VA Pension Planning

Veterans' Disability Pension Benefits

We represent veterans who are seeking disability pension benefits. The disability pension benefit is available to veterans who meet the qualifications of three distinct requirements:

• Service requirement
• Disability requirement
• Needs requirement

The VA offers another disability program, for which we do not offer representation. Disability compensation is available only for veterans with service-connected disabilities. If you have an injury or disease that happened while on active duty or if active duty made an existing injury or disease worse, you may be eligible for disability compensation. The amount of compensation you get depends on how disabled you are and whether you have children or other dependents. Click here to see the current compensation rates. Additional funds may be available if you have severe disabilities, such as loss of limbs, or a seriously disabled spouse.

Qualification Requirements

The VA pays a pension to disabled veterans who are not able to work. The pension is also available for surviving spouses and children. This pension is available whether or not your disability is service-connected, but to be eligible you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Service Requirement:
  • If you enlisted before September 7, 1980, you must have served 90 days or more of active duty with at least one day during a period of war. Anyone who enlisted after September 7, 1980, however, must serve at least 24 months or the full period for which that person was called to serve.
  • Your discharged must have been other than dishonorable.
• Disability Requirement:
  • You must be permanently and totally disabled, or age 65 or older. You will need a letter from your doctor to prove that you are disabled. The disability does not have to be related to military service.
• Needs Requirement:
  • You must qualify from both an asset and income standpoint.

Housebound. This additional disability pension benefit is available to a veteran who is "permanently housebound." In effect, that means that the veteran must be substantially confined to his or her dwelling and the immediate premises and the confinement must be "permanent;" in other words, it must be expected to continue throughout the veteran's lifetime.

Aid and attendance (A&A). A veteran who needs the help of an attendant may qualify for additional help on top of the disability pension benefit. The veteran needs to show that he or she needs the help of an attendant on a regular basis. A veteran who lives in an assisted living facility is presumed to need aid and attendance.



Pension Benefits

In order to receive the maximum available benefit, your income must be below the yearly limit set by law; called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). The MAPRs for 2011 are below:

Your pension depends on your income. The VA pays the difference between your income and the MAPR. The pension is usually paid in 12 equal payments.

Example: John is a single veteran and has a yearly income of $6,406. His pension benefit would be $5,850 ($12,256- $6,406). Therefore, he would get $487 a month.

Your income does not include welfare benefits or Supplemental Security Income. It also does not include unreimbursed medical expenses actually paid by the veteran or a member of his or her family. This can include Medicare, Medigap, and long-term care insurance premiums; over-the-counter medications taken at a doctor's recommendation; long-term care costs, such as nursing home fees; the cost of an in-home attendant that provides some medical or nursing services; and the cost of an assisted living facility. These expenses must be unreimbursed. This means that insurance must not pay the expenses. The expenses should also be recurring; this means the expenses should be due every month.