Amounts Paid For Disability Compensation

Amounts Paid For Disability Compensation

Veterans are eligible for monthly disability compensation that is tax-free if they have a disability rating allocated by the VA for a service-related condition (“Determining disability rating”). These benefits vary from $117 to $2,527 per month as of 2008 contingent upon the level of disability.

Compensation for dependents such as spouses and children is also available except for a rating of 10 or 20 percent disabled. And, in the case a spouse is severely disabled, requiring additional assistance (A/A) at home, more compensation may be distributed.

Figuring monthly rates

Veterans rating 30 percent or more have rates increased with regard to the number of dependents they have, as monthly disability compensation is largely reliant on disability rating.

A veteran rated at 10 percent disabled can receive $117 per month, whereas a veteran rated 20 percent disable can receive $230 per month.

Children are considered under the age of 18, or under the age of 23 if attending a college or university as a full-time student. Children unable to care for themselves are included if the incapacity occurred before the age of 18, or 23 if enrolled in secondary education.

For up-to-date rates go to www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates.

Special monthly compensation

Additional compensation, varying from $3,145 per month to $7,556 per month in 2008, are available to a veteran who sustained the loss or loss of use of particular organs or extremities during military service. This benefit is called special monthly compensation (SMC). Several conditions dictate the amount paid to the veteran such as the medical condition, combination of conditions, and any number of dependents.

An amputation or lack of operative function of an extremity or organ constitutes what the VA considers loss or loss of use. Disabilities the VA may consider SMC are:

  • Loss or loss of use of a hand or foot
  • Immobility of a joint or paralysis
  • Loss of sight or an eye (and retaining only light perception)
  • Loss or loss of use of a reproductive organ
  • Complete loss or loss of use of both buttocks
  • Deafness in both ears (lack of air and bone conduction)
  • Inability to communicate with speech (total organic aphonia)
  • Loss of a percentage of tissue from a single breast or both breasts from mastectomy
  • Radiation treatment

Groupings of these disabilities demand higher pay rates from the VA. This can include loss or loss of use of feet, legs, hands, and arms, in particular financial increments, based on the combination of the disabilities. Particular combinations of severe deafness and bilateral blindness may also qualify for higher pay rates.

A service-related disability of 100 percent can constitute SMC provided the veteran is housebound, bedridden, or requiring aid and attendance.

SMC rates are available at www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp02.htm.

SMC charts include codes like SMC L and SMC N that correspond with specific disabilities listed under federal law in United States Code (USC). These codes are viewable at Title 38, Section 1114 at www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode.

Concurrent receipt

In 2004 Congress sanctioned concurrent receipt making it possible for veterans to receive the maximum amount of their military retirement pay and the maximum amount of any applicable VA disability compensation. In the past, a military retiree was required to waive a reciprocal amount of their retirement pay to obtain VA disability compensation.

The change, made by Congress in 2004, only applies to veterans who have service-related disability ratings of 50 percent or higher. Those with ratings 50 percent or less are required to waive a reciprocal amount of their military retirement pay to obtain compensation.

If a military veteran must waive military retirement pay to garner VA disability compensation, their retirement pay is taxable whereas disability compensation is not.

Concurrent receipt initiated by Congress has not been entirely implemented. The percentage of military retirement pay exempt from concurrent receipt restriction is extended in yearly increments. The maximum amount of military retirement pay will be exempt in 2014.

Combat-Related Special Compensation

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is a government program under which a veteran can be awarded a monthly special pay intended to lessen or eradicate the offset of military retirement pay. The veteran must have sustained a combat-related disability to be eligible for CRSC.

To qualify for CRSC, the individual military service the veteran served as a part of—not the VA—elects whether they meet criteria or not.

A veteran qualifies for monthly CRSC payments if they are issued military retirement pay, and a disability has developed in direct relation to:

  • Armed conflict (gunshot wounds, Purple Heart)
  • Simulated war training (exercise, field training)
  • Perilous duty (flight, diving, parachute duty)
  • Instrumentality of war (combat vehicles, weaponry, Agent Orange or other hazardous agents)

Veterans can’t receive a payment that surpasses the amount of full retirement pay they would be allotted to excluding the offset because the CRSC aims to lessen or eliminate the concurrent receipt restrictions.

3 Comments
  • agapito b. beltrano
    Posted at 07:51h, 22 July

    im agapito beltrano one of civiliant victims of vietnam war,im totally disability under Agent Orange during vietnam war.

  • Lawson B. Higgins
    Posted at 17:57h, 19 June

    I have 70 pct VA disability, which in my opinion should have been more. Vietnam; 60 pct hearing loss left ear total defenss, right ear very little if any hearing. Tennites both ears. Dieabetic 2, Agent orange. Break down;
    60 pct hearing loss
    5 pct tennites not sure of spelling, for both ears
    2.5 dieabetic
    2.5 agent orange

  • Tina
    Posted at 18:07h, 21 May

    I am a caregiver of a veteran Friday the VA doctor removed his eye how can he receive more money

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