A comprehensive guide to military disability benefits for education. Learn about VA disability compensation and education benefits for veterans and their families.
Comprehensive Guide to Military Disability Benefits
Veterans who have served in the military often face unique challenges upon returning to civilian life, especially if they have sustained injuries or developed conditions related to their service. Understanding the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be crucial for these veterans and their families.
Educational Benefits for Disabled Veterans and Their Families
For military members who become fully and permanently disabled while serving have education benefits beyond the GI Bill available to them, their spouses, and dependents.
What States Offer Free Education to 100% Disable Veterans?
For the disable individual themselves, there are free education opportunities available depending on what state they live in. Here are the 21 states that offer free education grants to former US military members, the bold ones with stars* have special opportunities for recipients of a Purple Heart Medal and disabled veterans.
- Alabama* (undergraduate programs)
- Alaska (covers tuition for University of Alaska schools)
- Arizona* (Purple Heart + at least 50% disabled to qualify)
- Connecticut (must have serve active duty wartime for at least 90 days)
- Florida* (Purple Heart or other “more prestigious decoration”)
- Illinois (through Illinois Veteran Grant Program)
- Indiana* (Purple Heart required)
- Maryland* (at least 25% disability required or POW/MIA status)
- Massachusetts (all Veterans and active duty personnel are eligible)
- Montana (must have served in specific campaigns or warzones)
- New Mexico (through the Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund)
- New York (must have served in Vietnam, Persian Gulf, or Afghanistan, or have a medal from any conflict since 1961)
- Rhode Island* (must be at least 10% disabled – for tuition only)
- South Dakota (must be at least 10% disabled – for tuition only)
- Tennessee ($500 – $1000 grants per semester for all Veterans)
- Texas (must have at least 181 days of service in military)
- Utah* (Purple Heart for graduate and undergraduate assistance – or any Veteran can get assistance with final year of a bachelor’s degree program)
- Washington (depending on the school, assistance programs are available to ‘qualifying veterans.’)
- West Virginia* (Purple Heart required)
- Wisconsin (covers 128 credit hours for all veterans)
- Wyoming (must have served in overseas conflict)
Educational Benefits for Spouses and Children of Disabled Veterans
For veterans with a disability connected to their service, and are considered 100% disabled, there is an education benefit available to dependents and spouses regardless of what state they live in. The benefit known as “Chapter 35” Survivors and Dependent’s Education Assistance provides up to three years for the following educational expenses:
- College, Business, Technical or Vocational Courses
- High School Diploma or GED
- Independent Study or Distance Learning courses
- Correspondence Courses (Spouses Only)
- Apprenticeship/On-the-Job Training
- Remedial, Deficiency, and Refresher Training (in some cases)
- The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance in a job
Knowledge is Confidence!
What Other Veteran Disability Benefits Are Available?
Definition of Disability for Veteran Benefits
VA disability refers to the benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who have service-connected disabilities. These disabilities are physical or mental health conditions that were caused or exacerbated by military service. The VA disability benefits are designed to compensate veterans for the loss of earning capacity due to these conditions, offering a form of financial support that is often tax-free.
Types of VA Benefits that Disabled Service Members are Eligible to Receive
There are several types of VA disability benefits available to veterans. The most common is the VA disability compensation, which is a monthly payment provided to veterans who have disabilities related to their military service. In addition to this, veterans may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), which offers additional financial support for veterans with severe disabilities or those who require aid and attendance. Other benefits include access to free educational programs, vocational rehabilitation, and benefits for family members, including spouses and dependents.
How to Apply for Veterans Disability Compensation
Steps to File a Claim for VA Disability
Filing a VA disability claim involves several steps. First, veterans should gather all necessary documentation, including service records and medical evidence. Next, they can submit their claim online through the VA’s eBenefits portal, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. It is important to provide detailed information about the disability and how it is connected to military service. After submission, the VA will review the claim and may request additional information or schedule a medical examination to assess the disability.
Documents to Provide the VA to Qualify for VA Disability Benefits
When applying for VA disability benefits, veterans need to provide various documents to support their claim. These include their DD214 or other discharge papers, medical records from both military and civilian healthcare providers, and any relevant service treatment records. Providing comprehensive and accurate documentation can significantly impact the success of a disability claim, as it helps the VA establish a clear connection between the veteran’s service and their disability.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Application
There are several common mistakes veterans should avoid when applying for VA disability benefits. One of the most frequent errors is failing to provide sufficient medical evidence to support the claim. Veterans should ensure that all medical records are up-to-date and clearly demonstrate the connection between their disability and military service. Additionally, veterans should avoid submitting incomplete applications or missing deadlines, as this can delay the processing of their claim. Seeking assistance from a veterans service organization can help avoid these pitfalls.
How is VA Disability Compensation Calculated?
Understanding Disability Ratings
The VA assigns a disability rating to each service-connected condition, which determines the amount of disability compensation a veteran will receive. This rating is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0% to 100%, in increments of 10%. The rating reflects the severity of the disability and its impact on the veteran’s ability to work. Multiple disabilities are combined using a specific formula to calculate the overall disability rating, which influences the monthly payment amount.
Compensation Rates for Disability Pay
Compensation rates for veterans are determined by their disability rating and the number of dependents they have. The VA publishes an annual compensation rate table, which outlines the monthly payment amounts for different disability ratings and dependent statuses. Veterans with higher disability ratings or those with dependents typically receive higher compensation rates. These rates are periodically adjusted to account for cost-of-living increases. Several factors can affect the monthly payment a veteran receives from VA disability compensation. In addition to the disability rating and number of dependents, factors such as the veteran’s marital status, whether they have children or parents who are dependents, and eligibility for Special Monthly Compensation can influence the payment amount. Veterans who are also receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits or retired pay might be subject to offset rules, which can affect the total compensation they receive. Veterans who have a service-connected disability may be eligible for Social Security benefits.
Reach Out to Us!
If you have additional federal benefit questions, contact our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultants (ChFEBC℠). At PlanWell, we are federal employee financial advisors with a focus on retirement planning. Learn more about our process designed for the career fed.
Preparing for federal retirement? Check out our scheduled federal retirement workshops. Sign up for our no-cost federal retirement webinars here! Make sure to plan ahead and reserve your seat for our FERS webinar, held every three weeks. Want to have PlanWell host a federal retirement seminar for your agency? Reach out, and we’ll collaborate with HR to arrange an on-site FERS seminar.
Want to fast-track your federal retirement plan? Skip the FERS webinar and start a one-on-one conversation with a ChFEBC today. You can schedule a one-on-one meeting here.
