According to the 2018 study “Life of a Private,” the overwhelming majority of young people who join the military do so out of economic need, and 25% joined specifically because of the benefits. For those soldiers who became disabled as a result of their service, you went above and beyond to earn your benefits. But are you sure exactly what those benefits are?
8 Benefits Disabled Veterans Are Entitled To
This is by no means a complete list of the benefits you are entitled to. Instead, it’s a list of nine of the more commonly known benefits disabled veterans can get.
Disability
Your disability benefits are a monthly payment that will give you the funds you need to cover your expenses. The process of being approved for benefits can take months, however, your approval date is not when your benefits start. Instead, a retroactive payment will be made that typically dates back to the date the Veterans’ Administration (VA) got your application.
The VA recognizes hearing loss as one of the most common disabilities among veterans. That’s why it offers assistance to improve their auditory health.
To obtain hearing aids through the VA, veterans must first qualify for healthcare benefits. The criteria may include factors such as military service, service-connected disabilities, and income level. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, it is best to contact the VA directly or visit their website for more information.
Once eligible, veterans can receive a comprehensive audiological evaluation at a VA medical facility to determine the extent of their hearing loss and the appropriate course of treatment. If hearing aids are deemed necessary, the VA will provide them at no cost to the eligible veteran. Check this post to learn more about this.
Education
The VA will also give you education benefits that can help you train for a new career. In addition to this, they will also provide up to 36 months of education to the spouse and children of veterans who have a VA compensation rating of 100% disabled.
One of the key education benefits provided by the VA is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. It covers tuition and fees, a housing allowance, and a stipend for school supplies and books. You can use the benefit for undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational training, and certain certification programs.
Another VA education benefit is the Montgomery GI Bill. This program has two main categories: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) and Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR). As their names imply, the two are allocated to the corresponding sectors of the force.
On the other hand, the Fry Scholarship provides educational benefits to children and surviving spouses of veterans who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. It offers similar benefits to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including tuition, housing allowance, and book stipends.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
If you’re able to work, you’ll appreciate the VA’s vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, which can help you find and maintain a job that works with your disability. They will also provide training that will help you get off to a strong start in your new position.
Readjustment Counseling
Readjusting to civilian life after witnessing or engaging in combat can be challenging for disabled vets. If you are a disabled veteran who was in combat, experienced sexual assault, or provided medical or mortuary care, you are entitled to readjustment counseling. In the event of your demise, the military will also provide counseling to your survivors.
Vehicle Allowance
Severely disabled veterans may be eligible for grants that can help you purchase a disabled-accessible home or to make modifications to your existing home that will help you get around.
Clothing Allowance
If you’ve lost a limb due to your service-related disability, you may require special clothing. You may also require adaptive clothing that will make it easier for you to dress yourself. You may be eligible for an annual stipend that can help you buy suitable clothing.
VA Pension
Low-income disabled vets and their family members may be eligible for a pension that will give you money so you are not living below the poverty threshold that was set by Congress. Due to your disability, your pension may be higher than the pension of a non-disabled veteran.
Long-Term Care
Disabled vets and their surviving spouses are eligible to receive up to $25,020 per year for the cost of long-term care through the VA’s Aid and Attendance program. You may be eligible for these benefits if you:
- Need help with your daily activities
- Are bedridden
- Have limited eyesight
- Are a patient in a nursing home
These benefits and the many others that aren’t listed in this article can make a huge difference in your standard of living and quality of life. Consider searching for veterans benefits assisted living if you want to find out more. In a perfect world, all disabled veterans would automatically receive these benefits. The unfortunate truth is it doesn’t always work out that way.
Can My Veterans Benefits Be Denied?
If your benefits are denied, one disability law firm offers the advice, “Don’t give up!” Many disabled vets whose claims are initially denied or are rated too low go on to get their benefits. You can make an appeal to the VA to have your denial reviewed. You may also want to consider hiring an attorney who understands the law and can fight for your rights.
According to Military.com, around one-fourth of all military members end up with some form of service-connected disability. Approximately 4.7 million veterans are at least partially disabled, and many of them receive benefits. With perseverance and a strategy, you could be one of them.
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