Am I Eligible for VA Disability?

The VA provides compensation to eligible veterans who were disabled during or because of their military service. Compensation is also available to eligible dependents of veterans.

Compensation Available

Disability—a monthly, monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease that was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

Automobile Allowance—financial assistance to help eligible severely disabled servicemembers and veterans purchase or adapt an automobile to accommodate their disability.

Clothing Allowance—annual stipend provided to disabled veterans who have unique clothing needs because of a service-connected disease or injury.

Disability Compensation

Eligibility

Compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to veterans who are at least 10% disabled due to injuries or diseases that were incurred in or aggravated during active duty or active duty for training. The disability can either be physical or mental.

If you were on inactive duty for training, the disability must have resulted from injury, heart attack, or stroke. And your discharge must not have been under dishonorable conditions.

Compensation varies depending on the degree of disability (see rates here).

Dependents—an additional allowance may be added if your combined disability is rated 30% or greater. Your compensation may be offset if you receive military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation incentive payments.

Documenting everything is extremely important! Make sure to always be in contact with your doctor and document everything related to your injury or disease. It is best to submit a VA Disability claim within one year of separation from the military. Doing this makes you eligible to receive VA Disability back pay. However, waiting longer than a year means you will have to meet the burden of proof for your disability.

Other Available Benefits

Specially Adapted Housing/Special Home Adaption Grants—a monetary benefit to adapt or obtain suitable housing for eligible severely disabled veterans.

Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI)—provides life insurance coverage to veterans who have been given a VA rating for a new service-connected disability in the last 2 years. Totally disabled veterans are eligible for free insurance premiums and can purchase additional insurance.

Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)—provides mortgage life insurance protection to disabled veterans who have been approved for a VA Specifically Adopted Housing (SAH) Grant.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)—provides educational and training services to veterans with service-connected illnesses and injuries to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment.

Education Assistance—provides education benefits to veterans to assist with obtaining a degree or with pursuing other eligible education and training.

Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)—aids survivors or dependents of veterans to obtain a degree or pursue other eligible education and training.

Learn more about these and other benefits here.