Disabled American Veterans
Topics:
VA Benefits for Disabled American Veterans
DoD Benefits for Disabled American Veterans
Receiving Both DoD and VA Benefits for Disabled American Veterans
Increasing Disability Benefits for Disabled American Veterans
Disabled American Veterans are US Military Veterans who have at least one service-connected medical condition.
Disabled American Veterans are entitled to both VA Disability and DoD Disability. The VA will give VA Disability Benefits for every service-connected condition a veteran has, but to qualify for DoD Disability, the service-connected condition must also make the service member Unfit for Duty.
Both the VA and the DoD assign Military Disability Ratings to all of the veteran’s conditions that qualify for disability. These ratings determine the exact type and amount of Military Disability Benefits the Disabled American Veteran receives.
VA Benefits for Disabled American Veterans
The VA provides Disabled American Veterans two types of VA Disability Benefits for service-connected conditions: a monthly payment and full medical care.
The monetary amount of the monthly payment is based on the veteran’s Total Combined Rating and whether the veteran has dependents, a spouse, etc. Our VA Disability Chart outlines all the current VA Disability Rates.
In addition, the VA gives Special Monthly Compensation to seriously disabled veterans who qualify.
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DoD Benefits for Disabled American Veterans
The DoD provides benefits to Disabled American Veterans for service-connected conditions that make them Unfit for Duty, but the type of benefits depends on whether the veteran is medically separated or medically retired.
A Total Combined Rating of 0%, 10%, or 20% from the DoD results in the veteran being medically separated. The veteran receives a single lump sum payment at separation.
A Total Combined Rating of 30% or higher results in the veteran being medically retired. After discharge, the veteran receives a monthly payment and medical care.
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Receiving Both DoD and VA Benefits
Disabled American Veterans cannot receive monetary benefits from both the DoD and the VA. Instead, whatever money they receive from the VA will decrease the amount of the money they receive from the DoD (this includes both disability and retirement pay).
Here is how it works: If Courtney was receiving $2,000/month from the DoD and then the VA started giving her $800/month, the DoD would decrease their payments to $1,200 (2,000 – 800 = 1,200).
While it may not seem quite fair to not get the full amount of both, there is a definite benefit to this system: VA money is not taxable, but DoD money is. Non-taxable money is replacing taxable money.
There are two programs, however, that counteract this principle. If a veteran qualifies for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) or Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), they can receive full compensation from both the DoD and the VA.
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Increasing Disability Benefits for Disabled American Veterans
Disabled American Veterans can increase their Military Disability Benefits if they can provide enough evidence to prove that their Military Disability Ratings should be increased, that they have new conditions that qualify, or that they qualify for additional disability benefits, like Unemployability, Special Monthly Compensation, etc.
This website is specifically designed to enable this process. If you are a Disabled American Veteran, you can use our site to fully understand the DoD Disability Process and the VA Disability Process and take control of your disability by Finding Your Conditions on our site to discover the exact information that Rating Authorities need to rate your conditions. You will then be able to compile all the evidence needed to submit a claim for new conditions, apply for an increase, or submit a DoD Appeal or VA Appeal to fix any mistakes on previously determined claims.
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FAQs
I'm a Disabled American Veteran. Does my medical condition qualify for VA disability?
The VA will rate all medical conditions that officially qualify as service-connected. See our Service-Connection page to see if yours qualifies.
I'm still active duty. Does my medical condition qualify for DoD Disability?
The DoD will rate all medical conditions that officially qualify as service-connected and also make you Unfit for Duty.
How do I apply to receive DoD Disability?
To receive DoD Disability, you must be referred to the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) by a military physician.
Do I have to apply to receive VA Disability?
Yes. In order to receive disability benefits from the VA, all disabled veterans must submit a VA Disability Claim.
Do my conditions qualify me for Individual Unemployability?
To qualify for Individual Unemployability, you must either have a single condition rated 60% or a single condition rated 40% with additional conditions that combine to a total 70%. Each of the conditions must directly contribute to perpetual unemployment despite repeated attempts.
I am a disabled American veteran. How much money will I receive monthly?
The exact amount you will receive monthly depends on your total combined rating and whether you have dependents and whether you qualify for additional Special Monthly Compensation. See our VA Rating Chart and Special Monthly Compensation page for details on the current rates.
What do I do if my condition is service-connected, but my claim was denied?
You can appeal to have your claim reconsidered. Make sure that the VA has sufficient evidence to refute their reason for denial.
What benefits will I receive for my conditions?
The VA will award you a monthly payment and full medical coverage for all of your service-connected conditions. The exact amount of the monthly payment will depend on your combined VA rating for your conditions.
