Puerto Rico · Apply for VA Healthcare

How to apply for VA healthcare in Puerto Rico

Apply for VA healthcare in Puerto Rico — most veterans qualify. PACT Act 2022 expanded eligibility broadly (especially for veterans with toxin exposure). Approved usually within 1 week of filing VA Form 10-10EZ. Enrolled veterans get access to Puerto Rico VA Medical Centers + outpatient clinics.

Free claim-help offices in Puerto Rico

Cost of help from a veterans service officer

Step-by-step

File VA Form 10-10EZ

Apply online at va.gov/health-care/apply/. Or by phone: 1-877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387). Or via mail to: VA Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Rd Ste 200, Atlanta GA 30329. Approved typically within 1 week.

Document your service + income

Need DD-214 (or equivalent) + most-recent tax return for income-based priority groups. PACT Act eligibility doesn't require income test — just deployment records showing qualifying era + location.

Pick your Puerto Rico VAMC + CBOC

Once enrolled, you can use any Puerto Rico VA Medical Center, Vet Center, or VA-approved community provider. We list all Puerto Rico VA hospitals + clinics at /state/puerto-rico and /best-of/pr.

Schedule your initial appointment

After enrollment, call your assigned VAMC to schedule. Veterans transitioning from active duty can request expedited enrollment (within 60 days of separation). Combat veterans have a 5-year free-care window regardless of disability rating.

Get your VHIC card

VHIC (Veterans Health Identification Card) is the physical card for VA care. Apply at any VA facility or via VA Form 10-10EZR. Different from VIC (Veterans ID Card — for civilian discount purposes only, not for VA care).

Common Puerto Rico questions

Was I denied VA healthcare before? Should I re-apply?

Yes if denied before August 2022. PACT Act 2022 expanded eligibility broadly — especially for veterans with toxin exposure (burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune water). Many veterans denied pre-2022 now qualify automatically. Re-apply at va.gov/health-care/apply/.

How much does VA healthcare cost in Puerto Rico?

Priority Groups 1-6: free for service-connected conditions, $0-$15 copays for primary care visits, $30 for specialist visits. Priority Groups 7-8: higher copays. Combat veterans within 5 years of discharge: free. Catastrophically disabled: free. Same nationally, doesn't vary by state.

Can my family in Puerto Rico get VA healthcare?

VA healthcare is for veterans only. Family of veterans rated 100% P&T can get CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA). Family also get TRICARE if veteran is retired-pay-eligible. See /champva-eligibility for the family-coverage path.

Do Puerto Rico VAMCs have the same care quality as other states?

VA quality varies by facility. Puerto Rico VAMCs are publicly rated by VA via SAIL (Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning) — search "VA SAIL {state}" for current rankings. Vet Center care quality is more uniform — they're tightly managed nationally.

Related Puerto Rico resources

Find a free Puerto Rico CVSO → All Puerto Rico resources Donate →