Private Windows Workspace
Use the desktop app for personal claims, ratings, VA letters, local planning notes, generated statements, and export packets that should not live in a public website.
VA Companion Desktop 1.01.15
Desktop User Manual
A practical first-run guide for installing, registering, capturing read-only VA.gov snapshots, organizing local records, preparing packets, and keeping the app updated.
Version 1.01.15
No-charge member license
Local-first vault
Read-only VA.gov capture
Before you start
What VA Companion Desktop is designed to do.
VA Companion is independent software by James Brown. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by VA and does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice.
Read-Only VA.gov Snapshots
After you sign in through the official VA.gov flow, the app can capture allowed claim, rating, appointment, letter, prescription, and record-status snapshots for review.
Secure Local Records
Documents and app data stay on the Windows computer. The web account does not receive VA.gov credentials, MFA codes, cookies, claim snapshots, documents, or vault contents.
Member Licensing
Website registration is free. Desktop licensing is no charge for registered VACompanion.us members and normally supports two active personal computers.
Screen captures
Use the captures as a visual map while reading the manual.
Dashboard
Start Here flow, snapshot cards, claim counts, capture review, and quick actions.
Claim Journey
Visual stage tracking, readable claim status details, evidence prompts, and privacy-safe local snapshots.
VA Rating Calculator
VA math, bilateral-factor detection, scenario rows, and next-tier planning.
Compensation Calculator
Monthly and annual estimates, dependent fields, current-vs-proposed scenarios, and rough retro math.
First run
Install, open, review the EULA, then activate when ready.
The installer opens the app in Demo mode first. Demo mode should not block your ability to review, back up, or export your own local records.
Install the MSI
Download from the member release card, run the installer, and verify the publisher, version, and checksum shown on VACompanion.us.
Accept the EULA
Read the terms carefully. The app is a personal organization tool and does not replace professional benefits, legal, medical, or financial advice.
Create or sign in to VACompanion.us
Use a free website account for member downloads, forum posting, saved web tools, provider submissions, support eligibility, and desktop activation.
Activate this computer
Open License & Updates, enter your website email and password, select the request type, and register the current machine ID.
Add or replace a computer
Members can normally keep two active computers. Retire an old computer in the website member area or choose a replacement request in the desktop app.
Check updates
Use Check for Updates to see whether a newer desktop release is available, open the member release page, and verify installer details before updating.
Daily workflow
Capture, review, plan, export.
Dashboard
Start here to see snapshot status, claim status, rating information, letters, appointments, prescriptions, and recent capture health.
VA.gov Browser
Sign in through the official VA.gov authentication flow. The app does not ask for or store VA.gov, Login.gov, ID.me, or DS Logon passwords or MFA codes.
Capture Review
Review found, unavailable, and not-checked sources. If VA.gov does not expose a field, the app should show unavailable instead of inventing data.
Claims
Track journey status, evidence received, exams, temporary jurisdiction if visible, decisions, letters, and changed claim details captured from your account.
Ratings and Calculators
Use captured ratings in VA math, bilateral-factor checks, what-if next-tier planning, compensation estimates, SMC planning estimates, and rough retro estimates.
Document Vault
Store VA letters, claim files, proof-of-service cards, Blue Button downloads, evidence, personal notes, generated statements, and appointment records locally.
DBQ Prep
Use the DBQ knowledge base, guided exam modules, practice answers, examiner worksheet views, and evidence tips to prepare more clearly.
CHAMPVA Hub
Plan applications, provider calls, prescriptions, EOB review, CITI options, birth and delivery care, and CHAMPVA packet exports.
Letter Generator
Draft truthful personal statements, buddy letters, family impact notes, symptom journals, timelines, nexus-letter requests, and C&P prep notes.
Reports and Packets
Create focused exports for a VSO, accredited representative, doctor, C&P exam, CHAMPVA application, personal backup, or complete working folder.
Support Tools
Use About & Help for quick start material, product sheet, bug/feature emails, support recipient configuration, and diagnostic ZIP export.
Privacy Reminders
Review generated text and diagnostic packages before sending. Do not include SSNs, VA claim numbers, medical details, or private data unless you intend to share them.
Security boundaries
The website and desktop app have different jobs.
Use the website for shared tools, public guides, provider leads, forms, practice exams, chat rooms, account registration, saved web calculator scenarios, and member download access.
Use the desktop app when you want a private Windows workspace that can gather read-only VA.gov snapshots from your own signed-in session, apply your actual rating data to calculators, organize evidence locally, and prepare focused packets.
Website does not collect
VA.gov credentials, MFA codes, cookies, claim snapshots, uploaded vault documents, or the desktop local database.
Desktop does not upload
VA.gov credentials, documents, claim snapshots, cookies, tokens, or vault data during update checks or member activation.
Member activation sends
Website login, machine ID, device label, request type, and old machine ID if replacing a computer.
Downloads are controlled
The installer is served through a signed-in member endpoint, not a public raw MSI or ZIP link.
Support
Registration and licensing are no charge. Voluntary support helps keep the project moving.
VA Companion is an individual project by James Brown, a service-connected disabled Marine Corps veteran. Support is never required for website membership, desktop licensing, updates, or access to tools.
Support helps offset the real cost to develop, host, maintain, update, and improve the project for veterans and dependents.
No required payment
No public phone number
No private payment memos