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The VA disability compensation provides monthly benefits to Veterans in recognition of the effects of disabilities, diseases, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service. The program therefore provides monthly payments to surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents in recognition of the economic loss caused by a Veteran's death during military service or, after discharge from military service, as a result of a service-connected disability.
Disability Compensation
This is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or intensified during active military service. The benefit amount is determined according to the degree of the Veteran's disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent). The compensation allotted may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities deemed to be related to circumstances of military service. This is also true even if the conditions or disabilities arose after service. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also curated to compensate for considerable loss of working time from illnesses.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
The DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit usually payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Service-members who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or to the survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. The parents DIC is an income-based benefit for parents who were financially dependent on a Servicemember or Veteran who died from a service-related cause.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
The SMC is an additional tax-free benefit that may be paid to Veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses and parents. For Veterans, the Special Monthly Compensation is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances. The circumstances include the need of aid and attendance by another person or due to specific disability, for example, the loss of use of one hand or leg. For spouses and surviving spouses, this benefit is commonly referred to as aid and attendance and is paid based on the need of aid and attendance.
Claims Based on Special Circumstances
Other disability compensation benefits are present for Veterans who may be eligible. Once a disability has been determined to be service connected, a claim may be filed for special circumstances. Special VA disability compensation programs include: dental care, individual unemployability, automobile allowance, clothing allowance, pre-stabilization (temporary disability), hospitalization, convalescence, and birth defects.
It is useful to note and understand the different VA Disability Compensation Claims to ensure you are able to pursue securing monthly benefits for your service connected disability.
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