A lot of veterans, especially those who have sustained injuries during their active line of service, are eligible for compensation and benefits approved by Veterans Affairs. Some conditions and disabilities are evidently counted as qualified grounds for a VA benefit. Still, there are also those uncommon benefits and disabilities you may not know about, and we are here to fix that.
Our experience as coaches who provide veterans assistance enables us to understand some of these uncommon VA benefits. In this area, we can provide some of the uncommon VA benefits that you may not know you are eligible for. Check out our page, and let us help you get your benefits.
First, let us explore some uncommon VA disabilities that you may not know about.
Uncommon VA disability
Some common injuries grant VA benefits for disabled veterans; the most common disabilities include physical and mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and incapacitation. However, there are some uncommon VA disabilities that veterans may not know about, leading to unclaimed VA disability pay.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other Mental Health Issues
Although this is a common mental health problem, some veterans are unaware that the VA grants VA disability pay for these types of disabilities. Major Depressive Disorder, known as clinical depression, is the constant feeling of sadness or loss of interest that can affect a veteran’s way of life. We’ll get some tips on how to increase the VA rating for depression in the next blog post.
Agent Orange-Related Conditions
During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military primarily used Agent Orange as a chemical to clear vegetation and leaves. Exposure to this chemical elicits various secondary conditions that affect veterans’ overall health, and some of these conditions are still subject to discovery.
Gulf War illnesses
Gulf War veterans can develop a number of medically unexplained and unconfirmed chronic symptoms. Some of these range from fatigue to headaches, pain in the joints, and other mental health issues. The VA refers to it as “chronic multisymptom illness” or undiagnosed illnesses, contrary to its renowned moniker, Gulf War Syndrome, due to the fact that its symptoms can vary.
It is critical to understand your ailment to guarantee that you are not missing out on your disabled veteran benefits. Understand the other uncommon veteran benefits that you may be eligible for below.
Uncommon VA benefits
Your VA benefits are not limited to your VA compensation claim. In fact, if you have an uncommon VA disability, you are eligible for a number of different benefits. These can vary and can definitely help you with your progress. Discover the VA disability benefits list.
VA Special Monthly Compensation
Also regarded as a VA SMC benefit is a disabled VA benefits compensation that is paid to disabled veterans due to special circumstances. This compensation involves the need for aid and attendance by another or a specific disability. E.g., loss of organs or their uses
Service-Connected Disability Commissary Privileges
Commissary privileges are typically available to military service members, retirees, and certain categories of eligible dependents. These privileges allow veterans to shop at commissaries, which are military-run grocery stores offering discounted prices on various items. On January 1, 2020, it was enforced that all disabled veterans that have a VA rating between 0% and 100% are eligible for in-person and online commissaries and other recreation privileges at military installations.
Dental Care
The availability of VA dental care services depends on a number of variables, including your present living status, dental conditions brought on by military service, and your VA disability rating. To be eligible for free VA dental care, a disabled veteran must generally have a 100% disability rating.
Healthcare and Prescription Medications
The VA provides free health care for conditions that are related to military service and for veterans with severe disabilities. Those with disability ratings of at least 50% or those who cannot afford to pay for care are eligible for this VA benefit.
Travel Pay Reimbursement
Suppose at least one of the following statements about you is accurate, and you are traveling for care at a VA health facility or for consideration at a facility in your neighborhood that has been approved by the VA. In that case, you may be eligible for VA travel pay reimbursement. It is available for regular transportation such as trains, buses, taxis, light rail, aircraft, POVs, and cars. It is approved for all authorized health-related travel. The reimbursable amount is 4.15 cents per mile.
Property Tax Exemptions
There are some states that offer full waivers of property taxes for veterans with severe disabilities if they want to reside in their primary areas. Although not all 50 states provide this privilege, checking your qualifications is still beneficial.
Home Loan Funding Fee Waiver
Veterans who want to purchase a home with a disability rating of 10% or higher are entitled to a VA home loan funding fee waiver that ranges from 1.4% to 3.6% of the total loan amount.
Rehabilitation and Employment Programs
It aims to help veterans with service-connected disabilities gain employment that will improve their independence. It consists of several phases involving tasks for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) staff and veterans.
Education Assistance for Dependents
A child or spouse of a veteran who passed away, went missing in action, was captured, or obtained a critical disability can be eligible to receive some educational assistance or job training via the DEA program. If eligibility is confirmed, the VA can help cover the costs of the following:
- College or graduate degree programs
- Career-training certificate courses
- Educational and career counseling
- Apprenticeships
- On-the-job-training
In most cases, a disabled veteran should have a 100% disability rating for dependents to qualify for this program.
Disability Compensation for Dependents
Veterans who have a VA disability rating of 30% or higher may be eligible for an increase in their VA disability benefits, which would help them support their families. Veterans can submit a free online application and change the status of their dependents at any time on the Veterans Affairs website.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability
A veteran incapable of working may be entitled to a service-connected disability known as a “total disability based on individual unemployability” (TDIU). Veterans eligible for this VA benefit can still be employed, but the calculated income for this compensation can be limited.
Life Insurance
Veterans with service-connected disabilities ranging from 0% to 100% are eligible for insurance through the VA’s Disabled Veterans Life Insurance program. It provides qualifying veterans with coverage of up to $10,000. Veterans who are totally handicapped and unable to work may seek an additional $30,000 in compensation.
Attaining these benefits is possible with the right help. Our coaches and our services are streamlined to help veterans receive their well-deserved compensation.
If you require further assistance in claiming your VA disability compensation, please contact us at [email protected] or schedule a strategy call.