Which VARO handles North Carolina VA claims?

The Winston-Salem VARO at 251 N Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27155 processes federal disability claims for all North Carolina residents.

What is Camp Lejeune water contamination, and how does it affect NC veterans?

From August 1953 to December 1987, the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with industrial solvents (TCE, PCE, benzene, vinyl chloride). The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (part of PACT Act) allows veterans, dependents, and civilian workers exposed during the 30-day-or-more residency period to file federal lawsuits AND VA presumptive claims under 38 CFR 3.320 for eight specified cancers and conditions. Many NC veterans qualify.

Does North Carolina exempt VA disability from state income tax?

Yes. Federal VA disability compensation is excluded from federal taxable income under 38 USC 5301(a), and North Carolina conforms to this exclusion. Military retirement pay was also fully exempted from NC state income tax starting in 2021 (Bailey Settlement plus subsequent legislation).

Are there scholarships for dependents of disabled veterans in NC?

Yes. The North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans (Class I-A through IV) covers tuition + fees + room & board at NC public colleges for children of veterans with specific service-connected disability or KIA status. Administered by the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

North Carolina · Winston-Salem VARO · ~700K veterans

North Carolina VA Disability Claims Guide

Q: Does North Carolina have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?

Yes — under N.C.G.S. §105-277.1C, veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (or 100% TDIU) receive a $45,000 reduction in the assessed value of the homestead for property tax purposes. Surviving spouses retain the exemption under certain conditions. The exemption is applied at the county level.

By Shirley Chia · Last updated 2026-05-22 · VARO: Winston-Salem · NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

TL;DR. North Carolina has ~700,000 veterans, driven by major installations: Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) at Fayetteville, Camp Lejeune at Jacksonville, MCAS Cherry Point at Havelock, MCAS New River, and Seymour Johnson AFB at Goldsboro. Federal claims processed by the Winston-Salem VARO. North Carolina is one of the most important states for Camp Lejeune water-contamination claims (Aug 1953-Dec 1987) under the PACT Act's Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. State benefits include a $45K homestead value reduction for 100% disabled veterans, the NC Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans, and full exemption of VA compensation + military retirement from state income tax.

The North Carolina veteran population

North Carolina is home to approximately 700,000 veterans. Major installation footprints: Fort Liberty in Fayetteville (formerly Fort Bragg, renamed 2023; largest Army installation by population), Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River around Jacksonville, MCAS Cherry Point near Havelock, Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, and Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City.

The Winston-Salem VARO

Winston-Salem Veterans Affairs Regional Office

Address: 251 N Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27155
Phone: 1-800-827-1000
Jurisdiction: All of North Carolina

Camp Lejeune water contamination — critical NC issue

From August 1953 to December 1987, the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with industrial solvents from on-base dry-cleaning, fuel storage, and other operations. Documented contaminants included trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride — all known or probable human carcinogens.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (part of the PACT Act of 2022) created two parallel pathways:

VA presumptive claims under 38 CFR 3.320. Service-connected presumption for eight conditions for veterans, dependents, and civilian workers who resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 or more days (cumulative) during Aug 1953-Dec 1987: kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adult leukemia, multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, bladder cancer, and aplastic anemia / myelodysplastic syndrome.
Federal lawsuit pathway. Affected individuals can file federal lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Statute of limitations runs 2 years from PACT Act enactment (Aug 2022) or 6 months after administrative claim denial.

Check Camp Lejeune eligibility →

Filing a VA disability claim in North Carolina

Online via VA.gov. Form 21-526EZ.
Through NC DMVA. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs operates Veterans Benefits Service Officers across the state. Find your nearest at milvets.nc.gov.
County Veterans Service Officers.
National VSO chapters. DAV, American Legion, VFW, AMVETS — particularly active around Fort Liberty, Camp Lejeune, and Cherry Point.

North Carolina state benefits

Property tax homestead reduction

Under N.C.G.S. §105-277.1C, veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (or 100% TDIU) receive a $45,000 reduction in the assessed value of the homestead for property tax purposes. Filed with the county tax office. Surviving spouses retain the reduction under certain conditions.

State income tax exemption

VA disability compensation is excluded from North Carolina state income tax (conforming to federal 38 USC 5301(a)). Military retirement pay is also fully exempt from NC state income tax following 2021 legislation (extending the Bailey Settlement protections).

Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans

The North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans (Class I-A through Class IV) covers tuition + required fees + room & board at NC public colleges and universities. Eligibility is class-dependent (KIA, totally disabled, partially disabled, etc.). Administered by NC DMVA.

State Veterans Homes

North Carolina operates four State Veterans Homes: Black Mountain, Fayetteville, Salisbury, and Kinston. Skilled nursing care.

Hunting and fishing licenses

NC-resident veterans rated 100% disabled receive a free Disabled Veteran Lifetime Sportsman license (combined hunting + fishing).

Hiring preferences

NC state hiring includes veterans' preference. Disabled veterans receive additional preference.

Accredited representation in North Carolina

NC DMVA Veterans Benefits Service Officers: State-employed, accredited, free.
County Veterans Service Officers.
VSO national organizations. Strong networks at Fort Liberty, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point.
Accredited attorneys via VA OGC directory — particularly Camp Lejeune lawsuit specialists.

Crisis and emergency resources

Veterans Crisis Line: 988, press 1; or text 838255.
NC DMVA main: 844-NC4-VETS (1-844-624-8387).
211 NC: statewide referrals.

Use the calculator

Federal compensation is identical nationwide. Use the VA Combined Rating Calculator. NC benefits supplement; VA disability + military retirement are both exempt from NC state income tax.

Calculate your federal compensation →

Sources cited in this article

VetDisabilityCalc is an independent reference site. We are not VA-accredited and we do not prepare or present VA claims.