Virginia State Benefits Guide for Disabled Veterans 

Do Veterans Pay Sales Tax on Vehicles in Virginia? 

Yes, unless the vehicle is modified for disability-related use, in which case sales tax may be exempted. More info from the DMV. 

Do Veterans Get Free Car Registration in Virginia?

Disabled veterans may qualify for free registration of one vehicle. This includes a special disabled veteran license plate and may also qualify for parking and toll exemptions. Eligibility criteria are:

• 100% service-connected disability 
• Loss of use of limbs 
• VA-rated blindness 

How to Get Disabled Veteran Plates in Virginia

You can apply online or in person at a DMV center. Be prepared to submit your VA disability documentation. Apply for disabled veteran plates here. 

Do Disabled Veterans Pay Tolls in Virginia?

Yes, but with exceptions. The Virginia Department of Transportation offers toll exemptions on select roads and bridges for veterans who qualify for special disabled veteran plates. This applies only to designated toll facilities and veterans must register in advance.

Yes. Under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP), spouses and children of veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled due to service receive free tuition and fees at Virginia public colleges and universities. Learn more about VMSDEP. 

Virginia State Employment Veterans Hiring Preference 

Veterans with an honorable discharge receive state hiring preferences. Disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and Gold Star family members receive enhanced consideration. State agencies must interview at least one veteran if they meet minimum job qualifications and employers are encouraged to use the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program. More info here. 

Yes. Virginia veterans who are 100% disabled get free entry to all Virginia State Parks as well as other benefits. Disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating are eligible for the Veteran Disability Passport, granting:

• Free admission and parking at all Virginia State Parks 
• Free boat launch and horse trailer parking 
• 50% discount on camping fees, swimming fees, picnic shelter rentals, equipment rentals (e.g., canoes, kayaks), multi-night standard yurt reservations (25% discount for single-night stays) 

For more information, visit the Virginia State Parks Passes page. 

Can Disabled Veterans Get a Free Fishing and Hunting License in Virginia?

Yes. Disabled veterans may receive a free lifetime hunting license, freshwater fishing license or combined license if they have a service-connected disability of 100%. Discounts are also available for veterans with lower disability ratings.

• 100% service-connected disability: Eligible for a free lifetime license. 
• 70%–99% service-connected disability: Eligible for a $50 lifetime license. 
• 50%–69% service-connected disability: Eligible for a $75 lifetime license. 
• 30%–49% service-connected disability: Eligible for a $100 lifetime license.

Apply here for a disabled veteran’s license

Veterans in Virginia have access to several VA Medical Centers and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), providing a range of services from primary care to specialized treatments. See the Virginia Department of Veterans Services Medical Care page. 

Virginia Veteran Care Centers

Virginia offers four state-run care centers providing long-term skilled nursing care for veterans. To qualify, a veteran must be honorably discharged and a Virginia resident at time of admission. Find out more about Virginia care centers. 

• Virginia Veterans Care Center – Roanoke 
• Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center – Richmond 
• Puller Veterans Care Center – Fauquier County 
• Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center – Virginia Beach 

Virginia operates three VA cemeteries that provide a dignified final resting place for eligible veterans and their spouses: 

• Virginia Veterans Cemetery – Amelia 
• Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery – Suffolk 
• Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery – Dublin 

Eligibility requires an honorable discharge. Spouses and dependents may also qualify. Find out more about burial benefits and other VA benefits survivors are entitled to receive. 

Besides state-specific benefits, disabled veterans also get various federal VA disability benefits. Whether you qualify for some of these federal benefits depends on your disability rating percentage. Federal VA benefits include: 

• Monthly tax-free compensation based on your VA disability rating (calculate it here) 
• VA healthcare access, including mental health care 
• Housing assistance and home loan programs 
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E) services and federal hiring preference 
• GI Bill education benefits 
• Aid & Attendance for assisted living 
• Survivor benefits for spouses and dependents 

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

• 50% VA disability benefits
• 60% VA disability benefits
• 70% VA disability benefits
• 80% VA disability benefits
• 90% VA disability benefits

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 Virginia 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 Virginia state resources

Veterans who served at military bases in Virginia may be eligible for toxic exposure benefits. Known contaminated sites include:

• Fort Belvoir 
• Langley Air Force Base 
• Naval Station Norfolk 
• Quantico Marine Corps Base 

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. 

Filing a VA disability claim can be overwhelming. Virginia offers local and national resources to support your application. These resources include local veteran groups, state-supported VA services, and experienced attorneys.

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Virginia – 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 online course for easy, immediate access.

Download the free eBook version here 

Virginia State Legal Aid and Resources 

• Virginia Department of Veterans Services 
• Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program 
• VFW Virginia 
• Veteran Treatment Courts – Virginia has several Veterans Treatment Dockets (VTDs) aiming to keep veterans out of jail by focusing on treatment and support 

Roanoke VA Regional Office: 210 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24011 | Phone: 800-827-1000 
This office serves as the central hub for administering VA benefits to veterans, service members, and their families throughout Virginia. Services include: 

• Disability compensation claims 
• Education benefits (GI Bill) 
• Home loan assistance 
• Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) services 
• Life insurance and pension benefits 
• Support for homeless veterans 

Attorneys Specialized in VA Disability Law

At Hill & Ponton, we proudly serve Virginia veterans. If you’ve been denied or underrated, our VA-accredited appeal attorneys can help – and we only get paid if we win your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.