Veterans who served in the military risked their lives for the honor of their country. Therefore, Veterans who incurred injuries while serving are eligible for compensation, although the debt of service can never be repaid enough with money. The Department of Veteran Affairs works with the government to help veterans access their compensation benefits easily. Depending on the type of disability incurred, the compensation benefits vary, and they can only be accessible after discharge of service honorably. Below are some compensations that veterans can qualify for after service discharge.
Individual Unemployability
If you cannot work after leaving the military because of a disability-related to your service, you can apply for compensation, referred to as individual employability. The guide to TDIU claims includes proof that you worked in the military, a lawyer representing you, evidence that you were injured while serving, and the current status of the injury. You should also be able to prove that the injury led to a lack of a stable job that can sustain your needs. You could get healthcare benefits, payments, and a higher disability rating which has a higher chance of increment due to the lack of a permanent job.
Exposure to Agent Orange and other Toxic Chemicals
Veterans who participated in Vietnam service from 1962 to 1975 are known to have been exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals used in combat operations. Exposure to these toxic chemicals led some veterans to acquire respiratory illnesses like cancers, heart diseases, and cell Leukemia. All veterans who worked during those years can be eligible for compensation if they have proof like health records showing how the illnesses progressed to their current status. You must also show a service connection to increase your chances of qualifying for the benefits.
Concurrent Retirement
This type of compensation retains retired payment and is eligible for veterans with a disability rating from approximately 60% to 90%. You must have been active for over twenty years on National Guard duty or serving to qualify for these benefits. You should also be currently in retired status and receiving veteran retirement payments. Veterans rated about 100% due to individual unemployability can qualify for full concurrent retirement compensation, while those rated at least 100% disabled can receive fully concurrent retirement benefits without being phased in.
Special Compensation
Combat-related special compensation assists with tax-free monthly payments to qualified veterans with service-related injuries. Veterans can get both full retirement payments and special compensation. To qualify for special compensation, you must honorably be active or out of service with about 20 years of reputable service. You should also receive retirement pay, have at least a 10% rating of veteran injury, and if veteran disability payments reduce your military retired pay. Additionally, veterans should be able to provide evidence that training led to injuries, the war resulted in injuries, and they were on hazardous duty like flight parachute duty or diving.
Programs for Service-Connected Disabilities
Veterans can gain compensations like vocational rehabilitation and employment programs if injured during service. These programs include obtaining and retaining better jobs for severely disabled veterans seeking employment. A veteran should qualify if they have been rated at least 20% with employment handicap and discharged from service honorably. An evaluation is done to confirm your disabilities by the veteran counselor after they decide whether you qualify for the benefits, you can work with the counselor on developing a rehabilitation plan that details the services you’ll receive during the program.
Veteran compensations change, and you should stay updated with everything from payments to healthcare benefits. You should also know that supporting evidence is the key to qualifying for compensation, so ensure you have the required documents always before filing a claim.
