Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities

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.

This week's discussion will include information concerning "Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities." Disability compensations as 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 2009 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.

VA offers three payment options to veterans eligible to receive disability benefits. Most veterans receive their payments by direct deposit to a bank, savings and loan or credit union account. In some areas, veterans who do not have a bank account can open a federally insured Electronic Transfer Account, which costs about $3 a month, provides a monthly statement and allows cash withdrawals. Other veterans may choose to receive monthly benefits by check. To choose a payment method, call toll-free 1-877-838-2778, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., CST.

In the "Did You Know?" segment. Suicide is the 11th most frequent cause of death in the U.S. - someone dies from suicide every 16 minutes. Suicidal ideas and attempts to harm oneself are the result of problems that may seem like they cannot be fixed. Seek professional help - call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and indicate you are a veteran. You will be immediately connected to VA suicide prevention and mental health professionals. Or contact your local VA Medical Center or Vet Center today. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs Suicide Prevention webpage.

Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas!"