White River Junction VA: Complete Guide to Vermont VA Services

Veterans Administration Vermont: Complete 2026 Guide to VA Facilities & Benefits

The Veterans Administration in Vermont operates the White River Junction VA Medical Center at 163 Veterans Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001, phone 802-295-9363. The White River Junction VA Regional Benefit Office serves all Vermont veterans for disability compensation, pension, education, and home loan benefits. Call 800-827-1000. Seven community-based outpatient clinics serve veterans statewide.

Quick Facts

What Is the Veterans Administration in Vermont?

The Veterans Administration in Vermont consists of two primary federal entities: the White River Junction VA Healthcare System, which provides medical care, and the White River Junction VA Regional Benefit Office, which administers disability compensation, pension, education, and other financial benefits. These federal facilities operate alongside the state-level Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA), which administers state-specific benefits and provides free claim assistance through Veterans Service Officers.

Who qualifies: Veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Most veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.

Why it matters: Vermont is home to approximately 40,000 veterans. The White River Junction VA Healthcare System serves eligible veterans throughout Vermont and four neighboring counties in New Hampshire, providing primary care, specialty care, mental health services, and more.

What veterans should do next: Enroll in VA healthcare using VA Form 10-10EZ, file disability claims through a Veterans Service Officer at 802-828-1082, and contact the White River Junction VA Regional Benefit Office at 800-827-1000 for federal benefits assistance.

White River Junction VA Medical Center

The White River Junction VA Medical Center is the primary VA hospital serving Vermont veterans. It is a 74-bed acute care facility affiliated with Dartmouth Medical School and the University of Vermont College of Medicine, providing a full range of primary, secondary, and specialty care.

Location and Contact

Services Available

The medical center offers a comprehensive range of health services:

• Primary care and specialty health services

• Mental health services (individual and group therapy)

• Audiology and hearing aids

• Nutritional counseling

• Women’s health services

• Cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology

• Gastroenterology, neurology, oncology

• Orthopedics, ophthalmology, optometry

• Occupational therapy

• Laboratory and pathology

• Homeless Veteran care

• Geriatrics and extended care

• Caregiver support program

Quality Metrics

According to VA data last updated in 2026:

• Trust score: 95.2% of veterans agree or strongly agree they trust the facility for their healthcare needs

• Primary care (urgent needs): 96% of veterans report getting appointments as soon as needed

• Primary care (routine): 91% report getting appointments as soon as needed

• Specialty care (routine): 88% report getting appointments as soon as needed

White River Junction VA Regional Benefit Office

The White River Junction VA Regional Benefit Office serves all Vermont veterans for federal VA benefits. It is the federal counterpart to the state OVA and handles disability compensation claims, pension benefits, education benefits, life insurance, and home loans.

Location and Contact

Services Available

• Disability compensation claims

• Pension benefits (including Aid & Attendance)

• Education benefits (GI Bill, VR&E)

• VA life insurance

• VA home loan guaranty

• Survivor benefits (DIC, Survivors Pension)

• Appeals and decision reviews

Transportation to the Regional Office

The White River Junction VA Regional Office offers several public transportation options:

• Tri Valley Transit — Orange and Yellow routes

• Dartmouth Upper Valley Shuttles

• DAV Van Service — Free rides for ambulatory veterans. Contact Jeffrey W. Snow, Building 1 Room 12, White River Junction, VT 05009, phone 817-730-0401.

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Vermont

The VA operates seven community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Vermont and neighboring New Hampshire, serving nearly 19,000 Vermont veterans. These clinics provide primary care, specialty treatment, and mental health services as satellites of the White River Junction VA Medical Center.

Vermont CBOC Locations

New Hampshire CBOCs Serving Vermont Veterans

New VA Clinics Coming to Vermont (2029)

Two new state-of-the-art VA outpatient clinics are scheduled to open in spring 2029 to expand healthcare access for Vermont veterans.

South Burlington VA Clinic

The Burlington clinic — the state’s busiest — will be replaced by a new 36,000-square-foot facility at the Technology Park in South Burlington. The new clinic will be twice as large as the current facility and will provide dental care services — the first for a VA facility in Vermont.

Location: Technology Park, South Burlington, VT
Size: 36,000 square feet
Expected Opening: Spring 2029
Key Feature: First VA dental clinic in Vermont

West Chesterfield VA Clinic (NH)

The Brattleboro clinic will be combined with the Keene, New Hampshire clinic into a single 27,000-square-foot facility at 99 NH-9 in West Chesterfield. The location was selected to be convenient for veterans in both states.

Location: 99 NH-9, West Chesterfield, NH
Size: 27,000 square feet
Expected Opening: Spring 2029
Key Feature: Combined Brattleboro/Keene services

VA Healthcare Enrollment in Vermont

Veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare before they can receive care at VA facilities. Enrollment is free, and most veterans qualify based on their service history.

Eligibility Requirements

To enroll in VA healthcare, you must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and separated under any conditions other than dishonorable. Most veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.

Priority Groups

Veterans enrolled in Categories 1 through 7 can access VA healthcare. Priority groups are determined by:

• Service-connected disability rating

• Income level

• Recent combat service

• Specific combat decorations (such as the Purple Heart)

• Former Prisoner of War status

Priority Group 1: Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities at 50% or more disabling, or veterans determined by the VA to be unemployable due to service-connected conditions.

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete VA Form 10-10EZ (Application for Health Care Benefits).

Step 2: Gather required documents:

• DD-214 or other discharge documents

• VA disability award letters (if applicable)

• Income information (if applicable)

Step 3: Submit your application:

• Online at VA.gov

• By phone at 877-222-8387

• In person at the White River Junction VA Medical Center eligibility office (802-295-9363, extension 5118)

• By mail to the White River Junction VA Medical Center

Step 4: Receive your enrollment decision. If enrolled, you will be assigned a priority group and can begin scheduling appointments.

Recent Combat Veterans

Veterans returning from a combat theater are guaranteed five years of healthcare from the VA, regardless of income or presence of disability. The OEF/OIF Program Manager at the White River Junction VA Medical Center can help recently separated combat veterans navigate the VA healthcare system.

VA Disability Compensation in Vermont

VA disability compensation is a federal tax-free monthly benefit paid to veterans with service-connected injuries or illnesses. Vermont veterans receive the same federal compensation as veterans in any other state. Compensation ranges from $175 per month (10% rating) up to $4,000+ per month (100% rating) in 2026.

How to File a Claim

Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Collect your DD-214, medical records, service treatment records, buddy statements, and any supporting documentation.

Step 2: Contact a Veterans Service Officer
The Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs recommends veterans do not file claims alone. Call 802-828-1082 to schedule an appointment with a certified VSO who will assist free of charge.

Step 3: Complete VA Form 21-526EZ
Your VSO will help you complete the Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits.

Step 4: Submit Your Claim
Your VSO submits the claim to the VA on your behalf, ensuring all necessary information is included.

Step 5: Attend Your C&P Exam
If the VA schedules a Compensation & Pension examination, attend it.

Step 6: Receive Your Decision
If approved, you receive a VA rating and back pay from your effective date.

PACT Act Benefits

The PACT Act (Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022) expanded VA healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, including burn pits and Agent Orange. More than 3,200 PACT Act-related claims have been approved in Vermont.

Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, or Post-9/11 eras, or who had toxic exposures, may qualify for expanded benefits. Submit VA Form 21-526EZ with your DD-214, medical records showing the diagnosis, and proof of service in a qualifying era or location. No nexus letter is required for presumptive conditions.

VA Pension and Aid & Attendance in Vermont

VA pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans with limited income. Aid & Attendance is an additional monthly payment for veterans who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating.

Eligibility

• Wartime veteran with at least 90 days of active duty, including at least one day during a period of war

• Honorable discharge

• Limited income and assets

• For Aid & Attendance: require the assistance of another person for daily activities, be bedridden, or reside in a nursing home

How to Apply

Complete VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits). Submit evidence of need for daily assistance, income and asset documentation, and your DD-214.

Vermont Property Tax Connection

Veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating or who are receiving Improved Pension are eligible for a Vermont property tax reduction of at least $10,000. Call 802-828-3379 for details.

VA Education Benefits in Vermont

The GI Bill is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and provides funding for college, graduate school, trade school, and on-the-job training. Vermont veterans can use GI Bill benefits at approved institutions across the state.

Steps to Use the GI Bill

1. Educate yourself about the program at gibill.va.gov

2. Apply for benefits at VA.gov (benefits are not automatic)

3. Find an approved program at your school — contact the school’s VA Certifying Official

4. Enroll only after completing steps 1-3

Trade schools in Vermont with GI Bill-approved programs include welding and truck driving. On-the-job training (OJT) programs are also approved. GI Bill benefits can also be used for apprenticeships.

Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit

The Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program provides full tuition for eligible Guard members at Vermont State University, the University of Vermont, and other eligible institutions. Eligibility requires active membership, completion of basic training, enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program, and no prior bachelor’s degree.

VA Home Loans in Vermont

VA home loans are made by private lenders and backed by the VA, allowing eligible veterans to purchase a primary residence with no down payment and competitive interest rates. Vermont does not operate a separate statewide veteran mortgage program, but the federal VA loan benefit is available statewide.

Eligibility

• Veterans with qualifying service and an honorable discharge

• Surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes

• Active duty service members

How to Apply

1. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at VA.gov

2. Contact a VA-approved lender

3. Provide your COE, DD-214, and financial documents

4. Complete the loan process with your lender

VA Survivor Benefits in Vermont

Surviving spouses, dependents, and parents of deceased veterans may be eligible for federal and state survivor benefits.

Federal Survivor Benefits

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who died from service-connected causes

• Survivors Pension: Needs-based benefit for surviving spouses of wartime veterans

• Burial benefits: Up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths

• Presidential Memorial Certificate

• VA home loan guaranty for surviving spouses

How to Apply

Complete VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits). Contact the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs at 802-828-3379 or a Veterans Service Officer for free assistance.

Vermont State Survivor Benefits

• Military retirement survivor benefit income exempt from state income tax under Act 71 (AGI limits apply)

• Property tax exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who received the exemption

VA Appeals Process in Vermont

If the VA denies your claim, you have three decision review options: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal. Generally, you have one year from the date of a VA decision to file a supplemental claim or request a higher-level review.

Three Appeal Options

How to File an Appeal

1. Contact a Vermont Veterans Service Officer at 802-828-1082 for free assistance

2. Choose your appeal option

3. Submit the appropriate form within the deadline

4. Attend any scheduled hearings

5. Receive the appeal decision

Vermont Veterans’ Home

The Vermont Veterans’ Home (VVH) in Bennington is the second oldest state veterans home in the country, opening on April 1, 1887. The 177-bed facility provides skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, respite care, and hospice services.

Eligibility

• Veterans who served at least 90 days and were honorably discharged

• Spouses of veterans

• Gold Star parents

• Vermont veterans have priority for admission

Costs

• Veterans rated 70%+ service-connected: full cost of care paid

• Basic per diem (nursing home): $144.10 per day

• Monthly rates start at $2,291

Contact: 325 North Street, Bennington, VT 05201 | 802-442-6353

Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery

The Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center provides burial at no cost for eligible veterans. The cemetery has a non-denominational chapel available for burial services.

Headstone/Marker Application: VA Form 40-1330 (Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker)

Caregiver Support in Vermont

The VA Caregiver Support Program provides resources, education, and support to caregivers of eligible veterans. The program includes the Caregiver Support Line, available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

The PCAFC is the core of VA’s Caregiver Support Program. The veteran must be enrolled in VA healthcare and receiving assistance from a caregiver for the caregiver to participate.

Contact

• Caregiver Support Line: 877-995-5247

• White River Junction VA Caregiver Support Coordinator: Available through the medical center

Homeless Veteran Services in Vermont

Vermont offers several programs to assist homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness.

Key Programs

VA Homeless Coordinator

The VA has a homeless coordinator who works out of the White River Junction VA Medical Center and travels the state to assist homeless veterans. Contact the medical center at 802-295-9363 for a referral.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Filing VA claims without a Veterans Service Officer. The Vermont OVA recommends veterans do not file claims alone. VSOs ensure all information is included.

2. Not enrolling in VA healthcare. Many veterans assume they don’t qualify. Enrollment is free, and most veterans qualify.

3. Missing the property tax exemption deadline. Call 802-828-3379 before April 1 to request proof of eligibility from the VA.

4. Assuming all VA facilities are in one location. The medical center and regional benefit office are at the same address in White River Junction, but CBOCs are spread across the state.

5. Not applying for PACT Act benefits. More than 3,200 PACT Act-related claims have been approved in Vermont. Veterans with toxic exposures should apply.

6. Forgetting to bring DD-214 to appointments. Keep multiple copies of your discharge document and bring one to every VA appointment.

7. Not knowing about the new clinics. South Burlington and West Chesterfield clinics open in 2029 and will expand services, including dental care.

8. Ignoring state benefits. Vermont offers property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, and the Green Mountain Passport in addition to federal benefits.

9. Waiting until a crisis to seek help. The Vermont Veteran Assistance Fund and SSVF programs provide emergency assistance, but early planning is better.

10. Not contacting the OVA for claim assistance. Vermont’s Veterans Service Officers file claims, appeals, and discharge upgrades at no cost. Call 802-828-1082.

Common Questions

1. What VA facilities are in Vermont?

Vermont has the White River Junction VA Medical Center, the White River Junction VA Regional Benefit Office (same location), and community-based outpatient clinics in Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, Newport, and Rutland, plus Keene and Littleton, NH.

2. How do I contact the VA in Vermont?

Call the White River Junction VA Medical Center at 802-295-9363. For federal benefits, call 800-827-1000. For state benefits, call the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs at 802-828-3379.

3. How do I enroll in VA healthcare in Vermont?

Complete VA Form 10-10EZ. Apply online at VA.gov, by phone at 877-222-8387, or in person at the White River Junction VA Medical Center eligibility office (802-295-9363, ext. 5118). Bring your DD-214.

4. Where is the VA regional office in Vermont?

The White River Junction VA Regional Benefit Office is at 163 Veterans Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The VA benefits hotline is 800-827-1000.

5. What new VA clinics are coming to Vermont?

Two new clinics are planned for spring 2029: a 36,000-square-foot facility in South Burlington (with Vermont’s first VA dental clinic) and a 27,000-square-foot facility in West Chesterfield, NH (combining Brattleboro and Keene services).

6. How do I file a VA disability claim in Vermont?

Contact a Vermont Veterans Service Officer at 802-828-1082 for free assistance. Your VSO will help you complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it to the VA.

7. Does Vermont have a VA hospital?

Yes. The White River Junction VA Medical Center is a 74-bed acute care hospital with emergency services, surgery, mental health care, and specialty services. It is affiliated with Dartmouth Medical School.

8. What is the VA priority group system in Vermont?

Veterans enrolled in Categories 1 through 7 can access VA healthcare. Priority is based on service-connected disability rating, income, recent combat service, and specific decorations like the Purple Heart.

9. How do I appeal a VA decision in Vermont?

You have three options: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal. Contact a Vermont VSO at 802-828-1082 for free assistance. The deadline is generally one year from the decision date.

10. Does Vermont have a veterans cemetery?

Yes. The Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery is at 487 Furnace Rd, Randolph Center, VT 05061. Call 802-828-3379 for burial information. Sections A–F resume burials in Spring 2026.

11. What caregiver support is available in Vermont?

The VA Caregiver Support Line is available at 877-995-5247, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. The White River Junction VA Medical Center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator on staff.

12. How do I get help with homeless veteran services in Vermont?

Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7), contact SSVF at 1-844-820-3232, or dial Vermont 211. Dodge House in Rutland provides transitional housing for homeless veterans.

Key Takeaways

• White River Junction VA Medical Center: 163 Veterans Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001. Phone: 802-295-9363. 74-bed acute care hospital.

• Regional Benefit Office: Same address. Handles disability compensation, pension, education, home loans, and survivor benefits. Phone: 800-827-1000.

• Seven CBOCs: Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, Newport, Rutland, Keene (NH), and Littleton (NH).

• New clinics: South Burlington (36,000 sq ft, first VA dental clinic in Vermont) and West Chesterfield, NH (27,000 sq ft) opening spring 2029.

• Healthcare enrollment: VA Form 10-10EZ. Apply at VA.gov, by phone at 877-222-8387, or in person.

• Disability claims: VA Form 21-526EZ. File through a Vermont VSO at 802-828-1082 for free assistance.

• PACT Act: More than 3,200 claims approved in Vermont. Veterans with toxic exposures should apply.

• Vermont Veterans’ Home: 177 beds in Bennington. Free for veterans rated 70%+. Phone: 802-442-6353.

• Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery: Randolph Center. Burial at no cost for eligible veterans. Phone: 802-828-3379.

• Homeless veteran services: National Call Center 1-877-424-3838, SSVF 1-844-820-3232, Dodge House 802-775-6772.

Official Resources

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