VA disability benefits are available for war-time veterans or their



surviving spouse whether or not your disability is

service-connected. There are many veterans and surviving spouses of

deceased veterans from World War II and Korea that don’t even know

they qualify!



It is a shame that this is one of the VA’s best kept secret.



Of the two VA disability benefits, the one discussed here is the

non-service connected disability pension. This benefit has a three

tier payment level depending on your particular situation.



Disability Pension

To be eligible you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must have been discharged under other than
   
   dishonorable
   
   conditions.





2. If you enlisted before September 7, 1980, you
   
   must have served
   
   90 days or more of active duty with at least one day during a
   
   period of war. Anyone who enlisted after September 7, 1980,
   
   however, must serve at least 24 months or the full period for which
   
   that person was called to serve.
   
   





3. You must be permanently and totally disabled,
   
   or age 65 or
   
   older. The Veterans Administration no longer requires those over
   
   age 65 to submit evidence they have a disability that prevents them
   
   from working.





4. In addition, your “countable" income must be
   
   below the yearly
   
   limit set by law; called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR).
   
   The MAPR for 2008 are: Veteran with no dependents $11,181 Veteran
   
   with a spouse or a child $14,643 5. If you are housebound, which
   
   basically means you can no longer safely drive, the MAPR for 2008
   
   are:

Housebound veteran with no dependents

$13,664





Housebound veteran with one dependent

$17,126





Add, for each additional dependent

$1,909











Aid And Attendance Entitlement

If the veteran needs help with the basic activities of daily living

(dressing, bathing, grooming, hygiene, toileting, etc.) they may

qualify for additional disability pension benefits. The veteran

will need to show that he or she needs home care on a regular and

permanent basis, or lives in an assisted living facility. The Aid

and Attendance benefit MAPR for 2008 are:









Veteran who needs aid and attendance with

no dependents

$18,654





Veteran who needs aid and attendance with

one dependent

$22,113







 

VA Disability Benefits Payment

The actual amount of your disability pension will depend on your

“countable" income. Countable income is your gross income minus

qualified health care expenses. The VA will pay you the difference

between your “countable" income and the MAPR that matches your

personal situation. The VA disability pension will be paid directly

to you in 12 equal payments.



How To Apply

You can apply for the VA disability benefits by filling out VA Form

21-526, Parts A,B,C and D plus multiple additional forms and

documentation.



For more information on VA disability benefits you can visit

Veterans Care Advisors website www.veteranscareadvisors.com

where you will be able to find tips and best practices to help you

successfully obtain the VA disability pension benefit.