BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED VETERANS

[CAL]

0% To 20%
Certificate of Eligibility for home loan guarantee
Home loan guarantee fee exemption (10% or greater)
VA Priority medical treatment card
Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling under Title 38 U.S.C Chapter 31 (must be at least 20%)
Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (Maximum of $10,000 coverage), must file within 2 years from date of new service connection.
10 point Civil Service preference (10 points added to Civil Service test score).
Clothing allowance for veterans who use or wear a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (artificial limb, braces, wheelchair) or use of prescribed medications for a skin condition, which tend to wear, tear, or soil clothing.
Temporary total evaluation (100%) based on hospitalization for a service connected disability in excess of 21 days; or surgical treatment for a service connected disability necessitating at least 1 month of convalescence or immobilization by cast, without surgery of one or more major joints.

30%In addition to the above:

Additional allowance for dependent (spouse, child (ren), step child (ren), helpless child (ren), fill-time students between the ages of 18 and 23 and parent(s).
Additional allowance for a spouse who is a patient in a nursing home or helpless or blind or so nearly helpless or blind as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.
Non-competitive Federal employment.

40% In addition to the above:

Automobile grant and/or special adaptive equipment for an automobile provided there is loss or permanent loss of use of on or both feet, loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or permanent impaired vision of both eyes with central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in better eye.
Special adaptive equipment may also be applied for if there is ankylosis of one or both knees or one or both hips

50% In addition to the above:

VA medical outpatient treatment for any condition except dental.
Preventive health care services.
Hospital care and medical services in non-VA facilities under an authorized fee basis agreement.

60% To 90% In addition to the above:

Increased compensation (100%) based on individual unemployability (applies to veterans who are unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service connected disability).

100% In addition to the above:

Veteran employment preference for spouse.
Specially Adapted Housing for veterans who have loss or permanent loss of use of both lower extremities or blindness in both eyes having light perception only plus loss or permanent loss of use of one lower extremity or the loss or permanent loss of use of one lower extremity with loss or permanent loss of use of one upper extremity or the loss or permanent loss of use of one extremity together with an organic disease which affects the functions of balance and propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or wheelchair.
Special Home Adaptation Grant (for veterans who don’t qualify for Specially Adapted Housing) may be applied for if the veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less or the loss or permanent loss of use of both hands.

100% Permanent and Total:

Waiver of National Service Life Insurance premiums.
National Service Life Insurance total disability income provisions.
Civilian Health and Medical Program for dependents and survivors (CHAMPVA).
Survivors and dependents education assistance under Title 38 U.S.C Chapter 35.
Dental treatment.

[winddummy]

Damn, thats not to bad! I'm trying to get something going with a org called vetdogs .org., they have guide dogs they set you up with. I sould have requested a guide dog before I left W/R. However they said I might get my vison back in a few months. So now 2 1/2 years later, I'll be get in a program after t-giving. That makes my holidays.

[blackflagg509]

That's some good info to know Bro; already am taking advantage of some of them now. I'll have to will have to check all of those benefits out when I'm feeling better. Who knows then I may find something that they (VA) hasn't totd me about; which would be very typical for that bureaucractic system.

[GERONIMO]

There is a lot that VA won't tell you about. Do research. Example, VA will tell you that 100% is all you can be compensated for. This is deffinately not true. I am 100% disabled but I have 200% in disabilitys 70% combat rated. I am compensated at the Home Bound rate of over $3,000.00 a month. ADVICE! Don't listen to everything VA tells you. Research for your self. The internet is great! The VA also publishes a book "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents". Your VSO should have this book. It doesn't tell all but it is a good place to start. Contact a good VSO. NEVER GIVE UP! AIRBORNE! GERONIMO!!

[CV]

GERONIMO, spot on.

You need to do a lot on your own to find out what you are entitled to. Do not expect the VA to come to you!

[Mortarman11c]

In a strange coincidence I am headed to the VA today for a reevaluation of my broke dick knee.

I draw 10% but as of late the ol bitch has been hyperextending to the REAR on it's own.....OUCH. A little to much sublaxation.

So hopefully I'll get up into the magical world of 30%.

Anything higher than that right know will force me out of the Reserves.

Crossing my fingers......

[LOOON]

How do you get a 'unemployability' rating? Im 70% and really can't work, but have never been given one.

[DigitalDeath]

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html#c

This is a link to the VA regulations ( well the CFR that applies to the VA ).

Concerning the IU rating, that is a black bag and you should talk to a VSO, vman can give you some advice and point you to a VSO in your area. IU is not just handed to you with a 60% or above rating, you must file for it.

[GERONIMO]

One thing that usually works is documentation from outside the VA system. I was declared "Unemployable" by the state. After this takes place you are unemployable in the state system because you are considered a risk. Seriously you need a good VSO to assist you in fileing the paperwork and helping you through the system. Some don't like this statement but "VA is not your friend". Hold them to task. Use pressure if need be IE Congreshional correspondance. NEVER GIVE UP!!!! AIRBORNE! GERONIMO!!

[etihwr2]

First off you don't get the 10 pt preference until you get 30%. Also at 10% you get free hearing aids and free eye glasses.

As for 50%, when you go to eligibility and tell them you have health insurance, they DVA is required to seek out that health insurance. If you have a HMO, you'll be paying the full freight. I'm 0% for bilateral hearing and 10% for tinnitus but they tried to bill me for a hearing test ($264). My HMO (Kaiser Permanente) refused to pay. Luckly I was service connected. Otherwise why wouldn't I have gone to Kaiser for $10 for a hearing test.

You need to tell the DVA that your working on getting insurance and when you have 50% to 100%, they will not charge you.

As for the IU, it is 60% for a single issue or an overall rating of 70% with a single issue of 40%.

As for 100% T&P, only the first $10,000 is free. Also you must be in good health other than your disabilities. If you had cancer and it isn't SC, they will not give you life insurance. As for Ch 35 education benefits, the wife has 10 years to use it, and the children have until age 24 to use it.

As for anything above 100%, there isn't any. There is only 100% then there is Special Monthly Compensation.

For those of you that want the numbers to add up, forget it. I've worked for the DVA. Most of the people are not veterans and think that veterans are getting over on the system. They would like nothing better than reduce the ratings. You could be rated 70% under this system but 40% under the new on. The DVA has lowered the ratings like on the lower back, so if you don't use the chart to figure our your percentage and call upon your representatives to change the system, you will regret it.

[Str8fan]

Sorry, you don't need any percentage to get the 10 pt preference. You get Veterans Pref if you have served more than 180 consecutive active duty days. Although, if you have a rating you can get disabled veterans pref.

[Str8fan]

If you are 0% and greater service connected
Home Loan Guaranty Certificate of Eligibility Service Disabled Veterans Life Insurance. Must apply within 2 years from initial notice of service connection of a disability. Call (800) 669-8477 for more information about Waiver of National Service Life Insurance premiums National Service Life Insurance total disability income provisions Outpatient Treatment for: (1) service connected condition, and (2) for all medical conditions if enrolled in VA healthcare program. Co-payment for treatment may apply for non-service connected conditions. Travel allowance for scheduled appointments for care of the service connected condition that the VA Medical Centers and VA Out- Patient Clinics. Eligibility based on veteran's family income. Medical treatment in non-VA facilities for service connected condition. Certain restrictions apply. 10 Point Civil Service Preference. (10 points added to Civil Service test score.) Clothing Allowance for veterans who use or wear a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (artificial limb, braces, wheelchair) or use prescribed medications for skin condition which tend to wear, tear, or soil clothing. Temporary increased total evaluation with payment at the 100% rate based on hospitalization for a service connected disability necessitating at least one month of convalescence or immobilization by cast, without surgery of one major joint or more. Dental treatment for: (1) service connected dental condition, OR (2) follow-up dental treatment which was begun while hospitalized at a VA Medical Center, OR and former Prisioner of War with 90 consecutive days, or more, of confinement. Some restrictions may apply based on availability of services.
If you are 10% and greater service connected	All of the above and:
Vocational Rehabilitation which includes full medical and dental. (Chapter 31) Funding fees waived for Home Loan Guaranty.
If you are 30% and greater service connected	All of the above and:
Additional compensation for dependents. (Spouse, children, dependent parents) Non-competitive Civil Service appointment. Affirmative action in employment. Travel allowance for scheduled appointments for care of all medical conditions (except dental) at VA Medical Centers and VA Out-Patient Clinics. Additional allowance for a spouse who is a patient in a nursing home. (Either helpless, blind, or so nearly helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another person.)
If you are 40% and greater service connected	All of the above and:
Automobile Assistance. (One-time payment up to $8,000). Veteran must have service connected loss of one or both hands or feet, or permanent loss of use, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes. (For information, contact Prosthetics, Minneapolis VAMC) Special Adaptive Automobile Equipment. Veteran must have service connected ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees, or one or both hips.
If you are 50% and greater service connected	All of the above and:
Medical treatment for any condition (except dental). Enrollment in the VA Health care program is encouraged but not required for treatment of a service connected condition. No co-payments for treatment at a VA Medical Center and Out-Patient Clinics. No co-payments on Prescription Drugs for service connected disabilities. Includes prescriptions written by a non=VA physician providing care under an authorized fee basis agreement with the VA Medical Center. (NOTE: Prescriptions written by non-VA physicians may be filled through the VA pharmacy for and (1) WW I veteran (2) veteran entitled to Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits regardless of evaluation percentage. A co-payment will be charged if the prescription is not for a service connected disability. Medical treatment in non-VA facilities for any medical condition.
If you are 60% to 90% with Individual Unemployability and greater service connected	All of the above and:
Increased compensation, payable at the 100% rate, based on Individual Unemployability. Dental treatment
If you are Permanent and Total Evaluation Either 100% OR 60% 90% with Individual Unemployability	All of the above and:
Educational Assistance for Dependents. (Chapter 35) Civilian Health And Medical Program For Dependents/Survivors. (CHAMPVA) Commissary and Exchange privileges Specially Adapted Home. Grant up to $43,000. Building, buying or remodeling adaptive homes or paying indebtedness on existing home. Veteran must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service connected disability due to: (1) loss or loss of use of both lower extremities ordisability which includes (a) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception,plus (b) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity OR loss or loss of use on one lower extremity together with (a) residuals or organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without using braces, canes, crutches, or wheelchair. Special Adapted Homes. Grant up to $6,500. Handicap adaptations to a veteran's residence disability. Veteran must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service connected disability due to: blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, OR anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands. Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance. Decreasing term mortgage insurance up to $90,000 for veterans who have received a Specially Adapted Housing grant and have an existing mortgage.
If you are 100% Permanent and Total Evaluation service connected	All of the above and:
Emergency treatment in non-VA facilities if VA facilities are not available. Veteran or "SOMEONE" must contact the VA Fee Basis immediately after the veteran is stabilized! (612) 725-2003

[yrualeg]

First off you don't get the 10 pt preference until you get 30%. Also at 10% you get free hearing aids and free eye glasses.

As for 50%, when you go to eligibility and tell them you have health insurance, they DVA is required to seek out that health insurance. If you have a HMO, you'll be paying the full freight. I'm 0% for bilateral hearing and 10% for tinnitus but they tried to bill me for a hearing test ($264). My HMO (Kaiser Permanente) refused to pay. Luckly I was service connected. Otherwise why wouldn't I have gone to Kaiser for $10 for a hearing test.

You need to tell the DVA that your working on getting insurance and when you have 50% to 100%, they will not charge you.

As for the IU, it is 60% for a single issue or an overall rating of 70% with a single issue of 40%.

As for 100% T&P, only the first $10,000 is free. Also you must be in good health other than your disabilities. If you had cancer and it isn't SC, they will not give you life insurance. As for Ch 35 education benefits, the wife has 10 years to use it, and the children have until age 24 to use it.

As for anything above 100%, there isn't any. There is only 100% then there is Special Monthly Compensation.

For those of you that want the numbers to add up, forget it. I've worked for the DVA. Most of the people are not veterans and think that veterans are getting over on the system. They would like nothing better than reduce the ratings. You could be rated 70% under this system but 40% under the new on. The DVA has lowered the ratings like on the lower back, so if you don't use the chart to figure our your percentage and call upon your representatives to change the system, you will regret it.

I am truly glad that you are not my VA rep you obviously cannot follow instructions.....You agreed to our rules and you choose I guess not to follow them...I highly recommend that you remove your head from your 4th point of contact....post a proper introduction. If you cannot follow these simple rules you can salute, do an about face and move out.

We require all members here to follow the SOP. I hope your reading comprehension is better than I suspect it is.

NO-GO

[zuluzerosix]

If anybody wants to use their VA benefits for a home loan , I am going through the process now and I can fill you in! It is a headache.

(yes I am shouting-)

[AlaskaDad]

When you get in trouble (Busted) they can and will take away your $$ and ask for it all back..