VA Disability Compensation and Pension

DISABILITY COMPENSATION

If you live outside of Massachusetts, you may locate your local veterans' representative by clicking on this site:  http://www.va.gov/partners/stateoffice/stvatext.htm

Disability Compensation and Pension

I. Compensation Benefit Description

The VA compensation program provides you monthly benefits if you are disabled because of an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated during your military service and for certain conditions which may develop after your release from active duty. Benefits are authorized based upon the severity of your claimed disability(ies). If your service-connected disabilities are evaluated as 30 percent or more, you are entitled to additional allowances for your dependents.

Other Benefits/Payments May Affect Your VA Compensation

Military Retired Pay - By law, the payment of VA compensation benefits is affected by the receipt of military retired pay. If you receive military retirement, you may initiate a waiver of your retired pay to receive the full amount of VA compensation. Until the waiver takes effect, your compensation will be adjusted or withheld depending on the amount of military retired pay you are entitled to. The advantage of waiving military retired pay for VA compensation is that VA benefits are not taxable.

Disability Severance Pay - By law, payment of VA compensation and military disability severance pay for the same medical condition or disability is prohibited. VA compensation will be withheld on a monthly basis until the total amount of military severance pay has been recovered. Special Separation Benefit (SSB) - VA compensation will be withheld in full until the amount of the SSB has been recovered.

Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) - Your annual VSI payment will be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of VA compensation paid for the same period.

Selected Reserve and National Guard - By law, if you are an active member of the Selected Reserve or National Guard, your VA compensation will be withheld at the rate of one day of pay for each drill period served. Also, VA compensation is not payable while serving full-time on active duty.

II. Eligibility

You may be entitled to VA disability compensation for any medical condition or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by your military service if you were released from active military duty with an other than dishonorable discharge. There is no time limit to apply for VA disability compensation. However, you are encouraged to apply within one year of your release from active duty as entitlement is established retroactively to the date of separation if your claim is filed within this period. The effective date of eligibility for benefits will be based upon the date of your claim if you apply beyond the one-year period.

III. How to Apply - Burlington, Mass. Residents

(Note from Burlington Office of Veterans' Services:  We generally suggest that VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, be sent in first.  The VA always sends the veteran the 21-526 even if a completed one is sent with the Statement of Claim causing great confusion to the veteran, so we suggest sending it after the VA has notified the veteran that they are working on their claim.  The Burlington Office of Veterans' Services recommends that all veterans have a service organization represent them, i.e., Mass Office of Veterans' Services, V.F.W., D.A.V., V.V.A., etc.  

 

Note: If the following pdf sites do not open, register here for the Acrobat Reader software PDF format program.  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html)

 

Submit VA Form 21-4138 - Statement in Support of Claim

VA FORM 21-4138 - Statement in Support of Claim

Veteran completes Form 21-4138 by simply making a statement in connection with a claim for benefits and adds on that form that he/she would like to be evaluated by the VA.  After the VA receives the Statement of Claim, they will forward to the veteran Form 21-526.  (This form can be downloaded here and started.)  

VA FORM 21-526 - Veterans Application for Compensation or Pension

Instructions and form to complete for Compensation or Pension.  Read all the instructions.

 

VA FORM 21-22 Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative

This form gives a service organization permission to help the veteran or veteran's family member.  Copies of all correspondence sent to the veteran will be sent to an organization's mailing address.  

 

The following supporting evidence and/or documents should be submitted with your application:

Service Medical Records - Those applicants who have their service medical records are encouraged to submit them with their application to expedite processing. Otherwise, VA will contact the service department to obtain them.

Other Medical Records - Medical records to substantiate any and all treatment by private doctors and hospitals. Dependency Documents - Original or copies of birth and marriage certificates and copies of divorce/death record terminating all of your prior marriages and those of your spouse.

Military Discharge/DD Form 214 - (Copy 4 - Member Copy) Those applicants who have a copy of their DD-214 are encouraged to provide a copy with their claim to expedite processing. Otherwise, VA will attempt to obtain verification from the service department.

IV. Other Related Benefits

 

DISABILITY PENSION

VA Pension Programs

This web site is intended to be an information resource for veterans, surviving spouses and children who might be eligible for VA's Pension Benefits.  Pension benefits are meant as an assistance for eligible veterans, surviving spouses and children who demonstrate financial need.

VA manages two broad categories of Pension Benefits Programs:

1.)  Veterans Pension  and

2.)  Spouse and Child Pension.  

Click link for more information:    http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/index.htm

Source:  VA.gov

                  

From:  Veteransinfo.net

Burlington Veterans Services

Town Hall

Burlington, MA  01803

Office: 781 270-1959  

  Send us an E-Mail at:

Veterans@BurlMass.org

 

Page Revised: January 26, 2008