VA Disability Compensation

Eligibility requirements, how disabilities are rated and how to apply for VA disability compensation benefits.

An Overview of Benefits for Veterans with Disabilities

Discusses a wide range of special cash benefits, medical services, vocational, employment and other programs available for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who experience disabilities.
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2008 Wounded, Ill & Injured Compensation & Benefits Handbook

Handbook that helps Service Members who are wounded, ill or injured, as well as the family members who are taking care of them, navigate through the military and disability, evaluation, compensation and benefits programs that are designed to help them.
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ALS - A Presumptive Compensable Illness

Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, may receive support for themselves and their families after the VA announced that ALS will become a presumptively compensable illness for all Veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military.
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Air Force Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

Designed to restore a Veteran's military retirement pay that has been offset (reduced) by VA compensation when the Veteran's disabilities are combat-related. To apply for CRSC, you must first determine your eligibility. Then complete an application for CRSC, using DD Form 2860.

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Army Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) News: Chapter 61 Updates

Provides updates about CRSC eligibility. CRSC provides tax-free monthly payments to eligible retired Veterans with combat-related injuries.
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Coast Guard Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

Provides an update on payment of benefits involving CRSC. CRSC may be paid to Chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service. Chapter 61 retirees who feel they are eligible for this compensation should complete DD form 2860 and mail it to Coast Guard Personnel Command (Adm-1), 4200 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA 22203.

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Disability Compensation Benefits

Fact sheet on VA disability compensation, a benefit paid to a Veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service.
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Disability Compensation for Sexual or Personal Trauma

Fact sheet on VA compensation for disability from a sexual or personal trauma resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Federal Benefits for Veterans & Dependents

Information on VA health care, disability compensation, education and training, home loan guaranty, financial assistance, life insurance and more.
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Frequently Asked Questions About VA Benefits & Compensation

Provides answers to questions regarding VA compensation and pension benefits, including how long it takes to receive a decision on a claim, pension rates, surviving spouse's benefits and more.
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GovAmerica - Free Federal, Military & Family Guides

Provides comprehensive information on a variety of topics for Active Duty, Veterans and their families from employment issues such as pay, benefits and retirement to health care and personal family issues including finances, consumer issues and identity theft, and much more. Also offers a free newsletter for the federal and military communities and their families.

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Handbook for Injured Service Members & Their Families

Handbook published by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund that outlines benefits, rights and resources available to Service Members and their families to help with financial, medical, educational, employment, legal and other needs.

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House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Compensating Disabled Veterans

Committee reviews and provides information on Veterans' programs, examines current laws and reports bills and amendments to strengthen existing laws concerning Veterans and the VA.
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Increased Compensation Possible for Some Veterans

The VA has announced changes in the way it will evaluate traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and burn scars for purposes of determining the appropriate level of compensation veterans receive for these injuries.
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Minority Veterans Programs Coordinators (MVPC)

Works to increase local awareness of minority veteran related issues, and develop strategies for increasing their participation in existing VA benefit programs. MVPC's are located at Regional Offices, Health Care Facilities and National Cemeteries. View the slideshow about MVPCs.

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Navy Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

Provides information on the Navy CRSC, which allows certain career retirees to receive both retirement pay and payments for combat-related disabilities. Includes an application form, eligibility, and background information on the CRSC and the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments.
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New DoD Retired Benefits Programs

DoD has two programs designed to reduce the reduction in retired pay due to receipt of Veteran Administration compensation, for certain disabled retirees. Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay due to receipt of VA disability compensation for members whose combined disability rating is 50% or greater. Members retired under disability provisions must have 20 years of service. Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pays added benefits to retirees who receive VA disability compensation for combat-related disabilities and have 20 years of service.

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The American Veterans & Service Members Survival Guide

Provides invaluable information on how to navigate the bureaucracy of benefits and programs available to Active Duty military, National Guard, Reservists, Veterans and their family members. This free 599-page guide covers issues from educational help to vocational rehabilitation, from housing to citizenship.
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VA Benefits - Apply Online

Allows service members and Veterans to apply online for VA benefits, including Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, My HealtheVet, compensation and pension applications, education and health benefits and vocational rehabilitation and employment services.
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VA Benefits Delivery At Discharge (BDD) Program

Fact sheet explaining the BDD, a pre-discharge program that allows service members, not in the Disability Evaluation System, to submit a claim 60-180 days prior to discharge and receive an accelerated adjudication to start receiving VA disability compensation earlier than waiting until after discharge to submit a claim.

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VA Retroactive Payment for Deceased Veterans

Press release published in December 2008 announcing VA's actions to quickly identify and pay surviving spouses who are eligible to receive a one-time compensation or pension payment for the month of the Veteran's death. Surviving spouses should contact the Survivors Call Center at 1-800-749-8387.

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VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)

Schedule of ratings used by both the VA and the military in evaluating service-connected disabilities. For an explanation on how combined ratings are determined for numerous compensable conditions, see Section 4.25.
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VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits

Every month 730,000 veterans or survivors look for their compensation, pension checks or educational assistance payments in their mailboxes. Nearly all receive them, but theft and mail delays cause problems for some veterans, which can be prevented by direct deposits. You can sign up for direct deposit by calling VA toll-free at (800) 333-1795 or by enrolling online at www.GoDirect.org.

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VA's Ask a Question - IRIS

VA's Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS) provides answers to questions within five business days on subjects covering benefits and compensation, health care and medical eligibility, prosthetics and medical devices, women Veterans health care, minority Veterans policy and programs, home loan guaranty issues, vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits and consumer affairs.
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Veterans On Line Applications (VONAPP) Web Site

Allows Service Members and Veterans to apply for VA benefits online, including compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation and education.
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  • USA.gov: The U.S. government's official web portal.

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