Dealing with disabilities, diseases, or injuries incurred during military service can be rough. VA disability compensation is here to help vets get their lives back on track. This program pays monthly benefits for disabling conditions, acknowledging the sacrifices you make in your daily life because of your service-related condition.
Support is available for surviving spouses, dependent children, and parents who experience a loss of income because of a veteran’s death in the family. Let’s break down what’s available.
Understanding VA Disability Compensation
VA Disability Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid monthly to veterans for disabilities incurred or aggravated by diseases or injuries incurred during active duty. The amount of money vets get depends on how severe their disability is (rated from 10% to 100%).
You’re entitled to compensation for secondary disabilities related to service-connected injuries or illness, even if they manifest after leaving the military. The severity rating reflects the expected time off work you’ll need to take due to a flare-up or deterioration in your condition.
For example, if you hurt your knee while serving in the army and you have problems with it now, you could qualify for compensation. The rating scale decides how much compensation you receive. So, a person with a 10% rating for a knee injury will receive less compensation than a 50% rating.
The rating system is designed to qualify your condition based on your sense of impairment and how it affects your daily personal and professional life.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free benefit for surviving spouses, kids, or parents of service members who died on active duty or from service-connected disabilities. If you’re a parent dependent upon a member for financial support and they died during their time in the service, you may be eligible for Parents DIC based on your income.
If a veteran’s spouse is left behind and that veteran’s death was linked to their time in the service, the surviving spouse receives the money to help them fill the unexpected financial gap. Dependent children, and dependent parents living off the income provided by the deceased veteran, won’t have to experience financial suffering alongside the pain of losing their father or mother.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
SMC is another tax-free benefit paid to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. This compensation is paid to veterans if they have special circumstances, such as needing specialized medical help due to specific disabilities like the loss of a hand or leg.
A veteran may have lost a limb during service and currently requires aid with carrying out their daily activities. They can use the SMC compensation to offset the financial costs of the care and support they need.
Conversely, if a surviving spouse is struggling to take care of themselves following their partner’s death, they could qualify for aid and benefits to help them manage day-to-day tasks.
Claims Based on Special Circumstances
There are other types of compensation, such as unemployment benefits, automobile and clothing allowances, to mention a few. Once you’ve received a service connection for your disability, you’re eligible for these special benefits programs.
For example, if a veteran’s disability means he can’t work, they may qualify for individual unemployability benefits. In this case, the veteran receives compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if the vets rating is not 100%.
The program also provides for specially adapted housing and vehicles, necessary for overcoming disability limitations. There’s even a clothing allowance for someone whose service-connected disability makes it necessary to wear certain types of clothing, such as compression socks.
Different Types of VA Disability Claims
Original VA Disability Claims – This is the first claim you’ve filed. You can file within 180 days of active duty or at any time after discharge if you develop a service-connected disability.
Increased VA Disability Claims – If your service-connected disability worsens, you’re entitled to file for an increase to your claim. You’ll need to show recent medical evidence.
New Claims for VA Disability’s – An application to receive additional benefits or add to an already awarded benefit.
Secondary Service-Related VA Disability Claims – These are consequential claims for new disabilities that can be attributively linked to prevailing service-related conditions. For example, you develop a heart condition from a high blood pressure condition related to your service.
Supplemental VA Disability Claims – If your claim was denied and you chose not to appeal, then it’s possible to file a supplemental claim accompanied by new evidence.
Getting Help with Your VA Disability Claim
The VA disability claim filing process is complex. The VA’s approval rating is around 35% the first time you apply, and many claims receive low ratings. You deserve better. Need help with a claim or want to appeal? Call the experts at Stonerose Law. We’re Legal Eagles that help disabled veterans get the benefits they deserve. Call us today for your free case review.