Disablity Compensation is Tax Free

By: Dan Meyer

The office hours for the Big Stone County Veterans Service Office are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 839-6398.

Flash News! Great news for our entire community was just received by my office from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA). I applied for grant funds available via the MDVA for Fiscal Year 2010. A total of $9,000.00 was granted to the Big Stone County Veterans Service Office. The amount of $4,000.00 will be dedicated to our Friday morning Radio Shows and weekly Newspaper Articles. The remaining $5,000.00 has been allocated for my outreach events. These funds will enable direct services to our veterans and their families.

WANTED!!!! Veterans who have service-connected disabilities.

What is Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation?

Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to veterans for disabilities that are a result of or made worse by injuries or disease that happened while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. Disability compensation is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

How much does VA pay?

The amount of basic benefit ranges from $123 to $2,673 per month, depending on how disabled you are. In addition, you may be paid additional amounts in certain instances, if: you have very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s); you have a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s); or you have a seriously disabled spouse.

Trivia Question Time. Last week’s question was, “What does the military nickname “G.I.” stand for?” The answer is: Government Issue.

This week’s question: “Whose picture is on the Purple Heart Medal?”

Until next week, take care and “Fair Winds and Following Seas!”