After you transition from the Army, your U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) lead coordinator, patient advocate, social worker and/or other representatives within the VA can assist you with most of your post-transition needs, such as healthcare, pay and benefits-related questions. If you are an Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Force (OEF/OIF) Veteran, your local VA OEF/OIF program manager and coordinator can assist you with your benefits and other resources. For Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Veterans, your AW2 Advocate can also provide additional support or help.
If you have questions, complaints or inquiries following your transition, the VA’s online Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS) can be used to file questions and track the status of your inquiries or complaints. For additional information on IRIS, please visit https://iris.custhelp.com .
Some important things to note once you complete your transition are:
For additional information on helpful resources for Veterans who have transitioned from the Army, visit our Veterans – VA Resources page. If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact us or your VA representative.
Where can I get information about my Veteran’s Administration benefits?
What is a Veteran’s Administration award letter?
How do I convert or transfer my TRICARE benefits?
When can I apply for Combat-Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC)?
When will I receive my first check from the Veteran’s Administration?
When will my Veteran’s Administration disability payments start?
How long will it take for my Army retirement pay to begin?
When will I receive my final Veteran’s Administration rating letter?
I can’t pay my rent this month and am facing eviction. I need financial help. Who can I contact?
I will be moving and want to know what steps I should take?
Veterans must complete a DD Form 149 to make military record corrections.
For information on VA benefits, visit the VA’s website . You can also reference the VA’s “Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors” Guide , which provides comprehensive information on VA benefits.
Military.com produces an annual book called “The Military Advantage,” which provides comprehensive information on DoD benefits.
A VA award letter is a 10-15 page document that Veterans receive from the VA stating how much pay they will be receiving for service-related disabilities. You will need this document to receive certain benefits. If you lost your VA award letter, contact the VA Benefits Call Center at (800) 827-1000 to request one.
As soon as you receive your DD Form 214 , visit your nearest Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) or TRICARE office to update your status.
You can apply for CRSC after the VA has finished processing your VA disability claim. For additional information on CRSC, visit our Veterans – Pay and Benefits page.
Approximately 4-6 months after receipt of Army retirement.
For a Soldier who was in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) process, it takes on average around 3-4 months for the VA to process your VA claim after you’ve separated from the Army. You can check the status of your claim on your eBenefits account .
As long as you have submitted your DD Form 2656 correctly, Defense Finance Accounting Services (DFAS) should have your retiree account established within 30 days of you separating from the Army.
When you received your DA 199 (Informal Physical Evaluation Board Proceedings) , there should have been a projected date that was listed. This date is only an approximate date, which can vary by several months depending on your region. Medical reevaluations usually take place somewhere between 24-36 months from the time a Soldier initially retires.
To ensure the US Army Physical Disability Agency (USAPDA) can reach you when it comes time to schedule your reevaluation, keep the USAPDA updated on your current contact information (email, phone, address).
It is not possible to accurately predict an answer for each case. For those who have gone through the Disability Evaluation System (DES) process, a proposed VA rating should have been issued. This should be considered a ‘draft’ with no official standing. Once a Soldier has medically retired is their case given consideration for a final rating. The length of time can vary depending on the complexity of the case.
If you are an AW2 Veteran, call your AW2 Advocate for assistance. For non-AW2 Veterans, first contact your VA OEF/OIF social worker and if you still require assistance, contact your local Red Cross center .
All Veterans can access the Support Network or the National Resource Directory resources to find organizations that are willing to help wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families through a short term financial crisis. These organizations can assist with life’s essentials such as rent, car insurance, car payment, utilities, etc.
For additional resources on Veterans assistance, visit our Veterans – VA Resources page
Update your address and contact information with VA healthcare (1-877-222-VETS (8387)) to coordinate new care. Update your address and contact information with the following agencies:
