If you drove to a VA appointment, you may be able to get some of the cost back. If VA sent you to a community provider, ask the front desk for dated proof that you attended before you leave. For either trip, aim to submit a separate travel claim within 30 days of the appointment. A saved draft still needs to be submitted.
Does my trip qualify?
Start with two questions. Was the appointment at VA or for care VA approved in the community? And do you meet one of VA’s travel pay criteria? Common ways to qualify include a VA disability rating of at least 30%, treatment for a service-connected condition even with a lower rating, or receiving a VA pension. There are also income and financial-hardship routes. You can check the full VA travel pay eligibility list for other circumstances, including scheduled compensation and pension exams. If you’re still trying to establish care, our VA health care enrollment guide walks through that first step.
Before you spend money on the trip
Mileage, parking and tolls don’t require advance travel approval. If you’ll need a taxi, rideshare, hotel or other transportation, contact your VA facility’s beneficiary travel office before booking. Ask which expenses it can authorize and what receipts it needs. If you chose a farther facility, ask about that distance in advance. VA generally calculates mileage to the closest facility that can provide the care you need. A deductible may also affect the payment. Check VA’s mileage rate, deductible and waiver rules when estimating your costs.
What to take home from the appointment
Say VA approved a visit to a specialist across town. You drove there and paid to park. Before leaving, ask for a note on the provider’s letterhead confirming the date you were seen. Keep the parking receipt with that note. When you file, enter the trip and the parking expense and attach the supporting documents. If you claim mileage alone, VA’s online instructions say you don’t need gas receipts. For a community appointment, keep the attendance record even when mileage is your only expense.
Choose the filing route that fits your trip
- Round trip from your address on file: Start with your past appointments on VA.gov and follow VA’s online claim instructions. Check the appointment date and facility, add expenses, then submit. Set up direct deposit specifically for travel pay even if VA already deposits another benefit.
- One-way trip, different starting address or eligible caregiver filing: Use the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) linked in those instructions. If you traveled as someone’s caregiver, check VA’s caregiver eligibility criteria before filing. Our caregiver support guide can help with separate questions about enrolling in a caregiver program.
- Paper works better: Download VA Form 10-3542, sign and date it, and include the receipts that apply. For a community visit, ask the VA travel office that arranged your care where to send it. Keep a copy and, if you mail it, keep the postmark information.
If the appointment is missing or the deadline has passed
Contact your facility’s beneficiary travel office with the appointment date, the facility name and any proof of attendance. Ask how to get the visit recorded and submit your claim. VA says you can still file after 30 days, though late claims are usually denied. If you already filed, check the existing claim’s status before starting another one.
Freedom Through Veteran Assistance checked the linked VA instructions on November 10, 2026. VA decides eligibility and the reimbursable amount for each trip.