CVSO Article due 29 May 2009 by Dan Meyer

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 12:27 PM
Subject: CVSO Article due 29 May 2009

By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.

FLASH NEWS! Make sure to attend Dawson's 125th Celebration on the weekend of June 26, 27, and 28. On Saturday, the 26th, I will have a Veterans Benefit Booth at Veterans Park in Dawson, from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Please stop by to get VA benefit information that pertains to veterans and their family members. In addition, I'll be setting up office appointments for those who need to discuss their possible benefits with me in a private/confidential setting.

This week's discussion will include information concerning "Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities." Disability compensations is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by an injury or disease that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service-connected. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of veteran's dependents, and is paid monthly. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax.

The payment of military retirement pay, disability severance pay and separation incentive payments known as SSB and VSI (Special Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives) affects the amount of VA compensation paid to disabled veterans.

To be eligible, the service of the veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. For additional details, visit: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/.

The current VA Disability Compensation Rates for veterans are given by the veteran's disability rating (by percentage) and the monthly rate paid to veterans (in dollar amounts): 10 percent is $123; 20 percent is $243; 30 percent is $376; 40 percent is $541; 50 percent is $770; 60 percent is $974; 70 percent is $1,228; 80 percent is $1,427; 90 percent is $1,604; and 100 percent is $2,673.

Veterans with disability ratings of at least 30 percent are eligible for additional allowances for dependents, including spouses, minor children, children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school, children who are permanently incapable of self-support because of a disability arising before age 18, and dependent parents. The additional amount depends on the disability rating.

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