Understanding the Virginia Department of Veterans Services: Your Comprehensive Guide

Virginia Department of Veterans Services: Complete Guide to Benefits, Programs, and Support

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is the state agency dedicated to making Virginia the best state in the nation for veterans and their families to live, work, and thrive . DVS provides free assistance through a network of 38 benefit service offices, operates three veterans cemeteries, four veteran care centers, and the Virginia War Memorial . In FY 2025, DVS had a total appropriation of $173.1 million and submitted 131,554 claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of Virginia veterans .

Quick Facts

What Is the Virginia Department of Veterans Services?

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state government agency that advocates for Virginia veterans and connects them to federal, state, and local benefits and services . DVS is organized into six service delivery sections: benefits, veterans education, care centers, veterans cemeteries, the Virginia War Memorial, and the Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program .

Three citizen boards work closely with the agency: the Board of Veterans Services, the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, and the Veterans Services Foundation .

Who Can Use DVS Services?

DVS serves:

• Veterans of any era who are Virginia residents, regardless of military discharge status 

• Members of the Virginia National Guard<span class=””> 

• Members of the Armed Forces Reserves 

• Transitioning service members<span class=””> 

• Family members and caregivers of service members and veterans 

Why DVS Matters

Virginia ranks second among all states in the share of its population that are Veterans <span class=””>. Approximately 1 in 12 Virginians is a veteran . DVS serves as the critical bridge between veterans and the benefits they have earned through their service, providing free, expert assistance.

DVS Benefits and Services

Veterans Benefits Assistance (Claims)

DVS provides free benefits counseling and claims assistance through 38 benefit service offices across Virginia . Veterans are highly encouraged to seek assistance from a DVS veterans services representative before filing a claim—the service is free and offers significant advantages over self-filing .

Key Services:

• Help identifying federal, state, and local benefits

• Assistance with VA disability claims

• Help with appeals and reapplications

• Information on VA healthcare enrollment

• Guidance on education and employment benefits

In FY 2025, DVS submitted 131,554 claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of Virginia veterans .

Veteran and Family Support Program

The Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program (VVFS) monitors and coordinates behavioral health, rehabilitative services, and community resources for individuals and families .

Services Offered:

• Assessment of individual and family needs

• Linkages to medical, behavioral health, and community resources 

• Linkages to financial and benefits services, transportation, housing, employment, and education assistance 

• Outreach and support to military-connected individuals in the criminal justice system 

• Provision of individual and group peer recovery support services 

• Peer support groups (virtual and in-person) for veterans 

Eligibility: VVFS serves all Virginia veterans regardless of discharge status, along with Guard members, Reservists, transitioning service members, and family members/caregivers .

Peer Support:<span class=””> VVFS Veteran Peer Specialists are veterans who have overcome their own personal struggles including post-traumatic stress, brain injury, military sexual trauma, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and depression . They provide non-hierarchical, non-judgmental, and confidential support to fellow service members <span class=””>.

Veterans Care Centers

DVS operates four veteran skilled nursing facilities (care centers) that provide long-term care services for veterans :

In recent years, DVS added two new Veteran Care Centers, nearly doubling the skilled nursing and memory care programs available to eligible veterans . Honorably discharged veterans who are residents of Virginia are eligible for admission . There may be a cost .

State Veterans Cemeteries

Virginia operates three state veterans cemeteries:

• Amelia – Amelia County

• Dublin – Pulaski County

• Suffolk – Suffolk City

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans may be buried at no cost. There is a small cost for eligible family members .

In FY 2025, Virginia’s state veterans cemeteries conducted 2,460 interments .

Virginia War Memorial

The Virginia War Memorial honors the service and sacrifice of Virginia’s fallen service members. In FY 2025, the Memorial hosted 64,350 visitors . DVS led several commemorative events, including Memorial Day ceremonies, the inaugural “Say Their Names Marathon” honoring nearly 12,000 fallen Virginians, and observances for Vietnam War Veterans Day, Women Veterans Week, Patriot Day (9/11), and POW/MIA Recognition Day .

Virginia State Veterans Benefits

Tax Benefits

Property Tax Exemption

Veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability rating<span class=””> from the VA are exempt from property taxes on their home and up to one acre of land . The unremarried surviving spouse of an eligible disabled veteran is also eligible, and surviving spouses may move within Virginia and keep their exemption .

Sales and Use Tax Exemption

Veterans with a 100% service-connected permanent and total disability rating are eligible for a Sales and Use Tax Exemption on the purchase of one vehicle .

Education Benefits

In-State Tuition: Active-duty service members, National Guard members, and veterans receive in-state tuition . In-state tuition continues for dependents of active-duty service members even if the active-duty member transfers or retires out of state .

Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP): Provides educational financial assistance for eligible spouses, surviving spouses, and children of qualifying veterans and service members . Recipients receive a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university .

Eligibility for VMSDEP:

• Tier 1 (Tuition Waiver): Veteran is a Virginia resident with 90% or greater service-connected disability 

• Tier 2 (Tuition Waiver + Stipend): Service member killed, missing in action, or taken prisoner, OR veteran with 90%+ disability directly from combat 

Virginia National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program: Offers up to $9,000 per fiscal year for tuition toward one degree at each level up to a doctorate .

Honorary High School Diplomas: Virginia will award honorary high school diplomas to veterans who left high school to serve during WWII, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War .

Employment Benefits

Veteran Hiring Preference: Veterans may receive a 5% addition to their test score for state employment. Disabled veterans may receive a 10% addition .

Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program: This program connects veterans to job opportunities in participating Virginia companies. DVS supported the hiring of 22,760 veterans by V3-certified companies in FY 2025 .

Virginia Transition Assistance Program (VTAP): Offers service members and spouses peer-to-peer support through the transition process, including resume reviews, introduction to the labor market, and connections with employers .

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Waiver: Military personnel and veterans separated for 12 months or less with two or more years of heavy truck/bus driving experience need only pass the knowledge test—the road skills test is waived .

Recreation Benefits

Hunting/Fishing: Resident, service-connected, 100% disabled veterans receive a free lifetime license to hunt and freshwater fish. Fees are reduced for veterans with 70%+ disability .

State Parks: Veterans with 100% VA disability receive free admission and parking at Virginia state parks, plus a 50% discount on camping, swimming, shelters, and equipment rental . Veterans do not need to be a Virginia resident to qualify .

Legal Assistance

The Virginia Office of the Attorney General provides clinics to assist veterans and their spouses with simple wills, powers of attorney, and advanced medical directives, including notary services .

How to Apply for DVS Services

Step 1: Find Your Local DVS Office

DVS has 38 offices across the Commonwealth . Use the map tool on the DVS website to find the office nearest you. Appointments are preferred at most locations .

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Bring documentation including:

• DD214 or other discharge documents

• VA disability rating letter

• Social Security number

• Military service records

Step 3: Meet with a DVS Representative

DVS representatives are trained to help you identify and apply for all benefits you may be eligible for—all services are provided free of charge .

Step 4: File Your Claim

Your DVS representative will assist with filing claims, including VA disability claims, education benefits, and other federal and state benefits.

Virginia Veterans Network (VVN)

The Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) is an online portal connecting veterans to thousands of supporting entities, programs, and services—from transition and employment to healthcare options, education programs, benefits, and support for unforeseen challenges . In less than six months after launch, the VVN had nearly 50,000 new registrations .

Common Questions

1. What does the Virginia Department of Veterans Services do?

DVS is the state agency that advocates for Virginia veterans and connects them to federal, state, and local benefits and services. It operates 38 benefit offices, three veterans cemeteries, four care centers, and the Virginia War Memorial .

2. Who qualifies for Virginia DVS services?

Virginia veterans of any era, National Guard members, Reservists, transitioning service members, family members, and caregivers of service members and veterans are eligible to receive DVS services .

3. Are DVS services free?

Yes. All DVS services, including benefits counseling and claims assistance, are provided free of charge to veterans and their families .

4. What is the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)?

VMSDEP provides tuition and fee waivers for up to eight semesters at Virginia public colleges for eligible spouses, surviving spouses, and children of qualifying veterans and service members .

5. Are 100% disabled veterans exempt from property taxes in Virginia?

Yes. Veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability rating are exempt from property taxes on their home and up to one acre of land. The exemption also applies to unremarried surviving spouses .

6. How do I find a DVS office near me?

DVS has 38 offices across Virginia. Use the map tool on the DVS website at www.dvs.virginia.gov to find the nearest location .

7. Does the Virginia Department of Veterans Services provide mental health support?

Yes. The Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program provides behavioral health services, peer support groups, and linkages to mental health treatment. Veteran Peer Specialists are available to provide confidential, non-judgmental support .

8. What tax benefits do military retirees get in Virginia?

Virginia offers a $40,000 income exemption for military retired pay in the 2025 tax year and beyond .

9. How many veterans live in Virginia?

An estimated 612,622 veterans live in Virginia, making up 9.1% of the state’s population—the second-highest among U.S. states .

10. What is the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program?

The V3 program connects veterans to job opportunities in participating Virginia companies. In FY 2025, DVS supported the hiring of 22,760 veterans through V3-certified employers .

Key Takeaways

• The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is the state agency that connects Virginia veterans to federal, state, and local benefits—all services are free .

• DVS operates 38 benefit offices, 3 state veterans cemeteries, 4 veteran care centers, and the Virginia War Memorial .

• Virginia ranks 2nd nationally in the share of its population that are veterans, with over 612,000 veterans residing in the Commonwealth .

• DVS submitted 131,554 claims to the VA in FY 2025 on behalf of Virginia veterans .

• Virginia offers significant tax benefits, including $40,000 income exemption for military retired pay and property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans .

• VMSDEP provides tuition waivers for up to 8 semesters at Virginia public colleges for eligible dependents and spouses of qualifying veterans and service members .

• The Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program provides behavioral health services, peer support, and community resource coordination .

• Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program helped 22,760 veterans find employment in FY 2025 .

• Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) online portal connects veterans to services and programs, with nearly 50,000 new registrations in its first six months .

Official Resources

• Virginia Department of Veterans Services: DVS.Virginia.gov

• Find a DVS Office: DVS.Virginia.gov/benefits-services

• Virginia Veterans Network: VVN.Virginia.gov

• VMSDEP Application: DVS.Virginia.gov/benefits-services/education

• Virginia War Memorial: VWarMemorial.com

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VA.gov