VA Compensation for Veterans and Families
I am often asked “what is VA compensation.” The answer is pretty straightforward. VA disability compensation provides monthly benefits to Veterans for the effects of disabilities, diseases, or injuries incurred or aggravated during military service. Benefits are also available to surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of a Veteran whose death is a result of a service-connected disability.
There are three basic categories of compensation:
- Disability Compensation, which is a tax-free benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. To be eligible the Veteran must have incurred in injury that lead to a disability while on active duty and the Veteran must have been honorably discharged. The injury must have been reported while in service or within one year post discharge from service. (However, there are exceptions for latent diseases). Disabilities are rated on a 0-100% scale and the payment of monetary benefits is proportionate to the degree of disability as rated on the scale.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). DIC is a benefit that is payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Veteran whose death is a result of service connected disability or who died while on active duty.
- Special Monthly Compensation is a payment for a disability that is paid at a higher rate due to special circumstances such as the need for aid and attendance by another person or by specific disability, such as loss of use of one hand or leg.
Our law firm assists Veterans and their families in obtaining these benefits from the VA. If you have a claim, or would like to discuss Veterans Disability Compensation, or Disability Compensation, email us or give us a call today.
