Facts About VA Disability Compensation

Disability compensation for veterans is not subject to federal or state income tax.  About 80 percent of veterans receive their VA benefits by direct deposit, which VA recommends for security reasons.

Veterans are rated at increments of 10 percent reflecting degree of disability.  As federal regulations summarize the underlying principle, “The percentage ratings represent as far as can practicably be determined the average impairment in earning capacity resulting from such diseases and injuries and their residual conditions.”

The largest category of veterans on the compensation scale is at 10 percent disability ($117 per month), with 784,000 veterans at this rate at the beginning of fiscal year 2008 among the total 2.8 million veterans receiving disability compensation.

The criteria for rating the severity of various disabilities are available online at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/38cfr4_04.html.  As medical knowledge, laws and procedures change, VA regularly publishes proposed changes to these criteria in the Federal Register for public comment before a final regulation is adopted.

Where a veteran has more than one disability, the percentages are not simply added together to produce a new rating.  Instead, a formula described in federal regulations calculates the overall rating.

A veteran may be rated at zero percent, meaning there is evidence of the service-connected condition, but it does not impair the veteran.  An example is a minor scar.  This zero percent rating, though not compensable, can be beneficial, since it may raise the veteran’s priority in other VA programs such as health care eligibility.  In addition, it may be reviewed for a higher rating if the condition worsens.

A veteran may have a number of disabilities individually evaluated as zero percent which produce a 10 percent combined disability and entitle the veteran to disability compensation.  At the beginning of fiscal year 2008, there were more than 13,190 veterans in the category of “compensable zero” ratings.

There were 838,141 new and reopened claims requiring a disability rating received from veterans in fiscal year 2007, an average of 69,845 claims filed per month.

Among veterans on the rolls, the largest category of service-connected disabilities is musculoskeletal problems, accounting for about 40 percent of all disabilities.  This includes such problems as impairment of the knee and arthritis due to trauma.  Data on the number and type of disabilities are published annually (http://www.vba.va.gov/reports.htm).

Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment

A cost-of-living increase is included in the President's budget proposal released early each calendar year.  It is part of the spending forecast and appropriations request for the ensuing fiscal year, a starting point for legislative discussion.  However, the actual percentage increase is set through a separate bill debated by Congress and usually signed into law the following fall.

Legislators are not bound by any specific annual Consumer Price Index formula, but historically have chosen to mirror the percentage given to Social Security recipients.  The Social Security increase, in turn, is based on a Bureau of Labor Statistics calculation of the rise in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W).

Cost of living adjustments become effective December 1 each year and are reflected in the payment received by veterans on or about the first day of the new year.  Whenever a payment falls on a holiday or weekend, as is the case with the January 1 payment each year, that month’s payment is issued the last prior business day.

People wishing to receive e-mail from VA with the latest news releases and updated fact sheets can subscribe to the VA Office of Public Affairs Distribution List.

GI Bill Benefit Update: 
T30 JUNE 2008-------------------------------------------

• President Signs New GI Bill
  
• Deal of the Week: Special Offer
  
• TRICARE Cuts Pharmacy Costs
  
• Packages from Home
  
• Will an Online Degree get me the Job?
  
• Chairman Urges More Careful Treatment
  
• Celebrating with a Capitol Fourth
  
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  
• Featured Job: Security Guard
  
• Chairman Highlights Plight of Homeless Veterans
  
• DoD Issues Medication Safety Notice
  
• Gifts from the Homefront
  
• Dental Insurance Legislation Introduced
  
• Support the Purple Heart Cruise for Vets
  
• TRICARE Benefits Remain During Flooding
  
• Subcommittee Reviews Bills
  
• Grant Awarded to Illinois Veterans Homes
  
• Grant for Indiana Veterans Home
  
• VA Establishes New Committee
  
• Sacramento Valley Cemetery to Expand
  
• Print and Post This Week's Veterans Report
  
• Headline Military News
  

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  President Signs New GI Bill
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  TRICARE Cuts Pharmacy Costs
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  Packages from Home
  U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell from Arizona recently honored the organization Packages from Home for its efforts and continued support for the nation's servicemembers. More
  
  Will an Online Degree get me the Job?
  Many prospective students have concerns about getting an "online degree." They wonder if it will hurt their career aspirations or ability to build on their education goals. More
  
  Chairman Urges More Careful Treatment
  Senator Daniel K. Akaka recently issued a statement urging caution regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' research on smoking and post-traumatic stress disorder. More
  
  Celebrating with a Capitol Fourth
  The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) presents "Capitol Fourth, America's Independence Day Celebration" on Independence Day, Friday, July, 4, 2008. More
  
  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. More
  
  Featured Job: Security Guard
  If you're looking for the benefits of joining an industry leader, with a high-charged, energy-filled environment, then you can stop looking. More
  
  Chairman Highlights Plight of Homeless Veterans
  The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, said the nation must fully integrate efforts to help homeless veterans. More
  
  DoD Issues Medication Safety Notice
  Recent reports linking varenicline to hallucinations and even suicide, prompted the Military Health System to re-issue its Medication Safety Notice More
  
  Gifts from the Homefront
  The Army and Air Force Exchange Service's (AAFES) "Gifts from the Homefront" can be sent to deployed troops by logging on to www.aafes.org. More
  
  Dental Insurance Legislation Introduced
  U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced legislation that would provide veterans with access to dental insurance. More
  
  Support the Purple Heart Cruise for Vets
  The annual Kup's Purple Heart Cruise will set sail again on July 31st, 2008 on the waters of Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL. More
  
  TRICARE Benefits Remain During Flooding
  TRICARE beneficiaries and families affected by the flooding in Iowa and Missouri that their health care benefits will be maintained and that service and support will continue during this critical time. More
  
  Subcommittee Reviews Bills
  The House Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee conducted a legislative hearing to review eight bills that would enhance benefits for veterans provided by the VA. More
  
  Grant Awarded to Illinois Veterans Homes
  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding construction grants totaling more than $1.2 million for the state veterans home in Manteno and Quincy, Illinois. More
  
  Grant for Indiana Veterans Home
  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding a construction grant totaling more than $1.1 million for the state veterans home in West Lafayette. More
  
  VA Establishes New Committee
  Veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War will gain additional access to the leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More
  
  Sacramento Valley Cemetery to Expand
  The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded more than $18 million to two Sacramento, CA companies to expand the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. More
  
  

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  Useful Links Manage your subscription or unsubscribe Change your email address Update your Military.com profile Access military discounts Find military buddies or your unit Sound off on the Discussion Board Access pay charts and benefit information Understand your GI Bill benefits Search over $300M in military scholarships Find a military-friendly school Search the military mentor network Search the veteran job board Apply for a VA Home Loan Join our Affiliate Program Submit a story or photo   Read something interesting? Then pass the email along to friends and colleagues in the military community who would find it interesting, too. You were sent this email because you are a valued Military.com member. You can unsubscribe or manage your subscriptions at any time. Military.com values your privacy; read our privacy policy. About Military.com. Military.com connects over 10 million members to all the benefits earned in service to America. We cut the red tape between you and your military and veterans benefits. By negotiating discounts and keeping you connected to friends and mentors from the service, we help you make the most of your military experience. Did you know Military.com offers a variety of free newsletters to best meet the needs of servicemembers, veterans and their families? Subscribe now.. The Early Brief (daily military headlines) Military Report: Benefit Updates (weekly) Service Insider Newsletters (weekly) Careers Newsletter (weekly) Education Newsletter (twice monthly) Money Matters Newsletter (twice monthly) Joining the Military (twice monthly) Security Clearance News (twice monthly) OFF DUTY (twice monthly) Reach millions in the military community. Advertise with us. To ensure the delivery of Military.com e-mails to your inbox, please take a moment to add newsltr@miltnews.com to your E-Mail Address Book or Safe List. Military.com is a private entity, not an agency of the Federal government. Military.com makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the content, information, or services provided herein. © 2008 Military Advantage, Inc. All rights reserved. 799 Market Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94103-2045.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- he new "Post 9/11 GI Bill" will soon be heading for the President’s desk. This
  new benefit will give servicemembers and veterans who have served on active-duty
  since Sept. 11, 2001, a new education benefits package worth up to roughly
  $3,000 a month. The same legislation includes a change to the current Montgomery
  GI Bill that will increase the monthly payment to $1,321 a month -- a total
  benefit of more than $47,000. The new law also enables servicemembers to
  transfer their GI Bill benefit to their dependents.

<http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http://www.military.com/new-gi-bill/?ESRC=gibill_alert.se&code=gibill_alert_click&eml=29d331d9bb06f136ed42d88b0c0a1611>
Get more information on the "Post 9/11 GI Bill"

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Veterans Report is the most comprehensive newsletter available to help Veterans stay current on benefits changes, learn about important legislation, get great discounts, and use the benefits earned in service. Make sure that you and your colleagues subscribe for this free update publication. -------------------------------- 23 JUNE 2008------------------------------------------- New GI Bill Passes Congress Deal of the Week: Onlineshoes.com Summer Sale 4 Tips to Landing Federal Job The Last WWI Veteran Choose Homeownership Insomnia and Combat Veterans AF Marathon Reaches Record Program Challenges Veterans Featured Job: You're a US hero. Now be NY's Finest. Golden Age Games in August Thinking About Group Term Life Insurance Patriot Hearts Offers Support Retired Reserve/Guard TRICARE Bill New GI Bill Benefit Overview Prayer Angels for the Military Silver Star Families Honor Medics Veterans Address 1960s Chemical Tests Committee Approves Bill Print and Post This Week's Veterans Report Headline Military News **A Note from our Sponsor** SaveAndInvest.org Straight-talking financial tools at SaveAndInvest.org help military servicemembers and their families manage their money with confidence. New GI Bill Passes Congress Many post-9/11 veterans and servicemembers will soon be eligible for a new comprehensive education benefits package. More Deal of the Week: Onlineshoes.com Summer Sale Save big on the best styles of the season at the Onlineshoes.com Summer Sale. Shop top name brands like Rockport, New Balance, Asics, Keen, Dansko and more. More 4 Tips to Landing Federal Job Fed Fact - 25 percent of new federal jobs were filled by veterans. Veterans are interested in high-quality, well-paid positions. More **A Note from our Sponsor** Attention Veterans Now might be the time to refinance to a lower rate or to a fixed-rate loan. Contact us to learn about our Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan. The Last WWI Veteran Senators Richard Burr and Robert Byrd introduced a resolution honoring Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I. More Choose Homeownership The rewards of owning your own home include many benefits unavailable to renters. More Insomnia and Combat Veterans A recent study at the University of Pittsburgh has shown that insomnia among U.S. combat vets returning from Iraq is as severe as that seen in patients with chronic insomnia. More AF Marathon Reaches Record The 2008 U.S. Air Force Marathon is well on its way to shattering last year's registration record of more than 6,700 runners and could approach the 10,000 mark. More Program Challenges Veterans Outward Bound Wilderness expeditions include travel to course destinations and an opportunity for physical and mental challenges in beautiful wilderness locations. More Featured Job: You're a US hero. Now be NY's Finest. As the largest police department in America, the NYPD is widely recognized as the nation's leader in law enforcement technology. Now you can be one of NY's Finest. More Golden Age Games in August An estimated 600 "golden age" vets from across the country will travel to Indianapolis to compete in the largest sports and recreational competition for senior veterans. More Thinking About Group Term Life Insurance Term life insurance is designed to provide relatively low-cost financial protection for the family for a specific period of time, in the event that the breadwinner dies prematurely. More Patriot Hearts Offers Support Servicemembers, veterans and their families going through problems related to deployments can get help from a California-based troop-support organization. More Retired Reserve/Guard TRICARE Bill Congressman Bob Latta introduced the TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act for vets in a "gray" health care coverage area. More New GI Bill Benefit Overview The new GI Bill, or so-called Post-9/11 GI Bill, boasts the most comprehensive education benefits package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. More Prayer Angels for the Military The Newhall, Calif.-based organization, Prayer Angels for the Military, sends letters and care packages to our deployed servicemembers. More Silver Star Families Honor Medics Silver Star Families of America wants to honor the medics who treat those wounded on the battlefield with a certificate of appreciation. More Veterans Address 1960s Chemical Tests Several veterans have testified before a House Veterans Affairs panel that is considering legislation that would require more Pentagon disclosure about the Cold War-era germ and chemical weapons testing. More Committee Approves Bill The House Veterans' Affairs Committee recently approved a bill that would comprehensively address epilepsy treatment and care at the VA. More • Up-to-the-minute Military News • Full Veterans Report • Start Your Own Subscription Forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues in the military community. Veterans Report Published by Military.com Editors: Terry Howell, Caitlin Scanlon Editorial Questions: http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1?file=FAQ Web site: subscribe ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Useful Links Manage your subscription or unsubscribe Change your email address Update your Military.com profile Access military discounts Find military buddies or your unit Sound off on the Discussion Board Access pay charts and benefit information Understand your GI Bill benefits Search over $300M in military scholarships Find a military-friendly school Search the military mentor network Search the veteran job board Apply for a VA Home Loan Join our Affiliate Program Submit a story or photo   Read something interesting? Then pass the email along to friends and colleagues in the military community who would find it interesting, too. You were sent this email because you are a valued Military.com member. You can unsubscribe or manage your subscriptions at any time. Military.com values your privacy; read our privacy policy. About Military.com. Military.com connects over 10 million members to all the benefits earned in service to America. We cut the red tape between you and your military and veterans benefits. By negotiating discounts and keeping you connected to friends and mentors from the service, we help you make the most of your military experience. Did you know Military.com offers a variety of free newsletters to best meet the needs of servicemembers, veterans and their families? Subscribe now.. The Early Brief (daily military headlines) Military Report: Benefit Updates (weekly) Service Insider Newsletters (weekly) Careers Newsletter (weekly) Education Newsletter (twice monthly) Money Matters Newsletter (twice monthly) Joining the Military (twice monthly) Security Clearance News (twice monthly) OFF DUTY (twice monthly) Reach millions in the military community. Advertise with us. To ensure the delivery of Military.com e-mails to your inbox, please take a moment to add newsltr@miltnews.com to your E-Mail Address Book or Safe List. Military.com is a private entity, not an agency of the Federal government. Military.com makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the content, information, or services provided herein. © 2008 Military Advantage, Inc. All rights reserved. 799 Market Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94103-2045. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------