VETERANS PRESS: VA Disability: Is it for you?

According to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data, many veterans are unaware of VA’s disability benefits.

VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment designed to compensate veterans for an injury or illness incurred or made worse from active military service, regardless of when they served. A disability can apply to physical conditions, such as a chronic knee condition, as well as mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Brad, an Army veteran, finds the compensation he receives helps give him a better quality of life.

“Sometimes I can’t do the things that I used to because of my injuries. But the compensation helps out,” Brad said. 

Service-disabled veterans may also be entitled to health care, employment counseling and other benefits at no cost. For example, if your disability limits your mobility, you may qualify for a payment to buy or modify a vehicle to get around easier. 

How to apply

One way for veterans to start the application process is to enlist a person or an organization to help them with their claim. A Veterans Service Officer (VSO), claims agent or accredited attorney can help veterans determine which claim fits them best. Though this step is not required, most veterans find that assistance from veteran advocates make the process much easier by helping them prepare and submit their claim. VA provides additional resources and information at https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/.

For local help, refer to the “North Idaho Resource Directory.”

— U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Newsletter