Veterans can apply for compensation from the Department of Veteran Affairs in order to be proved eligible for VA benefits. These benefits come in handy especially for many ex-military officers who end up in debt and homeless due to lack of a steady income.

Such cases have been on the rise due to the fact that many employers are not hiring veterans for a number of reasons. The main reason is the fact that some of these people come home broken in body, mind and spirit.

They therefore find it hard to hold regular employment which makes many employers avoid hiring them in the first place. This has led to more of them who have been injured in the line of duty to seek veterans compensation in the hopes of maintaining some normalcy in their lives.

VA Disability compensation eligibility

Unfortunately, not every ex-military officer is entitled to this compensation as there are factors to be considered in order for one to qualify. One has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they were injured while in active or inactive service.

VA disability compensation amounts

The injury rate has to be above 10% with veterans receiving up to $3,423.98 every month. The disability rates are also governed by the cost of living adjustments which is done every year and tabled for public viewing.

Social security disability benefits are set to increase in December 2015 meaning that the new adjustment will reflect on their January 2016 monthly check.

Below are the current compensation amounts:

Veterans with no dependents – this includes veterans who are either alone, with a spouse, with a spouse and parent(s) or a veteran without a spouse but with one or two parents to support.

• 10% - 100% receives $133.17 to $3,166.95 with additional benefits for those with A/A spouse.

Veterans with children – this includes veterans who are either with child only, with spouse and child, with spouse a parent (or two) and child or with children under 18 years.

• 30% - 100% receives $491.75 to $3,275.34 with additional benefits for each child less than 18 years of age or school going over 18 children.

These benefits like veterans grants should not be included in the tax return forms as they are not taxable as they are not considered as gross income.

Veterans compensation benefits

This is determined by the number of injuries and how severe they are. It is therefore not rare to find a veteran with numerous injuries having a higher compensation than one with minor injuries. These are called multiple disability ratings which takes into account the ratings of all your injuries in order to come up with a fair combined rate for your compensation.

VA lists the disability compensation claims clearly on their website to ensure that you are in the know concerning the matter.

VA Disability rates

The disability rating varies from one veteran to another as it is determined by how severe your injuries are. This rating is used to determine how much the injury or illness related to veterans service has impacted your ability to earn an income. This is what will determine how much you are eligible for compensation on a monthly basis.

Severe disabilities receive a higher rating while less severe receive a lower rating and thus lower payments. The rating ranges from 0%-100% with an increment of 10% and are tabled under the Schedule of Rating Disabilities (VARSD) by the Veterans Affairs.

To determine this, the VA has categories for the different disabilities which are determined by the affected part of the body. These categories have their specific medical issues which has diagnosis measures and code that clearly state the related symptoms. You have to check the boxes and supply supportive medical records to qualify for the associated compensation of the rating you achieve.

In the event that your disability is not listed, the veterans administration assigns you one that is closely related to yours. They will then evaluate and review your disability against this diagnostic code to come up with a rating and thus, a compensation package.

This is important information to have during the disability application process.