Veterans Disability Benefits Eligibility Requirements

US veterans, who are disabled by injuries or diseases resulting from active duty, or during inactive duty training, should qualify for veterans’ disability benefits.

Qualifying for Benefits

There are three major qualifying categories that determine whether or not someone qualifies for benefits:

• Length of service
• Where and when the veteran served (their active duty tour)
• The discharge characterization of the veteran upon release from service

Amount of Compensation is Coordinated with Tour Length and Discharge Status

Generally speaking, the longer a serviceman or servicewoman served in active duty and the more extensive their service-connected disabilities, the more compensation they will receive. For example, a veteran who has served 20 years or more in active duty and was honorably discharged (meaning they had no serious infractions on their military record) should receive military health insurance benefits for the rest of their life. This would entitle the veteran to lifelong hospital care, free medical checkups and treatments in a VA hospital, medications and other benefits.

In another example, a retired military veteran who only served 90 days in active service but who was honorably discharged from service might receive VA pension income for the rest of their life. The following table shows the most common benefits that are awarded to veterans, their respective tours of duty, and the general amount of benefits to which they are entitled. However, this table is by no means conclusive and is only a practical glance at the process and amount of compensation to which a veteran may be eligible.

The Veterans’ Benefits Administration is the ultimate authority for veterans’ benefits. The VBA coordinates their compensation efforts with other federal bodies such as the SSA (Social Security Administration) and other state and regional organizations to ensure that veterans get their due compensation.

In a perfect world, this process should work smoothly so that veterans start getting their disability checks in a timely and efficient manner. Occasionally, the process is delayed due to factors that are simply out of the control of the veterans who have applied for benefits.

In these cases, an experienced VA disability attorney can help a veteran get all the compensation to which they are entitled.

 

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