Understanding Disability Benefits for Veterans

Many veterans miss out on valuable benefits available to them when they become disabled due to their military service, or if an illness worsens as a result of their active duty or training.

In this article, I will highlight available benefits even if you are not completely disabled. These benefits may also assist a child, a spouse, or parents.

If you were disabled during inactive duty training, the disability must be due to an injury, heart attack, or stroke. Additionally, your discharge from service cannot be dishonorable in order to qualify for the benefits listed.

Understanding Veteran Disability Compensation

Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to veterans who are at least 10% disabled, with benefits corresponding to the level of disability. You can review the rate chart at www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/rates.

If you have dependents and a disability rating of 30% or higher, you may qualify for additional compensation. Keep in mind that your disability benefits may be offset by military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation incentive payments.

Available Benefits for Disabled Veterans

Disability Compensation

This tax-free monthly income is paid to veterans disabled by an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military duty. This includes physical conditions, such as chronic back or knee issues, as well as mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. For those on inactive duty training, the disability must result from an injury, heart attack, or stroke. Dependents may also qualify for benefits.

Special Monthly Compensation

You may receive additional compensation beyond the basic rate if your disability involves any of the following:

• Loss of or loss of use of specific organs, sensory functions, or extremities.
• Disabilities that confine you to your home or make you bedridden and in need of assistance.
• Combinations of severe disabilities that significantly impact your ability to walk.
• Independent disabilities or multiple conditions, each rated 50% or 100%.
• Multiple disabilities that require special skilled assistance, without which you would be confined to a nursing home.

To apply for these benefits, ensure you have all necessary documents ready, including your discharge or separation paperwork (DD214), and medical records from military or private providers supporting your claim.

Open an eBenefits account at www.ebenefits.va.gov for easy access to benefits.

For more information on filing your claim, visit www.benefits.va.gov/transformation/fastclaims.

Presumptive Benefits

Many of you may already be aware of Presumptive Benefits, which apply to veterans with service-connected disabilities linked to certain conditions of service, including:

• Former prisoners of war
• Gulf War veterans with undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses
• Veterans exposed to Agent Orange

Clothing Allowance

Veterans may be eligible for one or more annual clothing allowance payments if:

• You use a prosthetic or orthopedic device due to a service-related disability.
• You have a service-connected skin condition and use medication that causes irreparable damage to your outer clothing.

To receive payment, you must establish eligibility by August 1st of the year for which you are claiming. To apply, contact the prosthetic department representative at your VA center.

Automobile Allowance

If your military service has resulted in a disability that requires vehicle modifications for you to drive, you may be entitled to a one-time allowance paid directly to the seller of the vehicle. Your impairment must include one of the following:

• Loss of or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands
• Permanent vision impairment in both eyes that makes driving impossible, even with corrective lenses
• Certain severe burns

You may also qualify to purchase adaptive equipment, such as adaptive steering, power brakes, power windows, or other modifications if you have mobility issues in the joints of one or both knees or hips.

To apply, contact your nearest VA regional office or center, or call 1-800-827-1000 for assistance.

Housing Grant

One of the most well-known benefits is the Housing Grant:

• Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant:
  This grant helps service members and veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities to purchase, construct, or modify a home to accommodate their disability.
• Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant:
  This grant assists qualifying veterans in adapting or purchasing a home to meet their needs.

Grant amounts are set by law but may be adjusted based on the construction cost index. The grant can be used up to three times, not exceeding the total aggregate amount. 

For more information or to apply for adapting your home, purchasing a home that needs adaptation, or modifying a family member's home, visit www.ebenefits.va.gov or download the form (VA Form 26-4555) at www.va.gov/forms. You can also call 1-800-827-1000 or use TTY via the federal relay number at 771. For additional details on the SAH/SHA grant programs, please visit www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans.

Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

Similar to regular mortgage insurance, Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) helps families pay off the mortgage after the death of the service member or veteran. There are certain prerequisites:

Eligibility:
VMLI is available to service members or veterans with severe service-connected disabilities who have:

• Received a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant from the VA for building, remodeling, or purchasing an adapted home
• Their name on the home title
• A mortgage on the home
• Applied for VMLI before their 70th birthday

How it Works:
VMLI is automatically issued after SAH approval, provided the necessary information is submitted to establish a premium, unless coverage is declined. Coverage ends automatically when the mortgage is paid off. If you sell the home, you can transfer VMLI to the mortgage of a new home.

Premiums vary based on your age, the outstanding mortgage balance at the time of application, and the remaining term of the mortgage. VMLI is a decreasing term life insurance policy, and all premiums are deducted monthly from your compensation.

Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance (S-DVI)

Life insurance is available to veterans with a service-connected disability who are otherwise in good health. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have an honorable discharge on or after April 25, 1951
• Receive a rating for a service-connected disability of 0% to 100%
• Be in good health except for service-connected conditions
• Apply within two years from the date you are notified by the VA about your new service-connected disability

The premium amount depends on your age, the type of insurance plan (term or permanent life), and the requested death benefit. Note: If you have basic Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance (S-DVI) coverage and are rated 100% disabled, you may apply to have your premiums waived.

Additionally, you may qualify for Supplemental Insurance if you have a Supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance (S-SVI) policy and your premiums are waived due to total disability. You must apply within one year of receiving the premium waiver notice and be under 65 years of age.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)

These benefits are designed for service members and veterans with service-connected illnesses and injuries. The VA evaluates your interests, aptitudes, and abilities, and assesses how your disability impacts your ability to work. This program offers career counseling and rehabilitation planning, including job training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and more. Additional benefits include on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences. For those severely disabled and not ready to work, independent living services are also available.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA, or a pre-discharge disability rating of 20% or more.
• You have received or will receive an other-than-dishonorable discharge.
• If referred to a military Physical Evaluation Board or participating in the military/VA Integrated Disability Evaluation System process, you may qualify without a VA rating.

Generally, veterans must use all Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services within 12 years from the later of the following dates:

• The date of separation from active military service.
• The date the VA first notified you of a qualifying service-connected disability rating.

Education Assistance

This program provides education benefits to Veterans to assist with obtaining a degree or pursuing other eligible education and training.

Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA): Assists survivors or dependents of Veterans to obtain a degree and pursue other eligible education and training.

Always Review Your Benefits 

It's crucial for veterans to review their available options. Financial assistance can address various issues and concerns, significantly reducing financial uncertainty and distress.

Are you interested in exploring financial resources for blood cancer patients? HealthTree Foundation offers free connections with financial coaches who volunteer their time to answer questions about insurance, prescription coverage, and more. They also help connect patients and their loved ones to valuable resources. You can reach out to them using the contact information below:

• Patrick Kelley- patrickkelley072@gmail.com
• Dave Braucht- flatdog@earthlink.net
• Ken Levy - kenplevy@sbcglobal.net
• Diahanna Vallentine- myfinancialcoach@healthtree.org