Veterans Benefits Video

Simply put, character of your service determines your eligibility for VA Benefits and can be found on your DD214. To learn more about character of service, review the following:

• Military Record - Understanding Character of Discharge
• DD214: Understanding Character of Discharge
• Applying for Benefits and Your Character of Discharge
• Military Discharge Characterization - Information and Answers

If you are not satisfied with the discharge of characterization of service that you received, you can apply for an upgrade. A discharge upgrade can change the character of your service so that you can qualify for benefits. To learn more about discharge upgrades review the following:

• How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade
• Top Ten Questions About Military Discharge Upgrades
• Military Discharge Characterization

If a veteran fails to get a discharge upgrade, they may have another way to get VA health benefits through a character of discharge determination. To learn more about this process review the following:

• Character of Service Determination: A Simple Overview of How to Apply for Veterans Affairs Health Benefits
• VA Character of Service Determinations: An Alternative to Discharge Review
• Getting a VA Character of Service Determination

To learn more about VA health care benefits review the following:

• VA health care
• Your health care costs
• VA mental health services
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Help for Veterans
• VA women's health services
• Where you'll go for care
• Character of Service Determination: A Simple Overview of How to Apply for Veterans Affairs Health Benefits
• Video: Veterans and Psychiatric Advance Directives

Watch this VA Disability Benefits video produced by the Texas Veterans Legal Aid Coalition. The video briefly summarizes VA disability benefits (VA disability compensation and VA pension) and under what conditions you might qualify for them. To learn more about VA disability benefits, review the following:

• VA disability compensation
• Compensation
• 2023 Veterans disability compensation rates
• VA pension benefits
• VA Pension Fact Sheet
• Veterans Disability Benefits
• I want to know more about veterans' benefits.
• Veterans Non-Service Connected Disability Pension Benefits

You may be entitled to several benefits if you are a survivor of a veteran who is deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability. To learn more about VA survivor benefits, review the following:

• VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers
• VA Survivors Pension
• I am a Dependent or Survivor
• Veterans Survivor Benefits

VA education benefits can assist veterans and their qualified family members with paying for their education. There are various education benefits available and there are things to consider before you apply. To learn more about education benefits and what you might qualify for, review the following:

• VA education and training benefits
• Comparison Chart/Payment Rates
• TVC Education
• Education Benefits for Veterans

Aid and Attendance is an additional benefit that can be paid to qualifying veterans and spouses who require assistance with their daily life activities, such as help with personal hygiene, dressing, eating, using the bathroom, and mobility. To learn more about Aid and Attendance review the following:

• VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance
• Aid and Attendance

Yes. Visit the Texas State Veterans Homes website to learn more about the homes and location. Texas has nine Texas State Veterans Homes that provide affordable, long-term care to qualified Texas veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star Parents. 

For a complete list of Texas veterans benefits, refer to this State Benefits Booklet issued by the Texas Veterans Commission. The following is a brief list of important benefits:

• Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption
• Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and/or Parking Placards
• Veterans Toll Waiver Program
• Free Driver's License for Disabled Veterans
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Military Information
• Home Loans
• Employment Assistance & Veterans Preference
• Military Time Credit Towards State Retirement
• Veteran Entreprenuer Program
• Disabled Veterans Hunting and Fishing License
• Disabled Veterans State Park Admission
• Lifetime Passes to National Parks for Veterans and Gold Star Families
• Texas Veterans Cemeteries

Visit the Texas Veterans Videos page. 

The Texas Veterans Legal Aid Coalition is comprised of thirteen legal aid organizations that provide a variety of legal services to veterans in Texas. For help, contact the organizations that serve your county. You can use TexasLawHelp's Legal Help Directory to find them.