Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you've earned.

Factors that may affect your monthly compensation payments

The benefit amount is graduated according to the degree of the Veteran's disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent).

Can I get increased payments if I have a severe disability or dependents?

Yes. We may increase your monthly payments if one or more of the below is true: 

  • You have a very severe disability or loss of limb, or
  • You have a spouse, child, or dependent parent and your combined disability rating is 30% or greater, or
  • You have a spouse with a serious disability

Is there anything else that might affect my compensation amount?

Yes. Your compensation may end up being less than it otherwise would be if either of the below is true: 

  • You receive military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation pay, or
  • You're incarcerated in a federal, state, or local facility for more than 60 days for conviction of a felony

Does VA give cost-of-living increases for disability compensation payments?

Yes. We’re required by law to match the percentage of cost-of-living adjustments made to Social Security benefits. These adjustments help to make sure that the purchasing power of your benefits keeps up with inflation.

Get the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) information on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website

Current year Veterans disability compensation rates

Review current year Veterans disability compensation rates. Use our compensation benefits rate tables to find your monthly payment amount. We base your monthly payment amount on your disability rating and details about your dependent family members.

Am I eligible for VA disability compensation?

You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and
  • You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training

And at least one of these must be true:

  • You got sick or injured while serving in the military—and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an inservice disability claim), or
  • You had an illness or injury before you joined the military—and serving made it worse (called a preservice disability claim), or
  • You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service (called a postservice disability claim)

Presumed disabilities

Example 1 - During a weekend drill, an Army Reservist injures her knee while participating in a physical training class. She is eligible for compensation for residuals of the knee injury.

Example 2 - An individual enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 10, 1988, and served for a period of 3 years. He was honorably discharged on June 9, 1991. During his active duty, he fell from a bunk and injured his back. Based on his active service, he is entitled to service-connected benefits for the residuals of his back injury.

Who’s covered?

  • Veterans
  • Qualified dependents

What conditions are covered by these benefits?

You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions such as:

  • Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability
  • Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease
  • Severe hearing loss
  • Scar tissue
  • Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
  • Ulcers
  • Cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers

You may also be able to get VA disability benefits for:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Get more information about conditions that may be covered

Note: If you were on inactive duty for training, the disability must have resulted from injury, heart attack, or stroke.

What evidence will VA look for to support my disability claim?

We’ll look for evidence that shows you have:

  • A current physical or mental disability (damage to your body or mind that makes you less able—or totally unable—to do everyday tasks, including meaningful work), and
  • An event, injury, or illness that happened while you were serving in the military to cause this disability

What documents will I need to support my claim?

We require certain documents to support all claims for disability benefits.

You’ll need to submit or give us permission to gather these:

  • Your DD214 or other separation documents
  • Your service treatment records
  • Any medical evidence related to your illness or injury (like doctor’s reports, X-rays, and medical test results)

Note: Under certain circumstances, VA may conclude that certain current disabilities were caused by service, even if there is no specific evidence proving this in your particular claim.

The cause of a disability is presumed for the following Veterans who have certain diseases.

How to Apply

Contact our office at (810) 989-6945 for assistance in determining eligibility and completing the necessary forms.

Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension benefit programs

Veterans Pension - Supplemental Income for Wartime Veterans:

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits. Find out if you’re eligible for this benefit.

Am I eligible for Veterans Pension benefits?

You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
  • Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse.
    Find out about Veterans Pension rates

And at least one of these must be true about your service:

  • You started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
  • You started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or
  • You were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months

And at least one of these must be true:

  • You’re at least 65 years old, or
  • You have a permanent and total disability, or
  • You’re a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
  • You’re getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income

with wartime service. Learn More

Survivors Pension:

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress. Find out if you qualify and how to apply.

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as a surviving spouse?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you haven’t remarried after the Veteran’s death, and if the deceased Veteran didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge and their service meets at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

  • The Veteran entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980, and served at least 90 days on active military service, with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or
  • The Veteran entered active duty after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period or
  • The Veteran was an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months

Learn more about covered wartime periods

And this must be true for you:

Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth equals the value of everything you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe.

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as the child of a deceased wartime Veteran?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you’re unmarried and you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

  • You’re under age 18, or
  • You’re under age 23 and attending a VA-approved school, or
  • You’re unable to care for yourself due to a disability that happened before age 18

Learn More

VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, find out if you qualify.

Am I eligible for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits as a Veteran or survivor?

VA Aid and Attendance eligibility

You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

  • You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing, or
  • You have to stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness, or
  • You are a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or
  • Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less)

Housebound benefits eligibility

You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability (a disability that doesn’t go away).

Note: You can’t get Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time.

Lean More

How to Apply

Contact our office at (810) 989-6945 for assistance in determining eligibility and completing the necessary forms.

Health Care

Am I eligible for VA health care benefits?

You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.

If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981

You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless any of the descriptions below are true for you.

This minimum duty requirement may not apply if any of these are true:

  • You were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
  • You were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
  • You served prior to September 7, 1980

If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard

You must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care.

If you served in certain locations and time periods during the Vietnam War era

You’re eligible for VA health care. Keep reading to learn more.

Since there are a number of other exceptions to the minimum duty requirements, VA encourages all Veterans to apply so that we may determine their enrollment eligibility.

Is there anything that will make me more likely to get these benefits?

Yes. You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status if you meet at least one of these requirements. Enhanced eligibility means that we’ll place you in a higher priority group. This makes you more likely to get benefits.

At least one of these must be true:

  • You receive financial compensation (payments) from VA for a service-connected disability
  • You were discharged for a disability resulting from something that happened to you in the line of duty
  • You were discharged for a disability that got worse in the line of duty
  • You’re a combat Veteran discharged or released on or after September 11, 2001
    Learn more about eligibility for transitioning active-duty service members and returning combat Veterans
  • You get a VA pension
  • You’re a former prisoner of war (POW)
  • You have received a Purple Heart
  • You have received a Medal of Honor
  • You get (or qualify for) Medicaid benefits
  • You served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998
  • You served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987

Or, you must have served in any of these locations during the Vietnam War era:

  • Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976 
  • Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969
  • Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969
  • Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980
  • Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977
  • Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975

If none of these descriptions apply to you, you may still qualify for care based on your income. Learn more about how the amount of money your family makes can affect whether you qualify for VA benefits.

Learn More

Resources for Veterans

VA Benefits for Mesothelioma - There are a variety of VA benefits available for veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

From receiving nursing care to financial support for your spouse and children — regardless of how long ago your service was.

Veterans may get monthly financial benefits to help with the cost of living and treatment expenses.

How to Apply

Contact our office at (810) 989-6945 for assistance in determining eligibility and completing the necessary forms. 

VA Medical Centers

Sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine at VA
If you’re a Veteran, spouse, caregiver, or CHAMPVA recipient, you’re now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine from VA. Sign up online, and the VA will contact you when they have a vaccine for you. Please don't come to a VA health facility to request a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment.

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center

4646 John R Street

Detroit, MI 48201

800-511-8056 (Toll-free)

313-576-1000 (Direct)

313-576-1600 (COVID Appts)

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

2215 Fuller Road

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

800-361-8387 (Toll-free)

734-769-7100 (Direct)

 

Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center

1500 Weiss Street

Saginaw, MI 48602

800-406-5143 (Toll-free)

989-497-2500 (Direct)

 

Yale VA Clinic

7470 Brockway Road

Yale, MI 48097

810-387-3211 (Direct)

810-387-3211 (COVID Appts)

 

Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans

We offer housing grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live more independently. Changing a home might involve installing ramps or widening doorways. Find out if you’re eligible for a disability housing grant—and how to apply.

Two grant programs exist: the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

ou may be able to get an SAH grant if you’re using the grant money to buy, build, or change your permanent home (a home you plan to live in for a long time) and you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • You own or will own the home, and
  • You have a qualifying service-connected disability

Qualifying service-connected disabilities include:

  • The loss or loss of use of more than one limb
  • The loss or loss of use of a lower leg along with the residuals (lasting effects) of an organic (natural) disease or injury
  • Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or less)
  • Certain severe burns
  • The loss, or loss of use, of one lower extremity (foot or leg) after September 11, 2001, which makes it so you can’t balance or walk without the help of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair

Note: Only 120 Veterans and service members each fiscal year (FY) can qualify for a grant based on the loss of one extremity after September 11, 2001, as set by Congress. A fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. If you qualify for a grant in the current fiscal year but you can't receive it because of the 120-grant limit, you may be able to receive this benefit in future years.

How much funding does an SAH grant offer?

If you qualify for an SAH grant, you can get up to $109,986 for FY 2023. This is the current total maximum amount allowed for SAH grants.

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant

You may be able to get an SHA grant if you’re using the grant money to buy, build, or change your permanent home (a home you plan to live in for a long time) and you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • You or a family member own or will own the home, and
  • You have a qualifying service-connected disability

Qualifying service-connected disabilities include:

  • The loss or loss of use of both hands
  • Certain severe burns
  • Certain respiratory or breathing injuries

How much funding does an SHA grant offer?

If you qualify for an SHA grant, you can get up to $22,036 for FY 2023. This is the current total maximum amount allowed for SHA grants.

Do I have to use the total grant amount this year?

No. If you’re eligible for an SAH or SHA grant, you can use money from your grant up to 6 different times over your lifetime. 

Depending on the adaptations you need, and the bid from your builder, you can use as much or as little of your grant as you need this year. If you don’t use the full amount, you can use more money from the grant in future years. 

We may adjust the total maximum amount each year based on the cost of construction. You may receive up to the current total maximum amount for the last year you use the grant.

Learn more about how to apply for a housing grant

Grant eligibility for a temporary home

Can I get money to change a family member’s home where I’m living?

You may be able to get a Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant if you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • You qualify for an SAH or SHA grant, and
  • You’re living temporarily in a family member’s home that needs changes to meet your needs. (To use a TRA grant, you don’t have to own the house.)

Learn about eligibility for SAH or SHA grants

How much funding does a TRA grant offer?

If you qualify for an SAH grant, you can get up to $44,299 through the TRA grant program for FY 2023.

If you qualify for an SHA grant, you can get up to $7,910 through the TRA grant program for FY 2023.

Learn More

How to Apply

Contact our office at (810) 989-6945 for assistance in determining eligibility and completing the necessary forms. 

Education and Training

GI Bill benefits

Explore your options at the following pages:

Once you’re ready, apply for benefits online. Apply for Benefits

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

This program (also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E) helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs.

In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.

How to Apply

Contact our office at (810) 989-6945 for assistance in determining eligibility and completing the necessary forms.

VA Housing Assistance

VA direct and VA-backed Veterans home loans can help Veterans, service members, and their survivors to buy, build, improve, or refinance a home. You’ll still need to have the required credit and income for the loan amount you want to borrow. But a Veterans home loan may offer better terms than with a traditional loan from a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union. For example, nearly 90% of VA-backed loans are made with no down payment. Learn about our different loan programs—and how to apply.https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/

Learn more.

VA home loan types

We offer VA home loan programs to help you buy, build, or improve a home or refinance your current home loan—including a VA direct loan and 3 VA-backed loans. Learn more about the different programs, and find out if you can get a Certificate of Eligibility for a loan that meets your needs.

How does a VA direct home loan work?

With a VA direct home loan, we serve as your mortgage lender. This means you’ll work directly with us to apply for and manage your loan. The Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program often has better terms than a home loan from a private lender (a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union).
Find out if you qualify for a NADL

How does a VA-backed home loan work?
With a VA-backed home loan, we guarantee (or stand behind) a portion of the loan you get from a private lender. If your VA-backed home loan goes into foreclosure, the guaranty allows the lender to recover some or all of their losses. Since there’s less risk for the lender, they’re more likely to give you the loan under better terms. In fact, nearly 90% of all VA-backed home loans are made without a down payment.

Lenders follow our VA standards when making VA-backed home loans. They may also require you to meet additional standards before giving you a loan. These standards may include having a high enough credit score or getting an updated home appraisal (an expert’s estimate of the value of your home).

Explore different loan types

Purchase loan
Looking to buy a home? Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed purchase loan to get better terms than with a private-lender loan.

Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program

Are you a Native American Veteran or a Veteran married to a Native American? Find out if you're eligible for a NADL to buy, build, or improve a home on federal trust land.

Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)

Have an existing VA-backed home loan? Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed IRRRL to help reduce your monthly payments or make them more stable.

Cash-out refinance loan

Want to take cash out of your home equity to pay off debt, pay for school, or take care of other needs? Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed cash-out refinance loan.

Resources

How to Apply

Contact our office at (810) 989-6945 for assistance in determining eligibility and completing the necessary forms.

Survivors Benefits

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)

If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Find out if you can get VA benefits or compensation.

Am I eligible for VA DIC as a surviving spouse or dependent?


As a surviving spouse
 
Eligibility
 
You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.
 
One of these must be true:
 
  • You lived with the Veteran or service member without a break until their death, or
  • If you’re separated, you weren’t at fault for the separation

And one of these must be true:

  • You married the Veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying illness or injury started or got worse, or
  • You were married to the Veteran or service member for at least 1 year, or
  • You had a child with the Veteran or service member

Note: If you remarried, you can receive or continue to receive compensation if one of these describes you:

  • You remarried on or after December 16, 2003, and you were 57 years of age or older at the time you remarried, or
  • You remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and you were 55 years of age or older at the time you remarried

Evidence

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

Provide evidence showing that one of these is true:

  • The service member died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive-duty training, or
  • The Veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury, or
  • The Veteran didn’t die from a service-connected illness or injury, but was eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time

If the Veteran’s eligibility was due to a rating of totally disabling, they must have had this rating:

  • For at least 10 years before their death, or
  • Since their release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before their death, or
  • For at least 1 year before their death if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999

Note: “Totally disabling” means the Veteran’s injuries made it impossible for them to work.

Learn more about the evidence you’ll need to support your claim


As a surviving child

Eligibility

You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.

All of these must be true:

  • You aren’t married, and
  • You aren’t included on the surviving spouse’s compensation, and
  • You’re under the age of 18 (or under the age of 23 if attending school)

Note: If you were adopted out of the Veteran’s or service member’s family, but meet all other eligibility criteria, you still qualify for compensation.

Evidence

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

Provide evidence showing that one of these is true:

  • The service member died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive-duty training, or
  • The Veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury, or
  • The Veteran didn’t die from a service-connected illness or injury, but was eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time

If the Veteran’s eligibility was due to a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling, they must have had this rating:

  • For at least 10 years before their death, or
  • Since their release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before their death, or
  • For at least 1 year before their death if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999

Note: “Totally disabling” means the Veteran’s injuries make it impossible for them to work.

Learn more about the evidence you’ll need to support your claim


As a surviving parent

Eligibility

You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

  • You’re the biological, adoptive, or foster parent of the Veteran or service member, and
  • Your income is below a certain amount
    Check the parents DIC rate table

Note: We define a foster parent as someone who served in the role of a parent to the Veteran or service member before their last entry into active service.

Evidence

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

Provide evidence showing that one of these is true:

  • The service member died from an injury or illness while on active duty or in the line of duty while on active duty for training, or

  • The service member died from an injury or certain illnesses in the line of duty while on inactive training, or

  • The Veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury

Learn more about the evidence you’ll need to support your claim

VA Survivors Pension

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress. Find out if you qualify and how to apply.

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as a surviving spouse?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you haven’t remarried after the Veteran’s death, and if the deceased Veteran didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge and their service meets at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

  • The Veteran entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980, and served at least 90 days on active military service, with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or

  • The Veteran entered active duty after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period or

  • The Veteran was an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months

Learn more about covered wartime periods

And this must be true for you:

Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth equals the value of everything you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe.

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as the child of a deceased wartime Veteran?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you’re unmarried and you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

  • You’re under age 18, or
  • You’re under age 23 and attending a VA-approved school, or
  • You’re unable to care for yourself due to a disability that happened before age 18

Am I eligible?

How to Apply

Contact our office at (810) 989-6945 for assistance in determining eligibility and completing the necessary forms.