Should You Enroll in VA Health Care?
VA says more than 300,000 new veterans enrolled in VA health care in 2026. How priority groups work, what you pay for service-connected care, and why VA records help your claim.
What VA announced
On October 21, 2026, VA said more than 300,000 new veterans have enrolled in VA health care so far in 2026, and those new enrollees have completed or scheduled more than 1.8 million appointments, including over 420,000 mental health appointments.
Priority groups in plain English
When you apply, VA places you in one of 8 priority groups. Your group affects how soon you're enrolled and what, if anything, you pay.
- Priority Group 1: service-connected rating of 50% or more, or a finding that you can't work because of service-connected conditions (TDIU).
- Priority Group 2: 30% or 40% service-connected.
- Priority Group 3: 10% or 20% service-connected, plus others such as former POWs and Purple Heart recipients.
- Groups 4–8 depend on other factors, including income.
No copay for service-connected care
VA doesn't charge copays for care of your service-connected conditions. Depending on your priority group and income, you may owe copays for other care. Check VA's current copay rates.
Your VA notes are evidence
Every VA visit creates a record VA can see when it decides a claim. Regular treatment notes showing symptoms, flare-ups, and how a condition affects work and daily life can support a new claim or an increase. Tell your provider the full picture at each visit, and keep your own symptom log.
How to apply
Apply online at VA.gov (VA Form 10-10EZ) or call VA at 800-698-2411. You can enroll in VA health care whether or not you have a disability claim pending.
Sources: VA News, Oct 21, 2026; VA priority groups; VA copay rates.
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Educational only, not legal or medical advice. We are not VA-accredited. No one can promise a rating outcome; VA decides each claim on its own evidence.