Veterans Disability Compensation – What is it?
Thousands of men and women who have served in the military suffer from a chronic injury or disease that can be traced back to their service. Each population of war Vets has faced circumstances both unique to their war period and common to all conflicts. They made tremendous sacrifices in defense of our way of life. Those sacrifices may have been injuries sustained in combat, they may have manifested years later as debilitating chronic health conditions related to certain exposures such as radiation, Agent Orange or asbestos. The Veterans Administration (VA) identifies seven categories of causes that connect disabilities to military service and provides veterans disability compensation for deserving Veterans who have disabilities related to their military service.
The VA determines disability compensation based on:
- if a condition is connected to military service – the service connection;
- The degree of disability – the rating system
The Service Connection
The “service-connected” criteria and rating system for veterans disability benefits became key components of the Veterans Disability Compensation program during World War II. In those years and into the 1950s, exposure to radiation was common due to the extensive experimentation and nuclear testing of the Atomic Bomb. Diseases such as Leukemia, Lymphomas, Multiple Myeloma and Cancers were found to have developed in veterans because of their exposure to radiation at that time. Veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf Wars have also been found to have specific service-connected disabilities resulting from the unique circumstances of their service.
The VA Disability Rating System
The VA uses a rating system, sometimes referred to as the “1945 rating schedule,” to establish the extent, or degree, of a disability. The range of disability starts at 10 percent up to 100 percent disabled. Each disability found to be service-connected is assigned a percentage rating based on its specific level of impairment. If there is more than one disability, the percentages are combined to determine the total rating. The amount of compensation is based on this combined rating percentage and is adjusted annually.
Here is an example of the monthly benefits a veteran with no dependents may receive based on level of disability (source: 2009 VA Compensation Pay Chart):
10% = $123 60% =$974
20% = $243 70% = $1,228
30% = $376 80% = $1,427
40% =$541 90% = $1,604
50% = $770 100% = $2,673
Who Qualifies for VA Disability Compensation?
Honorably discharged veterans who have experienced injury during military service or who have a medical condition that can be connected to active duty may qualify for disability compensation from the Veterans Administration. Read “Eligibility and Benefits Compensation Criteria” to learn more.
Apply for Benefits with an Alpha Advocate – Vets Helping Vets
If you do not receive a fully favorable decision from the VA, or you disagree with the percentage given to your disability, we can help you appeal for more.
It can take months, in many cases, years, for the VA to grant benefits. If you think you have a service-connected disability, or need help to prove that you do, the Alpha team is ready to help you.
Contact us to get started on your claim.
Note: All representation coordinated by Alpha is provided by our employees, the Advocates, who are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). No private organization that trains and employs accredited agents has been legally recognized by the VA for the purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. This work must be done by the Advocates themselves and not organizations.
30 comments on “Veterans Disability Compensation – What is it?”
Thanks for the info. The new site looks great!
This is NOT a help to our Veterans. There are organizations out there that do not charge ANY amount of money from our Veterans no matter how much compensation is determined. Go talk to your local VFW, or look up your local Transition Assistance Advisor in your State. These are just two avenues our Veterans can utilize for assistance, and not just with Compensation claims, but any issue a Veteran or their family is having… GO to the nearest Military facility in your area for assistance before going on any website or talking to someone who is not currently in the Military. Remember: we take care of our own.
Linda, I appreciate your opinion, but I just want you to know that, here at Alpha, we are veterans and most of us, me included, are disabled. I worked as a disability advocate for the DAV, and I’m an active member.
Unfortunately, the number of disabled veterans waiting for years for a favorable resolution is rising, and a lot of it has to do with the level of their representation services. Many of the veterans’ organizations, that offer services for free, do nothing more than help vets submit proper claims forms. They don’t necessarily know how to properly develop a case. Even the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims considers free representation equivalent to self-representation.
In June, 2007 Congress passed a law giving veterans the freedom to choose representation, which means they are not restricted to use free services. You get what you pay for, and vets aren’t necessarily getting a quality level of service in handling the VA bureaucracy. In fact, from my own experience, I know this is so. I am confident Alpha can change this for our fellow veterans who want a better way to get through the process.
We hire veterans to help veterans. Our team is, not only accredited through the VA Office of General Counsel, but they also undergo intensive advocacy training unique to the Alpha program. We sincerely just want to help fellow vets get through the process as quickly as possible and win the highest amount of disability benefits for them. The fee is not that much when you consider the level of expertise we provide, including helping vets secure other benefits from the VA. We most certainly do take care of our own.
I am 100% Service connected disabled Veteran. I receive VA Disability Compensation. My question is, Am I still eligible to apply for Social
Security Benefits?
David,
You can get SSDI in addition to your VA benefits. You will have to meet the Social Security Administration’s specific eligibility criteria, however even though you have 100 percent disability benefits from the VA. Your medical history is a key component when applying for SSDI benefits. Our sister organization, Freedom Disability can help you apply for SSDI and will need to know about your veterans disability claim with the VA and your treatment history. Please watch our video “Get Disability Benefits From Both the VA and SSA” displayed on this page. If you want to apply for SSDI benefits, I suggest calling Freedom Disabilty at 866-347-2910.
i need some advice on what to do to prepare for a second social security disability hearing.
okay i appeal the decision, it went to the appeal court judges and they instructed appeal judge to reverse the decision.
@Linda, you said “27. Jul, 2010 at 10:12 am # This is NOT a help to our Veterans”
Linda, forgive me for saying, but I tried that route, as did my brother and both of us got – NOTHING. My brother and I are both retired veterans with 20+ years of active duty service. I tried VFW, I’m a life time member, and all it got me was a bunch of empty promises. I even went to VFW in Washington DC and I got the same results. NOTHING. I retired in 2006 on the PDRL. To this day, I am getting ZERO percent. I applied to VA in 2006, and 2008. ZERO %.
FYI, I tried DAV ( life member ), and American Legion as well.
NOTHING. Within 2 weeks of contacting Alpha Disability, I was scheduled for a C & P exam. Alpha told me the title and code ( in the law ) that entitles me 50 percent. The military, VA, veterans organizations, and my so called representative failed to reveal that.
These guys are results oriented, and not a bunch of ‘hot air’ like so many politicans.
Let’s face it, these days you NEED legal representation to get what is rightfully yours, from the government. The same government who gives out ‘bail outs’ at a drop of a hat, and refuses to properly inspect the so called ‘federal reserve’. Alpha made a BIG difference in this war veterans life. They don’t get paid, until I get paid.
Just remember veterans organizations are federally funded. Would you bite the hand that feeds you ? Remember this brother & sister, they don’t get paid until you get paid. You have nothing to lose.
After the gulf war I end up going too prison for three years.
I’m thinking I had ptsd and still do what’s my chance of receiving
benefits
Terry,
If you were honorably discharged, the fact that you were in prison after separation from the military would not prohibit you from applying for service-connection benefits.
I was dishonorable discharged
Terry,
If you were dishonorably discharged you are not entitled to VA benefits. Please read our article “Eligibility and Benefits Compensation Criteria.”
I’m trying 2 get the discharge over turned
Terry,
If you succeed in getting your dishonorable discharge overturned then you will be treated as an honorably discharged veteran with rights to VA benefits.
Thanks 4 the info
Who can help me get my discharge overturned.
Terry,
You can go to any Veterans Service Organization. You could also go to your state VA office. But this kind of situation is not something we at Alpha can help you with. If you do succeed in getting your dishonorable discharge overturned, we can help you with a disability claim.
hello alpha,
my girlfriends father is a vietnam vet and had a stroke 16 months ago..
what is he entitled to recieve from ssdi and va ??? he’s been in a couple diferent rehabilataions but i don’t see him getting the treatment he needs..
is there any way to get him out of there and back home setup with electric wheelchair and stairlift as well as home nursing??? i would do whatever it takes to help him and his situation.. thank you for your time..
John,
A stroke can be a very difficult situation for the family. If he suffered from heart disease, there is a chance that he is entitled to VA benefits. I strongly encourage you to make contact with an Alpha Advocate to discuss potential VA benefits. Our toll free number is as follows, 877-611-7724. As for SSDI benefits, our sister company, Freedom Disability are the experts and take a compassionate approach to help potentially eligible individuals. When you call in to find out about Alpha services, ask us about SSDI assistance as well.
thank you for your time .. god bless ..
I have a 60% rating, a couple of things I found in my documents were not submitted for possible 70%. So, I need to submit them.. I have been receiving VA disability for 2 years. now the National Guard wants to medboard me out. will this affect my benefits?
Eric,
It could. It will depend why you were being medically discharged. There are certain regulations that force the military to give certain ratings and the VA as well. I recommend you scheduling an appointment for an interview at Alpha. Contact us at 877-611-7724. We can try and help you.
i am turning 62 and have a 60% va disabilty with 100% monthly pay. i have slowly gotten worse and i like to apply for regular social security benefits at 62. can i get both or will they take some of my va money ,or like they say maybe i cant double dip.
Donnie,
I encourage you to call our sister company Freedom Disability to see if you qualify for SSDI benefits. Freedom Disability are the experts and take a compassionate approach to help potentially eligible individuals. They can be reached at 866-761-5942. Good luck.
I would like to comment about the so called free advocates… They are absolutely useless. I have done a lot of research about this company (Alpha) and all the great things they do for us veterans. I don’t care I’ll pay the 20%. I have just finished with my phone interview with Jim. I’m on board, I can’t get the paperwork fast enough.
WE GIVE BILLIONS TO HATI AND OTHER NATIONS BUT WE FORGET ABOUT THE VET, THE FATCATS GOT TRILLIONS OF BAIL OUT MONEY THE VET GOT LEFT OUT THE VET DOES THE BLEEDING/DIEING/SUFFERING FOR LIFE FOR OUR FREEDOM THE VET DESERVES THE SAME SALARY/BENFITS/PERKS AS CONGERSS GETS THEY NEVER WENT IN HARMS WAY AND THEY GET TREATED LIKE ROYALITY SGT 1STBN 9TH MARINES DELTA CO JAN68-69+ M60 GUNS WHERE WAS CONGRESS LIVEING IT UP
I have DDD,DJD ,Sciatica, Pes Planus as result of Social Security which was filed at the same time as VA Disability. VA is seeking not to accept Social Security Medical Records as proof of my disability .
The rules for VA are quite different. The VA is limited to those disabilities found to be related to service connected, while SSA is not.
I just had my phone appointment with my advocate Ryan. I was denied on my claim and had remembered that I had wrote down the Alpha number months back well before I had received my denial letter. After talking to Ryan and going through the particulars about my condition (PTSD), and so forth, I finished the conversation feeling very hopeful about a postive result with Ryan advocating for me. Hope is all I have at this point.. Now the ball is in someone else’s court who knows how to get things done in this arena. So I will comment later in this process.
THE 100%+ COMBAT DISABLED VET DESERVIES THE SAME PERKS/SALARY AS CONGRESS THE VET DID THE BLEEDING DIEING SUFFERING FOR LIFE CONGRESS IS TREATED LIKE ROYALITY THE VET LIVES IN POVERTY