A plain-English guide to all things VA.
Ask a question in your own words, or browse by topic. Every answer comes with a link to its official source so you can read the full details.
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The official rulebooks
38 CFR Rating Schedule
The official rulebook the VA uses to assign disability percentages. Search any condition by body region or diagnostic code to see exactly how it's rated.
State Veterans Benefits
Beyond federal VA pay, every state runs its own veteran programs — property tax breaks, income tax treatment, tuition waivers, and more. Pick your state on the map to see them all.
M21-1 Adjudication Manual
The internal manual VA raters follow to decide claims. Reading the parts that apply to your claim helps you present your evidence the way the VA expects it.
Browse by topic
Pick a category, then pick a guide. Each one opens a short summary and a link to the full official article.
These guides are written in plain language to help you understand your VA benefits. For the official rules, see the 38 CFR Part 4 rating schedule and the M21-1 Adjudication Manual. Summaries are for learning only — always confirm details with the official source or your accredited claims agent.