Your Chapter 35 benefits (DEA) cannot be used for the University of Washington's certificate program because the program is not approved by your State Approving Agency (SAA) for VA education benefits, as required under **38 CFR 21.4250** and **38 CFR 21.4252**. VA benefits are only payable for programs specifically approved for veterans; public university status does not guarantee automatic approval for every non-degree course. Your next actionable step is to immediately contact the university's Veterans Services Office or Certifying Official to formally inquire about the program's approval status with the SAA. If the program is not approved, you can request the school initiate the approval process with the SAA. Concurrently, you should explore if individual courses within the certificate are approved under a different degree program's curriculum at the same school, which may allow for a workaround, a concept supported by case law like *Buchanan v. Nicholson* which emphasizes the VA's duty to assist in maximizing benefit delivery. Document all communications. If the school refuses to seek approval, you may need to file a formal inquiry with the VA using **VA Form 21-4138**, Statement in Support of Claim, to request a determination and potentially seek guidance from a VA-accredited agent or attorney (found via VA's Office of General Counsel list). **Disclaimer: This is educational information for veterans regarding VA processes and is not intended as legal, medical, or official benefits advice.**
Need a deeper analysis?
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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