The VA does not operate a nationwide Uber or Lyft-style on-demand ride service, but it does have several programs that can help veterans get to and from appointments, and eligibility does not always require a service-connected rating.
The main program is Beneficiary Travel, administered through each VA medical center's Beneficiary Travel (BT) office. Under 38 CFR 70, veterans may be reimbursed mileage or have travel arranged if they fall into certain categories: a compensable service-connected disability (10% or more), traveling for a scheduled compensation and pension exam, receiving VA pension, meeting certain income thresholds, or being otherwise medically indigent. Importantly, veterans who are not yet rated can still qualify for travel payment specifically when the appointment is a VA-scheduled exam related to a pending claim, since that travel is considered part of the claims process itself.
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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Analyze my claim free →Separately, many VA facilities use the Veterans Transportation Service (VTS), which can include scheduled van or shuttle routes, coordination with volunteer driver networks (often run through Disabled American Veterans chapters), or arrangements with local transportation providers in rural areas. Availability varies significantly by facility, especially in areas without ride-share coverage, so the specific options at a given clinic depend on local resources and partnerships rather than a single VA-wide app or service.
To request transportation help, a veteran should contact the Beneficiary Travel office or the patient advocate at the VA medical center or clinic where the appointments are scheduled, not the regional benefits office. They can explain what specific transportation resources exist in that area, including any shuttle schedules, volunteer driver programs, or mileage reimbursement forms, and can advise on required documentation such as VA Form 10-3542 (Veteran/Beneficiary Claim for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses). If mileage reimbursement is approved, it is typically submitted after travel occurs, so veterans should keep track of appointment dates and any related receipts.
Because availability of rides and reimbursement depends heavily on the individual facility and the veteran's specific eligibility category, there is no single fixed answer about what will be provided before contacting that clinic directly.
The concrete next step is to call or visit the Beneficiary Travel office or patient advocate at the clinic where the appointments are scheduled and ask specifically what transportation assistance or reimbursement options are available for that facility and service area.
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