In order to be eligible for VA Disability Benefits, Veterans must have a VA Disability Rating. The higher their disability rating, the more benefits Veterans are eligible to receive. Veterans who qualify for VA disability benefits may suffer from physical conditions, such as chronic illness or service-connected injuries. They may also deal with mental health conditions, such as PTSD. Below, you will find some of the most common VA Disability Benefits. The first step in obtaining benefits is filing a VA Disability Claim.
Disability Compensation
The VA issues disability compensation, a tax-free monthly payment, to Veterans who have a disability rating of 10% or more. If a Veteran has dependent children, dependent parents, or a spouse, the monthly compensation increases. A chart with the latest pay rates is listed below. For more information, check out our post about 2022 Pay Rates.
2022 VA Disability Compensation Pay Rates Chart
| Combined VA Disability Rating | 2021 VA Disability Rates | 2022 VA Disability Rates |
| 10% | $144.14 | $152.64 |
| 20% | $284.93 | $301.74 |
| 30% | $441.35 | $467.39 |
| 40% | $635.77 | $673.28 |
| 50% | $905.04 | $958.44 |
| 60% | $1,146.39 | $1,214.03 |
| 70% | $1,444.71 | $1,529.95 |
| 80% | $1,679.35 | $1,778.43 |
| 90% | $1,887.18 | $1,998.52 |
| 100% | $3,146.42 | $3,332.06 |
Veterans with a 30% rating or higher can receive payments for eligible dependents.
Benefits By State Residency
Depending on which state the Veteran is a permanent resident, they may be eligible for unique benefits afforded only in that state. For a complete list of state benefits, click here.
Education and Training Benefits
The VA will offer education benefits to Veterans, service members, and their qualified family members. This benefit can help with needs like paying for college tuition, finding the right school or training program, and counseling for a career after service. You can apply for and manage the education and training benefits you have earned over your course of military service.
If you have an interest in getting help for college, graduate school, and/or other training programs, the GI Bill will help. Since 1944, the GI Bill has been helping Veterans and their families get money to cover some or all of their education costs. You can also apply for this through the VA.
Applying for and obtaining, pending approval, Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, your GI Bill Statement of Benefits will show you the number of benefits you’ve used and how much you have left to use. As a Veteran, you can view your GI Bill Statement of Benefits and determine when and where you want to obtain an education.
There is also the GI Bill Comparison Tool, which Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) can use to help you explore options and find out what benefits you can get. You can find your local VSO within your residential county. Don’t miss out on an education as it is significant to a serviceman’s transition.
Lifetime Benefits
Families of fallen Veterans are entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of servicemembers who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training can receive a monetary tax-free benefit. DIC for parents is an income-based benefit. Learn More
There is also the Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), which is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to Veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. For Veterans, SMC is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances. Veterans in need of specific aid, which includes attendance by another person, and who have disabilities such as loss of use of a hand or a leg are eligible for this benefit. A spouse’s, or surviving spouse’s benefit is based upon living conditions. To calculate your potential monthly payments on SMC, click here.
Other benefits the VA provides are additional housing and insurance benefits to Veterans with disabilities, including Adapted Housing grants, Service-Disable Veterans’ Insurance, and Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance. Each one of these benefits can provide the stability a Veteran’s family needs. This can be pivotal for any family suffering from a lack of support.
Healthcare Benefits
A service member of the Army, Navy, or Air Force (including Reserves and National Guard members) may qualify for VA healthcare benefits. There are many requirements to ensure you can receive the free health care under the VA. If you fall under this category and do not receive free VA health care, take the opportunity to file today.
For basic eligibility, a service member has to be discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. This can be provided through your DD form 214. So long as it says honorable, any Veteran can apply for VA benefits.
Next is a minimum duty requirement. Veterans who enlisted after September 7th, 1980, or who entered active duty after October 16th, 1981, must serve 24-continuous months. Or, they serve the full period for which their active duty call in order to be eligible. Any Veteran discharged for hardship or early out may not apply. You must meet all requirements and be able to prove this via paperwork acquired over your years of service.
Most Veterans not receiving VA disability compensation or pension payments must provide a financial assessment. The VA will use this to determine their eligibility for free medical care, medications and/or travel benefits, along with the Veteran’s enrollment priority group.
Veterans with private health insurance may choose to use these sources of coverage as a supplement to their VA benefits. They’re not responsible for paying any remaining balance of VA’s insurance claim not paid or covered by their health insurance.
How to Obtain the Benefits
Veterans can complete applications for enrollment in VA health care by phone, online, or in person. To apply by phone, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST. VA staff members will collect your information and begin the process for enrollment. When applying online at VA.gov, Veterans fill out the application and electronically submit it to VA for processing. The VA will search for your supporting documentation through its electronic information systems and will contact you if it is unable to verify your military service.
You can also download the application form here. Mail the completed form to Health Eligibility Center ATTN: Enrollment Eligibility Division 2957 Clairmont Road Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647. Finally, you can apply in person at any VA health care facility or VA regional office. Once enrolled, Veterans can receive health care at VA health care facilities anywhere in the United States.
