Working for the armed forces can involve significant risk and sacrifice. Unfortunately, some veterans may become permanently ill or disabled while on active duty. When military veterans transition from service to civilian life, they often face many challenges and may have difficulty finding employment or the healthcare they need.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the 100% disabled veterans benefits program to provide additional support for disabled veterans with a service-related disability rating and individual unemployability of 100%. In addition, 100% disabled veterans benefits provide eligible veterans and their families financial support, access to free medical care, education assistance, and more.
To qualify for this benefit, veterans must have a 100% service-connected disability rating and individual unemployability. The VA has determined that active military service caused or aggravated your disability or disabilities. Additionally, specific requirements related to the length of service and other criteria must be met.
This blog post will provide an overview of the 100% disabled veterans benefits program, explain what benefits are available, and help you maximize your VA disability claim.
What Are the Benefits Available to Disabled Veterans?
The 100% disabled veterans benefits program provides veterans with financial, medical, and educational assistance. Depending on the veteran’s situation, they may be eligible for one or more of these benefits.
VA Disability Compensation
The VA disability compensation is a monthly tax-free financial benefit payable to veterans who sustained an illness or injury and to veterans with existing medical conditions that worsened while on active duty.
Disabled veterans may be eligible for VA disability benefits if they have experienced physical conditions, such as injuries, chronic illnesses, or mental conditions, including anxiety and PTSD. Whether these conditions developed before, during, or after military service, they may still be eligible for VA disability compensation depending on their disability rating and individual unemployability.
To be eligible for VA disability benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have a current illness or injury that affects your body or mind
- You must have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
Additionally, at least one of the following must be true:
- In-service Disability Claim: You suffered an illness or injury while serving in the military
- Pre-service Disability Claim: You had an illness or injury before joining the military, which worsened during your military service
- Post-service Disability Claim: You developed an illness or injury during active duty that didn’t appear until after the end of your service
VA Medical Benefits
VA medical benefits provide veterans with access to necessary medical care services for the following:
- Treatment of illnesses and injuries
- Prevention of future health issues
- Improvement of ability to function
- Enhancement of quality of life
All veterans receive most healthcare coverage, but only a few will be eligible for additional benefits such as dental care. Your covered benefits will depend on the following:
- Your priority group
- Your VA primary care provider’s recommendation
- The medical standards of the treatment of your health conditions
VA medical benefits also cover essential healthcare services, including:
- Health examinations
- Health education
- Immunization against infectious diseases
- Counseling on genetic diseases
- Surgeries
- Medical treatments
- Kidney dialysis
- Acute care or short-term treatment after surgery or for serious illnesses or injuries
- Specialized care, including organ transplants, intensive care for physical and mental conditions, and care for traumatic injuries
- Urgent care at specific VA health facilities
- Urgent care for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses that need immediate attention
- Mental health services for PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), depression disorder, and substance abuse problems
- Assisted living and home health care
- Prescriptions written or approved by a VA doctor
- Diagnostic tests, including X-rays, ultrasounds, and blood work
- Therapy and rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, vision rehabilitation, and therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Additional healthcare services, including prosthetics, hearing care, and cancer care
VA Home Loan Benefits
VA housing assistance helps veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses buy a house or refinance a loan. In addition, other benefits and services are available to help them build, improve, or keep their current homes.
The VA offers various home loan programs, including:
- VA Direct Home Loan Work: For this program, the VA serves as the lender and helps veterans with the application and management of their loans. This includes the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program, which provides direct loans to eligible Native American veterans and veterans married to Native Americans.
- VA-backed Home Loan Work: This program involves a private lender such as a bank, credit union, or mortgage company, and the VA guarantees a portion of the loan. It includes purchase loans, interest rate reduction refinance loans (IRRRL), and cash-out refinance loans.
VA Education Benefits
The VA offers various educational benefits for veterans, service members, and their eligible family members. These programs are designed to help veterans and their families pursue degrees, certificates, or other forms of learning that will help them find employment or advance in their careers.
VA education benefits include:
- Montgomery GI Bill: This program pays tuition, fees, and other college or vocational school expenses. It is available for veterans who served for at least two years in active duty (Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty program) or members of the Selected Reserve (Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve program).
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: This program covers educational expenses for veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001.
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program: This program provides training and employment services to help veterans transition from military service.
- Educational and Career Counseling: This program provides counseling to help veterans make informed decisions about academic and career paths.
VA Pension Benefits
VA pension benefits are available to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who meet particular disability and age requirements, as well as income and net worth limitations. These benefits can provide monthly payments that help cover living costs for those who served during an eligible wartime period. This includes the VA Veterans Pension and the VA Survivors Pension.
VA Burial Allowance
The VA offers burial benefits for eligible veterans, service members, and their families. These benefits can help cover the costs of preparing for burial or memorial services in a veteran’s cemetery. This also allows family members to order memorial items to honor the veteran’s service.
How Can a Veteran Apply for Disability Benefits?
Before applying for VA benefits, it’s essential to understand the different types of disabilities and the eligibility requirements that you must meet. To apply, veterans must complete an application and submit evidence of their service-connected disability. This can include medical records, military service records, or statements from doctors or other witnesses.
There are several ways to apply for VA benefits, including:
- Online: Veterans can complete the application process online
- In-person: Veterans may submit their applications at a local VA Regional Office
- By phone: Veterans may speak with a VA representative and apply by phone
- By mail: Applications and supporting documents can be sent to the nearest VA Regional Office for application
Veterans must take note of the specific requirements of each program, including:
- VA Disability Compensation: Veterans need to submit evidence of their service-connected disability, such as medical records and military service records
- VA Medical Benefits: Veterans must submit evidence of their medical condition, Social Security number, insurance card, and income information
- VA Home Loan Benefits: Veterans must accomplish their VA certificate of eligibility to apply for a VA direct or VA-backed home loan
- VA Education Benefits: Veterans must submit supporting documents about their education and military history and information about the school or institution they want to attend
- VA Pension Benefits: Veterans must submit documentation of their military history, Social Security number, financial information, work history, and medical information
- VA Burial Allowance: The surviving spouse or family member of the veteran must submit the veteran’s death certificate, military discharge papers, and proof of their relationship to the veteran
What Are the Criteria for a Veteran To Be Considered Disabled?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a veteran must meet the following criteria to be classified as legally disabled:
- Debilitating impairment: A war veteran must sustain a physical or mental disability that hinders a significant portion or function of their life
- Record of impairment: The veteran must be able to prove the existence of their disability via medical records or other formal documentation
- “Regarded as” having a disability: A veteran can be considered disabled even if they do not meet the criteria for a debilitating impairment, as long as they are “regarded as” having a disability
Different agencies or associations may have criteria for classifying a veteran as disabled, so it’s essential to understand the requirements of each organization.
What Is the Difference Between VA Disability and VA Pension Benefits?
Many veterans mistakenly interchange VA disability benefits and VA pension benefits. Although both aim to support veterans to live a comfortable life post-duty, they differ in function and eligibility.
VA disability benefits are based on a service-connected disability and require veterans to meet specific income limitations. A veteran’s disability score is related to the severity and permanence of their disability.
Conversely, VA pension benefits are available for wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who meet specific age requirements and income and net worth limits. VA pension benefits are also for veterans with disabilities unrelated to their military service.
How Does the VA Calculate a Disabled Veteran's Monthly Compensation?
The VA bases your disability compensation on the severity of your disability. The agency uses a disability rating system to assign a particular percentage to your condition. The VA will base your VA disability rates on the evidence you present to prove your disability, which includes:
- Doctor’s report or medical recommendations
- The result of your VA compensation exam
- Other helpful information confirming your disability
The more formal documentation you can provide to support your claim, the higher your disability rating and individual unemployability may be. Further, the VA might give you additional support if you suffer from multiple disabilities.
The VA might also adjust your cost of living to protect your purchasing power from inflation. This is called the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and could change annually. Beginning in 2023, veterans with VA benefits will receive a record pay increase in VA benefits, with an 8.7% increase in their monthly payments.
Can a Disabled Veteran Receive Both VA Disability and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits?
Yes! You can claim both VA Disability and Social Security Disability Benefits, and many disabled veterans do this. However, just because you qualify for one benefit doesn’t mean you automatically qualify for the other.
The claiming process for these benefits differs, and you must undergo separate assessments to determine if you qualify. Both also don’t offer the same amount of compensation as they use different criteria to determine the amount of money you’ll receive.
The SSDI Benefits don’t adjust your compensation based on the severity of your disability, unlike VA Disability Benefits; you’re either disabled or not. Instead, SSDI Benefits base your compensation on your average lifetime salary.
Are There Any Tax Benefits for Disabled Veterans?
Certainly, disabled veterans have special tax breaks that can help ease their tax burden. However, the rules to tax exemption apply differently in every state, so confirming with your state’s veteran services is best.
For example, a disabled veteran living in Texas with a 100% disability rating can enjoy a 100% exemption from all property taxes. On the other hand, disabled veterans from California can receive either a $100,000 or $150,000 exemption, depending on their annual household income.
Moreover, legally disabled veterans are also eligible for non-veteran benefits such as Disability insurance payments and the federal’s initiative Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled.
What Type of Education and Training Benefits Are Available for Disabled Veterans?
Other than tax and monetary benefits, disabled veterans are also eligible to recover benefits for their education and training. Depending on your disability rating, the VA may provide you with funds to cover tuition fees and other costs related to your studies or training programs.
Here are some of the education and training benefits that disabled veterans may qualify for the following.
Voca
ional Rehabilitation and Employment
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment is also known as the Veteran Readiness and Employment, which is an initiative to help disabled veterans with job training, education, and other services.
The program is open for any service-connected, eligible veteran who suffered service-related disabilities. The mission of this program is to help them transition to civilian life easier by providing them with the necessary skill sets to secure a regular and sustainable job.
This program also offers a self-employment track to help disabled veterans start their businesses and provide them with the necessary resources to make them successful.
Special Restorative Training
Special Restorative training is the VA’s effort to help mentally and physically disabled veterans lessen the burden of their disabilities and improve their lives. This program offers specialized services such as:
- Correction of speech, language, and hearing deficits
- Re-education of essential motor functions
- Braille reading and writing
- Personal and social reorientation training
- Lip-reading
- Ambulation training
- Other specialized education to make the lives of disabled veterans more accessible and comfortable
A licensed counseling psychologist will assess your disability and determine the best training to suit your needs.
Disabled Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness
Veterans with a total and permanent disability are eligible for complete student loan forgiveness. Plus, if you’re approved, you will be refunded for all the payments you made from the date of your injury. The application for student loan forgiveness is online by visiting Nelnet’s official website.
It’s critical to keep in mind that when you claim a complete student loan forgiveness, there’s a three-year monitoring period. During this period, the VA will periodically review your disability and income status to ensure you still qualify for the program. Moreover, if you take out another educational loan during this period, it won’t be eligible for forgiveness.
What Is the VA’s Home Loan Program for Disabled Veterans?
A disabled veteran can claim a housing grant through the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Program. This program helps veterans with a service-connected disability build or modify their homes according to their unique needs.
Currently, the VA provides SAH grants of up to $101,754 to veterans who are severely disabled, and the grants can be used for renovations such as:
- Construction of ramps
- Installation of automated doors
- Widening doorways
- Lowering countertops
- Installation of wheelchair-accessible bathrooms
On the other hand, the SHA grant provides up to $20,387 on top of the SAH grant for veterans with permanent disabilities. This grant can be used to make further and custom modifications to help veterans move freely inside their homes. However, you need to obtain a valid VA certificate of eligibility to claim these housing benefits.
What Is the VA’s Life Insurance Program for Disabled Veterans?
Disabled veterans who sustained debilitating injuries before December 31, 2022, are enrolled in the Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) Program, a VA life insurance specific for disabled veterans. This insurance coverage provides an affordable solution for disabled veterans and their families in the event of death or disability.
However, the S-DVI phased out at the end of 2022 and was replaced by Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife). With VALife, disabled veterans who are 80 years old and younger can obtain coverage even if their disability rating is 0%.
The VALife provides up to $40,000 of whole life insurance coverage. This policy also has a cash value component that increases in value within two years of the VA approves your application.
Are There Any Benefits for the Dependents of Disabled Veterans?
The VA recognizes the unique needs of veterans’ dependents and provides them with financial assistance. Below are some of the most common benefits for disabled veterans’ dependents.
TRICARE
TRICARE is an insurance provider for veterans and their family members. TRICARE aims to help veterans keep their families healthy by providing comprehensive medical coverage.
If you sustained a service-related injury that leaves you 30% or more disabled, your dependents are eligible for TRICARE’s Temporary Disabled Retirement List (TDRL). After five years, TRICARE can transition your benefit to Permanent Disability Retirement List (PDRL) if your condition remains unchanged or worsens.
The CHAMPVA
Other than TRICARE, dependents of disabled veterans can also claim benefits from The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Unlike TRICARE, which the Department of Defense sponsors, CHAMPCARE is an initiative of the VA.
This life insurance program helps disabled veterans and their dependents by sharing the cost of certain healthcare services and supplies. It covers long-term care expenses such as home health, private nursing, mental health services, prescriptions, and durable medical equipment.
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) provides educational benefits to the dependents of disabled, deceased, or missing veterans. This program allows dependents of eligible veterans to receive various educational and on-the-job opportunities, such as:
- Undergraduate or graduate programs
- Career training and certifications
- Apprenticeships or on-the-job training
- Career path counseling
However, it’s important to note that once you use this benefit, you can only utilize it for up to 45 months.
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) applies to disabled veterans with over 70% disability rating and individual unemployability who need around-the-clock care. Eligible veterans can appoint one primary caregiver and up to two secondary caregivers.
The primary caregiver will receive the following benefits:
- A monthly financial assistance
- Access to CHAMPVA if the primary caregiver doesn’t have insurance
- Mental health counseling
- Travel benefits when traveling with the disabled veteran
- Up to 30 days of respite or short-term breaks from caring for the disabled veteran
Secondary caregivers can also enjoy some benefits from this program, such as:
- Mental health counseling
- Travel benefits when traveling with the disabled veteran and the primary caregiver
What Is the VA’s Burial and Memorial Benefits Program for Disabled Veterans?
The VA provides burial and memorial benefits for veterans who died during active duty, those who survived the battlefield but eventually died, and those who died due to a service-related disability.
The VA will provide $2,000 for funeral and burial expenses if the veteran was killed during active duty. If the veteran died of natural causes or because of a disability and was sent to the hospital, the VA will provide $796 for burial and funeral benefits.
On the other hand, if the disabled veteran wasn’t hospitalized at the time of death, the VA will provide $300 for funeral and burial expenses. On top of that, the VA will also provide a $796 plot-interment allowance if the veteran was not buried in a national cemetery.
What Is the VA’s State Veterans Affairs Benefits Program?
State Veterans Affairs benefit programs provide different types of services for disabled veterans. The VA will approve and fund these initiatives, but the individual state can decide what services they offer. Each state’s program is unique, so it’s best to check your local veterans’ office.
Some of the most common services offered by state Veterans Affairs benefits programs are:
- Housing assistance, such as loans and grants
- Employment counseling and job placement services
- Educational opportunities for veterans and their families
- Mental health services for veterans
- Counseling on veteran benefits and entitlements
Final Thoughts
Serving the country is no easy feat; it takes its toll on veterans. Because of the life-threatening nature of their jobs, veterans often return home bearing lifelong scars and disabilities that prevent them from enjoying the same life they once lived.
The VA understands the hardship disabled veterans face, which is why they have numerous programs to help these brave soldiers transition back to civilian life. Whether it be financial assistance, educational opportunities, or mental health services, these programs are designed to support those who have served our country with honor.
We owe it to them to ensure they receive all the necessary resources and care they deserve. With this in mind, we must continue advocating on behalf of our nation’s heroes and ensuring their needs are met both now and in the future.
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