VA Compensation and Pension Benefits

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