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Our Office

  • Belleville Office

    Address

    175 Second Street
    Belleville, Michigan 48111

    Fax

    800-971-4109

DISABILITY COMPENSATION

As defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, disability compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to Veterans who are at least 10% disabled because of injuries or diseases that were incurred in or aggravated during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, and were not due to the Veteran's willful misconduct. A disability can apply to physical conditions, such as a chronic knee condition, as well as to mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Benefit

The benefit amount paid is graduated according to the degree of the Veteran's disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent). Compensation may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses.

If you have dependents, an additional allowance may be added if your combined disability is rated 30% or greater. Your compensation may be offset if you receive military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation incentive payments. More information about disability compensation benefit amounts can be found on the Compensation Rates page.

Eligibility

  • Service in the Uniformed Services on active duty, OR
  • Active duty for training, OR
  • Inactive duty training, AND
  • You were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, AND
  • You are at least 10% disabled by an injury or disease that was incurred in or aggravated during active duty or active duty for training, or inactive duty training

Note: If you were on inactive duty for training, the disability, in most cases must have resulted from a physical injury but diseases can be related to service in certain circumstances.

Evidence Required

  • Medical evidence of a current physical or mental disability, AND
  • Evidence of an event in service that could have caused the claimed disability, AND
  • Evidence of a relationship between your disability and an injury, disease, or event in military service. Medical records or medical opinions are required to establish this relationship.

Presumed Disability

Under certain circumstances, VA may conclude that certain current disabilities were caused by service, even if there is no specific evidence proving this in your particular claim. The cause of a disability is presumed for the following Veterans who have certain diseases.

  • Veterans who were exposed to certain herbicides, such as by serving in Vietnam or Thailand
  • Veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War and since
  • Veterans who have certain chronic or tropical diseases that become evident within a specific period of time after discharge from service
  • Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune
  • Veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation, mustard gas, or asbestos while in service
  • Former prisoners of war

How to Apply

  • Apply online using eBenefits, OR 
  • Contact Viterna Law for a free, no obligation consultation.  Please call us at 1-800-971-4109 or contact us online.  We will explain what evidence is needed to help your claim succeed.