VA Disability Compensation

If you are military veteran with a service-connected disability you may qualify for over $2,471 in monthly benefits. These benefits are paid to veterans who have injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. These benefits are tax-free.

VA Disability Compensation Eligibility:

You may be eligible for Disability Compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

VA Disability Compensation Pays:

The amount of basic benefit paid ranges from $115 to over $2,471 per month, depending on your level of disability.

Note: You may be paid additional amounts if:

* you have very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s)
* you have a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s)
* you have a seriously disabled spouse

First, you need to establish with the VA that you are disabled because of your of active military service. Service connection for a disability may be established in the following ways:

DIRECT - Service medical records show that the disabling condition was diagnosed during military service and the condition has continued to affect the veteran.

AGGRAVATION - Evidence demonstrates that the disabling condition which existed prior to service was aggravated beyond normal progression during military service.

PRESUMPTIVE - Evidence demonstrates that the disability is one predetermined by the VA to be presumed for service connection by time, place and type of service.

SECONDARY - Evidence demonstrates that the disability developed as a result of, or residual of, another service connected disability.

INJURY AS A RESULT OF VA MEDICAL TREATMENT - This is a disability that the veteran incurred, had aggravated or died from because of medical treatment at a VA Facility.

"VONAPP" or Veterans On-line APPLication Website was created to allow Vets to apply for Veterans benefits online.

Who should use VONAPP

If you are applying for Compensation, Pension, or Vocational Rehabilitation:

You should use VONAPP if you are a U.S. military veteran who wants to apply for compensation, pension, or vocational rehabilitation benefits using the Internet. If you are now receiving any of those benefits, don't use VONAPP to apply for the same benefit or an increase in that benefit. Instead, contact the VA Regional Office which handles your benefit by calling 1-800-827-1000. Also, if you have a pending application for any of these benefits, don't apply for the same benefit again using VONAPP without checking with the VA Regional Office working on your application. Also, do not use VONAPP to notify VA about dependency or income changes on your current award. Contact your VA office and ask what they need from you for dependency or income changes.

VA Compensation Benefits

You may apply for VA compensation benefits if:

* You were injured while you were in the service, or
* You are permanently and totally disabled and you believe that it is because of your military service, or
* You were seriously ill while you were in the service, and you believe you have continuing problems, or
* You developed a mental or physical condition that you believe may be related to your military service.

What are compensation benefits:

VA pays veterans Disability Compensation for disability(ies) that are a result of military service. If VA determines that your disability(ies) are 30% or more disabling, VA may pay additional compensation for your spouse, children, and dependent parents. VA will pay a higher amount of compensation for a spouse when the spouse is a patient in a nursing home or is disabled and requires the regular aid and attendance of another person.

Learn more and/or apply using VONAPP

Visit VONAPP Now

If you are unable to file online or need further assistance with the application process
a veteran can write, call, or visit a Veterans Services Representatives at the nearest VA regional office or VA medical center, or a local veterans service organization representative.

The best advice that I can give a Veteran who is thinking about filing a claim for disability and is not sure where to start is to immediately align oneself with one of the many Veteran Service Organizations (VSO's). This is one of the best assurances that the process will be done efficiently and effectively.

As someone who has been through the "rating" process many times over the past 15-20 years, I understand the process extremely well. My best advice is to work with someone who knows the process. There is NO ONE better than a VSO.

You can find a list of Veteran Service Organizations on the following VA Page:

Veteran Service Organizations

President Lincoln indicated the importance of caring for the Nation's veterans with the following:

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan."

These words spoken by President Lincoln reflect the philosophy and principles that guide the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service as our endeavors are focused on serving our Nation's veterans and their families.

The Department of Veterans Affair's Veterans Benefits Administration's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) service is vested with delivering timely, effective vocational rehabilitation services to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Enabling our injured soldiers, sailors, airmen, and other veterans with disabilities for a seamless transition from military service to a successful rehabilitation and on to suitable employment after service to our Nation. For some severely disabled veterans, this success will be to live independently, achieving the highest quality of life possible with a realized hope for employment given future advances in medical science and technology. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment service strives to exceed the service delivery expectations of veterans and their families.

VR&E's primary benefit program is vocational rehabilitation services for veterans who have a service-connected disability. To receive services a veteran must be found both eligible and entitled. The outcome of these services lead to suitable employment that is consistent with their aptitudes and interests, or achieving independence in their daily living.

VR&E also provides the following benefit services. Educational and Vocational Counseling is provided for eligible service members, veterans, and veterans' dependents. The outcome of this counseling is assistance in the selection of an educational or vocational goal and / or assistance in the selection of training institutions where this goal may be pursued. Additionally the VR&E program provides educational and vocational counseling benefits for eligible dependent children of Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects or children of Vietnam or Korean veterans born with Spina Bifida. In order to be considered for this benefit program, you must be the biological child of a veteran who served in Vietnam or on the Korean

What is the definition of a veteran in the VA?

A veteran is a person who served in the active military, naval or air service and who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Who qualifies as a dependent?

A spouse who has been married to the veteran for over one year or given birth to a child if the marriage is less than a year is a dependent. Children are dependents to age 18 or to age 23 if enrolled in school.

What do the terms "Service-Connected" and "Non-Service Connected" mean?

These terms define disability types in the VA system. Service connected means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness that was incurred in or aggravated by military service. Non-service connected means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness not related to military service.

What is the difference between "Compensation" and "Pension" in the VA system?

Compensation is paid to a veteran with service-connected disabilities. Pension is paid to a war-time veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from non-service connected disabilities and who has very low income.

What are you WORTH??

Volunteers are an invaluable resource for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that VAVS volunteers provide to veteran patients. VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to the Nation's veterans and to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Over 140,000 volunteers gave more than 13 million hours in service to America's veterans. It is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that these VAVS volunteers provide to veteran patients. VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to the Nation's veterans and to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Please join the VAVS family and make a difference in the lives of America's heroes.

If there is something you were not able to find, or anything you need assistance with, please contact our Web Content Manager."

Laura B. Balun
Director, Voluntary Service Office

Volunteer Now - if you know you want to give your time and talents to support the care of America's veterans, click here to complete a volunteer application and be contacted by a local VAVS representative.