Disability Compensation
Service connected compensation is a monthly payment awarded to those veterans who have incurred injury or disease, with lasting effect, during their military service. Rating are determined based on the degree of the disability, but only after the veteran has filed a formal claim for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ratings can be from 0% to 100% and ratings of 30% or higher entitle the veteran to additional monthly payments for dependents.
In addition, other benefits may be obtained as the basic compensation rating goes higher.
Free medical care is provided by the VA for service connected disabilities regardless of the rating.
Required Documents for Disability Compensation
- A copy of your DD-214 Discharge record for ALL periods of service.
- Spouses SSN and date of birth if applicable
- Dependent children’s SSN and date of birth if applicable
- Month, Year, and city, state for all marriages and divorces for both the Veteran and his/her current spouse
- Marriage Certificate
- A voided check
- When did the disability/problems start?
- A list of doctors who have treated you for the disability and when did the treatment begin/end? (Along with the name of the facility they practice in, their phone number, and the facility address).
- If you’ve been treated at a VA Medical facility-when and which ones?
- As much information and supporting documentation as you have about when it happened and what problems you still have as a result
Disability compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to Veterans who are at least 10% disabled because of injuries or diseases that were incurred in or aggravated during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. A disability can apply to physical conditions such as a chronic knee condition as well as a mental health condition such a post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
Eligibility
- Service in the Uniformed Services on active duty OR
- Active duty for training OR
- Inactive duty training AND
- You were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions AND
- You are at least 10% disabled by an injury or disease that was incurred in or aggravated during active duty or active duty f or training, or inactive duty training
NOTE: If you were on inactive duty for training, the disability must have resulted from injury, heart attack, or stroke.