Service Connected Disability Compensation
VA pays monthly compensation to Veterans for disabilities incurred or aggravated during active military service. This benefit is not subject to federal or state income tax. In some cases, military retirement pay is reduced by any VA compensation received.
3 Requirements needed to establish Service Connection
1-Inservice documentation of injury, disability or disease
2-A current disability with a medical diagnosis
3-A medical nexus connecting #1 and #2
Improved Pension Program
This income-based benefit is paid to Veterans with honorable war-time services, who are permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities or who are 65 or older. Surviving Spouses of Veterans who had war time service may also be eligible. For more information see the VA website at www.benefits.va.gov/pension/
War Time Periods:
World War II-December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946
Korean War-June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955
Vietnam War-August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961 for Veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975
Gulf War-August 2, 1990 through a date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law
Medical Benefits
If you served in the active military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for health care benefits. Also, current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty (other than for training only) by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health care.
The VA provides a full range of medically necessary services. Some of these services include:
- Coaching into Care
- Domiciliary Care
- Geriatrics and Extended Care
- Homeless Programs
- Prescriptions for Medications
- Prosthetics
- Mental Health Care
- Women’s Health Care
- Health Care
The VA determines eligibility for the comprehensive medical benefits package through a patient enrollment system, which is based on Priority Groups 1 through 8. Eligibility for VA health benefits is based on each Veteran’s unique eligibility factors.
Educational Benefits
- Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
- Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)
- VEAP (Chapter 32)
- Montgomery GI Bill-Select Reserve (Chapter 1606)
- Dependents Educational Assistance(Chapter 35)
- Veterans Readiness and Education (VR&E) (Chapter 31)
Vocational Rehabilitation helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. For Veterans with serious service-connected disabilities, VA also offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. Some of the services offered are: job search, vocational evaluation, career exploration, vocational training, education training and rehabilitation service.
Home Loan
Veterans with qualifying service are eligible for VA home loan services including guaranteed loans for the purchase of a home, manufactured home, manufactured home and lot, certain types of condominiums, or to build, repair, and improve homes. Certain disabled Veterans can receive grants to have their homes specially adapted to their needs.
Life Insurance
VA insurance programs were developed to provide insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks involved in military service, or a service connected disability.
Veterans Group Life Insurance
Allows Service members to convert their SGLI coverage to renewable term insurance. Members with full-time SGLI coverage are eligible for VGLI upon release from service.
