If you are a veteran who has been disabled due to military service, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We want to help you get the benefits you deserve.
We know that applying for and receiving these benefits can seem daunting, but this complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Many veterans are eligible for tons of benefits from the VA depending on the disability, provided it is service-connected, and they have appropriate documentation.
So whether you’re just starting to look into your options or are ready to apply for benefits, read on for everything you need to know about VA disability benefits.
- Who Qualifies for Service-Connected Benefits?
- Are VA Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities for Life?
- What Other VA Benefits Can I Get With a Service-Connected Disability?
- What Is the VA 5-year Rule?
- What Age Does VA Disability Stop?
- Disability Benefits by Percentage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About The Author
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Who Qualifies for Service-Connected Benefits?
Service-connected benefits are available to veterans whose service in the armed forces has caused them to incur disabilities that VA’s rating schedule can rate.
These benefits can include monthly monetary payments, free health care, and access to other services.
In addition, service-connected benefits can also be available for the veterans’ children.
Are VA Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities for Life?
Service-Connected benefits are based on the degree of your disability and are reviewed every five years.
If your disability decreases, so will your benefits. If your disability increases, your benefits could also increase.
You may also be asked to provide updated medical information to show that your condition has worsened or improved. These benefits can help you with medical care, education, training, and employment. They can also help you adapt your home or vehicle to accommodate your disability.
What Other VA Benefits Can I Get With a Service-Connected Disability?
Several other VA benefits may be available if you have a service-connected disability.
- You may qualify for education benefits, employment assistance, housing programs, and more.
- You can also get help with your medical expenses, including health care and prescription drugs.
- The VA can provide adaptive equipment and transportation services if you need mobility assistance.
- And if you need help caring for a dependent spouse or child, the VA offers several caregiver programs.
These are just a few benefits available if you have a service-connected disability. Visit the VA website or talk to your local VA representative to learn more about what benefits you may be eligible for.
What Is the VA 5-year Rule?
The VA 5-year rule means the VA can reevaluate your existing VA disability rating within 5 years of your initial examination, if and only if, your disability condition is expected to show material improvement over time.
However, the VA may still reevaluate your disability rating past the 5 year deadline if your condition has substantially improved, as shown by medical evidence.
What Age Does VA Disability Stop?
The VA provides disability benefits to veterans who cannot work due to a service-related injury or condition.
These benefits can be applied anytime after the veteran is discharged from service. However, the VA does not provide these benefits indefinitely.
There is no set age at which VA disability benefits stop, and it’s possible to receive VA disability compensation for life (though not guaranteed). The VA will consider the severity of the veteran’s condition and whether there has been any improvement over time when making its decision.
As a result, even though there is no specific age at which VA disability benefits stop, veterans need to stay in contact with the VA and update them on their condition regularly.
Disability Benefits by Percentage
VA Disability benefits are awarded to eligible veterans based on the degree of their disability.
The benefits are calculated as a percentage of the veteran’s overall disability rating, with 100% being the highest amount. Service-connected disability benefits can be paid for a disability caused or aggravated by military service or a service-connected disability.
The benefit amount is based on the veteran’s income and family size. VA Disability compensation is generally based on your overall disability rating. But certain situations can increase or decrease the amount of compensation (such as your number of dependents and if you receive military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation pay).
Apart from the compensation for service-connected disabilities, veterans may also be eligible to receive benefits according to their overall ratings.
You might find this article on VA disability benefits list by percentage helpful.
We hope this guide has been helpful. We’re VA insiders here to walk you through everything you need to know. Remember, if you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will VA Disability Benefits Increase in 2023?
Regarding the VA disability benefits 2022, recipients can expect their payments to increase in December 2023.
The Social Security Administration adjusts VA compensation rates yearly based on the Cost of Living Adjustment.
The final VA disability rates for 2023 will be officially released on October 13, 2022, based on the Bureau of Labor Stat Administration’s September 2022 inflation data.
The SSA’s 2023 COLA increase could be as high as 8.9%, resulting in a corresponding increase in VA disability rates. So if you’re a veteran receiving VA disability compensation, budget accordingly for your December 2023 payments.
Will VA Disability Ever Go Away?
VA disability benefits are intended to provide financial assistance to veterans who cannot work due to a service-related injury or illness. However, many beneficiaries worry that their benefits will eventually be discontinued.
The good news is that, in most cases, VA disability benefits are permanent. Once you have been approved for benefits, you will continue to receive them as long as your condition does not improve.
In rare cases, the VA may review a beneficiary’s case and determine that their condition has improved to the point where they can work again. If this happens, benefits will usually be discontinued.
However, the VA will usually allow beneficiaries to appeal their decision. As long as your service-connected disability persists without material improvement and negatively affects your work and social life, you should continue to be eligible for VA disability benefits.
What Benefits Do You Get With 60% VA Disability?
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 60% or higher from the VA are eligible for various benefits to make their lives easier.
One of the most important benefits is access to free health care. Veterans with a 60% disability rating are also entitled to a monthly compensation, which can help cover the cost of living.
In addition, they may also be eligible for vocational rehabilitation, education benefits, and home loan guarantees.
While the benefits vary depending on the individual veteran’s situation, a 60% disability rating provides significant financial and practical assistance that can make a big difference in daily life.
What Benefits Come With VA?
The VA offers a wide range of benefits to those who have served in the military.
These benefits include healthcare, disability compensation, education, and training opportunities.
VA benefits can help veterans to transition back into civilian life, access the resources they need to pursue their goals, and receive the care and support they deserve.
In addition, VA benefits are often available to family members of veterans as well. As such, VA benefits can play an important role in supporting the entire veteran community.
What Benefits Do I Get With 80% VA Disability?
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 80% or higher from the VA are eligible for a wide range of benefits.
These benefits include monthly compensation payments, free health care, vocational rehabilitation and employment services, and more.
While the benefits will vary depending on the severity of the disability, all veterans with an 80% or higher disability rating can be assured of receiving significant financial assistance from the VA.
About The Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is one of the top VA disability benefits experts in the world and bestselling author of You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits You’ve Earned (Second Edition).
Brian’s frustration with the VA claim process led him to create VA Claims Insider, which provides disabled veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned to win their VA disability compensation claim, faster, even if they’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start.
As the founder of VA Claims Insider and CEO of Military Disability Made Easy, he has helped serve more than 10 million military members and veterans since 2013 through free online educational resources.
He is a former active duty Air Force officer with extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).
