Compensation. The mission of the Disability Compensation program is to provide monthly payments to veterans in recognition of the effects of disabilities, diseases, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service, and to provide access to other VA benefits. The Compensation Program also provides monthly payments, as specified by law, to surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents in recognition of the economic loss caused by the veteran's death during active military service or, subsequent to discharge from military service, as a result of a service-connected disability.

Pension. The purpose of the pension program is to provide monthly payments, as specified by law, to needy wartime veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of disability not related to military service. The Pension Program also provides monthly payments, as specified by law, to needy surviving spouses and dependent children of deceased wartime veterans.

Spina Bifida Monthly Allowance under 38 U.S.C. 1805. The purpose of the monthly allowance under 38 U.S.C. 1805 is to provide monetary benefits for children born with spina bifida who are children of individuals who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Payment is made at one of three levels and is based on the degree of disability suffered by the child.