Nearly 460,000 Veterans call Arizona home, one of the highest concentrations in the nation, and every year more Veterans from every branch move to the state.
If you are an Arizona Veteran dealing with a denied claim, a rating that doesn’t reflect your condition, or a disability that is keeping you from working, you have legal options, but the clock is running.
Call 866-951-0466 or contact us online today. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the Veterans we represent.
Arizona’s Military Presence
Arizona has six military installations, each with a history of service-connected health risks.
- Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson) is home to the 355th Wing and the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). The base has documented PFAS contamination from Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) used in firefighting training.
- Luke Air Force Base (Glendale) trains fighter pilots in F-35 operations for the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. Veterans who trained or served here have potential exposure histories tied to jet fuel, noise-induced hearing loss, and the physical demands of high-performance aviation.
- Fort Huachuca (Sierra Vista) is the home of U.S. Army Intelligence and the Network Enterprise Technology Command. Soldiers stationed here face exposure to industrial chemicals and environmental contaminants, as well as the cumulative physical wear of extended intelligence and communications operations.
- Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (Yuma) is one of the busiest military airfields in the world. Marines and Sailors stationed at MCAS Yuma have documented exposure histories tied to jet fuel and aviation hydraulic fluids, noise-induced hearing loss from sustained flight line operations, and the cumulative physical demands of aircraft maintenance in extreme desert heat.
- Yuma Proving Ground (Yuma) is the U.S. Army’s largest active weapons testing installation, covering more than one million acres of desert terrain. Soldiers who worked at YPG have potential exposure histories including heavy metals from munitions testing, propellants and combustion byproducts, and industrial chemicals used in weapons systems evaluation.
- Papago Park Military Reservation (Phoenix) serves as the headquarters for the Arizona Army National Guard. National Guard and Reserve Veterans who trained or mobilized through Papago Park may have toxic exposure histories and can seek benefits through direct service connection.
Navigating the Arizona VA Claims System
The Phoenix VA Regional Office (VARO) handles disability compensation decisions for Arizona Veterans. All disability compensation flows through the federal VA, not the state.
The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS) is a separate state agency. It administers state-level benefits including property tax exemptions, scholarships, and Veterans’ homes.
Put simply: ADVS is your Arizona advocate. The Phoenix VARO is the office that writes your rating.
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for Arizona Veterans
Arizona has one of the largest concentrations of Veterans over 65 in the country, and many major retirement communities like Sun City, Sun Lakes, and Carefree are home to Vietnam-era and Gulf War Veterans. Many of these Veterans are no longer working, carry significant service-connected disabilities, and have never been told about TDIU, a benefit that could pay them at the 100% disability rate even if their combined rating is below 100%.
TDIU is a VA benefit that pays a Veteran at the 100% disability rate when service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining gainful employment, regardless of their combined rating percentage. As of 2026, that means approximately $3,938 per month for a single Veteran, with higher amounts for those with dependents.
Contrary to what some believe, age, retirement status, and receiving Social Security benefits do not disqualify you from TDIU. A 72-year-old Veteran who cannot work because of service-connected knee, back, and hearing conditions is evaluated on the same standard as a 45-year-old.
Proving you are unable to work often requires evidence about your work history, your functional limitations, and the realistic employment market for someone with your specific combination of disabilities.
What Happens After a Denial or Low Rating in Arizona?
If your claim has been denied or your rating doesn’t reflect your actual disability, the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) gives you three lanes for appealing.
- Higher-Level Review (HLR): Used when there’s no new evidence and/or you believe the VA made a legal or factual error on the existing evidence.
- Supplemental Claim: Used when you have new and relevant evidence, such as a private IMO or new medical records. If your denial was based on a negative C&P exam and you have since obtained a private IMO, file a Supplemental Claim.
- Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA): Used when you have complex legal issues and/or you want a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. This comes with longer processing times, but you’ll get a more thorough review.
You generally have one year from your rating decision to choose an appeal lane without losing your effective date, so do not ignore the deadlines. Back pay compensation runs retroactively to your filing date, not your approval date. You should always file early, even while you’re still gathering documentation, so you have an earlier effective date.
FAQ: Arizona Veterans’ VA Disability Questions
Does Arizona tax VA disability compensation?
No. Federal VA disability compensation is not subject to Arizona state income tax. Arizona also exempts all military retired pay from state income taxes.
What state benefits are available to Veterans in Arizona?
- Property Tax: Veterans rated at 100% permanent and total disability may qualify for a full property tax exemption on their primary residence; Veterans with ratings below 100% may qualify for a partial tax exemption scaled to their disability percentage.
- One free vehicle registration and waiver of vehicle license tax fees for Veterans rated 100% disabled.
- Free Arizona state park access for permanently disabled Veterans
Where are C&P exams conducted in Arizona?
Compensation and Pension exams for Arizona Veterans are typically conducted at the Phoenix VA Medical Center (650 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix), the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, the Bob Stump VA Medical Center in Prescott, and through VA contract exam providers at locations statewide.
How Capovilla & Williams Can Help Arizona Veterans
Arizona Veterans deserve to be represented by people who understand the full range of what the VA system offers.
Our team at Capovilla & Williams handles VA disability claims at no out-of-pocket cost to our clients in Arizona and nationwide. Call 866-951-0466 or reach us through our contact page.
