Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
Chapter 2 Service-Connected Disabilities
Disability Compensation
Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service-connected. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of veteran’s dependents, and is paid monthly. Veterans with certain severe disabilities may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax.
The payment of military retirement pay, disability severance pay and separation incentive payments, known as SSB (Special Separation Benefits) and VSI (Voluntary Separation Incentives) affects the amount of VA compensation paid to disabled veterans.
To be eligible, the service of the veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. For additional details, visit the Web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/.
Receiving Disability Benefit Payments
VA offers three disability benefit payment options. Most veterans receive their payments by direct deposit to a bank, savings and loan or credit union account. In some areas, veterans who do not have a bank account can open a federally insured Electronic Transfer Account, which costs about $3 a month, provides a monthly statement, and allows for cash withdrawals. Other veterans may choose to receive benefits by check. To choose or change a payment method, call toll-free 1-877-838-2778, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:50 p.m., CST.
Presumptive Conditions for Disability Compensation
All veterans who develop Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at any time after separation from service may be eligible for compensation for that disability.
Certain veterans are eligible for disability compensation based on the presumption that their disability is service-connected.
2009 VA Disability Compensation Rates |
|
|---|---|
Veteran’s |
Monthly Rate Paid |
10 percent |
$123 |
20 percent |
$243 |
30 percent* |
$376 |
40 percent* |
$541 |
50 percent* |
$770 |
60 percent* |
$974 |
70 percent* |
$1,228 |
80 percent* |
$1,427 |
90 percent* |
$1,604 |
100 percent* |
$2,673 |
*Veterans with disability ratings of at least 30 percent are eligible for additional allowances for dependents, including spouses, minor children, children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school, children who are permanently incapable of self-support because of a disability arising before age 18, and dependent parents. The additional amount depends on the disability rating and the number of dependents.
Prisoners of War: For former POWs who were imprisoned for any length of time, the following disabilities are presumed to be service-connected if they are rated at least 10 percent disabling anytime after military service: psychosis, any of the anxiety states, dysthymic disorder, organic residuals of frostbite, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease and their complications, stroke and residuals of stroke.
For former POWs who were imprisoned for at least 30 days, the following conditions are also presumed to be service-connected: avitaminosis, beriberi, chronic dysentery, helminthiasis, malnutrition (including optic atrophy), pellagra and/or other nutritional deficiencies, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, peripheral neuropathy and cirrhosis of the liver.
Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange and Other Herbicides: A veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in support of military operations.
Eleven illnesses are presumed by VA to be service-connected for such veterans: chloracne or other acneform disease similar to chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, soft-tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma or mesothelioma), Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus (Type 2) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Veterans Exposed to Radiation: For veterans who participated in “radiation risk activities” as defined in VA regulations while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, the following conditions are presumed to be service-connected: all forms of leukemia (except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia); cancer of the thyroid, breast, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra), brain, bone, lung, colon, and ovary, bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, multiple myeloma, lymphomas (other than Hodgkin’s disease), and primary liver cancer (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated).
To determine service-connection for other conditions or exposures not eligible for presumptive service-connection, VA considers factors such as the amount of radiation exposure, duration of exposure, elapsed time between exposure and onset of the disease, gender and family history, age at time of exposure, the extent to which a non service-related exposure could contribute to disease, and the relative sensitivity of exposed tissue.
Gulf War Veterans with Chronic Disabilities: may receive disability compensation for chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses and/or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms. A disability is considered chronic if it has existed for at least six months. The undiagnosed illnesses must have appeared either during active service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Gulf War period of Aug. 2, 1990, to July 31, 1991, or to a degree of at least 10 percent at any time since then through Dec. 31, 2011. This theater of operations includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these locations.
The following are examples of symptoms of an undiagnosed illness: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, skin disorders, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, neuropsychological symptoms, symptoms involving the respiratory system, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, abnormal weight loss, and menstrual disorders.
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) restores retired pay on a graduated 10-year schedule for retirees with a 50 to 90 percent VA-rated disability. Concurrent retirement payments increase 10 percent per year through 2013. Veterans rated 100 percent disabled by VA are entitled to full CRDP without being phased in. Veterans receiving benefits at the 100 percent rate due to individual unemployability are entitled to full CRDP in 2009.
Eligibility: To qualify, veterans must also meet all three of the following criteria:
- Have 20 or more years of active duty, or full-time National Guard duty, or be a reservist age 60, or
- Be in a retired status.
- Be receiving retired pay (must be offset by VA payments).
Retirees do not need to apply for this benefit. Payment is coordinated between VA and the Department of Defense (DoD).
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) provides tax-free monthly payments to eligible retired veterans with combat-related injuries. With CRSC, veterans can receive both their full military retirement pay and their VA disability compensationif the injury is combat-related.
Eligibility: Retired veterans with combat-related injuries must meet all of the following criteria to apply for CRSC:
- Active or Reserve component with 20 years of creditable service or medically retired.
- Receiving military retired pay.
- Have a 10 percent or greater VA-rated injury.
- Military retired pay is reduced by VA disability payments (VA Waiver).
In addition, veterans must be able to provide documentary evidence that their injuries were a result of one of the following:
- Training that simulates war (e.g., exercises, field training)
- Hazardous duty (e.g., flight, diving, parachute duty)
- An instrumentality of war (e.g. combat vehicles, weapons, Agent Orange)
- Armed conflict (e.g. gunshot wounds, Purple Heart)
For information, visit http://www.defenselink.mil, or call the toll free phone number for the veteran’s branch of service: (Army) 1-866-281-3254; (Air Force) 1-800-616-3775; (Navy) 1-877-366-2772. The Army has its own Web site at https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/crsc/index.html and e-mail at crsc.info@us.army.mil.
Programs for Service-Connected Disabilities
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program assists veterans who have service-connected disabilities obtain and maintain suitable employment. Independent living services are also available for severely disabled veterans who are not currently ready to seek employment. Additional information is available on VA’s Web site at www.vetsuccess.gov.
Eligibility: A veteran must have a VA service-connected disability rated at least 20 percent with an employment handicap, or rated 10 percent with a serious employment handicap, and be discharged or released from military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Servicemembers pending medical separation from active duty may also apply if their disabilities are reasonably expected to be rated at least 20 percent following their discharge.
Entitlement: A VA counselor must decide if the individual has an employment handicap based upon the results of a comprehensive evaluation. After an entitlement decision is made, the individual and counselor will work together to develop a rehabilitation plan. The rehabilitation plan will specify the rehabilitation services to be provided.
Services: Rehabilitation services provided to participants in the VR&E program are under one of five tracks. VA pays the cost of approved training that is included in an individual’s rehabilitation plan. Subsistence allowance may also be provided. The five tracks are:
- Reemployment with Previous Employer: For individuals who are separating from active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves and are returning to work for their previous employer.
- Rapid Access to Employment: For individuals who either wish to obtain employment soon after separation or who already have the necessary skills to be competitive in the job market in an appropriate occupation.
- Self-Employment: For individuals who have limited access to traditional employment, need flexible work schedules, or who require more accommodation in the work environment due to their disabling conditions or other life circumstances.
- Employment Through Long-Term Services: For individuals who need specialized training and/or education to obtain and maintain suitable employment.
- Independent Living Services: For veterans who are not currently able to work and need rehabilitation services to live more independently.
Period of a Rehabilitation Program: Generally, veterans must complete a program within 12 years from their separation from military service or within 12 years from the date VA notifies them that they have a compensable service-connected disability. Depending on the length of program needed, veterans may be provided up to 48 months of full-time services or their part-time equivalent. These limitations may be extended in certain circumstances.
Work-Study: Veterans training at the three-quarter or full-time rate may participate in VA’s work-study program and provide VA outreach services, prepare/process VA paperwork, work at a VA medical facility, or perform other VA-approved activities. A portion of the work-study allowance equal to 40 percent of the total may be paid in advance.
Specially Adapted Housing Grants
Certain veterans and servicemembers with service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant from VA to help build a new specially adapted house, to adapt a home they already own, or buy a house and modify it to meet their disability-related requirements. Eligible veterans or servicemembers may now receive up to three grants, with the total dollar amount of the grants not to exceed the maximum allowable. Previous grant recipients who had received assistance of less than the current maximum allowable may be eligible for an additional SAH grant.
Eligibility for up to $60,000: VA may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying, or adapting existing homes or paying to reduce indebtedness on a currently owned home that is being adapted, up to a maximum of $60,000. In certain instances, the full grant amount may be applied toward remodeling costs. Veterans and servicemembers must be determined eligible to receive compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to one of the following:
- Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.
- Loss or loss of use of both upper extremities at or above the elbow.
- Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.
- Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (a) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the use of braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair.
- Severe burn injuries
Eligibility for up to $12,000: VA may approve a grant for the cost, up to a maximum of $12,000, for necessary adaptations to a veteran’s or servicemember’s residence or to help them acquire a residence already adapted with special features for their disability, to purchase and adapt a home, or for adaptations to a family member’s home in which they will reside.
To be eligible for this grant, veterans and servicemembers must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to one of the following:
- Blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less.
- Anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.
- Severe burn injuries.
Eligible veterans and servicemembers who are temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member may also receive a Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant to help the veteran or servicemember adapt the family member’s home to meet his or her special needs. Those eligible for a $60,000 grant would be permitted to use up to $14,000 and those eligible for a $12,000 grant would be permitted to use up to $2,000. Grant amounts will also be adjusted annually based on a cost-of-construction index. The first adjustment will occur Oct. 1, 2009, with adjustments each Oct. 1 thereafter. These adjustments will increase the grant amounts or leave them unchanged; they will not decrease the grant amounts.
The property must be located within the United States, which, for purposes of 38 U.S.C. chapter 21, includes the several states, territories, and possessions, including the District of Columbia, and the commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, the property may be located outside the United States, in a country or political subdivision which allows individuals to have or acquire a beneficial property interest, and in which the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, in his or her discretion, has determined that it is reasonably practicable for the Secretary to provide assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.
Supplemental Financing: Veterans and servicemembers with available loan guaranty entitlement may also obtain a guaranteed loan or a direct loan from VA to supplement the grant to acquire a specially adapted home. Amounts with a guaranteed loan from a private lender will vary, but the maximum direct loan from VA is $33,000.
Additional information about the Specially Adapted Housing Program is available on VA’s Web site at http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm.
Adapting an Automobile
Veterans and servicemembers may be eligible for a one-time payment of not more than $11,000 toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain degree, or ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees or one or both hips. They may also be eligible for adaptive equipment, and for repair, replacement, or reinstallation required because of disability or for the safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance. To apply, contact a VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000 or the nearest VA medical center.
Clothing Allowance
Any veteran who is service-connected for a disability for which he or she uses prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may receive an annual clothing allowance. This allowance also is available to any veteran whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed medication that irreparably damages outer garments. To apply, contact the prosthetic representative at the nearest VA medical center.
Aid and Attendance for Housebound Veterans
A veteran who is determined by VA to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, or a veteran who is permanently housebound, may be entitled to additional disability compensation or pension payments. A veteran evaluated at 30 percent or more disabled is entitled to receive an additional payment for a spouse who is in need of the aid and attendance of another person.
2009 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Rates
In some cases, a veteran requires additional education or training to become employable. A subsistence allowance is paid each month during training and is based on the rate of attendance (full-time or part-time), the number of dependents, and the type of training. The charts below show the rates as of Oct. 1, 2008.
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates for training in an institution of higher learning.
Training Time |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-time |
$541.05 |
$671.13 |
$790.87 |
$57.65 |
3/4-time |
$406.53 |
$504.07 |
$591.28 |
$44.33 |
1/2-time |
$272.02 |
$337.03 |
$396.17 |
$29.58 |
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates for full-time training only in non-pay or nominal pay on-the-job training in a federal, state, local or federally recognized Indian tribe agency; training in the home; and vocational training in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop.
Training Time |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-time |
$541.05 |
$671.13 |
$790.87 |
$57.65 |
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates for non-pay or nominal pay work experience in a federal, state, local or federally recognized Indian tribe agency.
Training Time |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-time |
$541.05 |
$671.13 |
$790.87 |
$57.65 |
3/4-time |
$406.53 |
$504.07 |
$591.28 |
$44.33 |
1/2-time |
$272.02 |
$337.03 |
$396.17 |
$29.58 |
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates for full-time training only in farm cooperative, apprenticeship, and other on-job training. Payments are variable, based on the wages received. The maximum rates are:
Training Time |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-time |
$473.05 |
$572.06 |
$659.30 |
$42.89 |
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates for training programs that include a combination of institutional and on-job training.
Greater Than |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Institutional |
$541.05 |
$671.13 |
$659.30 |
$42.89 |
On-job |
$473.05 |
$572.06 |
$659.30 |
$42.89 |
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates for full-time training only for non-farm cooperative institutional training and non-farm cooperative on-job training.
Training Time |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Institutional |
$541.05 |
$671.13 |
$659.30 |
$42.89 |
On-job |
$473.05 |
$572.06 |
$659.30 |
$42.89 |
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates during the period of enrollment in a rehabilitation facility when a veteran is pursuing an approved independent living program plan.
Training Time |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-time |
$541.05 |
$671.13 |
$790.87 |
$57.65 |
3/4-time |
$406.53 |
$504.07 |
$591.28 |
$44.33 |
1/2-time |
$272.02 |
$337.03 |
$396.17 |
$29.58 |
Subsistence allowance is paid at the following monthly rates during the period of enrollment in a rehabilitation facility when a veteran requires this service fpr the purpose of extended evaluation.
Training Time |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Veterans With |
Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full-time |
$541.05 |
$671.13 |
$790.87 |
$57.65 |
3/4-time |
$406.53 |
$504.07 |
$591.28 |
$44.33 |
1/2-time |
$272.02 |
$337.03 |
$396.17 |
$29.58 |
1/4-time |
$135.99 |
$168.53 |
$198.07 |
$14.75 |
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