Veterans in Puerto Rico are eligible for the same federal VA benefits as vets living in the states. However, each territory also offers some of its own unique benefits for veterans who are considered disabled by the VA. We share some of these Puerto Rico disabled veteran benefits below.
Don’t fight the VA alone
In this article about Puerto Rico disabled veteran benefits:
- Veteran property tax benefits in Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico veteran income tax benefits
- Veteran vehicle registration benefits in Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico veteran education benefits
- Other benefits for veterans in Puerto Rico
- VA facilities in Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico military bases with toxic exposure
- Woods & Woods: Puerto Rico disabled veteran benefits lawyers
- Frequently asked questions
Veteran property tax benefits in Puerto Rico
Veterans who have been residents of Puerto Rico since January of the most recent year can qualify for different property tax benefits. These benefits depend on the veteran’s level of disability. These include:
- A complete property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans
- A property tax exemption on the first $50,000 of a home’s appraised value for veterans with a VA rating of at least 50%
Any veteran who does not qualify for one of the above exemptions, regardless of disability status, may be eligible for a $5,000 tax exemption on their property’s appraised value.
Puerto Rico veteran income tax benefits
Veteran residents of Puerto Rico may qualify for an income tax exemption of $1,500, or $3,000 if married filing jointly and both spouses are veterans.
Veteran vehicle registration benefits in Puerto Rico
Honorably discharged veterans in Puerto Rico can receive one free veteran license plate. To apply, click here.
Veterans in Puerto Rico with a 100% VA disability rating as well as veterans over 60 are not required to pay fees for their license plate or driver’s license. They are also exempt from vehicle taxes.
Puerto Rico veteran education benefits
Veteran residents of Puerto Rico who do not have VA education benefits or whose benefits have run out qualify for free tuition at the University of Puerto Rico and its regional colleges.
Dependents of these veterans can also receive a 50% reduction in tuition to the same institutions. For more information, visit the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico website.
Additionally, Puerto Rico offers the 65th Infantry Regiment Scholarship for the Children of Veterans. For more information about this benefit and how to qualify, click here.
Other benefits for veterans in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico offers a 10% discount for veterans and their dependents to parks, zoos, beaches, aquariums, vacation centers, camping areas, and other recreational areas.
Veterans in Puerto Rico also have access to the Puerto Rico Casa del Veterano (Veteran’s House), which is a 240-bed facility that provides long-term care for veterans and eligible family members.
For more information about all of the benefits available to veterans living in Puerto Rico, visit the My Army Benefits website.
VA facilities in Puerto Rico
We share more about where to find VA facilities in Puerto Rico including regional offices, medical facilities, vet centers, and VA cemeteries.
VA regional office
Most U.S. territories have at least one VA regional office (VARO) that provides in-person services to help veterans with VA benefits and claims. Offices also offer information about veteran medical help, education and career counseling, memorial benefits, aid for homeless veterans, and more. Below is the VARO in Puerto Rico.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| San Juan VA Regional Benefit Office | 50 Carr 165 Guaynabo, PR, 00968 View on Google Maps |
VA medical facilities
VA medical facilities offer medical information and assistance for veterans. Vets may also receive their compensation and pension (C&P) exam at many of these facilities. The VA uses the information gathered at a C&P exam to determine how severe a veteran’s condition is and whether it is service connected. Below is a list of VA medical facilities in Puerto Rico.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| San Juan VA Medical Center | 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR, 00921-3201 View on Google Maps |
| Eurípides Rubio Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic | 1802 Calle Navarra Ponce, PR, 00716-2001 View on Google Maps |
| Mayaguez VA Clinic | 175 Algarrobo Avenue Mayaguez, PR, 00682 View on Google Maps |
| Arecibo VA Clinic | PR #2 Int. PR 660 Km 78 Hato Abajo Ward Arecibo, PR, 00612 View on Google Maps |
| Ceiba VA Clinic | PR-3, Kilometers 54.9 Lot 3 Pueblo Ward, PR, 00735 View on Google Maps |
| Guayama VA Clinic | 850 Calle Arnaldo Bristol FISA Building 1st Floor, Suite 1 Guayama, PR, 00784-6876 View on Google Maps |
| Comerio VA Clinic | Jose de Diego Street Suite 15 Comerio, PR, 00782-2531 View on Google Maps |
| Utuado VA Clinic | Calle Isaac Gonzalez Esquina Ledesma Hospital de la Montana Utuado, PR, 00641-2660 View on Google Maps |
| Vieques VA Clinic | Road 997 Centro De Salud Susana Centeno Vieques, PR, 00765-0326 View on Google Maps |
| Hato Rey VA Clinic | 653 Munoz Rivera San Juan, PR, 00918-3631 View on Google Maps |
Vet Centers
Vet Centers provide veterans with counseling and referral services, many of which are community-based. These centers also offer services for family members of veterans.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| San Juan Vet Center | 7 Tabonuco Street Suite 104 Guaynabo, PR, 00968 View on Google Maps |
| Hatillo Vet Center | 140 Carr. 2 Hatillo, PR, 00659 View on Google Maps |
| Ponce Vet Center | 1046 Hostos Avenue Suite 118 Ponce, PR, 00716 View on Google Maps |
VA cemeteries
VA cemeteries can be found across the U.S. territories and are dedicated resting places for those who honorably served their country. Veterans or families can make arrangements to be laid to rest in a VA cemetery. Qualifying spouses of veterans may also be eligible. You can find eligibility requirements for VA cemeteries here. Below is a list of VA cemeteries in Puerto Rico.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Puerto Rico National Cemetery | 50 Avenida Cementerio Nacional Bayamon, PR, 00961 View on Google Maps |
| Morovis National Cemetery | 900 Carr 137 Morovis, PR, 00687 View on Google Maps |
| Atlantic Garden Veteran Cemetery | Garden of Eden Blvd State Rd 110 Aguadilla, PR, 00690 View on Google Maps |
Excellent, friendly and professional. Got me 100% P&T. Very grateful for how they have helped my family and I.
B.M., an Army veteran in Kentucky
From a Google review for Woods & Woods
Puerto Rico military bases with toxic exposure
Dangerous toxins have been found in the groundwater and soil at military bases in Puerto Rico, such as Camp Santiago and Roosevelt Roads Naval Station.
Veterans who were subject to toxic exposure at a U.S. military installation and later developed health complications may be eligible for VA disability benefits. Below is a list of military bases in Puerto Rico that have been affected by toxic exposure.
For more information about toxins at U.S. military bases and how exposure may affect your health, check out our Military Bases Toxic Exposure Map.
Woods & Woods: Puerto Rico disabled veteran benefits lawyers
Woods & Woods is an accredited VA disability law firm that serves veterans nationwide. Our team of VA disability lawyers serves every U.S. state and territory. We have helped tens of thousands of veterans across the U.S. fight the VA for the full benefits they deserve, including veterans in Puerto Rico.
If you are looking for an experienced and professional VA disability attorney, call us today for your free case evaluation.
Our team is ready to help
Frequently asked questions
Disabled veterans in Puerto Rico are eligible to receive many different benefits, including property tax exemptions, vehicle registration benefits, discounts to beaches and parks, and more.
Due to the nature of VA law, most VA disability lawyers can work with veterans nationwide. The accredited lawyers at Woods & Woods work with veterans in all U.S. states and territories, including Puerto Rico.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
