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Tennessee is home to over 160,000 veterans receiving VA disability compensation (according to the VA report for the year 2024), more than 37% of all the veterans in the state. The combination of rural isolation, an aging Vietnam-era population and the complex needs of a younger post-9/11 generation make state support all the more important. 

Tennessee offers a wide range of veteran benefits including specialized healthcare, education assistance, employment preference, and tax relief. Many veterans may earn above federal poverty level but struggle to afford the cost of living, so these benefits are often a safety net. 

This guide helps disabled veterans and their families learn about Tennessee state programs, as well as the legal assistance available to them. It explains requirements for the benefits provided by the state and how to access them. 

Property Tax Relief and Other Exemptions 

Do 100% Disabled Veterans Pay Property Taxes in Tennessee?

While the state does not fully exempt disabled veterans, it does offer tax relief on the first $175,000 of the market value of a primary residence. This means the state pays a portion of the tax bill on behalf of a 100% disabled veteran, significantly reducing the amount owed to the county or city. There is no income limit for disabled veterans to qualify for this exemption (unlike the Property Tax Freeze available to senior citizens). 

Who Qualifies for the Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption in Tennessee? 

The tax exemption offered by the state of Tennessee to disabled veterans is calculated for a maximum market value of $175,000 and applies to a property used as primary residence by a veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable who has either: 

The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who was eligible for the exemption at the time of their death may also apply for this benefit, if they continue to own and occupy the home as their primary residence. Find out more. 

What If Your Rating Isn’t 100%?

A practical strategy is to pursue a disability rating increase immediately if you believe your current condition warrants it, as this rating is the key to unlocking the tax relief. If the VA has denied your claim for a rating that would qualify you for this relief, a Tennessee VA disability lawyer can handle the appeals process on your behalf to secure the benefits you deserve.

Transportation Benefits

Tennessee offers various transportation-related benefits to reduce the financial burden on disabled veterans and improve their mobility. These include exemptions from sales taxes and registration fees for those receiving federal grants for adaptive vehicles, as well as waivers for local county wheel taxes for veterans with 100% disability ratings. Additionally, the state provides free specialized license plates, parking placards, and decals for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities. 

Motor Vehicle Sales Tax and Fee Exemptions

  • VA Automobile Grant Recipients: New or used vehicles sold, given, or donated to disabled veterans or active-duty service members are exempt from sales tax, registration fees, and local motor vehicle privilege taxes if the individual has a service-connected disability and receives a VA grant for a specially adapted vehicle.
  • Adaptive Equipment: Any adaptive equipment necessary to ensure a disabled veteran can operate a vehicle safely is exempt from Tennessee sales and use tax.
  • Sales Tax Limitation: For those receiving a VA grant, the sales tax exemption applies to the portion of the vehicle’s price that exceeds the grant amount.

County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax Exemption 

Veterans who have a 100% permanent and total disability rating from a service-connected cause are exempt from paying the county motor vehicle privilege tax. To claim this exemption, veterans must submit evidence of their 100% disability status to their local county official. Former prisoners of war also qualify for this exemption regardless of their disability rating.

Free Disabled Veteran License Plates

The state issues registration and license plates free of charge for the first vehicle owned or leased by veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating. Veterans may also qualify for free plates if they have suffered the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, or have permanent vision impairment (20/200 or worse). 

Additional Plates: While the first plate is free, veterans can obtain additional disabled veteran plates by paying the regular license fee plus the actual cost of producing the plate. 

Purple Heart Alternative: Veterans entitled to free disabled veteran plates may choose to receive a Purple Heart plate for one vehicle free of charge instead. 

Disabled Parking Privileges 

  • Medical Criteria: To qualify for disabled parking privileges, veterans must have a disability that requires the use of a wheelchair, causes them to walk with difficulty or uncertainty, or results in severe vision impairment. 
  • Free Disabled Decal: Veterans who meet the criteria for disabled plates can receive a free disabled decal for their vehicle. 
  • Free Distinguishing Placards: Effective July 1, 2026, eligible disabled veterans may be issued a free distinguishing placard to be used for parking purposes instead of a specialized license plate. 

Education Benefits

Helping Heroes Grant 

This grant is specifically for veterans who served in conflict zones and are pursuing their first undergraduate degree at a participating Tennessee college. 

  • Benefit Amount: You can receive 1,000 dollars per semester if enrolled in 12 or more credit hours, or 500 dollars for 6 to 11 credit hours. 
  • Service Requirement: You must have been awarded an eligible medal, such as the Iraq Campaign Medal or Afghanistan Campaign Medal. 
  • Duration: The grant is available for up to eight full semesters or until you earn your bachelor’s degree.  

Tennessee Reconnect 

If you are an adult veteran looking to return to school to earn an associate degree or technical certificate, Tennessee Reconnect provides a pathway to attend community or technical college tuition-free. 

  • Eligibility: You must not have already earned an associate or bachelor’s degree and must have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year. 
  • Support: Through “Navigate Reconnect,” the state provides free, individualized coaching to help you choose a path, apply for aid, and stay on track to graduate. 
  • Prior Learning Credit: Tennessee Reconnect institutions work specifically to evaluate your military experience and training, often converting it into college credit to help you finish your degree faster. 

Other Initiatives 

Veterans Upward Bound 

For veterans who have been out of school for a long time or need to refresh their academic skills, Veterans Upward Bound offers free classes in subjects like math, English, and computer skills. This program helps ensure you are fully prepared for the rigors of college-level coursework. Find out more. 

VETS Campus Designation 

To make the transition from military to academic life smoother, Tennessee law grants a VETS Campus designation to institutions that meet high standards for veteran support. They offer specific services for veterans, including: 

  • Granting prior learning credit for military training and experience 
  • Annual orientation programs for veterans 
  • Assistance in maximizing VA and state benefits

Employment Benefits 

State Government Hiring Preference 

If you are an honorably discharged veteran, you are entitled to a hiring preference when applying for positions with the state of Tennessee. This is a legal requirement. 

  • The Tie-Breaker Rule: If you are among the top-rated candidates for a position and your qualifications (skills, knowledge, and abilities) are equal to those of a non-veteran applicant, the hiring manager must select you for the job. 
  • Mandatory Interview: If you meet the minimum qualifications for a state position, the state agency is often required to include you in the interview pool. 
  • Transparency: If a state agency passes over an eligible veteran for a non-veteran, the hiring official must file a written explanation with the Department of Human Resources. 
  • Spousal Eligibility: This preference also extends to the spouse of a veteran who is 100 percent permanently and totally disabled, or the un-remarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died in the line of duty

Priority of Service at American Job Centers 

Tennessee’s American Job Centers operate under a “Priority of Service” policy. This means that as a veteran, you move to the front of the line for all employment and training services. 

  • Career Coaching: You have access to one-on-one counseling to help translate your military occupational specialty (MOS) into civilian language for resumes. 
  • Specialized Support for Disabled Veterans: If you have a service-connected disability or face significant barriers to employment, you can work with a Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist. These specialists provide intensive case management and help you develop an Individualized Employment Plan (IEP). 
  • Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVER): While DVOPs focus on helping you, LVERs work directly with local businesses to “sell” the value of hiring veterans and to find job openings that aren’t always listed publicly. 

Professional Licensing Benefits 

Starting a new career in Tennessee is easier for veterans because the state streamlines the professional licensing process. 

  • Expedited Review: State licensing boards are required to expedite the application process for veterans and military spouses, meaning you can get your credentials faster and start working sooner. 
  • Military Experience Credit: Many licensing boards are authorized to accept your military training and experience as credit toward meeting state requirements for licensure. 
  • CDL Skills Test Waiver: Tennessee participates in the Highways for Heroes program to help veterans transition into civilian driving careers. If you recently operated a heavy vehicle during your service and have a clean driving record, you may be eligible to waive the skills test for a Tennessee Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). 

Support for Veteran Entrepreneurs

If you are looking to start your own business, Tennessee provides resources to help you succeed as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

  • Registration Support: The state helps you register your business as veteran-owned, which can make you eligible for specific federal and state procurement opportunities. Learn more.
  • Procurement Advantages: Small businesses owned by veterans can compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts with the government, giving you a competitive edge in the bidding process.

Recreation Benefits

Discounts for Veterans at Tennessee State Parks 

Tennessee does not charge a general entrance fee for its state parks, so day-use access is free for everyone. Veterans can however enjoy special discounts for activities and overnight stays. 

  • 100% Disabled Veteran Discount: If you are a Tennessee resident with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, you are eligible for a 50% discount on camping and overnight cabin rentals year-round. 
  • Standard Veteran Discount: All other Tennessee resident veterans receive a 25% discount on camping and cabins during the “in-season” (March through November) and a 50% discount during the “off-season” (December through February). 
  • Golf and Retail Discounts: Veterans receive a 20% discount on golf greens fees and cart rentals, as well as a 15% discount on select items at park gift shops year-round. 
  • Salute to Service: On the anniversary of each military branch’s founding, veterans of that specific branch receive one free night of camping and waived greens fees for golf. 
  • Annual Free Day: The state designates one day each year where all state parks, including campgrounds and golf courses, are free for all veterans. 

To claim these benefits, you must provide proof of Tennessee residency (such as a driver’s license) and proof of veteran status (such as a VA benefits card or DD-214). Note that these discounts typically do not apply to “premium” campsites or lodges. 

Tennessee Fishing and Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans 

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) provides special licensing discounts for disabled veterans and allows resident veterans with a 100% rating or with certain disabilities to opt for a permanent $10 license, avoiding annual renewal fees. Veterans must submit a one-time application directly to the TWRA along with a VA certification letter confirming their disability status. Find out more. 

  • 100% Disabled Veterans: Residents with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating are eligible for a permanent sport combination hunting and fishing license for a one-time fee of $10. 
  • 30% or Higher Disability: Veterans who are 30% or more disabled “by reason of war service” can also obtain this permanent $10 combination license. 
  • Mobility Impaired Options: For veterans permanently restricted to a wheelchair or those who have suffered a significant lower limb amputation, the permanent $10 combination license is available to provide easier access to the field. 
  • Assistant Allowances: Tennessee law allows certain disabled hunters to designate one person to assist them while hunting or fishing. This assistant is not required to have their own license as long as they are truly assisting and not hunting on their own behalf. 

Healthcare Benefits

The VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System serves as the primary medical network for veterans in the region. This system includes major medical centers and a variety of community clinics designed to provide comprehensive care. 

  • Nashville VA Medical Center: 1310 24th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212 | Phone: (615) 327-4751 
  • Alvin C. York Veterans Administration Medical Center: 3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 | Phone: (615) 867-6000 
  • Memphis VA Medical Center: 1030 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 | Phone: (901) 523-8990 
  • Mountain Home VA Medical Center: 400 Dogwood Avenue, Mountain Home, TN 37684 | Phone: (423) 926-1171 
  • Chattanooga VA Clinic: 6401 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 | Phone: (423) 893-6500 
  • Knoxville VA Clinic: 8033 Ray Mears Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37919 | Phone: (865) 545-4592 

For veterans requiring long-term care, the Tennessee State Veterans Homes provide skilled nursing, rehabilitative therapy, and memory care. Admission eligibility generally requires that the veteran was a resident of Tennessee at the time of admission, was born in the state, or entered the armed forces from Tennessee. Current state facilities include: 

  • Clarksville Veterans Home: 250 Arrowood Drive, Clarksville, TN 37042 | Phone: (931) 245-4700 
  • Cleveland Veterans Home: 1940 Westland Dr. SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 | Phone: (423) 813-3600 
  • Humboldt Veterans Home: 2865 Main Street, Humboldt, TN 38343 | Phone: (731) 784-8405 
  • Knoxville Veterans Home: 1 Veterans Way, Knoxville, TN 37931 | Phone: (865) 862-8100 
  • Murfreesboro Veterans Home: 345 Compton Road, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 | Phone: (615) 895-8850 

Burial and Survivor Benefits

The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services manages five state veterans cemeteries, where eligible veterans can pre-register for burial. Benefits typically include a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a government headstone or marker, and perpetual care at no cost to the family.  

Surviving spouses and dependents may also be eligible for interment in a veterans cemetery, as well as continued property tax exemptions, educational benefits, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA. Find out more about getting survivor benefits. 

State Veterans Cemeteries 

  • Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery: 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, TN 37221 | Phone: (615) 532-2238 
  • East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (Lyons View): 5901 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 | Phone: (865) 577-3228 
  • East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (John Sevier Hwy): 2200 E. Gov. John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920 | Phone: (865) 577-3228 
  • West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery: 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125 | Phone: (901) 543-7005 
  • Parkers Crossroads State Veterans Cemetery: 693 Wildersville Road, Parkers Crossroads, TN 38388 | Phone: (731) 967-4127 

Federal Benefits Available to Tennessee Veterans 

In addition to Tennessee’s specific benefits, disabled veterans also get a wide range of federal VA disability benefits, including: 

  • Monthly tax-free compensation payments based on disability rating (calculate it here) 
  • Medical care, including mental health services and counseling  
  • Home loans and housing benefits  
  • Vocational rehabilitation and employment services  
  • Education benefits through the GI Bill  
  • Survivor benefits  
  • Federal hiring preference  

Eligibility for some of these benefits depends on the disability rating percentage. Use the links below to see what federal benefits Alabama veterans can get with a rating of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. 

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

Veterans with a 100% disability rating receive the highest level of federal VA benefits, including: 

  • Full monthly VA compensation
  • Full VA healthcare coverage
  • Dental care
  • Adaptive equipment grants

 See all federal benefits for a 100% disabled Tennessee veteran → 

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits for Spouse and Dependents

Spouses and family members of 100% disabled veterans may also be able to get several benefits:

  • CHAMPVA healthcare  
  • DIC eligibility  
  • Education benefits  
  • Continued property tax exemption  
  • Access to Tennessee state resources  

Benefits for Toxic Exposure

Veterans who served at military installations in Tennessee may have been exposed to hazardous substances such as PFAS or industrial solvents. These exposures can make veterans eligible for disability benefits. Bases in Tennessee with known toxic exposure concerns include : 

Find more bases with toxic exposure or get in touch with us for a free evaluation of your case. Hill & Ponton has decades of experience in helping veterans get compensation for conditions caused by exposure to dangerous substances, from Agent Orange to burn pits, jet fuel, and more. 

Getting VA Disability in Tennessee

Getting through the VA disability claims process can be tricky, but there are local and national resources to help guide you. These resources include local veteran groups, state-supported VA services, and experienced disability attorneys.

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Tennessee – Free Guide 

Attorney Matthew Hill has written THE book on how to get VA disability compensation and benefits. And it’s yours free of charge. We also offer a free ebook for easy, immediate access.

Tennessee State Assistance and Resources 

  • Tennessee Department of Veterans Services: 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243 | Phone: (615) 741-2345 
  • Nashville Field Office: 1310 24th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212 
  • Memphis Field Office: 1030 Jefferson Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 

For veterans who need to appeal a VA decision or are seeking to increase their disability rating, dedicated legal resources can ensure they receive the full compensation they deserve. 

Help from Experienced Lawyers 

Our VA-accredited lawyers proudly represent Tennessee veterans who were denied or underrated by the VA, with no upfront costs. Contact us for a free evaluation – even if we don’t take your case, we’ll point you in the right direction!