VA Pension Benefits & Compensation

COMPENSATION and PENSION BENEFITS
from
DEPARTMENT of VETERANS AFFAIRS

Benefit programs available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) include those which provide money benefits for (1) service-connected disabilities and (2) non-service-connected benefits for aged and disabled veterans. The primary benefit for service-connected disabilities is the VA “compensation” benefit; the primary benefit for non-service- connected aged and disabled veterans is the VA “pension” benefit.

VA COMPENSATION BENEFITS

VA “compensation” is a disability benefits program that provides monthly payments to compensate veterans for service-connected disabilities. The general eligibility requirements for VA disability compensation are: (1) that the veteran’s injury or disease was suffered or aggravated in the line of duty; (2) that the veteran was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable; and (3) that the disability did not result from the veteran’s own willful misconduct, or abuse of alcohol or drugs.

VA compensation questionnaire is annexed here – Confidential Client Questionnaire for VA Compensation Benefits

VA PENSION BENEFITS PLANNING

The VA pension benefit program compensates aged and disabled veterans who meet financial eligibility standards for non-service-connected disabilities. There are three (3) types of benefits available through the VA pension program: (1) the basic pension, (2) “Housebound” benefits and (3) “Aid and Attendance” benefits. To qualify, the veteran must be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions; must have wartime service consisting of at least 90 days of active service, one day of which was during a war-time period; must have limited income and resources; and must be age 65 or older, or be permanently and totally disabled.

VA pension questionnaire is annexed here – Confidential Questionnaire for Veterans Pension Planning