VA.gov account setup
Use Login.gov or ID.me for VA.gov, start from the official VA sign-in page, secure and verify the account, and never enter passwords, multifactor codes, Social Security numbers, or identity documents into Pathfinder.
Overview
To manage VA benefits and health care online, use an identity-verified Login.gov or ID.me account. VA no longer accepts the retired legacy My HealtheVet or Defense sign-in credentials for VA websites and apps. Enter secrets only in the official sign-in flow Start at VA.gov. Never enter or send your VA.gov password, Login.gov or ID.me password, multifactor code, recovery code, Social Security number, or identity-document image to Pathfinder or Claim Raven support.
Decide whether to recover or create
If you already use Login.gov or ID.me for another government service, try that account first. If an account exists but you cannot sign in, use that provider's official recovery process. If you have neither account, start from VA.gov and compare the current provider requirements. Avoid duplicate accounts under different email addresses when recovery is possible.
Compare the two current options
Check VA's live comparison before choosing because provider methods can change. Option Operator Current considerations Login.gov A U.S. government account provider. VA describes online and participating-post-office verification paths. Login.gov requires a personal email, password, and multifactor authentication. ID.me A non-government account provider that contracts with government and other organizations. VA directs certain people, including some outside the United States or without standard U.S. identity inputs, to ID.me and describes online, video, and participating in-person paths. An online account is optional VA says choosing not to create Login.gov or ID.me does not change eligibility for VA benefits or health care. Without one, you cannot manage VA benefits and care online, but phone, mail, and in-person options remain available for many tasks.
Prepare in a private place
A personal email address only you use and expect to keep. A unique password that is not reused for email, banking, or other accounts. At least two multifactor methods when the provider supports them. Current identity documents accepted by the chosen provider. A secure place separate from the password for recovery or backup codes. A device and network you trust; avoid public computers for identity verification.
Set up and verify the account
Start at VA.gov Open VA's official sign-in page and choose Login.gov or ID.me. Check the domain before entering anything. Confirm the email Use a personal email you control, follow the provider's confirmation message, and avoid links from unexpected messages or sponsored search results. Create a unique password Follow the provider's current requirements and do not reuse another important password. Add multifactor authentication Choose methods you can keep long term. Never give a one-time code to someone who calls, texts, emails, or claims to be product support. Verify identity Account creation and identity verification are separate. Follow the current provider instructions for accepted documents and online or in-person alternatives. Test VA access Return directly to VA.gov, sign in again, and confirm that My VA opens for the correct account.
What success looks like
You know which provider and personal email you used. Identity verification is complete for the account. You can open My VA without being sent back to setup. At least one multifactor method works and you have a recovery method. No password, code, identity image, or recovery secret is stored in Pathfinder. Account setup does not file anything Creating or verifying a sign-in account does not submit an Intent to File, disability claim, evidence, decision review, or appeal. Complete each benefit action through the current official VA process.
If sign-in or verification fails
If sign-in or verification fails The provider says an account already exists. Confirm the personal email. Use the official password-recovery flow. Check whether another email was used previously. Recover the existing account before creating duplicates. I lost my phone or multifactor method. Try another enrolled method. Use a stored recovery code. Follow the provider's official recovery process. VA or Claim Raven support cannot accept or reset the provider password for you. Online identity verification does not work. Check current document requirements. Use a clear current document only in the official flow. Review the provider's official in-person or assisted alternatives. Do not send identity documents to Claim Raven to troubleshoot provider verification. A VA page asks me to sign in again. Close stale tabs. Open VA.gov directly. Check the domain and retry through the official provider button. Use VA's current sign-in help if the loop continues, and record only a non-sensitive error code. Use VA's official sign-in and provider help. Share no passwords, codes, Social Security numbers, or identity images with Claim Raven.
Official sources
Official sources VA: Creating an account for VA.gov https://www.va.gov/resources/creating-an-account-for-vagov/ VA: How to create a Login.gov account for VA https://www.va.gov/resources/how-to-create-a-logingov-account-for-va/ VA: How to create an ID.me account for VA https://www.va.gov/resources/how-to-create-an-idme-account-for-va/ VA: Verifying your identity on VA.gov https://www.va.gov/resources/verifying-your-identity-on-vagov/ VA.gov sign in https://www.va.gov/sign-in/
Related guidance
Related guidance Review Claim Raven security /security Understand an Intent to File /help-center/claims-and-appeals/static-intent-to-file Read broad filing guidance /claims-guide/how-to-file
More information
Use the official sign-in path Open VA.gov directly, choose Login.gov or ID.me, and keep every password, code, and identity document outside Claim Raven. Review Claim Raven security /security