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  • May 16, 2026

How to Fill Out VA Form 10-10CG (w/Examples) + FAQs

You fill out VA Form 10-10CG by completing four parts: the veteran or service member’s information in Part I, the Primary Family Caregiver applicant’s information in Part II, up to two Secondary Family Caregivers in Part III, and certifying signatures in Part IV. The completed form, paired with required medical and identity documents, is submitted online through the VA caregiver application portal, by mail, by fax, or in person at a local Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Team office.

The form is the gateway to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which delivers a tax-free monthly stipend, CHAMPVA-style health coverage, mental health services, respite care, and travel benefits for caregivers of seriously injured veterans of every era. According to the VA Caregiver Support Program, more than 33,000 caregivers received PCAFC stipends in 2024, and roughly 40% of new applicants are denied at the first review, often for fixable paperwork errors inside the 10-10CG itself.

Here is what you will learn:

What VA Form 10-10CG Actually Is

VA Form 10-10CG, titled “Application for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers,” is the only form a veteran and a proposed family caregiver use to enter the PCAFC. The Department of Veterans Affairs uses the answers to verify identity, confirm relationships, screen the veteran’s service-connected disability rating, and start the clinical eligibility review under 38 U.S.C. § 1720G. The form takes about 15 minutes to fill out, but the supporting evidence and assessments after submission can take 90 days or more, per the timeline VA publishes in its PCAFC application fact sheet.

The form must be filed every time a new caregiver is added or replaced, even if the veteran is already enrolled in PCAFC. A veteran can name one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers, and each new applicant signs a fresh 10-10CG. The current edition is dated April 2022 and is the only version VA accepts, so applicants who download an older PDF risk rejection from the intake team at the Caregiver Support Program Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT).

The 10-10CG is not a benefits decision form. Submitting it only opens the case. The actual approval, the tier rating, and the stipend start date depend on a clinical interview, a Veteran Functional Assessment, a home-care assessment, and the CEAT’s final review described in the VA’s PCAFC application steps. A common misconception is that VA pays retroactively to the date the caregiver started providing care; in reality, the stipend begins the day after the joint application is received, under 38 CFR § 71.40(d).

Why the Form Exists

Congress created the PCAFC in the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, then expanded it in the VA MISSION Act of 2018. The 10-10CG operationalizes those statutes by collecting the data VA needs to apply the eligibility rules in 38 CFR Part 71. Without a signed 10-10CG from both the veteran and the proposed caregiver, VA cannot legally pay a stipend, issue CHAMPVA coverage, or fund respite care.

The consequence of skipping the form is total ineligibility for PCAFC benefits, even if the caregiver has been providing 24-hour care for years. A real example: Maria Delgado, the daughter of a Vietnam-era Army veteran in El Paso, cared for her father for four years before learning the program existed; she received zero back pay because the stipend cannot start before VA receives the 10-10CG. A common misconception is that submitting VA Form 21-2680 (Aid and Attendance) covers the caregiver too, but Aid and Attendance pays the veteran’s pension, not a caregiver stipend.

Who Is Eligible Before You File

Eligibility splits into two tracks: the veteran’s eligibility and the caregiver’s eligibility, and both must be satisfied. Under the October 1, 2022 expansion, the program now covers veterans of all service eras, ending the prior cutoffs of post-9/11 only and pre-1975 only. The clinical bar is high, however, and most denials come from missing the functional-impairment threshold, not the era requirement.

Veteran or Service Member Eligibility

The veteran must have a VA service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher, either single or combined, that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. The veteran must also need in-person personal care services for at least six continuous months because of an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living (ADLs), or because of a need for supervision, protection, or instruction. Service members on a medical discharge pathway can apply too, as long as the discharge is documented under the rules of 38 CFR § 71.20.

The consequence of applying without the 70% rating is automatic denial at the CEAT screen, even if the caregiver is providing heavy daily care. A real example: James Whitcomb, a Gulf War veteran rated at 60% combined, was denied because he fell ten points short, and his appeal failed until he filed a supplemental claim and was upgraded to 80% for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. A common misconception is that 100% Total and Permanent (T&P) automatically qualifies; T&P helps but does not replace the functional-need requirement.

Caregiver Eligibility

The proposed Primary Family Caregiver must be at least 18 years old and must be the veteran’s spouse, child, parent, stepfamily member, extended family member, or someone who lives with the veteran full-time as a family member. The caregiver does not have to be biologically related, which is a key change under 38 CFR § 71.25(b). The caregiver must also pass a background check, complete the Caregiver Core Curriculum training, and demonstrate the ability to provide personal care services in the veteran’s home.

The consequence of misstating the relationship is denial for fraud risk and a possible referral to the VA Office of Inspector General. A real example: Linda Park, a long-time neighbor of an Iraq War veteran in Seattle, qualified as a Primary Family Caregiver because she moved in and shared the household, even though she had no blood tie. A common misconception is that a paid home health aide can also be the Primary Family Caregiver, but PCAFC bars dual compensation under 38 CFR § 71.40(c)(4).

Section-by-Section Walkthrough of VA Form 10-10CG

The form is divided into four parts plus a Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction notice. Every blank that applies must be filled in, because the Health Eligibility Center treats incomplete fields as missing information and pauses the case. Below is a line-by-line walkthrough using the current April 2022 edition.

Part I — Veteran or Service Member Information

Part I asks for the veteran’s full legal name (last, first, middle), Social Security number, date of birth, gender, mailing address, primary phone, alternate phone, email, and the VA medical center where the veteran receives care. The veteran also lists the proposed Primary Family Caregiver’s name and the relationship code. The veteran or a properly documented VA-accredited representative signs and dates Part I.

The consequence of a missing signature in Part I is an immediate “incomplete” status; VA will mail a 30-day cure letter, and if the cure deadline is missed, the case closes. A real example: Captain Robert Hayes, a post-9/11 Marine with a TBI, had his application held for 47 days because his power of attorney signed without attaching the VA Form 21-22a appointing the representative. A common misconception is that a state-level POA suffices; VA requires its own accreditation paperwork.

Part II — Primary Family Caregiver Applicant

Part II collects the Primary Family Caregiver’s full legal name, SSN, date of birth, gender, mailing address, phone, email, relationship to the veteran, and current health insurance information. The health insurance line is critical, because approved Primary Family Caregivers without other coverage gain access to CHAMPVA under 38 CFR § 71.40(c)(2). The caregiver signs and dates this part, certifying readiness to provide care.

The consequence of leaving the insurance section blank is delayed CHAMPVA enrollment by 30 to 60 days after approval. A real example: Sandra Beale, the wife of a Vietnam Navy veteran in Tampa, lost two months of CHAMPVA coverage because she did not list her lapsed Medicaid plan, forcing a manual review. A common misconception is that having Medicare disqualifies you from CHAMPVA; in fact, CHAMPVA can act as secondary coverage to Medicare for caregivers under 65 with disabilities.

Part III — Secondary Family Caregivers

Part III mirrors Part II for up to two Secondary Family Caregivers, who serve as backups when the Primary is unavailable. Secondary caregivers do not receive a stipend or CHAMPVA, but they do receive training, mental health services, respite, and travel benefits described at Caregiver.va.gov. Each secondary applicant signs and dates Part III independently.

The consequence of skipping Part III when a backup exists is loss of respite coverage during the Primary’s illness or absence. A real example: Thomas Reyes, the adult son and Secondary Caregiver for a Korean War veteran in Phoenix, was able to step in for three weeks during his mother’s hospitalization only because he had been listed on the original 10-10CG. A common misconception is that adding a Secondary later requires a separate form type; it does not — you simply file a new 10-10CG with Part III completed.

Part IV — Certifications and Signatures

Part IV contains the legal certifications: that the information is true, that the caregiver agrees to background checks, that the veteran consents to share medical records with the caregiver, and that all parties understand stipend payments are not wages. Every applicant — veteran, Primary, and each Secondary — must sign and date this part. Electronic signatures from the VA.gov online application satisfy the requirement.

The consequence of any missing signature in Part IV is hard rejection, not a cure letter. A real example: Angela Foster, a Secondary Caregiver in rural Vermont, forgot to sign Part IV; the entire family’s application was returned, costing them six weeks. A common misconception is that initialing each page replaces the formal signature block — it does not under VA’s signature standards.

Documents to Gather Before You Start

Successful applicants assemble a packet of supporting documents before opening the PDF. The packet usually includes the veteran’s DD Form 214, the most recent VA disability rating decision letter, recent treatment records showing the functional impairment, the caregiver’s government-issued ID, proof of the caregiver’s relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or affidavit of cohabitation), and any POA documents.

Submitting without the rating decision letter is the single most common cause of the 90-day clock restarting, because VA cannot confirm the 70% threshold without it. A real example: Marcus Allen, an Afghanistan veteran in Atlanta, had his case paused twice because his C-file rating letter was outdated; uploading the current letter from the VA Blue Button tool finally cleared the hold. A common misconception is that VA can pull the rating internally without the letter, but the CEAT requires the applicant to attach it.

Three Common Application Scenarios

The three most frequent fact patterns produce very different outcomes. The table below illustrates how each plays out under 38 CFR Part 71.

Scenario 1 — Spouse of Post-9/11 Veteran with PTSD and TBI

Caregiver Action PCAFC Outcome
Spouse files 10-10CG with rating letter showing 90% combined and TBI residuals Approved at Level 2; stipend ≈ 100% of local GS-4 Step 1
Spouse omits TBI neuropsych report Approved at Level 1 only; stipend cut to 62.5%
Spouse submits without DD-214 Application paused; 30-day cure letter issued

Scenario 2 — Adult Daughter of Vietnam-Era Veteran with Parkinson’s

Caregiver Action PCAFC Outcome
Daughter files 10-10CG citing Agent Orange presumptive Parkinson’s at 70% Eligible under 2022 all-era expansion; clinical assessment scheduled
Daughter lists herself as paid home health aide Denied under 38 CFR § 71.40(c)(4) anti-duplication rule
Daughter forgets Part IV signature Hard rejection; refile required

Scenario 3 — Non-Family Roommate of Gulf War Veteran with Mobility Loss

Caregiver Action PCAFC Outcome
Roommate files with affidavit of cohabitation and shared utility bills Approved as Primary Family Caregiver under extended-family rule
Roommate cannot prove household sharing Denied for failure to meet relationship test in § 71.25(b)
Roommate skips Caregiver Core Curriculum Conditional approval voided

How VA Calculates the Monthly Stipend

The PCAFC stipend uses the Office of Personnel Management GS-4, Step 1 annual rate for the locality where the veteran lives, divided by 12. Level 2 caregivers — those caring for a veteran “unable to self-sustain in the community” — receive 100% of that monthly rate. Level 1 caregivers receive 62.5%, per 38 CFR § 71.40(c)(4)(i).

For example, the 2025 GS-4 Step 1 annual rate in the Dallas-Fort Worth locality is roughly $36,825, producing a Level 2 stipend of about $3,069 per month and a Level 1 stipend of about $1,918 per month. In the San Francisco locality, the same GS-4 Step 1 rate is roughly $46,074, lifting Level 2 to about $3,840 per month. The stipend is tax-free federal income under IRS Notice 2014-7, though state tax treatment varies.

The consequence of misclassification at intake is months of underpayment that require a supplemental claim to correct. A real example: Patricia Nguyen, a Houston caregiver, was placed at Level 1 despite her husband needing total assistance with bathing, dressing, and toileting; a higher-level review under the AMA restored her to Level 2 with 11 months of back pay. A common misconception is that the stipend counts as wages and reduces Social Security; it does not, because PCAFC payments are treated as a benefit, not employment income.

Submitting the Form

You may submit the completed VA Form 10-10CG in four ways, and each has different speed and risk profiles. The online application on VA.gov is the fastest, with automatic intake confirmation. Mail goes to the Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329-1647. Fax is accepted at 1-877-294-6380, and in-person delivery is taken by your local CSP Team — locate yours through the CSP Team Locator.

The consequence of mailing without certified tracking is that you cannot prove the receipt date, which controls the stipend start under § 71.40(d). A real example: Eric Sandoval, a caregiver in Albuquerque, lost 22 days of stipend because his mailed packet was logged late, and he had no USPS tracking. A common misconception is that faxing produces an instant electronic timestamp at VA; in fact, fax intake is processed within 1 to 3 business days.

What Happens After You Submit

Within five business days, the local CSP Team contacts the veteran and caregiver to schedule the intake interview, the Veteran Functional Assessment, and the caregiver assessment. A clinical home-care assessment follows once the CEAT confirms preliminary eligibility, and the Caregiver Core Curriculum must be completed online or via workbook. The full process is required to finish within 90 days of receipt under VA’s published timeline.

The consequence of missing a scheduled assessment without rescheduling is automatic withdrawal of the application. A real example: Karen Holloway, a caregiver in Maine, missed her home-care visit because of a snowstorm and did not call to reschedule; her case closed and she had to refile from scratch. A common misconception is that the 90-day clock includes weekends only; it actually counts calendar days, so weather, holidays, and family emergencies still erode the timeline.

Mistakes to Avoid

These are the seven most expensive errors caregivers make on the 10-10CG. Each one routinely costs months of benefits or triggers a denial that requires a higher-level review or Board appeal.

  • Filing without confirming the veteran’s 70% combined rating, which produces a near-automatic CEAT denial.
  • Listing a paid home health aide as the Primary Family Caregiver, which violates the anti-duplication rule in § 71.40(c)(4).
  • Skipping the health insurance section in Part II, which delays CHAMPVA enrollment by weeks.
  • Submitting the older 2018 or 2020 edition of the form instead of the April 2022 version.
  • Forgetting to attach the VA disability rating decision letter, which restarts the 90-day clock.
  • Letting the VA-accredited representative sign without filing VA Form 21-22a.
  • Missing a single signature in Part IV, which causes hard rejection rather than a cure letter.

Do’s and Don’ts

The VA Caregiver Support Program publishes detailed guidance, but applicants still trip on the basics. The lists below capture the high-leverage rules.

  • Do download the form fresh from the official VA forms page every time, because edition changes can be silent.
  • Do request your full rating decision through VA.gov claim status before filing.
  • Do keep a USPS Certified Mail receipt or a fax confirmation page for the receipt-date proof under § 71.40(d).
  • Do complete the Caregiver Core Curriculum before the home-care assessment to avoid scheduling delays.

  • Do ask for a VSO or attorney to review Part I if a representative or POA is involved.

  • Don’t sign Part IV electronically and then hand-sign a printed copy; mixed signatures confuse the intake team.

  • Don’t use a P.O. Box that the veteran does not actually live at, because the home-care assessment must occur at the veteran’s residence.
  • Don’t assume a state-level guardianship order substitutes for a VA-recognized POA.
  • Don’t apply during an active inpatient hospitalization, because the veteran must reside in a home setting under § 71.20(a).
  • Don’t ignore a 30-day cure letter; missing it closes the case automatically.

Pros and Cons of the PCAFC

The program offers significant tax-free support, but the trade-offs deserve a clear-eyed look before applying.

Pros

  • Tax-free monthly stipend under IRS Notice 2014-7 gives caregivers real income.
  • CHAMPVA health coverage for Primary Family Caregivers without other insurance is among the most generous in federal programs.
  • Up to 30 days of respite care per year give the caregiver real recovery time.
  • Mental health services are open to caregivers, recognizing the burden of long-term care.
  • Travel benefits cover transport to the veteran’s medical appointments, lowering out-of-pocket costs.

Cons

  • The 90-day intake timeline can stretch when assessments are missed, delaying critical income.
  • Annual reassessments can downgrade a caregiver from Level 2 to Level 1 without warning.
  • The 2021–2023 reassessment pause litigation shows that program rules can shift mid-stream.
  • Stipend is not counted as Social Security wages, which limits future retirement credits.
  • Caregivers cannot also be paid as VA-funded home health aides, restricting other employment options.

Reassessments, Discharges, and Appeals

Once approved, the family is reassessed at least annually under 38 CFR § 71.30. VA can downgrade the level, discharge the caregiver, or revoke designation when the veteran’s condition improves, when the caregiver no longer meets requirements, or when the veteran moves to a long-term institution. Litigation in Beaudette v. McDonough confirmed that PCAFC denials and discharges are appealable to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The consequence of accepting a downgrade without appealing is permanent loss of the higher stipend tier, sometimes worth $12,000 to $20,000 per year. A real example: Jorge Ramirez, a caregiver in Miami, was downgraded after his veteran briefly improved post-surgery; he filed a Higher-Level Review within 60 days and won restoration after a new functional assessment. A common misconception is that PCAFC appeals follow only the legacy system; under the AMA, caregivers can choose Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or direct Board appeal.

Key Court Rulings to Know

Beaudette v. McDonough, 34 Vet. App. 95 (2021) held that PCAFC decisions are subject to one-time review by the Board, opening a national appeals pathway for caregivers. The case forced VA to reopen thousands of legacy denials and reshape its reassessment policy. Caregivers denied before Beaudette may still be entitled to revisit their cases through the class-wide notice procedures administered by the National Veterans Legal Services Program.

Key Entities in the PCAFC Process

Several offices touch every 10-10CG, and knowing which one to call saves weeks. Below are the players and their roles.

  • Local CSP Team — schedules assessments and is the day-to-day point of contact, found through the CSP Team Locator.
  • Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) — makes the eligibility decision and assigns the level under 38 CFR § 71.25.
  • Health Eligibility Center (HEC) — the Atlanta intake hub for mailed and faxed forms, listed at VA.gov eligibility.
  • National Caregiver Support Line — 1-855-260-3274, run through the Caregiver Support Program.
  • Board of Veterans’ Appeals — handles appeals of PCAFC denials and discharges under the AMA.

Federal Statutes and Regulations to Know

The legal architecture of PCAFC sits in two layers. The statutory foundation is 38 U.S.C. § 1720G, enacted by the 2010 Caregivers Act and expanded by the VA MISSION Act of 2018. The implementing regulations live in 38 CFR Part 71, with the most important sections being § 71.20 (eligibility), § 71.25 (designation), § 71.30 (reassessment), and § 71.40 (benefits).

State-Specific Nuances

PCAFC is a federal program, so eligibility rules do not change by state, but two state-level issues matter. First, state income tax treatment of the stipend varies; California, for example, follows IRS Notice 2014-7 and exempts the stipend, while a handful of states tax it. Second, some states layer their own caregiver programs on top, like the Texas Veterans Commission caregiver supports and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) services, which may interact with VA stipend rules.

The consequence of double-claiming a state Medicaid waiver as a paid caregiver while drawing a PCAFC stipend can be a clawback under state law. A real example: Nora Williams, a caregiver in New York, had to repay nine months of CDPAP payments after VA flagged the duplication. A common misconception is that state and federal caregiver pay always stack; check both program rules first.

FAQs

Is VA Form 10-10CG the only form I need to apply for PCAFC?

Yes. VA Form 10-10CG is the sole application, but you should attach the veteran’s DD-214, the VA rating decision letter, and any POA documents.

Can I file VA Form 10-10CG online?

Yes. The fastest route is the official VA online caregiver application, which timestamps the receipt and links to your VA medical record automatically.

Does the veteran need a 70% disability rating to qualify?

Yes. Under 38 CFR § 71.20, the veteran must have a combined service-connected rating of 70% or higher and need at least six months of in-person personal care services.

Are veterans of all eras now eligible?

Yes. The October 2022 expansion opened PCAFC to veterans of every era, ending the prior split between post-9/11 and pre-1975 cohorts under the VA MISSION Act.

Is the PCAFC stipend taxable?

No. IRS Notice 2014-7 treats the PCAFC stipend as excludable difficulty-of-care payments for federal income tax purposes, though some states tax it differently.

Can a non-relative be a Primary Family Caregiver?

Yes. Under 38 CFR § 71.25(b), a person who lives with the veteran full-time as a family member qualifies, even without blood or marriage ties.

Can I have more than one caregiver?

Yes. A veteran may name one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers, each on a separate completed 10-10CG.

Does PCAFC pay back to the date care started?

No. Under 38 CFR § 71.40(d), the stipend begins the day after VA receives a complete joint application; pre-application care is not compensated.

Can I appeal a PCAFC denial?

Yes. After Beaudette v. McDonough, denials are appealable through the Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board of Veterans’ Appeals lanes.

Will I lose my Social Security benefits if I take the stipend?

No. PCAFC stipends are benefits, not wages, so they do not reduce Social Security retirement or SSDI payments, though SSI’s strict income rules can be affected.

Does the caregiver need to live with the veteran?

Yes. The Primary Family Caregiver must reside with the veteran or be in a position to provide personal care services in the veteran’s home under 38 CFR § 71.25.

Can a parent of an adult veteran be the Primary Family Caregiver?

Yes. Parents are explicitly listed as eligible relationships in 38 CFR § 71.25(b), and they qualify alongside spouses, children, and stepfamily members.

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