Disabled veterans in the United States may qualify for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in addition to, or instead of, Social Security and other programs. This page provides comprehensive information on VA disability programs, application processes, and navigating the system.
VA disability benefits are:
- For service-connected conditions: Disabilities caused or worsened by military service
- Tax-free: Monthly benefits are not taxable income
- Based on disability rating: Percentage rating (10%-100%) determines benefit amount
- Available for life: Once approved, continue as long as disability remains service-connected
- Combinable with other benefits: Can receive VA disability + SSDI/SSI + Medicare + other programs
You may qualify for VA disability benefits if you:
Military service requirement:
- Served on active duty (includes National Guard and Reserves)
- Received other than dishonorable discharge
- Disability related to military service
Disability requirement:
- Have condition(s) caused or aggravated by military service
- Condition is permanent or long-standing (may require continued treatment)
No income limit: Unlike SSI or Medicaid, VA disability has no income or resource limits
What it is: Monthly tax-free payment for service-connected disabilities
Amount:
- Based on disability rating: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 100%
- Increases with dependents (spouse, children)
- Annual COLA (cost of living adjustment)
- 2024 rates range from $173.36 (10%) to $4,323.12 (100% single)
Disability rating process:
- VA evaluates service connection and severity
- Can combine multiple conditions
- Rating can increase or decrease over time
- Periodic reviews determine if rating changes
Eligibility:
- Service-connected disability (any percentage)
- Permanent and total (100% rating) may qualify for additional benefits
What it is: Income-based benefit for wartime veterans with limited income who are older or disabled
Eligibility:
- Served during wartime
- Older (usually age 65+) or permanently and totally disabled
- Income below threshold (~$15,000-$20,000 depending on dependents and state)
- Assets under certain limit ($130,773 for 2024)
Amount: Based on income, not on service connection
- Monthly benefit: Difference between income and threshold
- Often significant payment for low-income veterans
Duration: Continues for life (eligibility reviewed periodically)
Important: Pension and disability compensation can't be received at same time; most veterans choose disability compensation if eligible
For some service members medically separated while still on active duty:
- Bridge benefit between military and VA benefits
- Typically lasts 5 years
- Can overlap with VA disability compensation
What's covered:
- VA medical centers and clinics nationwide
- Preventive care and screenings
- Mental health services
- Substance use treatment
- Prescription medications
- Dental (limited, varies by priority)
- Vision (limited)
- Hearing aids (covered by VA)
- Prosthetics and orthopedics
- Rehabilitation services
- Home health care
- Long-term care and nursing home care
Priority system:
- Service-connected disabilities get priority
- Higher disability rating = higher priority
- Low-income veterans prioritized
- Non-service-connected conditions may have copays
Cost:
- Copays for service-connected: Usually $0 or low copay
- Copays for non-service-connected: Sliding scale or flat fee
- Preventive care usually free
- Combat veterans often have priority/reduced costs
Enrollment: Veterans must enroll in VA health care; priority based on disability rating and income
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC):
For seriously injured veterans from Iraq/Afghanistan:
- Primary caregiver receives monthly stipend ($3,331-$3,737 depending on veteran's need level)
- Secondary caregiver may receive support
- Respite care available
- Healthcare benefits for caregiver
- Training for caregiver
Eligibility:
- Veteran has significant impairment from combat-related injury
- Requires assistance with activities of daily living
- Caregiver provides unpaid assistance
Other caregiver benefits:
- VA healthcare for eligible family members
- Caregiver training
- Mental health support
- Respite care (temporary relief for caregiver)
¶ Education and Vocational Rehabilitation
¶ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
What it is: Program helping disabled veterans prepare for, find, and maintain employment
Services:
- Career counseling
- Job training and education
- Assistive technology
- Job placement
- On-the-job support
Eligibility:
- Service-connected disability rating (any percentage)
- Cannot work due to service-connected disability (for Chapter 31)
- Must apply within 12 years of VA rating decision
Duration: Up to 12 years or until employment goal achieved
Cost: Free for eligible veterans
¶ GI Bill and Education Benefits
Chapter 31: Vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans
Other education benefits:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Dependents' Educational Assistance
¶ Housing Benefits and Assistance
What it is: VA-backed mortgage for buying or building accessible home
Advantages:
- No down payment (often)
- Lower interest rates
- No PMI (private mortgage insurance)
- Can borrow additional for accessibility modifications
Eligibility: Service-connected veteran (priority for 30%+ disability rating)
What it is: Direct payment for home modifications for accessibility
Amount: Up to $98,295 (2024) for eligible veterans
Eligibility:
- Service-connected disability affecting mobility or ability to live independently
- Specific disabilities (spinal cord injury, blindness, paralysis, etc.)
- Need for specific modifications for accessibility
Modifications covered:
- Ramps
- Wheelchair lifts
- Accessible bathrooms
- Modified kitchens
- Accessible entrances
- Smart home technology
For veterans not yet ready for permanent home modifications:
- Up to $32,775 (2024)
- For temporary modifications or rental adjustments
- Can be used once while seeking permanent housing
¶ Additional VA Services and Benefits
¶ Burial and Memorial Benefits
- Burial in VA cemetery (free)
- Military honors and flag
- Presidential memorial certificate
- Headstone or marker
¶ Dependents and Survivors
- Survivors pension (spouse/children of deceased veteran)
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): For survivors of service-connected death
- Educational benefits for children
For veterans with service-connected disabilities requiring prosthetics or orthotic devices:
- Annual allowance ($1,017 in 2024)
- Reimburses for clothing damaged by devices
- Automatic if VA already providing prosthetic/orthotic
¶ Aid and Attendance Allowance
- Additional payment for those needing help with daily activities
- Requires medical evidence
- Significant increase to monthly benefit
- Requires prescriber determination
Gather documents:
- Military discharge documents (DD214)
- Medical records showing service connection
- VA Form 21-0966 (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits)
Where to apply:
- Online: VA.gov (secure login)
- By mail: VA Regional Office
- In person: VA Regional Office or VA Medical Center
- With representative: VSO, accredited representative, or attorney
Most streamlined option:
- Create account at VA.gov
- Use VA "Apply for Benefits" tool
- Submit evidence electronically
- Track status online
Veterans Service Organization (VSO):
- Free representation from nonprofit VSO
- Help with application
- Advocacy with VA
- Local VSOs available in every area
Accredited Representatives:
- Specially trained by VA
- Can charge fees (VA-approved)
- Represent you in claims and appeals
VA-Accredited Attorney:
- Licensed attorney specializing in VA law
- More expensive but knowledgeable
- Charged percentage of past-due benefits
- Initial decision: 3-6 months (can be longer for complex cases)
- You receive letter with decision
- Can appeal if denied or rating disagreed with
¶ Understanding Your Disability Rating
10-100%: Disability percentage rating
- Higher percentage = more severe disability
- Determines monthly payment amount
- Can combine multiple conditions
Permanent and Total (P&T):
- 100% rating
- Unlikely to improve
- Qualifies for additional benefits
- Special consideration for certain conditions
Rating Process:
- VA medical exam (C&P exam)
- Review of military and medical records
- Application of rating schedule
- Decision letter with rating and effective date
If you disagree with rating:
Request Higher Level Review (newer, faster process):
- Request within 1 year of decision
- VA reviews without new exam
- Decision in months (not years)
Appeal with Board of Veterans Appeals:
- Traditional longer process
- Can request hearing
- Can provide new evidence
Getting help with appeal:
- VSO (free)
- Accredited representative (fee-based)
- VA-accredited attorney (fee-based)
¶ Receiving Both VA and SSDI/SSI
VA Disability Compensation + SSDI:
- Can receive both simultaneously
- No limit on VA disability
- SSDI has work limitations
- Each program independent
VA Disability Compensation + SSI:
- Can receive both
- VA disability counts as income toward SSI limit
- May reduce SSI payment
- Understanding interaction important to maximize benefits
VA Pension + SSDI/SSI:
- Similar to disability compensation
- Check with Social Security about impact on SSI
VA supports veterans working:
- VA benefits don't stop due to work earnings
- Work incentive support available
- VR&E helps employment
Social Security work incentives (if also on SSDI):
- Trial Work Period: 9 months of unlimited earnings
- Extended eligibility period
- Medicaid continuation
Free counseling on how benefits interact:
- VA Benefits Counselor
- Social Security WIPA program
- Disability advocates
¶ VA Health Care and Other Insurance
Medicare and VA:
- Can use both simultaneously
- VA is not Medicare replacement
- Decisions about which to use depend on specific care needed
- Some conditions/providers may be better through VA, others through Medicare
Medicaid and VA:
- Varies by state
- Some veterans dually eligible
- State Medicaid may supplement VA coverage
Private insurance and VA:
- VA may bill private insurance for service-connected care
- Veteran doesn't pay if VA bills insurance
- Check with specific VA facility
Conditions automatically assumed to be service-connected for certain groups:
Vietnam veterans:
- Agent Orange exposure: Diabetes, heart disease, cancers, etc.
- No need to prove service connection
Persian Gulf War veterans:
- Gulf War Illness and related conditions
Post-9/11 combat veterans:
- Service-related PTSD and mental health conditions
- Specific illnesses from exposure
All veterans:
- Burn pit exposure conditions (expanding)
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For Vietnam-era veterans:
- Presumptive conditions covered
- Health registry available
- No need to prove exposure
- Apply through VA
¶ Burn Pit and Airborne Hazard Exposure
Expanding coverage for:
- Iraq/Afghanistan veterans
- Respiratory conditions
- Cancers
- Other conditions from exposure
¶ Advocacy and Support
Getting help:
- Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Free representation
- Accredited representatives
- VA-accredited attorneys
- Disability Rights organizations
- Legal aid (some veterans-focused)
Finding resources:
- VA.gov: Comprehensive information
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, then press 1
- Local VA Regional Office
- VSO in your area
Have you navigated VA disability benefits? Know about resources that should be included? Have lived experience or specialized knowledge?
We welcome contributions from veterans, caregivers, VSO representatives, and disability advocates working with veterans.
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Maintained by: DisabilityWiki Benefits Team
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VA Benefits Information: 1-800-827-1000 | Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)