Veterans’ Benefits

There are numerous benefits available to veterans and their families. These benefits can include health benefits, home loan benefits and education benefits. If you have lost a loved one who was a member the armed services, you may also be entitled to survivor benefits.

A veteran is eligible for disability benefits if they sustain an injury or disease that occurred while on active duty. You may be eligible for veterans’ benefits if you have a service-related disability and you were honorably discharged, or discharged on other than dishonorable conditions. The amount of monthly veterans’ benefits depends on the severity of your disability. In some cases you may be paid additional amounts if you have suffered a loss of limb or limbs; you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents; or if your spouse is seriously disabled.

Determining the amount of benefits a veteran should receive is a complicated process. Veteran’s disability benefits are based on the establishment of a service-connected impairment and the assigned disability rating based on that injury. The rating reflects the percentage loss of use of a body part, and benefits will be based on this assessment.

One of the key problems facing many veterans is the fact that their VA rating does not reflect the true extent of their disability. There can also be a conflict as to whether the impairment is service-connected or secondarily related. This can be especially true for veterans facing mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), relating to their service.