Start Here
New to VA benefits, or not sure what comes next? Start with the free Roadmap, then use the tools below.
The Veteran Roadmap Navigator
Free ToolAn interactive version of my book: a step-by-step starting point, checklists, Intent to File and decision review deadline calculators, a claim evidence tracker, and a quick look at your state's veteran benefits. Also available in Spanish.
Why it's here: I built it from The Veteran Roadmap and checked it against VA.gov in October 2026. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
Open the Roadmap En españolNexus Letter Navigator
Free ToolLearn what a VA medical (nexus) opinion usually contains, organize your evidence and a symptom timeline, and prepare neutral questions for your provider. Ends with a printable preparation summary.
Why it's here: built from my VA Nexus Letter Playbook, with the rules checked against VA.gov and 38 CFR in October 2026. It doesn't diagnose, predict outcomes, or tell you to buy a private letter.
Open the NavigatorFor Separating Service Members
The months before and after you separate are when the deadlines stack up. Start with the free calculator, then go deeper if you want a month-by-month plan.
The BDD & First-Year Civilian Playbook
My GuideA calendar-first guide for the 180-day BDD window and your first twelve months out: claims, healthcare, SGLI/VGLI, education, employment, and state benefits. Pair it with the free BDD window calculator to see your own dates.
Why it's here: I wrote it. It is my own book, and I earn a small commission if you buy through the Amazon link.
Get It on Kindle → PaperbackFor Organizing Your Claim
The single biggest thing that slows down a VA claim is disorganized evidence. These keep your paperwork, timeline, and documents straight.
Notion
Free to StartA flexible workspace for tracking your claim timeline, storing notes from every C&P exam, and keeping a running list of evidence you've submitted.
Why I recommend it: powerful enough for a multi-year claim, simple enough that you're not fighting the software instead of your claim.
Try Notion Free →Need Your Doctor to Fill Out a VA Form?
If your provider is writing a nexus letter or filling out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for your claim, you don’t have to explain the process to them.
Provider Guide & Full List of VA DBQs
FreeA short, plain-language guide written for physicians, NPs, PAs, and psychologists: what VA is asking for, the “at least as likely as not” standard, and how to write a useful opinion. It also has every public VA DBQ in one searchable list. Print it or send your provider the link.
Provider Guide → Full List of DBQs VA Rating CriteriaFor People Who Serve Veterans
If you work with veterans as a VSO, a TAP or transition coordinator, or program staff, I keep a page of free guides you can review and share.
Free Resources for Veteran Service Professionals
FreeA free guide for surviving spouses to share with the families you serve, plus free review copies of my paid guides on request. No signup required.
See That Page →Also Building Something of Your Own?
If you're a veteran thinking about a side hustle or small business, I keep a separate page for that — including the tools I use to run The Veteran Roadmap and Corner Attic Creations.
Tools for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Canva, email marketing, and Etsy SEO tools — the same ones behind The Veteran Roadmap and Corner Attic Creations.
See That Page →VA Home Loan Basics
Before you talk to a lender, here's a quick plain-English rundown of how the VA loan benefit actually works.
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Proves to a lender that you qualify for the VA loan benefit based on your service history. Most veterans can request one instantly through eBenefits, or have their lender pull it directly.
No Down Payment Required
Unlike most conventional loans, VA loans typically don't require a down payment, provided the purchase price doesn't exceed the home's appraised value.
Funding Fee & Exemptions
Most borrowers pay a one-time VA funding fee. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are typically exempt — one of the most overlooked benefits tied to a disability rating.
No Private Mortgage Insurance
VA loans don't require PMI, which can mean lower monthly payments compared to a conventional loan with less than 20% down.
Occupancy Requirement
VA loans are intended for a primary residence. You're generally expected to move in within 60 days of closing, with some exceptions for active duty service members.
Reusable Benefit
Your VA loan entitlement can potentially be used more than once in your lifetime, including partial entitlement while a previous VA loan is still active.
This overview is independently written and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Loan terms and exemptions can change — always confirm current details with a lender or at va.gov.
Want the full walkthrough — COE requests, comparing offers, entitlement math, avoiding common first-time buyer mistakes, and more — built specifically around VA benefits?
Get the Full VA Home Buying Guide on Amazon →For Home & VA Loans
I went through the VA loan process myself in December 2024 — here's who I actually used, no strings attached.
Guaranteed Rate — Jennifer Beeston
Who I UsedJennifer was the loan officer I personally worked with for my own VA loan in December 2024. This link goes straight to her application page, so you'd be working with the same person I did, not a random assignment.
Why it's here: I had a genuinely good experience with her. No affiliate relationship — Guaranteed Rate doesn't run a commission-based affiliate program, so this is an honest recommendation, not a sponsored link.
Apply with Jennifer →NerdWallet VA Loan Comparison
Free to UseIf you'd rather compare rates across multiple lenders before choosing, this tool lets you do that in one place.
No affiliate relationship here either — just a genuinely useful free tool for shopping around.
Compare VA Loan Rates →