A person who has served in the United States Armed Forces may be entitled to receive compensation from the Veterans’ Administration for service-connected disabilities that occurred or were aggravated during a period of military service. A veteran may also be entitled to receive a non-service connected pension. In addition, a veteran may be entitled to receive health care services from the Veterans Health Administration, a branch of the Veterans’ Administration.
The latter department is separate from the Veterans’ Benefits Administration. It is important to remember that a person is not automatically entitled to medical care because he or she is a veteran. The Veterans’ Health Administration’s medical care is primarily related to medical care for health problems that occurred as a result of military service.
A veteran must not have been dishonorably discharged in order to receive benefits. Veterans’ compensation is based on an impairment of earning capability that is related to a service-connected disability. It is important to remember that the disability does not have to be related to combat.
You may not realize it but the VA compensation and pension benefits cost of living allowance (COLA) is paid based on the Social Security Administration (SSA) COLA. The 2019 Veterans’ Administration compensation rate for a veteran who is not married with a 10 percent disability rating is $140.05 per month. The Veterans Administration compensation rate for a veteran who is not married with a 100 percent disability rating is $3,057.13 per month.
A veteran may be eligible for an increased or a special monthly compensation that may be greater than these amounts if the veteran is in need of aid and attendance of another to care for him or her. The Veterans Administration may re-evaluate a service-connected condition. If the extent of the disability has increased or decreased, the percentage of disability may be changed, and a higher or lower compensation will be received.
We know this article may raise more questions than it answers for you. As we think about Veterans’ Day this month we want you to know that we are here as your local attorney resource available to answer them.