Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected Disability (64.109)
Program
64.109 Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected Disability
Federal Agency
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 1110, 1131.
Program Number
64.109
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To compensate veterans for disabilities incurred or aggravated during military service according to the average impairment in earning capacity such disability would cause in civilian occupations.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Persons who have suffered disabilities during service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The disability must be shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service in the line of duty. Separation from service must have been under other than dishonorable conditions.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Disabled veterans.
Credentials/Documentation
Military discharge certificate.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
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.
Award Procedure
Awards are authorized at the regional office.
Deadlines
None, but it must be filed within 1 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.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
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.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, 2,310,880 disabled veterans received compensation. Fiscal year 2002, 2,364,237 veterans; and fiscal year 2003, 2,431,323 veterans.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0102-0-1-701.
Obligations
(Direct Payments) FY 02 $16,528,735,000; FY 03 est $17,957,675,000; and FY 04 est $19,303,703,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Basic rates of compensation range from $104 for a 10 percent degree of disability to a maximum of $6,273 a month for specified very severe disabilities.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
38 CFR 3.4; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00220-2.
Related Programs
64.103, Life Insurance for Veterans.
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) 273-7210.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
