Overview
Disability compensation is available to Veterans injured during active duty military service or have a pre-existing disability that worsened during your active duty service.
Common examples include:
- Hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears) after exposure to loud noises without adequate hearing protection
- Chronic pain and/or loss of range of motion in your back, shoulders, hips, arms, legs, feet or hands because of marching long distances while carrying heavy packs or weighted items
- Nightmares, flashbacks to your time in service, challenges in crowded places or frequent fears from exposure to stressful environments or situations
For those eligible and approved, you receive a tax-free monthly disability compensation payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility
There is no time limit to file a claim for disability compensation. It does not matter how many years have passed since your date of discharge from the military.
If you already have a disability compensation rating from the VA, but your medical condition has worsened, you may file another claim for a higher monthly payout based on the worsening of your medical condition.
Special Circumstances
Special rules apply for certain medical conditions for
- veterans who served in the Gulf War
- veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes from burn pits
- veterans who served in Vietnam and certain other areas of Southeast Asia
- veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation
- veterans who served at Camp Lejeune
- veterans who now suffer from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (“Lou Gehrig’s Disease”)
Apply
A Veterans Benefits Advisor will help you prepare and file your claim for disability compensation for free and completely confidential.