Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents

Benefit Programs (continued) >>

Benefit Programs

Disability Compensation

Receiving Benefit Payments | Prisoners of War | Agent Orange and Other Herbicides
Veterans Exposed to Radiation | Gulf War Veterans | Specially Adapted Homes | Supplemental Financing
Automobile Assistance | Clothing Allowance | Allowances for Dependents
Aid and Attendance or Housebound | Incarcerated Veterans | Fugitive Felons

Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. The service of the veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions that were other than dishonorable. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of dependents, and is paid monthly. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax. The payment of military retirement pay, disability severance pay and separation incentive payments known as SSB and VSI (Special Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives) also affects the amount of VA compensation paid. See the "Tables" section of this booklet for more information.

Receiving Benefit Payments

VA offers three methods for receiving benefit payments. Most of veterans and beneficiaries receive their payments by direct deposit through an electronic fund transfer to their bank, savings and loan or credit union accounts. In some areas, benefit recipients who do not have an account at a financial institution may open a federally insured Electronic Transfer Account, which costs about $3 a month, provides a monthly statement and allows cash withdrawals. Recipients may also choose to receive benefits by check. To choose a payment method, veterans and beneficiaries should call VA's toll-free 1-877-838-2778, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Central Standard Time.

Prisoners of War

Former prisoners of war (POW) are eligible for disability compensation if they are rated at least 10 percent disabled from conditions presumed to be related to the POW experience. The following presumptive conditions apply to former POWs who were imprisoned for any length of time: psychosis, any of the anxiety states, dysthymic disorder, organic residuals of frostbite, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Former POWs who were imprisoned for at least 30 days are also eligible for the following additional presumptive conditions: avitaminosis, beriberi (including beriberi heart disease), chronic dysentery, helminthiasis, malnutrition (including optic atrophy), pellagra and/or other nutritional deficiencies, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, peripheral neuropathy and cirrhosis of the liver.

Agent Orange and Other Herbicides

Eleven diseases are presumed by VA to be service-related for compensation purposes for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in support of military operations in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. The diseases presumed are chloracne or other acneform disease similar to chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, soft-tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma or mesothelioma), Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus (Type 2) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Veterans Exposed to Radiation

Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation while on active duty may be eligible for disability compensation if they have disabilities related to that exposure. Conditions presumed to be service-connected for veterans who participated in "radiation-risk activities" as defined by VA regulations are all forms of leukemia (except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia); cancer of the thyroid, breast, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra), brain, bone, lung, colon, and ovary, bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, multiple myeloma, lymphomas (other than Hodgkin's disease), and primary liver cancer, (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated). To determine service-connection for other conditions or exposures not eligible for presumptive compensation, factors considered include amount of radiation exposure, duration of exposure, elapsed time between exposure and onset of the disease, gender and family history, age at time of exposure, the extent to which a nonservice-related exposure could contribute to disease, and the relative sensitivity of exposed tissue.

Gulf War Veterans

Gulf War veterans who suffer from chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses, medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses (such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or irritable bowel syndrome) that are defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms, and any diagnosed illness that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines warrants a presumption of service-connection may receive disability compensation. The undiagnosed illnesses must have appeared either during active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Gulf War or to a degree of at least 10 percent at any time since then through Dec. 31, 2006.

The following symptoms are among the manifestations of an undiagnosed illness: fatigue, skin disorders, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, neurologic symptoms, neuropsychological symptoms, symptoms involving the respiratory system, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, abnormal weight loss and menstrual disorders. A disability is considered chronic if it has existed for at least six months.

Amiotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) may also be service-connected if the veteran served in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

Specially Adapted Homes

Disabled veterans may be entitled to a grant from VA for a home specially adapted to their needs or for adaptations to a house.

$50,000 Grant: VA may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying or remodeling adapted homes or paying indebtedness on those homes already acquired, up to a maximum of $50,000. Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to one of the following:

1. Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair;
2. Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity;
3. Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (a) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the use of braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair.

$10,000 Grant: VA may approve a grant for the actual cost, up to a maximum of $10,000, for adaptations to a veteran's residence that are determined by VA to be reasonably necessary. The grant also may be used to help veterans acquire a residence that already has adaptations for the veteran's disability. Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to (1) blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or (2) anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.

Supplemental Financing: Veterans with available loan guaranty entitlement may also obtain a guaranteed loan or a direct loan from VA to supplement the grant to acquire a specially adapted home.

Automobile Assistance

Veterans and service members qualify for this benefit if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain degree. Veterans entitled to compensation for ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees, or one or both hips, also qualify for adaptive equipment for an automobile. There is a one-time payment by VA of not more than $11,000 toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance. VA pays for adaptive equipment, and for repair, replacement, or reinstallation required because of disability, and for the safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance. To apply, contact a VA regional office (1-800-827-1000) or medical center.

Clothing Allowance

Any veteran who is entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability for which he or she uses prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may receive an annual clothing allowance. The allowance also is available to any veteran whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed medication that irreparably damages the veteran's outer garments.Veterans with qualifying serviceconnected disabilities can apply for a clothing allowance by contacting the Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Service at your local VA health care facility.

Allowances for Dependents

Veterans whose service-connected disabilities are rated at 30 percent or more are entitled to additional allowances for dependents. The additional amount is determined by the number of dependents and the degree of disability. A disabled veteran evaluated 30 percent or more is entitled to receive a special allowance for a spouse who is in need of the aid and attendance of another person.

Aid and Attendance or Housebound

A veteran who is determined by VA to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, or a veteran who is permanently housebound, may be entitled to additional disability compensation or pension benefits.

Incarcerated Veterans

VA disability compensation and pension benefits are restricted if a veteran, surviving spouse, child or dependent parent is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days. The disability compensation paid to an incarcerated veteran is limited to the 10 percent disability rate. For a surviving spouse, child, dependent parent or veteran whose disability rating is 10 percent, the payment is at the 5 percent rate. Any amounts not paid may be apportioned to eligible dependents. Payments are not reduced for recipients participating in work-release programs, residing in halfway houses or under community control. Overpayments for failure to notify VA of a veteran's incarceration result in the loss of all financial benefits until the overpayment is recovered.

Fugitive Felons

VA disability compensation and pension benefits may not be paid to any veteran named on an outstanding felony warrant, or their dependents, until the veteran has surrendered to authorities or the warrant is cleared.

Benefit Programs (continued) >>
Table of Contents