as long wait times, travel burdens, unavailable services, or medical necessity. A VA clinician must initiate the referral, and care is coordinated through the HealthShare Referral Manager (HSRM) system. Alternatively, Community Health Centers serve all individuals, especially low-income and underserved populations, through walk-in or enrollment with services offered on a sliding fee scale.
As of May 2025, the VA has eliminated secondary approval for referrals, and enhancements to HSRM and the Access to Care portal now make the process faster, clearer, and easier to navigate for veterans.
PACT Act and Presumptive Conditions
The PACT Act broadens VA healthcare and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits, Agent Orange, and radiation. It includes presumptive conditions—such as asthma, COPD, various cancers, and new 2025 additions like genitourinary cancers—so veterans don’t need to prove direct service connection. To file a claim, submit VA Form 21-526EZ with medical diagnosis and military records showing exposure. Claims can be filed online at VA.gov or with a Veterans Service Officer.
Note: VA no longer requires proof of exposure, but accurate service records remain essential. Future updates may include PFAS-related conditions.
