
You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways:
- Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state. Find your PMC
- Work with an accredited representative. Get help filing your claim
- Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee. Find a VA regional office near you
How much does a military disability pay?
Veterans with total disability receive the 100 VA disability, wherein “100” is 100 percent, which is the maximum VA rate/benefit. This year, the 100 VA disability per month is around $3,200 to $3,700 depending on the veteran’s specific situation and factors like the number of spouse and child, age of a child, etc.
What disabilities qualify for VA disability?
Office of Personnel Management Guidelines
- Competitively Filled Positions. Jobs that are filled competitively are advertised through USAJOBS. ...
- Non-competitively Filled Positions. ...
- Required Disability Documentation. ...
What benefits are you eligible for as a disabled veteran?
- No cost health care and prescription medications
- Travel allowance for scheduled appointments for care at a VA medical facility or VA authorized health care facility
- Waiver of VA funding fee for home loan
- 10 point Veteran preference in federal hiring
- Direct hire authority
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
How do I qualify for veterans disability benefits?
- Tip #1: Use MyHealtheVet to Get Your Current Symptoms Documented in VA Medical Records
- Tip #2: Go for High-Value VA Disability Claims (e.g., Mental Health , Lifestyle Impact Claim , Migraines , Sleep Apnea)
- Tip #3: Have a Private Provider Complete DBQs for Conditions Already Service Connected

Who qualifies for military disability?
To qualify for veterans disability benefits, you must have a diagnosed medical condition caused by or incurred during military service. In other words, you must have a service-connected disability. Veterans disability is available for physical and mental health conditions.
How do I prove military disability?
In order to establish service connection on a direct basis, veterans must show evidence of:A current, diagnosed disability;An in-service event, injury, or illness; and.A medical nexus between the current disability and the in-service event, injury, or illness.
What is the easiest VA disability to claim?
According to a recent Veterans Administration report to Congress, the ten most commonly awarded medical conditions that are getting approved for benefits are as follows:Tinnitus.Limitation of flexion (knee)Hearing loss.Lumbosacral or cervical strain (back and neck strains)Limitation of arm motion.General scars.More items...•
What is the average military disability payment?
40 percent disability rating: $673.28 per month. 50 percent disability rating: $958.44 per month. 60 percent disability rating: $1,214.03 per month. 70 percent disability rating: $1,529.95 per month.
Is it hard to get VA disability?
As you might expect, it is difficult to obtain a 100% VA disability rating with just one service-connected disability. Most veterans who receive a 100% rating have two or more disabling conditions. Often, these conditions have a secondary service connection.
What is the VA 5 year rule?
The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.
What is the most approved disability?
1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.
What are the top 10 disabilities?
What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries. ... Organic Mental Disorders. ... Neoplasms. Finally, the 10th top disability comes from neoplasms.More items...
How long does it take for VA disability to be approved?
As of June 2021, the average time it takes for the VA to issue a decision on VA benefits is 134.4 days. If your application is denied and you want to complete the appeals process, it will take approximately 125 days for a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review and more than one year for a Board Hearing.
Can you live off VA disability?
Yes, it is possible to receive VA disability benefits for life. However, you are not guaranteed VA disability benefits for life.
How long does VA disability last?
If VA assigns you a 100% rating, it has the option of also designating you permanently and totally disabled. If you receive this designation, your benefits are safe for the rest of your life.
Can you work with VA disability?
You can work and collect VA disability benefits as long as you are not receiving benefits called Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). If you qualify for TDIU, this means you may be able to get disability benefits at the same level as a veteran who has a 100 percent disability rating.
VA Disability Compensation Benefits
Veterans who have a service-related injury or illness may be entitled to VA disability compensation. It’s a tax-free monthly benefit.Visit VA.gov t...
Disabled Veteran Housing Assistance
Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Dep...
VA Pensions for Veterans and Survivors With a Low Income
Wartime veterans with a low income and their survivors may qualify for a tax-free pension. These monthly payments from the Department of Veterans A...
What is Military Disability?
Military Disability is benefits given to veterans with service-connected conditions. There are two types: VA Disability and DoD Disability.
Do I qualify for Military Disability?
You qualify for VA Disability if you are a veteran with a service-connected condition. To qualify for DoD Disability, you must be a service member...
How do I apply for disability?
If you are still active duty, you can apply for both DoD Disability and VA Disability at the same time through the IDES process. If you are already...
If I qualify, what benefits will I receive?
The DoD provides Disability Separation benefits for ratings up to 20% and Disability Retirement benefits for ratings 30% and up. The VA provides he...
How long does it take to receive my benefits?
The IDES process takes around 6 months to complete. If you are only applying for VA Disability, the claim usually processes in 3 months. Once the p...
How much money will I receive monthly?
This gets a bit complicated. The DoD will provide a monthly payment for disability retirees. The exact amount is determined using an equation that...
I've been out of the military for many years. Can I still submit a claim?
For VA Disability, you can submit a claim to receive benefits at any time. For DoD Disability, once you agree to a non-disability discharge, you ar...
My conditions have worsened over time. Can my Military Disability increase?
VA Disability can increase any time your conditions worsen enough to qualify for a higher rating. Just submit a new claim and check the 'increased...
What is VA DIC?
Compensation benefits for a surviving spouse and dependents (VA DIC) Learn about getting VA disability benefits as a surviving spouse, dependent child, or parent.
What is VA disability compensation?
VA disability compensation. VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions ...
Can you get VA disability for mental health?
You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you've earned.
What are the benefits of veterans with disabilities?
These include compensation, pensions, and grants for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities as well as pensions for some veterans 65 and older and grants for vets with age-related disabilities.
What is VA disability compensation?
Disability compensation is for an illness or injury that happens because of or was made worse by your military service. It’s not income-based and war service is not required. A VA pension is for war veterans with a low income and who may have a disability that is not service-related.
Can veterans get housing assistance?
Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Apply for a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant. You can use it to:
Do wartime veterans get a pension?
Wartime veterans with a low income and their survivors may qualify for a tax-free pension. These monthly payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are based on financial need.
Can you get Aid and Attendance if you receive a VA pension?
Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits. If you receive a VA pension, you may also qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits . You can only get one of them. Each has its own qualifications.
Is VA pension taxable?
Here are two ways to tell the difference: Military retirement is taxable but a VA pension is tax-free. Military retirement uses years of service (not necessarily wartime). But a VA pension is based on wartime service and financial need.
How to get disability from the DoD?
To receive disability from the DoD, a service member must go through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, which combines the DoD Disability Process with the VA Disability Process to make it easier and faster for the service member to get Military Disability from both organizations.
What is military disability?
Military Disability is compensation and benefits given to all veterans who have service-connected conditions. Military Disability is broken into two kinds: DoD Disability and VA Disability.
How long does it take to get IDES?
The IDES process takes around 6 months to complete. If you are only applying for VA Disability, the claim usually processes in 3 months. Once the processes are complete, you should start receiving your benefits in 1-3 months.
Does the VA give disability to veterans?
The VA’s Military Disability. While the DoD gives disability only for conditions that make a service-member Unfit for Duty, the VA gives disability for every service-connected condition a veteran has. The VA Disability Process begins with the veteran undergoing Compensation and Pension Exams ( C&P Exams ).
What is the purpose of military disability?
Military Disability Benefits are intended to reflect the amount of money the veteran will not be able to earn because of their disability that they would have been able to earn without it. The exact amount and type of Military Disability Benefits a veteran receives is determined by their Total Combined Military Disability Rating.
How long does it take to get IDES?
The IDES process takes around 6 months to complete. If you are only applying for VA Disability, the claim usually processes in 3 months. Once the processes are complete, you should start receiving your benefits in 1-3 months.
Does the VA give disability benefits?
While the VA will give Military Disability Benefits for all service-connected medical conditions, the DoD will only give Military Disability Benefits for service-connected conditions that make the service member Unfit for Duty. Military Disability Benefits are intended to reflect the amount of money the veteran will not be able to earn because ...
Does the VA give veterans disability?
As part of the VA Disability Process, the VA will give veterans Military Disability Benefits for every service-connected condition they have. These Military Disability Benefits are the same for each veteran, no matter their rank or how long they served in the military. The only factors that can adjust the amount of money a veteran receives from ...
Is VA disability taxable?
All Military Disability Benefits from the VA are NOT taxable. It is important to submit a VA Disability Claim to receive Military Disability Benefits from the VA as soon after separation from the military as possible. As long as the initial application is received by the VA within 1 year from the veteran’s date of separation, ...
How to apply for VA education benefits?
The best way to apply for your education benefits is by going to www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. You can also apply for education benefits by doing any of the following options: By mail. Call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you.
What to do before leaving the military?
If you are a member of the armed forces serving on either active duty or full-time National Guard duty, you should apply through the VA Pre-discharge claim program before leaving service. Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits for service members and Veterans.
How to apply for VA benefits?
You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways: 1 Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state.#N#Find your PMC 2 Work with an accredited representative.#N#Get help filing your claim 3 Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.#N#Find a VA regional office near you
Where to apply for VA pension?
You can apply for pension benefits online at www.va.gov/pension. To submit a paper application Pension benefits, download and complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, "Application for Pension" and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state.
How long can you be on disability with VA?
If you've had your VA disability for more than five years, the VA has to prove that your illness or disease has gotten better and will stay better before reducing or terminating your rating. If you've had your disability for 10 years or more, the VA can very rarely terminate your benefits unless it proves that you've been fraudulent in your claim.
What to do if you disagree with the VA?
If you disagree with the VA's decision on your disability, you can file what is known as a "Notice of Disagreement" with the VA. This is also known as an appeal.
Can you get a disability increase from the VA?
Many types of medical conditions get worse over time. If you are getting disability benefits from the VA, you have the right to request that your rating be increased if your medical condition gets worse or causes your health to deteriorate. Before you file for an increase in your disability rating, make sure you know what you can expect from ...
Can the VA reduce my disability?
It can, however, reduce your benefits. If you've had your disability for 20 years, the VA won't reduce your rating below the lowest one you've received in those 20 years. The VA can also reduce or terminate your compensation if you miss a scheduled disability rating medical exam.
Can a disability cause knee pain?
There may come a time that your disability begins to worsen. You may have more pain, have new symptoms, or find that your existing disability causes other issues. For example, your service-connected back injury leads you to favor one leg over the other, causing knee pain.
What conditions qualify for TDRL?
Generally conditions like migraines, asthma, back and neck conditions, nerve damage, and mental disorders would qualify you for the TDRL. Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL) If you are put on the TDRL you will get retirement benefits including a monthly stipend plus medical coverage for you and your dependents until medical conditions can ...
What is a PEB in medical terms?
If a doctor examines you and thinks you may have a qualifying disability, they will refer you to the Medical Examination Board (MEB) or the Physical Examination Board (PEB). (MEB and PEB are the same thing, the names change based on which branch of the service you are in.)
How long can you stay on the TDRL?
You can't stay on the TDRL for more than 5 years, however the board can make a decision on your condition after any 18 month examination. Once the board makes a final decision they will rate your disability based on the same rating factors the VA uses to rate disabilities.
How much disability do you have to have to retire from the military?
To qualify for disability retirement, you must be determined to be unfit for military service and have a disability rated at least 30% by the military.
How long do you have to be on the PDRL?
If you have over 20 years of service and ANY percentage of permanent disability you will be placed on the PDRL. If your disability is rated less than 30% and you have less than 20 years service you will be separated with severance pay. You may also be found physically fit and ordered to return to active duty.
When is a TDRL exam required?
If you are placed on the TDRL for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), then an additional exam is required at the 6 month point. The examinations will include a complete physical examination, not just a review of the condition causing the placement on TDRL.
Is military disability different from VA disability?
Military disability retirement is different than VA disability because you get it from DOD, not VA, and VA disability is based solely on an injury or medical condition - NOT the ability to perform your military duty. To qualify for disability retirement, you must be determined to be unfit for military service and have a disability rated ...
What is considered a high value disability?
Somatic symptom disorder. Military sexual trauma. Disabling mental health conditions are generally regarded as “high-value” claims. This is because mental health issues are much more likely than neurological, skin, auditory, or most musculoskeletal conditions to receive a disability rating of 30% or higher.
What is ringing in the ear?
Tinnitus is better known as a “ringing in the ear” syndrome. Many veterans are familiar with it from firing weapons without hearing protection or being near explosions: It’s routine to experience a high-pitched ringing in the ear for a few seconds after being exposed to very loud noises.
What is a presumptive disorder?
A presumptive disorder is one that the VA presumes to be service-connected, even if there’s no specific evidence or chain of causation that they normally require to form a nexus with military service.
What are the most common newly awarded medical conditions?
According to a recent Veterans Administration report to Congress, the ten most common newly-awarded medical conditions that are getting approved for benefits are as follows: Tinnitus. Limitation of flexion (knee) Hearing loss. Lumbosacral or cervical strain (back and neck strains)
What are the most common musculoskeletal conditions?
Musculoskeletal conditions. These include strains, sprains, arthritis, reduced flexion, and reduced functionality in arms, legs, back, and neck. Most former infantry will not be surprised to learn that knee and ankle injuries were among the most commonly-approved claims.
How much is VA disability in 2021?
As of 2021, if a disabled veteran with a spouse and no children has a 100% VA disability rating, he or she would be entitled to a monthly disability compensation payment of $ 3,321.85.
What are the criteria for VA disability?
To win your VA disability compensation claim, you must demonstrate three things: medical evidence of recurring or persistent symptoms. If you don’t score on each of these criteria, you won’t get approved for VA disability benefits.
What documents do you need to file an appeal for VA disability?
Veterans applying for disability benefits will need to provide detailed documents, including medical and hospital records and supporting statements related to their disability. Applying for VA disability benefits can be confusing and complicated. If the VA denies your claim, you do have the right to file an appeal.
How long do you have to serve in the military to get a VA pension?
Typically, individuals must have served for a minimum of anywhere from 90 days to 24 months, depending on the timing of their service. For example, individuals enlisted in or before 1980 will need to serve for at least 90 days during wartime. After 1980, enlisted individuals would need to serve 24 continuous months during wartime to qualify for this pension.
What is VA disability compensation?
VA disability compensation is just one of the benefits veterans can receive because of their time serving their country. If you qualify for disability compensation, you will receive monthly tax-free benefits. The VA rates injuries and ailments in terms of percentages.
What happens if the VA denies your claim?
If the VA denies your claim, you do have the right to file an appeal. Some denials are improper or incorrect, while other times, you may not have provided enough or the correct information to support your claim. A behind-the-scenes look at who works for you at Woods and Woods, The Veteran’s Firm.
What is the VA's education benefit?
Education Benefits. The VA provides certain educational funding and training for National Guard and reserve members. Whether you are applying for an undergraduate program, graduate degree, technical training, vocational training, certification tests, or licensing, you might benefit from VA education funding.
What is the military technician service?
Technician Service Benefits Eligibility. Military technicians perform jobs for the army or the Air Force. To qualify as a military technician, you must also be a member of the National Guard or reserves. These individuals have similar training schedules as other members of the reserves and the National Guard.
How many days of training does the National Guard have?
Members of the National Guard attend training on the weekend each month and another 15 days of full-time training each year.
