Information on this page provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs

Disability compensation is a monthly benefit paid to veterans for any injury, condition, or illness that started in or was exacerbated by active service in the military. This benefit is tax free and also can be paid to veterans disabled from treatment in a USDVA healthcare facility.

Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-connected disability, often referred to as "S/C", and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. A service-connected disability does not have to be a combat injury; any injury or illness suffered or aggravated while in uniform can be considered.  See the USDVA Disability Compensation Rates for Veterans page for actual payment amounts.

USDVA disability compensation provides tax-free monthly payments. If you have a service-connected condition, you may be eligible for compensation. A service-connected condition means an illness or injury that was caused by—or got worse because of—your active military service. Keep reading to find out if you may be eligible.

Am I eligible for VA disability compensation?

You may be eligible for USDVA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and
  • You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training

And at least one of these must be true:

  • You got sick or injured while serving in the military—and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an in-service disability claim), or
  • You had an illness or injury before you joined the military—and serving made it worse (called a pre-service disability claim), or
  • You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service (called a post-service disability claim)

Presumptive conditions

For some conditions, we automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition. We call these presumptive conditions.

If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.

Find out more about these categories of presumptive conditions:

STEP 1: FILE A CLAIM

We recommend you work with a Veterans Representative at a County Veterans Affairs Office, Columbia Regional Office (SCDVA), VA facilities, or Veterans Service Organization who can help you file your claim at no cost.

STEP 2: OBTAIN EVIDENCE

Evidence must be submitted to support a disability claim. Evidence submitted at the time of filing will help expedite the claim. The disability evaluation will be based on the evidence provided so it is essential that the information submitted is accurate and complete. The VSO or VSR can assist by verifying service dates (based on the information furnished) and requesting the claimant's medical records.

The USDVA may request more information from the claimant. This may include letters detailing specific experiences in service or information on dependents, employment history, or income. Claimants can help speed the process by providing complete addresses for the medical care facilities that treated a claimant, being as exact as possible in reporting dates of treatment and sending requested information as soon as possible.

STEP 3: GET A VA PHYSICAL EXAM

Often, the USDVA requests exams while waiting for other evidence to arrive. Sometimes, the USDVA reviews evidence to be certain it is requesting the proper exams. The exams the VA requests will depend on the claim and treatment history. The claimant's nearest USDVA Medical Center will schedule the requested exams and contact the claimant by mail and/or phone to let them know what exams are scheduled and when. After each exam, an examination report will be prepared and sent to the USDVA for review. Claimants can expedite this process by keeping exam appointments and by asking private medical providers to send copies of the claimant's records to the USDVA office right away. Claimants are asked to remind the private medical providers to include the USDVA file number on the records that they submit.

USDVA Claim Exam Step by Step (PDF)

USDVA Claim Exam FAQ (PDF)

STEP 4: THE VA RATES COMPLETE RECORD

The USDVA places a claimant's records in their claims folder as they are received. The claim is ready to be rated when the USDVA has received all necessary evidence.  The USDVA evaluates all the medical evidence and other documents to support the medical condition and identifies how these conditions correspond to the rating schedule. This schedule, based on Congressional law, designates which disabilities can be compensated for and at what percentage. The USDVA will pay the maximum benefit allowed by law based on the evidence submitted. If there is a change in disability after a claimant has filed a claim, or if the claimant wants the USDVA to evaluate additional disabilities, the claimant should let their Veteran representative know as soon as possible.

STEP 5: THE VA MAKES A DECISION

After the rating is completed, the USDVA will notify the claimant of the decision made and provide the reasons for all decisions to grant or deny benefits. If the claimant does not agree with the USDVA's decision, they should use the appeal process. If a claimant has questions about their claim, they may call the USDVA at (800) 827-1000 toll free.

A number of factors (including, but not limited to, new Agent Orange presumptive diseases, better wounded warrior survival rates, the return of millions of deployed troops, and restructuring of the Military) have significantly increased the volume and processing time of compensation and pension claims. Some claimants have had to wait as long as two years for their claim to be processed.

What can Veterans do to hasten the processing?

  • Work with a County Veterans Affairs Office to file your claim.

  • Be as thorough as possible when completing the claim application;

  • NEVER assume the USDVA has the necessary information on file;

  • ALWAYS sign the application form;

  • Include the USDVA file number on every page of correspondence or documentation submitted to the USDVA;

  • Respond quickly and completely to USDVA requests for additional information;

  • Keep medical appointments scheduled;

  • Notify the USDVA facility that made the appointment if unable to keep it and reschedule as soon as possible;

  • If the Veteran has been treated for a disability by private medical providers, ask them to send copies of the treatment record to the USDVA and include the USDVA file number;

  • Include the Veteran's complete mailing address (with apartment number, if applicable) and, if possible, a daytime phone number (with area code) with any application or correspondence submitted;

  • Notify the USDVA immediately if a mailing address or phone number changes;

If in doubt about what to do at any time, call the VA at (800) 827-1000. Have the USDVA file number available to give to the person who offers assistance. If unable to locate the USDVA file number, have the veteran's social security number available. Surviving family members of veterans, should have the veteran's social security number available.

If the USDVA denies a disability claim, the claimant may appeal the decision. A claimant may also appeal if the claim was approved, but the claimant disagrees with the percentage evaluation received, or the claimant thinks the effective date is inappropriate.

An appeal of a local decision involves many steps (some optional and some required) and strict time limits. In sequence, the steps are:

  1. Notice of Disagreement (NOD);

  2. Statement of the Case (SOC);

  3. Formal Appeal (USDVA Form 10182 or equivalent);

  4. Hearings (Optional);

  5. Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA);

  6. United States Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims (CAVC).

The case may also involve remands at the BVA and/or Court of Veterans Appeals (COVA) levels. A claimant may have several appeals at once, and several issues may be included in the same appeal. Usually, all issues on one USDVA decision will be included in the same appeal.

1. NOTICE OF DISAGREEMENT

A Notice of Disagreement (NOD) is a written statement that a claimant disagrees with a decision the USDVA made regarding their claim. When submitting an NOD:

  • Claimants must be specific about their disagreement. If decisions were made on multiple items, claimants must be clear about which item they are addressing, and the NOD should be submitted on USDVA Form 10182;

  • A NOD can be accepted only if a final decision was made. Before benefits can be reduced or denied, the USDVA must send a "pre-determination notice." If a claimant did not receive paperwork describing the appeals process (USDVA Form 4107), check the letter to see if it is, in fact, a pre-determination notice;

  • Check the time limit. A NOD must be filed within one year of the date of the letter informing the claimant of the final USDVA decision. If a claimant has missed the filing deadline, they may file another claim for the same condition or request that the previous claim be re-opened.

2. STATEMENT OF THE CASE

A Statement of the Case (SOC) is a summary of the evidence considered, actions taken, decisions made, and the laws governing the decision. A SOC must be done when a NOD is filed or when new evidence is received, and the USDVA does not overturn the decision on appeal with a full grant of benefits sought. Once the first SOC is completed on an appeal, subsequent SOCs are considered Supplemental Statements of the Case (SSOC). An appeal may have several SSOCs.

3. FORMAL APPEAL (VA FORM 10182 OR EQUIVALENT)

An appeal must be formal before it can continue to higher levels. The standard form for formalizing (sometimes called perfecting) an appeal is the USDVA Form 10182, Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals. This form must be received no later than one of these two dates:

  • one year from the date of the letter notifying the claimant of the decision

  • 60 days after the date of the Statement of the Case

4. HEARINGS (OPTIONAL)

Hearings provide an opportunity for claimants to present evidence in person; they are optional. Hearings are held at the USDVA Regional Office by a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The DRO will review the evidence and testimony and make a decision on the case. If the issue is not resolved in the claimant's favor, the appeal will continue.

5. BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS (BVA)

The Board of Veterans Appeals, located in Washington DC, is the highest appellate body in USDVA. Although most decisions are made in Washington, BVA does have travel boards that come to local offices. Because travel boards have been limited in the past couple of years, the pending workload at BVA has dramatically increased. It is not unusual for an appeal to take 2 years or more from the initial NOD to the final BVA decision.

BVA looks at all of the evidence regarding the issue under appeal. If BVA decides that more information is needed to make a decision, it will issue a remand to the local office. BVA will not reconsider the case until its instructions in the remand are done. If the evidence is sufficient, BVA will issue a decision. This is the final USDVA decision and the end of the appeal process. However, a BVA decision can be reviewed by the if an appeal to the court is filed within 120 days of the BVA decision.

6. UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS' CLAIMS (CAVC)

The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims (CAVC), located in Washington DC, reviews matters of law regarding USDVA benefits and decisions. CAVC is not part of the VA; it is an appellate court in the U.S. judicial system. CAVC will only consider decisions made by the Board of Veterans Appeals after 1988. As in most courts, one must have either an attorney or personal knowledge of legal proceedings   to file the correct legal paperwork and conduct the appeal. CAVC decisions usually concern the procedural, legal issues involved in the "letter of the law". The deadline for filing an appeal to CAVC is 120 days after the BVA decision (using the date of the letter to the claimant informing them of the decision).

1. How do I get a copy of my discharge document (DD214)

Veterans or their next of kin who need assistance in obtaining service records, a DD-214, or replacement awards and medals must formally request them through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The NPRC is the records custodian for most discharged and retired members of all branches of service. The fastest way to obtain a copy is through the NPRC website. Expect a two to three week wait to receive requested records.

Records can also be requested by mailing or faxing a Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records to:

The National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
(314) 801-9195 (F)

2. How do I file for a disability claim?

The disability claim process begins a claim is filed, either formally or informally. If a Veteran has never filed a disability claim with the USDVA, we recommend that they file a Fully Developed Claim (on a USDVA Form 21-526EZ or 21-527EZ) when possible. If not eligible, they must complete and submit a USDVA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension.

It is highly recommended that the Veteran complete the form with the assistance of a Veteran service representative. A County Veterans Affairs Office, Columbia Regional Office (SCDVA), Veteran Service Organization, or other VA facilities can assist in obtaining compensation benefits at no cost.

You can also file ONLINE. Learn about other ways to file a disability compensation claim

3. I applied for a copy of my DD-214 and have not received it yet, where is it?

Once sufficient time has passed for to process your request (about 10 days), you may check the status of your request by e-mail through the NPRC Customer Service Center at mpr.status@nara.gov. Please provide the request number if you have one, the name, address and phone number of the requestor, and the Veteran's branch of service to aid them in finding your request in their system. You will receive a return e-mail from them with a projected completion date for your request.

You may also telephone the NPRC Customer Service Line (this is a long-distance call for most customers): 314-801-0800

4. I did not receive, or I lost my pension/disability check. What do I do?

You should contact your local County Veterans Affairs Office or call the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000.​

 

If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA disability benefits.

There are 2 ways you can try to qualify:

You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions like these:

  • Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability
  • Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease
  • Severe hearing loss
  • Scar tissue
  • Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
  • Ulcers
  • Cancers or other conditions caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers

You may also be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions like these:

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Get more information

Go to our Compensation 101 videos to learn more about how VA disability compensation works:

Compensation 101: What is disability compensation? (YouTube)

Compensation 101: What is service connection? (YouTube)

  • VR&E eligibility

    If your service-connected disability limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, find out if you can get VR&E benefits and services—like help exploring employment options and getting more education or training if required.

  • Accessing VR&E through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

    If you’ve been referred to IDES to determine if you’re medically unfit for duty due to a service-connected disability, find out how to access VR&E services as quickly as possible.