You may qualify for VA disability benefits if you have physical or mental health conditions that developed as the result of your active duty service. To receive these benefits, you must file a claim to determine your disability rating. In addition, VA pension benefits are also available to wartime veterans how are aged or disabled and meet financial limits.

VA Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you’ve earned.

VA Pension Benefits

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits.

You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet the requirements listed below.

Both of these must be true:

• You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
• Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse.
  Find out about Veterans Pension rates

And at least one of these must be true about your service. You:

• Started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
• Started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or
• Were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months

And at least one of these must be true. You:

• Are at least 65 years old, or
• Have a permanent and total disability, or
• Are a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
• Are getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income

Learn more about the VA claims process:

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For additional information concerning VA compensation and pension benefits, visit:

VA Compensation and Pension Benefits