Many Americans have made a huge sacrifice after choosing to serve the country in the Armed Forces. These individuals are heroes who answered the call and often put themselves in danger to protect the rights and interests of the citizens of this country.
Although care for veterans has a long way to go, there are many programs that can be helpful once they return to life as citizens. For many former service members, they are dealing with disabilities that were the result of their service. If this is a reality for you, you are likely facing challenging medical bills and maybe even difficulty finding a job.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has a program that can help you financially when you have suffered from a service-related disability. This support system is known as the VA disability benefits program. Let’s talk about what this program is and how it can help veterans who are struggling with disabilities.
Benefits
First, let’s talk about the details of the benefits package. If you are eligible for compensation through this program, then you can receive tax-free monthly payments. These payments can be used to cover medical bills or other personal expenses. The idea is that this compensation can make life a little easier for veterans with service-related injuries or illnesses, at least financially speaking. The Department of Veterans Affairs publishes its VA disability rates annually, and in 2024, the range of VA disability payments is $171.23 to $4,433.39. That means you could receive monthly payments anywhere within that range, depending on the severity of your affliction.
Eligibility
The most important factor for you to understand as an injured or ill veteran is your eligibility status. Not all veterans with health issues are eligible for benefits, as it depends on the nature of the affliction as well as when and how it was obtained. Health issues like chronic back pain, hearing loss, breathing problems, scar tissue, loss of range of motion, and even mental health disorders like depression could make you eligible for benefits. Some cancers are also eligible if you were exposed to cancer-causing bacteria, viruses, or chemicals during your service. If the condition you are suffering from either occurred during your service, worsened as the result of service, or started after your service ended, then it could be eligible as long as it can be linked to your service.
Disability Rating
If you are eligible for benefits because of your service-related injury or illness, then the next step is determining your VA disability rating. This is a percentage that reflects the level of compensation you can receive. The rating is impacted by how many conditions you have and how much they affect your daily life. For example, a singular, smaller condition will have a lower rating, resulting in lower compensation payments each month. However, if you have several debilitating conditions, then your rating could be close to 100%, in which case you would receive closer to $4,433.39 per month. Multiple conditions result in a combined rating, but you can never be rated at higher than 100%.
Filing a Claim
You have evidence that you are eligible for disability benefits and you have now calculated your disability rating. It is time to file a claim and hope that the Department of Veterans Affairs agrees with that rating and will start paying you tax-free monthly installments. Filing a claim is a rather simple process, but it could take a while to be approved and start paying off. You can file your disability claim online as long as you have all the information necessary to do so. You could also file over the phone by speaking to someone from the department, or you could even send in an application through the mail. If the VA rules against your claim and you believe it is an unfair ruling, it might be wise to hire a disability lawyer who can fight on your behalf so that you have a better chance of receiving your benefits.
Let This Program Reward You For Your Service
Although your sacrifice can never be sufficiently repaid, the VA disability benefits program can help make things a little easier for you as an injured or ill veteran. What you have lost as a result of your service-related injury or illness cannot be replaced, but you can ensure that you have a brighter financial future despite your suffering. If you believe you are eligible for these tax-free payments, make sure you start researching the program to find out how you can take advantage of this compensation. Although it will not make up for your suffering, it can at least help you cover any medical bills or personal expenses.
