VA, Special claims (situations that change how a claim is handled)

Special Claims | Veterans Affairs Skip to Content An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now Disability benefits Eligibility Exposure to hazardous materials Specific environmental hazards Agent Orange Asbestos Mustard gas or lewisite Camp Lejeune water contamination Radiation exposure Project 112/SHAD Gulf War Illnesses SW Asia Gulf War Illnesses Afghanistan Former POWs PTSD Illnesses within 1 year after discharge Special claims Auto allowance and adaptive equipment Birth defects Clothing allowance Dental care Temporary disability rating after surgery or cast Increase for time in hospital Prestabilization rating Title 38 U.S.C. 1151 claims Individual unemployability In this section Special claims Find out if you can get special compensation for service-connected disabilities like the ones listed here. A service-connected disability is an illness or injury caused or made worse by your active-duty service. Types of special claims Automobile allowance and adaptive equipment If your service-connected disability prevents you from driving, find out if you can get money to help buy a specially equipped vehicle or make needed changes to your existing vehicle. Learn more about special claims to get an automobile allowance and adaptive equipment Replacing damaged clothing If your clothing’s been damaged by your prosthetic or orthopedic device—or by medicine you’re taking for a skin condition—find out if you can get money to help buy new clothes. Learn more about special claims to replace damaged clothing Recovery from surgery or an immobilizing disability (convalescence) If you’re recovering from surgery or other treatment related to your service-connected disability that’s left you unable to move, find out if you can get temporary disability payments or other benefits. Learn more about special claims based on recovery from surgery or an immobilizing disability Dental care If you’re a Veteran, find out if you can get dental care through VA. Learn more about special claims for dental care Time spent in a hospital If you spent time in a VA or VA-approved hospital for a service-connected disability, find out if you can get benefits like disability payments for that time. Learn more about special claims for time spent in a hospital Being unable to work (Individual Unemployability) If you can’t work because of your service-connected disability, find out if you can get increased disability payments. Learn more about special claims based on Individual Unemployability Title 38 U.S.C. 1151 disabilities If you suffered an added disability while getting VA medical care or taking part in a VA program designed to help you find, get, or keep a job, find out if you can get disability payments. Learn more about special claims based on Title 38 U.S.C. 1151 disabilities Immediate help for temporary disability needs (prestabilization) If you recently ended your active military service and you have a service-connected disability, find out if you can get temporary disability payments or other benefits right away. Learn more about special claims to get immediate help for temporary disability needs More helpful information If you were exposed to specific chemicals while serving in Vietnam, Thailand, or the Korean Demilitarized Zone, and your child has spina bifida or other birth defects, your child may be eligible for certain benefits. Last updated: July 28, 2026