What Is Veterans Disability Compensation?

The Department of Veterans Affairs awards compensation based upon the degree of your service-related disability or. VA Regional Offices examine a combination of records from treatment and medical records, and other relevant information.

Certain serious injuries, such as losing a leg, being blind in both eyes, or being in bed, are worthy of higher compensation. These are referred to as Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

Eligibility

VA disability compensation is a tax-free financial benefit that is paid to those who are eligible Veterans and their spouses and children. The amount of the benefit is determined by the veteran's medical condition and the degree of disability as per a schedule set by Congress.

A person can receive benefits if they have an injury, illness, or event in service that has led to or veterans disability aggravated a medical condition that is service-connected. It's possible to get disability compensation for conditions that existed prior to your employment, but you must prove that there is a direct relationship between them and the injury, illness, or event.

The severity of a patient's condition is rated by a percentage which is used to calculate the amount they could receive in monthly benefits. This rating is determined by an internal review of service treatment records and VA records and private medical records regarding the condition.

The rating system also considers whether or if the person is unable perform "substantially profitable" work. It is important that you remain in contact with the VA regarding any tests they require, and be sure to attend the exams on time. Failure to do this could affect your case in a negative way.

Benefits

Veterans with conditions that affect them on a regular basis and are connected to military personnel can receive compensation payments. These are tax-free financial benefits.

The amount you receive will be determined by the degree of your disability. You can receive compensation for one disability or for multiple disabilities. If you suffer from multiple disabilities your rates are grouped with a formula that is based on each disability.

You could be eligible for additional benefits, including Dependency and indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Special Monthly Compensation. DIC is paid to spouses, children or parents of deceased veterans who passed away on active duty, in training, or due to an injury related to service. SMC is paid to disabled veterans, their spouses and children based on need for aid and veterans disability attendance.

The SHA grant program provides financial assistance to help disabled veterans adapt their homes for continued treatment and accessibility. This could mean modifying their current house or purchasing a home that is specially made to accommodate their disability. This is a federally-funded program and does not require an VA decision or an SSI/SSDI decision.

Rates

The VA can pay you anywhere from 100 percent to 0% of your disability benefits based on the severity and duration of your injury or illness. This compensation is intended to provide you with a financial benefit during the time when your disability stops you from working. It does not include dependent's allowance or other benefits.

The VA will review your current diagnosis, as well as any evidence indicating an association between your illness or injury in service and your current health condition. They use a scale assess disabilities, and each one is assigned a percentage of how well you would be if not for the handicapping condition. For example, if your medical condition is rated 10 percent disabled, then your combined rating would be 10 percent of 100% (the "healthy" percentage).

Compensation rates are updated annually. The VA increases its payouts each year to reflect the rise in Social Security cost of living adjustments. These annual adjustments are correlated to the amount of compensation veterans receive for a particular service-connected impairment, and are tax-free. The 2023 disability rate chart provides monthly compensation payments depending on your disability score and household size, including a breakdown for dependents.

Requirements

You may be entitled to the benefits of disability if you've been injured or ill while on active service. This includes conditions such as tinnitus which resulted from exposure to gunfire as well as the loss of limbs due to an IED explosion. If a deceased veteran is a result of military-related causes spouses and children may be eligible to receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

To get these benefits, you must meet the medical nexus requirements. If you have been bothered by a twisted ankle since boot camp, for instance you could be considered having a disability.

You must be a veteran and have an official discharge. It can't be dishonorable. You will not be eligible for benefits if the discharge was based on willful infractions. However, most other discharges are still eligible for veterans disability lawsuit compensation. You must also have a disability which affects your ability to maintain a substantial gainful occupation.

Timeframe

For a claimant to receive an income-based compensation benefit, the VA must determine that their medical condition meets the criteria for disability that is connected to service compensation. The VA must gather and review evidence from numerous sources. This procedure can take a while. This includes statements from relatives and friends regarding the impact disability has on the claimant's ability to work and live, as well opinions from medical experts.

Depending on the severity of a medical condition, it may take the VA months to establish a valid connection between that disability and military service. It can take longer to schedule and conduct a physical exam or Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam in cases where the claim is complex.

It is essential that claimants submit all requested evidence as quickly as possible. This aids in speeding up the decision-making process. If the VA decides that a claimant is able to receive disability benefits, they will be mailed an Rating Decision with a list of their service-connected disabilities, a rating and an effective date. It may take a few months for veterans to begin receiving monthly disability checks.