Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to Veterans who are disabled by the injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service connected. Disability compensation is paid monthly and varies with the degree of disability, the impairment of a Veteran's earning capacity, and number of dependents. Veterans with certain severe disabilities may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax.

A non-service-connected VA pension is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or under 65 and are permanently and totally disabled, or a patient in a nursing home, or are receiving Social Security disability payments. The amount payable depends upon the type and amount of income the Veteran and family members received from other sources.

Aid and attendance is a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension and compensation. It may not be paid without eligibility for a pension. A&A is allowed if the Veteran or another person requires that aid in order to perform his or her daily living activities, is bedridden, or is a nursing home patient because of mental or physical incapacity. 

Veterans and survivors who qualify for federal VA compensation or pension, and are confined to the home because of permanent disability, may be eligible for additional housebound benefits. Qualifying Veterans must have a single permanent disability (rated 100 percent) and need assistance; or have a single permanent disability (100 percent); or have disabilities evaluated as 60 percent or more disabling. A Veteran cannot receive both A&A and Housebound benefits at the same time.

Historically, Veterans have not been permitted to receive full military pay and federal VA compensation for benefits at the same time. Veterans who were entitled to both have had to either waive a portion of their retirement equaling the amount of awarded federal VA compensation or elect not to receive federal VA compensation at all. Receiving both benefits and retirement pay is commonly known as "Concurrent Receipt."  In 2004, Congress passed the Concurrent Retired and Disability Act, allowing many Veterans to receive 100 percent of their military retirement and federal VA compensation if their VA disability is above 50 precent. If the disability rating is 40 percent or lower, it is deducted from the retirement pay. 

More Information on Concurrent Receipt

The federal VA offers additional compensation, called Special Monthly Compensation, to Veterans with very severe service-connected disabilities, or who have lost (or lost the use of) limbs, organs, or extremities as a result of their military service. The VA may also pay higher rates of compensation if you have lost the use of more than one limb, organ, or extremity, or if it is combined with another service-connected disability or condition, such as blindness or deafness. SMC may also be paid to Veterans' spouses, surviving spouses, and parents if the Veteran is bedridden, housebound, or requires the aid and attendance of another person to perform the basic function of everyday life, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and going to the bathroom. 

More on Special Monthly Compensation

The federal VA pays a clothing allowance to Veterans who, because of a service-connected disability, wear or use a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (including a wheelchair), which the VA determines tends to wear out or tear the clothing. The VA will also pay a clothing allowance to Veterans who use medication prescribed by the federal VA physicians for skin conditions caused by service-connected disabilities. Work with OVA or a local VSO to receive updated information and applications.

Veterans and service members may be eligible for a one-time payment toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain degree, or ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees or one or both hips. They may also be eligible for adaptive equipment, and for repair, replacement. or reinstallation required because of disability or for the safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance.

To apply contact OVA, or your VSO

1 (800) 827-1000

The federal VA may provide information on guide dogs to blind Veterans including the expense of training the Veteran on how to use them and the cost of the dog's medical care. Additionally, the state Office of Veterans Affairs may also provide information on service dogs trained for the aid of hearing-impaired Veterans, as well as Veterans with spinal cord injuries, dysfunction, and other chronic impairments that substantially limit mobility. Work with OVA or a local VSO for more information.