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Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected Disability
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
Program Accomplishments
In FY 07, 2,789,490 disabled veterans received compensation. FY 08 estimate, 2,899,829 veterans; and FY 09 estimate, 3,014,841 veterans.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Persons who have suffered disabilities resulting from service in the Armed Forces of the United States.
The disability must have been incurred or aggravated by service in the line of duty.
Separation from service must have been under other than dishonorable conditions for the period in which the disability was incurred or aggravated.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Disabled veterans.
Credentials/Documentation
DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty".
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
An application (VA Form 21-526) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office. An application may be completed on-line at www.va.gov.
Award Procedures
Awards are authorized at the regional office.
Deadlines
None, but it must be filed within one year after separation from service in order for entitlement to be established from the day following discharge; otherwise, entitlement is established only from the date of receipt of the claim.
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 1110, 1131.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 55 percent completed in 180 days or less.
Appeals
Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The veteran must submit to an examination at the request of the Department of Veterans Affairs when necessary to evaluate the present extent of the disabilities.
Failure to appear for such examination may result in suspension of benefits.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0102-0-1-701.
Obigations
(Direct Payments) FY 07 $29,091,160,000; FY 08 est $32,456,880,000; and FY 09 est $34,689,066,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Basic rates of compensation range from $117 for a 10 percent degree of disability to a maximum of $7,232 a month for specified very severe disabilities.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
38 CFR 3.4; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00233-4.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461-9700.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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