Service Connected VA Disability Benefits

By Samantha Volz

According to the 2008 United States Census, there are approximately 5.5 million disabled veterans living in the United States. Each of these disabled veterans has a right to benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Based on disability rating (a percentage that represents how much functionality the veteran has lost as a result of his or her disability), those benefits can vary from person to person.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) defines disability compensation as a monetary benefit that is paid to veterans who are disabled from an injury or illness that was caused or worsened by active military service. Only veterans who incurred these service-connected disabilities qualify for disability compensation.

Veterans receive their money for disability compensation monthly, and the amount they receive depends on their disability rating (the higher the percentage, the more money) and the number of dependents they have (including spouse and children). Benefit money is not subjected to federal or state income taxes.

The VA also provides disability compensation for any veteran who develops Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also called ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease, at any time after their separation from the military. Other illnesses, such as cancer from radiation or Agent Orange exposure, may also be covered by disability compensation.

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 20 percent with an employment handicap, or those with a 10 percent rating and a serious employment handicap, may be eligible to participate in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (VR&E).

This program is designed to help veterans with disabilities that can affect their employment to find and keep suitable jobs. The program provides rehabilitation services, which are paid for by the VA. Services including training for reemployment with a previous employer, help developing self-employment endeavors and training or education for those who need substantial help in finding a suitable job.

In general, veterans have up to 12 years from the date that the VA verifies their service-connected disabilities to complete the VR&E program. Most of the training and education programs last up to 48 months of full-time service, but the time period can changed depending on the circumstances.

Veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for Specialty Adapted Housing (SAH) grants to build new homes or to modify their existing homes to compensate for their disabilities.

Like the other benefits, the amount of money allowed for these grants depends on the extent of the disability. Disabilities that qualify veterans for SAH assistance including loss or loss of use of both of their lower or upper extremities, blindness or loss of vision and severe burn injuries. Veterans who temporarily reside in a family member's home can also receive funds from the Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant.

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