Monetary benefits, called disability compensation, are paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. The service of the veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions that were other than dishonorable. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of dependents, and is paid monthly. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax. The payment of military retirement pay, disability severance pay and separation incentive payments known as SSB and VSI (Special Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives) also affects the amount of VA compensation paid.
Receiving Benefit Payments
VA offers three methods for receiving benefit payments. More than 75 percent of veterans and beneficiaries receive their payments by direct deposit through an electronic fund transfer to their bank, savings and loan or credit union accounts. In some areas, benefit recipients who do not have an account at a financial institution may open a federally insured Electronic Transfer Account, which costs about $3 a month, provides a monthly statement and allows cash withdrawals. Recipients may also choose to receive benefits by check.
Prisoners of War
Former prisoners of war who were incarcerated for at least 30 days are presumed to be eligible for disability compensation if they become at least 10 percent disabled from diseases associated with POWs. These presumptive diseases are avitaminosis, beriberi heart disease and ischemic heart disease, chronic dysentery, helminthiasis, malnutrition including optic atrophy, pellagra and other nutritional deficiencies, psychosis, anxiety states and dysthymic disorder or depressive neurosis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, peripheral neuropathy and residuals of cold injury to include arthritis, neuropathy and skin cancer at the site of the cold injury.
Agent Orange and Other Herbicides
Nine diseases are presumed by VA to be service-related for compensation purposes for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides. The diseases presumed are chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, soft-tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer and acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy. Military personnel who served in Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 5, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.
Veterans Exposed to Radiation
Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation while on active duty may be eligible for disability compensation if they have disabilities related to that exposure. To determine service-connection, factors considered include amount of radiation exposure, duration of exposure and elapsed time between exposure and onset of the disease. Conditions presumed to be service connected are all forms of leukemia except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia; cancer of the thyroid, breast, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary tract, bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, multiple myeloma, primary liver cancer and lymphomas other than Hodgkin’s disease.
Gulf War Veterans
Gulf War veterans who suffer from chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses may receive disability compensation. The undiagnosed illnesses must have appeared either during active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Gulf War or at any time since then through Dec. 31, 2001. The following symptoms may be manifestations of an undiagnosed illness: fatigue, skin disorders, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, neurologic symptoms, neuropsychological symptoms, symptoms involving the respiratory system, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, abnormal weight loss and menstrual disorders. A disability is considered chronic if it has existed for at least six months.
Allowances for Dependents
Veterans whose service-connected disabilities are rated at 30 percent or more are entitled to additional allowances for dependents. The additional amount is determined according to the number of dependents and the degree of disability. A disabled veteran evaluated 30 percent or more also is entitled to receive a special allowance for a spouse who is in need of the aid and attendance of another person.
Incarcerated Veterans
VA benefits are restricted if a veteran, surviving spouse, child or dependent parent is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days. The disability compensation paid to a veteran incarcerated is limited to the 10 percent disability rate. For a surviving spouse, child, dependent parent or veteran whose disability rating is 10 percent, the payment is at the 5 percent rate. Any amounts not paid may be apportioned to eligible dependents. Payments are not reduced when the recipient is participating in a work-release program, residing in a halfway house or under community control. Overpayments for failure to notify VA of a veteran’s incarceration result in the loss of all financial benefits until the overpayment is recovered.
Other Disability Benefits
Specially Adapted Homes
Disabled veterans may be entitled to a grant from VA for a home specially adapted to their needs or for adaptations to a house.
For a $43,000 Grant. VA may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying or remodeling adapted homes or paying indebtedness on those homes already acquired, up to a maximum of $43,000. Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to:
1. loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair, or
2. disability that includes (a) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus (b) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity, or
3. loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (a) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without using braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair.
For a $8,250 Grant. VA may approve a grant for the actual cost, up to a maximum of $8,250, for adaptations to a veteran’s residence that are determined by VA to be reasonably necessary. The grant also may be used to assist veterans in acquiring a residence that already has been adapted with special features for the veteran’s disability. Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to (1) blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or (2) anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.
Supplemental Financing. Veterans with available loan guaranty entitlement may also obtain a guaranteed loan or a direct loan from VA to supplement the grant to acquire a specially adapted home.
Automobile Assistance
Veterans and servicemembers qualify for this benefit if they have service-connected loss of one or both hands or feet, or permanent loss of use, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes. Veterans entitled to compensation for ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees, or one or both hips, also qualify for adaptive equipment for an automobile. There is a onetime payment by VA of not more than $8,000 toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance. VA will pay for adaptive equipment, and for repair, replacement, or reinstallation required because of disability, and for the safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance. To apply, contact a VA regional office or a VA medical center.
Clothing Allowance
Any veteran who is entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability for which he or she uses prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may receive an annual clothing allowance. The allowance also is available to any veteran whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed medication that damages the veteran’s outer garments. To apply, contact a VA regional office.
For more information, contact:
Carteret County Veterans Services Officer
613 Cedar Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
Tel: 1-252-728-8440
FAX: 1-252-728-8582
Internet: ccvso@coastalnet.com
