Q. However I was told before that I don’t need to claim VA benefits.
A. You don't have to claim it as income, even the part that paid room & board. But you cannot claim a tuition credit based on the amount of qualified expenses (tuition, fees and books) paid by the GI bill. That's probably the reason you didn't get a 1098-T.
All about GI benefits and taxes
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/military/are-gi-benefits-considered-income-on-your-tax-return/L...
