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Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

Q: How can I obtain proof of military service?

Q. What is Disability Compensation?

Q: Who Is Eligible for Disability Compensation and How Can I Apply?

Q: How Much Does VA Pay for Disability Compensation?

Q: My service-connected disability has worsened since receiving my current disability evaluation. What should I do?

Q: What if I have another disability not previously claimed?

Q: How much does VA pay in compensation?

Q: What is the Individual Unemployability benefit?

Q: How Long Will It Take to Receive a Decision on My Claim?

Q: Why Is the Combined Disability Rating Sometimes Less Than the Total of the Percentages Assigned to Individual Conditions?

Q: What Is VA Pension?

Q: Who Is Eligible for a VA Pension?

Q: How Much Does VA Pay for a Pension?

Q: How Can You Apply for a Pension?

Q: How do I apply for a VA guaranteed loan?

Q: How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?

Q: Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility for me?

Q: What is acceptable proof of military service?

Q: I have already obtained one VA loan. Can I get another one?

Q: How can I find information about Government Life Insurance policies? Can I purchase life insurance through the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Q: How can I obtain proof of military service?

A: Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is used to apply for proof of military service regardless of whether you served on regular active duty or in the selected reserves. This request form is NOT processed by VA. Rather, Standard Form 180 is completed and mailed to the appropriate custodian of military service records. Instructions are provided on the reverse of the form to assist in determining the correct forwarding address.

Q: What Is VA Disability Compensation?

A: Disability Compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. The benefits are tax-free.

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Q: Who Is Eligible for Disability Compensation and How Can I Apply?

A: You may be eligible for Disability Compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation Or Pension. If you have any of the following material, attach it to your application:

• Dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates)
• Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)

You can also apply on line through online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.

Q: How Much Does VA Pay for Disability Compensation?

A: The amount of basic benefit paid ranges from $123 to $2,673 per month, depending on how disabled you are.

Note: 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)
• you have a seriously disabled spouse

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Q: My service-connected disability has worsened since receiving my current disability evaluation. What should I do?

A: You should submit a claim for an increased evaluation of a current disability that has worsened. Use VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, or write a letter specifying the disability that has worsened and submit any current medical evidence that supports your claim for an increased disability evaluation. Be sure to include your VA claim number or Social Security number on all correspondence.

Q: What if I have another disability not previously claimed?

A: If you have another disability that you feel is related to your military service, but you have not previously filed a claim for that disability, you may file a new claim by submitting a written request. VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, may also be used for this purpose. You will need information that will link that condition to your military service. You should also submit current medical evidence. Be sure to include your VA claim number or Social Security number on all correspondence.

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Q: How much does VA pay in compensation?

A: Monthly tax-free benefits (2008) range from $123 for 10% disability to $2,673 for 100% disability. For 30% or more disability, an additional amount is added for each dependent. Additional amounts are also paid for severe disabilities such as the loss of use of a limb or an organ. Click here for current compensation rates.

Q: What is the Individual Unemployability benefit?

A: The Individual Unemployability (IU) benefit is payable when a veteran cannot secure or retain employment as a result of his/her service-connected disabilities. If you are unable to maintain employment as a result of your service-connected disabilities, complete VA Form 21-8940, Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability and submit current medical evidence on the extent your service-connected disabilities. The evidence should reflect your condition within the past 12 months and include any hospital reports and outpatient treatment records. If you do not have the evidence, be sure to provide information telling VA where the evidence can be obtained.

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Q: How Long Will It Take to Receive a Decision on My Claim?

A: The length of time it takes to receive a decision depends on several factors, such as the complexity of your disability(ies), the number of disabilities you claim, and the availability of evidence needed to decide your claim. Currently most claims are being processed within six months, but can take longer in complex claims.

Q: Why Is the Combined Disability Rating Sometimes Less Than the Total of the Percentages Assigned to Individual Conditions?

A: VA does not add the individual percentages of each condition to determine your combined rating. We use a table that considers the effect from the most serious to the least serious conditions.

Q: What Is VA Pension?

A: Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.

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Q: Who Is Eligible for a VA Pension?

A: You may be eligible if:

• you were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND
• you served 90 days* or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war time, AND
• you are permanently and totally disabled, OR you are age 65 or older, AND
• your countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law (see below).

*However, anyone who enlists after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty.

For more complete information, see the Improved Disability Benefits Pension Rate Table - Effective 12/1/08 on the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website.

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Q: How Much Does VA Pay for a Pension?

A: VA pays you the difference between your countable family income and the yearly income limit that describes your situation (see chart above). This difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the nearest dollar. Call the toll-free number below for details.

Q: How Can You Apply for a Pension?

A: You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension. If available, attach copies of dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates) and current medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports). You can also apply on the Internet at www.va.gov by selecting the “Apply Online” tab.

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Q: How do I apply for a VA guaranteed loan?

A: You can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. At some point, you will need to get a Certificate of Eligibility from VA to prove to the lender that you are eligible for a VA loan.

Q: How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?

A: Complete an 1880: You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by submitting a completed VA Form 26-1880, Request For A Certificate of Eligibility For Home Loan Benefits, to the Winston-Salem Eligibility Center, along with proof of military service. In some cases it may be possible for VA to establish eligibility without your proof of service. However, to avoid any possible delays, it's best to provide such evidence.

Q: Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility for me?

A: Yes, it's called ACE (automated certificate of eligibility). Most lenders have access to the ACE (automated certificate of eligibility) system. This Internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through ACE - only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records. However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate.

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Q: What is acceptable proof of military service?

A: If you were discharged from regular active duty after January 1, 1950, a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty should be included with your VA Form 26-1880. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214 copy 4 should be included. A PHOTOCOPY OF DD214 WILL SUFFICE...DO NOT SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.

If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which identifies you and your social security number, and provides your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

Q: I have already obtained one VA loan. Can I get another one?

A: Yes, your eligibility is reusable depending on the circumstances. Normally, if you have paid off your prior VA loan and disposed of the property, you can have your used eligibility restored for additional use. Also, on a one-time only basis, you may have your eligibility restored if your prior VA loan has been paid in full but you still own the property. In either case, to obtain restoration of eligibility, the veteran must send VA a completed VA Form 26-1880 to our Winston-Salem Eligibility Center. To prevent delays in processing, it is also advisable to include evidence that the prior loan has been paid in full and, if applicable, the property disposed of. This evidence can be in the form of a paid-in-full statement from the former lender, or a copy of the HUD-1 settlement statement completed in connection with a sale of the property or refinance of the prior loan.

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Q: How can I find information about Government Life Insurance policies?

A: You can obtain this information through this web site or by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-669-8477.

Q: Can I purchase life insurance through the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A: "Buying VA Life Insurance" contains information on VA Life Insurance programs that are currently open to new issues.

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For additional answers to you questions call us at 507-765-4937 or go to: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Milsvc/benfacts.htm

Last revised: 26 January 2009