Veterans Disability Benefits
The knowledgeable and experienced Veterans disability benefits lawyers at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, help our nation's Veterans secure the disability benefits they deserve. One of the ways we help is by providing information about Veterans Disability benefits. On this page, our attorneys have provided brief answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Veterans' benefits.
Please take a few moments to read through this FAQ section. For answers to your individual questions, please contact one of the experienced Veterans Disability Benefits attorneys at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law today. We provide free consultations. Call us toll-free at 1.877.Veteran (877.838.3726) or use our online contact form. We charge you nothing until you collect the benefits you deserve. Our attorneys won't take no for an answer.
- How do we take care of our military Veterans and their families?
- What records will I need to provide when I file a claim?
- How long does it take for a disability claim to be processed?
- Why is the care of today's Veteran more complicated and challenging than in years past?
- How does the VA decide the level of monthly compensation that Veterans receive?
- My service-related disability has gotten worse since I received my disability evaluation. What should I do?
- As the surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran, am I entitled to compensation benefits?
Q:How do we take care of our military Veterans and their families?
A: The federal government provides a wide range of benefits to Veterans and their families. These benefits include disability benefits, pensions, education benefits, home loan guaranties, mental health and substance abuse treatment, vocational and small business services, medical and dental care, nursing home services and burial and cemetery services. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the services and benefits. Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a Veteran for disabilities related to injuries or diseases that developed or were aggravated by military service. >>Back to Top
Q: What records will I need to provide when I file a claim?
A: A Veteran can use military service records, medical examinations and treatment records from VA medical facilities and private health care providers to support a benefits claim. If it's needed to make a decision, a service representative will arrange for a Veteran to receive a medical examination. >>Back to Top
Q: How long does it take for a disability claim to be processed?
A: The time it takes partially depends on the complexity of the claim. Generally, it takes an average of 12 months or more for a Veteran filing for disability benefits to receive an initial decision on his or her claim from the VA. Because of the Gulf War and military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of applications for benefits has surged in recent years. >>Back to Top
Q: Why is the care of today's Veteran more complicated and challenging than in years past?
A: Medical advances have saved the lives of countless Veterans who may have died in the past. However, those Veterans now face a lifetime with chronic disabilities. About 35 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans file claims for disabilities, according to the VA. The claims filed are more complex, and they often cite multiple disabilities. In addition, an increasing number of Veterans who are receiving disability benefits reopen their claims because of chronic progress disabilities such as diabetes. >>Back to Top
Q: How does the VA decide the level of monthly compensation that Veterans receive?
A: The VA evaluates each service-related condition by percentages. The VA must have evidence that your disability resulted from your military service. Based on the evidence, the VA assigns a disability percentage. Benefits vary based on the disability percentage, plus marital status and whether the Veteran has children or living parents. Here are examples of the VA's disability benefits rates for 2012:
Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables - Effective Dec. 1, 2011
| 10% - 20% (No Dependents) | |
| Percentage | Rate |
| 10% | $127 |
| 20% | $251 |
| 30% - 60% Without Children | ||||
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran Alone | $389 | $560 | $797 | $1009 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $435 | $622 | $874 | $1102 |
| Veteran with Spouse & 1 Parent | $472 | $671 | $936 | $1176 |
| Veteran with Spouse and 2 Parents | $509 | $720 | $998 | $1250 |
| Veteran with 1 Parent | $426 | $609 | $859 | $1083 |
| Veteran with 2 Parents | $463 | $658 | $921 | $1157 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $42 | $56 | $71 | $84 |
| 70% - 100% Without Children | ||||
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran Alone | $1,272 | $1,478 | $1,661 | $2,769 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,380 | $1,602 | $1,800 | $2,924 |
| Veteran with Spouse & 1 Parent | $1,466 | $1,701 | $1,911 | $3,048 |
| Veteran with Spouse and 2 Parents | $1,552 | $1,800 | $2,022 | $3,172 |
| Veteran with 1 Parent | $1,358 | $1,577 | $1,772 | $2,893 |
| Veteran with 2 Parents | $1,444 | $1,676 | $1,883 | $3,017 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $99 | $112 | $127 | $141 |
| 30% - 60% With Children | ||||
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran with Spouse & Child | $469 | $667 | $931 | $1169 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $420 | $601 | $849 | $1071 |
| Veteran with Spouse, 1 Parent and Child | $506 | $716 | $993 | $1243 |
| Veteran with Spouse, 2 Parents and Child | $543 | $765 | $1055 | $1,317 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $457 | $650 | $911 | $1145 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $494 | $699 | $973 | $1219 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $23 | $30 | $38 | $46 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $74 | $99 | $124 | $148 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $42 | $56 | $71 | $84 |
| 70% - 100% With Children | ||||
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran with Spouse & Child | $1,459 | $1,692 | $1,902 | $3,037 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $1,344 | $1,561 | $1,754 | $2,873 |
| Veteran with Spouse, 1 Parent and Child | $1,545 | $1,791 | $2,013 | $3,161 |
| Veteran with Spouse, 2 Parents and Child | $1,631 | $1,890 | $2,124 | $3,285 |
| Veteran with 1 Parent and Child | $1,430 | $1,660 | $1,865 | $2,997 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $1,516 | $1,759 | $1,976 | $3,121 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $53 | $61 | $69 | $77 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $173 | $198 | $223 | $248 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $99 | $112 | $127 | $141 |
Q: My service-related disability has gotten worse since I received my disability evaluation. What should I do?
A: If you are not satisfied with your service-connected percentage, our Veterans' benefits lawyers can file a claim for an increased evaluation of a current disability that has worsened. >>Back to Top
Q: As the surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran, am I entitled to compensation benefits?
A: Surviving spouses may be entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if the Veteran died on active duty or from a disability related to military service. To be eligible for the benefits, the surviving spouse had to have been married to the deceased Veteran for at least one year before the death. Surviving spouses may be eligible to receive Death Pension benefits if the Veteran served during wartime. These benefits are based on financial need. >>Back to Top
Get Help From An Experienced West Virginia Veterans' Benefits Lawyer Today
If you are having problems securing benefits, a Veterans' benefits attorney at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, can offer guidance and help. We advocate for Veterans at every step in the application and appeals process and are experienced at avoiding roadblocks that can delay the process.
If you think you may be eligible for disability benefits on the basis of your service-related disability, or if you believe that your disability was incorrectly scored, contact the VA disability lawyers at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, toll-free at 1.877.Veteran (877.838.3726) or use our online contact form. The consultation is free. We don't get paid until you get the Veterans' benefits you need and deserve.
When it comes to helping our nation's servicemen and women, our experienced Veterans disability benefits lawyers won't take no for answer.
