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Tbird

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  1. The following is current as of 03/202 Always check the VA's Page for the latest information. PDF CSP_Eligibility_Criteria_Factsheet.pdf Eligibility Criteria Fact Sheet Veteran Eligibility Requirements: A Veteran or Service member may be eligible for a Family Caregiverif all of the following requirements are met: 1. The individual is either: A Veteran; or An Armed Forces member undergoing a medical discharge from the Armed Forces. 2. The individual has a serious injury (including serious illness) incurred or aggravated in the active military, naval, or air service line of duty. For purposes of PCAFC, serious injury means any service-connected disability that (1) Is rated at 70 percent or more by the VA or (2) Is combined with any other service-connected disability or disabilities, and a combined rating of 70 percent or more is assigned by VA. 3. The individual is in need of in-person personal care services for a maximum of six (6) continuous months based on any one of the following: An inability to perform an activity of daily living; A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury or There is a need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision, without which the ability of the veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. 4. Participating in the program is in the individual's best interest. 5. Personal care services provided by the family Caregiver will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or through another individual or entity. 6. The individual receives care at home or will do so if the VA designates a Family Caregiver. 7. The individual receives ongoing care from a Primary Care Team or will do so if the VA designates a family caregiver. Family Caregiver Eligibility Requirements A Family Caregiver must: 1. Be at least 18 years of age. 2. Be either: The eligible Veteran’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member; or Someone who lives with the eligible Veteran full-time or will do so if designated as a Family Caregiver. 3. Be initially assessed by the VA as being able to complete caregiver education and training. 4. Complete caregiver training and demonstrate the ability to carry out specific personal care services, core competencies, and additional care requirements. In addition, there must be no determination by the VA of abuse or neglect of the eligible Veteran by the caregiver. Stipend Levels: The amount of the monthly stipend the Primary Family Caregiver is eligible to receive is determined based on information gathered during the VA’s Evaluation of the Veteran’s personal care needs. Level One: The Primary Family Caregiver’s monthly stipend is calculated by multiplying the monthly stipend rate [Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS) Annual Rate for grade 4, step 1, based on the locality pay area in which the eligible Veteran resides] divided by 12 multiplied by 0.625. For example, the GS rate at grade 4, step 1, in Dallas, Texas, 2022 was $34,916 annually. Thus, the monthly stipend for a Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran in Dallas, Texas, at this rate ($34,916, divided by 12 multiplied by 0.625) was approximately $1,818.54 in 2022. Level Two: If the VA determines the eligible Veteran meets the definition of“unable to self-sustain in the community” for the purposes of PCAFC, the designated Primary Family Caregiver’s monthly stipend is calculated by multiplying the monthly stipend rate (OPM GS Annual Rate for grade 4, step1, based on the locality pay area in which the eligible Veteran resides)divided by 12 multiplied by 1.00. For example, the GS rate at grade 4, step 1, in Dallas, Texas, in 2022 was $34,916 annually. The 2022 monthly stipend amount for a Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran in Dallas, Texas, at this rate($34,916, divided by 12 multiplied by 1.00) was approximately$2,909.67 Definitions Unable to Self-sustain in the Community For purposes of PCAFC, "unable to self-sustain in the community" means that an eligible Veteran either: Requires personal care services each time he or she completes three or more of the seven activities of daily living (ADL) listed in the definition of an inability to perform an activity of daily living in this section and is fully dependent on a caregiver to complete such ADLs; or Has a need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury on a continuous basis; or
 There is a need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision, without which the veteran's ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired on a continuous basis. Inability to Perform Activity of Daily Living (ADL) For purposes of PCAFC, the "inability to perform an ADL" means the Veteran or Service member requires personal care services each time he or she completes one or more of the ADLs listed below. Dressing or undressing oneself Bathing Grooming oneself in order to keep oneself clean and presentable Adjusting any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance that, by reason of the particular disability, cannot be done without assistance (this does not include the adjustment of appliances that nondisabled persons would be unable to adjust without aid, such as supports, belts, lacing at the back, etc.) Toileting or attending to toileting Feeding oneself due to loss of coordination of upper extremities, extreme weakness, inability to swallow, or the need for a non-oral means of nutrition
(walking, going upstairs, transferring from bed to chair, etc.) Requiring assistance with an ADL only some of the time does not meet the definition of an "inability to perform an ADL"
  2. If you think your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You don’t need to check with us first. But if you go to a non-VA facility—even one that’s in our community care network—you must follow certain rules so that we can cover the cost of your care. Keep reading on this page to learn what you need to know if you go to a non-VA facility for emergency care. Find VA and in-network emergency care What to know if you go to a non-VA facility for emergency care The facility must be an emergency department We can only cover the cost of emergency care at an emergency department. An emergency department is a facility that has the staff and equipment to provide emergency care (like a hospital or free-standing emergency department). Urgent care facilities don’t qualify as emergency departments. If you’re not sure what type of facility you should go to, we can help. Learn more about choosing between emergency and urgent care We must get notified of your care within 72 hours Ask the provider to notify us right away in either of these ways: Through our VA emergency care reporting portal, or By calling us at 844-724-7842 (TTY: 711) We must get the notification within 72 hours of when your emergency care starts. We prefer that the provider notify us. But if they don’t, you or someone acting on your behalf can notify us instead. We can only cover emergency care when you meet certain requirements Keep reading to learn more about eligibility requirements for emergency mental health care and other types of emergency care. Emergency care eligibility requirements Eligibility for emergency mental health care In most cases, we will provide or cover the cost of your emergency mental health care and up to 90 days of related services—even if you’re not enrolled in VA health care. If a health care provider or a trained crisis responder determines you’re at risk of immediate self-harm, we can provide or cover the cost of your care if you meet at least one of these requirements: You were sexually assaulted, battered, or harassed while serving in the Armed Forces, or You served on active duty for more than 24 months and didn’t get a dishonorable discharge, or You served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation (including as a member of the Reserve) and didn’t get a dishonorable discharge. You meet this requirement if you served directly or if you operated an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location. If you go to a non-VA emergency department for help, tell the staff you’re a Veteran. Ask them to contact us right away. Eligibility for all other emergency care General eligibility requirements By law, we can only cover the cost of your care at a non-VA emergency department if you meet all of these requirements: You’re enrolled in VA health care or you have a qualifying exemption from enrollment, and A VA health care facility or other federal facility that could provide the needed care wasn’t “feasibly available” (meaning it was too far away for you to get there fast enough to get the emergency care you needed), and A person with an average knowledge of health and medicine (called a “prudent layperson”) would reasonably believe that a delay in seeking care would have put your life or health in danger, and You meet our other requirements based on your specific situation—including the time limit for us to receive your claim. Keep reading to learn more about requirements for different situations. Note: We only cover non-VA emergency care until we can safely transfer you to a VA or other federal facility. The only time this rule doesn’t apply is if the community provider contacts us and we can’t accept your transfer. More emergency care coverage requirements In addition to the general eligibility requirements, you must also meet these other requirements based on your specific situation. What to do if you’re charged for emergency care If you get a bill for emergency care at a non-VA facility and you think we should cover the cost, we can help. Call us at 877-881-7618 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. We’ll go over the charges with you and help figure out who should cover the cost of your care. We can also help resolve billing issues with community providers. Find out how to file a claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses. View full record
  3. If you think your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You don’t need to check with us first. But if you go to a non-VA facility—even one that’s in our community care network—you must follow certain rules so that we can cover the cost of your care. Keep reading on this page to learn what you need to know if you go to a non-VA facility for emergency care. Find VA and in-network emergency care What to know if you go to a non-VA facility for emergency care The facility must be an emergency department We can only cover the cost of emergency care at an emergency department. An emergency department is a facility that has the staff and equipment to provide emergency care (like a hospital or free-standing emergency department). Urgent care facilities don’t qualify as emergency departments. If you’re not sure what type of facility you should go to, we can help. Learn more about choosing between emergency and urgent care We must get notified of your care within 72 hours Ask the provider to notify us right away in either of these ways: Through our VA emergency care reporting portal, or By calling us at 844-724-7842 (TTY: 711) We must get the notification within 72 hours of when your emergency care starts. We prefer that the provider notify us. But if they don’t, you or someone acting on your behalf can notify us instead. We can only cover emergency care when you meet certain requirements Keep reading to learn more about eligibility requirements for emergency mental health care and other types of emergency care. Emergency care eligibility requirements Eligibility for emergency mental health care In most cases, we will provide or cover the cost of your emergency mental health care and up to 90 days of related services—even if you’re not enrolled in VA health care. If a health care provider or a trained crisis responder determines you’re at risk of immediate self-harm, we can provide or cover the cost of your care if you meet at least one of these requirements: You were sexually assaulted, battered, or harassed while serving in the Armed Forces, or You served on active duty for more than 24 months and didn’t get a dishonorable discharge, or You served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation (including as a member of the Reserve) and didn’t get a dishonorable discharge. You meet this requirement if you served directly or if you operated an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location. If you go to a non-VA emergency department for help, tell the staff you’re a Veteran. Ask them to contact us right away. Eligibility for all other emergency care General eligibility requirements By law, we can only cover the cost of your care at a non-VA emergency department if you meet all of these requirements: You’re enrolled in VA health care or you have a qualifying exemption from enrollment, and A VA health care facility or other federal facility that could provide the needed care wasn’t “feasibly available” (meaning it was too far away for you to get there fast enough to get the emergency care you needed), and A person with an average knowledge of health and medicine (called a “prudent layperson”) would reasonably believe that a delay in seeking care would have put your life or health in danger, and You meet our other requirements based on your specific situation—including the time limit for us to receive your claim. Keep reading to learn more about requirements for different situations. Note: We only cover non-VA emergency care until we can safely transfer you to a VA or other federal facility. The only time this rule doesn’t apply is if the community provider contacts us and we can’t accept your transfer. More emergency care coverage requirements In addition to the general eligibility requirements, you must also meet these other requirements based on your specific situation. What to do if you’re charged for emergency care If you get a bill for emergency care at a non-VA facility and you think we should cover the cost, we can help. Call us at 877-881-7618 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. We’ll go over the charges with you and help figure out who should cover the cost of your care. We can also help resolve billing issues with community providers. Find out how to file a claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses.
  4. These are recommendations. They propose some of these each year. They do not mean the changes will be made, but they give you a good idea of their thinking. Read Further: Military.com explains it in CBO Suggests Raising Tricare Fees, Cutting Veteran Benefits to Slash Deficit. Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2019 to 2028Reducing the Deficit: 2019 to 2028 CBO periodically issues a large number of options—this year’s installment presents 121—to decrease federal spending or increase federal revenues. The CBO’s website allows users to filter options by topic, date, and category. Published Dec 13, 2018 PDF CBO Options for Reducing the Deficit- 2019 to 2028.pdf Summary Since 2007, federal debt held by the public has more than doubled in relation to the size of the economy, and it will keep growing significantly if the large annual budget deficits projected under current law come to pass. Congress faces various policy choices as it confronts the challenges posed by such a large and growing debt. To help inform lawmakers, the Congressional Budget Office periodically issues a compendium of policy options that would help reduce the deficit, reporting the estimated budgetary effects of those options and highlighting some arguments for and against them. This latest series report presents 121 options to decrease federal spending or increase federal revenues over the next ten years (see Summary Table below). Of those options, 112 are presented in the main body of the report, and most of those 112 would save $10 billion or more over that period. The remaining nine options are presented in an appendix and would generally have smaller budgetary effects. The options in this report come from various sources. Some are based on proposed legislation or the budget proposals of various Administrations; others come from Congressional offices or entities in the federal government or private sector. The options cover many areas—defense, health, Social Security, provisions of the tax code, and more. The budgetary effects identified for most options span the ten years from 2019 to 2028 (the period covered by CBO’s baseline budget projections), although many options would also have longer-term effects. Chapters 2 through 4 present options in the following categories: Chapter 2: Mandatory spending, Chapter 3: Discretionary spending, and Chapter 4: Revenues. Each chapter begins with a description of budgetary trends for the topic area, a general discussion of the method underlying the estimates of budgetary effects, and an overview of the options in the chapter. Then, the chapter offers individual entries for each option that provide background information, describe the option, discuss the estimated budgetary effects, the basis of those estimates, and the largest sources of uncertainty, and summarize arguments for and against the change. As a collection, the options are intended to reflect a range of possibilities, not a ranking of priorities or an exhaustive list. Including or excluding any particular option does not imply that CBO endorses or opposes it, and the report makes no recommendations. The report also does not contain comprehensive budget plans; it would be possible to devise such plans by combining certain options in various ways (although some would overlap and would interact with others). CBO’s website includes a search tool that allows users to filter options by major budget category, budget function, topic, and date. That tool is regularly updated to include only the most recent version of budget options from various CBO reports. Therefore, the tool currently includes all the options in this report. It also includes options that were analyzed in the past and were not updated for this report but remain informative. Those options were either in previous editions of this report or in different CBO reports analyzing specific federal programs or aspects of the tax code. Of interest to Veterans: Narrow Eligibility for Veterans’ Disability Compensation by Excluding Certain Disabilities Unrelated to Military Duties 4 to 33 End VA’s Individual Unemployability Payments to Disabled Veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 7 to 48 Reduce VA’s Disability Benefits to Veterans Who Are Older Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 11 Narrow Eligibility for VA’s Disability Compensation by Excluding Veterans With Low Disability Ratings 6 to 38 End Enrollment in VA Medical Care for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8 57a Include Disability Payments From the Department of Veterans Affairs in Taxable Income 4 to 93 Mandatory Spending Title Savings, 2019–2028 (Billions of Dollars) Limit Enrollment in the Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Programs 3 to 10 Eliminate Title I Agriculture Programs 20 Reduce Subsidies in the Crop Insurance Program 4 to 21 Limit ARC and PLC Payment Acres to 30 Percent of Base Acres 10 Raise Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s Guarantee Fees and Decrease their Eligible Loan Limits 3 to 12 Eliminate or Reduce the Add-On to Pell Grants, Which Is Funded With Mandatory Spending 31 to 62 Limit Forgiveness of Graduate Student Loans 12 to 32 Reduce or Eliminate Subsidized Loans for Undergraduate Students 7 to 22 Reduce or Eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness 9 to 22 Remove the Cap on Interest Rates for Student Loans 11 to 16 Adopt a Voucher Plan and Slow the Growth of Federal Contributions for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program 35 to 37a Establish Caps on Federal Spending for Medicaid 162 to 703 Limit States’ Taxes on Health Care Providers 15 to 344 Reduce Federal Medicaid Matching Rates 55 to 394 Introduce Enrollment Fees Under TRICARE for Life 12 Introduce Minimum Out-of-Pocket Requirements Under TRICARE for Life 27 Change the Cost-Sharing Rules for Medicare and Restrict Medigap Insurance 44 to 116 Increase Premiums for Parts B and D of Medicare 40 to 418 Raise the Age of Eligibility for Medicare to 67 15 to 22 Reduce Medicare’s Coverage of Bad Debt 12 to 39 Require Manufacturers to Pay a Minimum Rebate on Drugs Covered Under Part D of Medicare for Low-Income Beneficiaries 154 Modify Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans for Health Risk 47 to 67 Reduce Quality Bonus Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans 18 to 94 Consolidate and Reduce Federal Payments for Graduate Medical Education at Teaching Hospitals 34 to 40 Convert Multiple Assistance Programs for Lower-Income People Into Smaller Block Grants to States 88 to 247 Eliminate Subsidies for Certain Meals in the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs 11 Reduce TANF’s State Family Assistance Grant by 10 Percent 13 Eliminate Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Disabled Children 100a Link Initial Social Security Benefits to Average Prices Instead of Average Earnings 77 to 121 Make Social Security’s Benefit Structure More Progressive 7 to 36 Raise the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 28 Require Social Security Disability Insurance Applicants to Have Worked More in Recent Years 50 Eliminate Eligibility for Starting Social Security Disability Benefits at Age 62 or Later 20 Narrow Eligibility for Veterans’ Disability Compensation by Excluding Certain Disabilities Unrelated to Military Duties 4 to 33 End VA’s Individual Unemployability Payments to Disabled Veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 7 to 48 Reduce VA’s Disability Benefits to Veterans Who Are Older Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 11 Narrow Eligibility for VA’s Disability Compensation by Excluding Veterans With Low Disability Ratings 6 to 38 Use an Alternative Measure of Inflation to Index Social Security and Other Mandatory Programs 202 Divest Two Agencies of Their Electric Transmission Assets 2a Change the National Flood Insurance Program 1 Tighten Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 8 Reduce Pension Benefits for New Federal Retirees 3 Eliminate the Special Retirement Supplement for New Federal Retirees 5 Discretionary Spending Title Savings, 2019–2028 (Billions of Dollars) Reduce the Department of Defense’s Budget 248 to 517 Reduce DoD’s Operation and Maintenance Appropriation (Excluding Funding for the Defense Health Program) 70 to 195 Cap Increases in Basic Pay for Military Service Members 18 Replace Some Military Personnel With Civilian Employees 14 Cancel Plans to Purchase Additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and Instead Purchase F-16s and F/A-18s 13 Stop Building Ford Class Aircraft Carriers 10 Reduce Funding for Naval Ship Construction to Historical Levels 50 Reduce the Size of the Nuclear Triad 8 to 9 Cancel the Long-Range Standoff Weapon 11 Defer Development of the B-21 Bomber 32 Modify TRICARE Enrollment Fees and Cost Sharing for Working-Age Military Retirees 11a Reduce the Size of the Bomber Force by Retiring the B-1B 17 Reduce the Size of the Fighter Force by Retiring the F-22 27 Cancel the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System 18 Reduce the Basic Allowance for Housing to 80 Percent of Average Housing Costs 15a Cancel Development and Production of the New Missile in the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent Program 24 Reduce Funding for International Affairs Programs 116 Reduce Appropriations for Global Health to Their Level in 2000 57 Eliminate Human Space Exploration Programs 89 Reduce Department of Energy Funding for Energy Technology Development 3 to 16 Eliminate Funding for Amtrak and the Essential Air Service Program 2 to 20a Limit Highway and Transit Funding to Expected Revenues 116 Eliminate the Federal Transit Administration 87 Increase the Passenger Fee for Aviation Security 21 Eliminate Federal Funding for National Community Service 9 Eliminate Head Start 92 Tighten Eligibility for Pell Grants 3 to 86a Increase Payments by Tenants in Federally Assisted Housing 21 Reduce Funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program or Eliminate the Program 9 to 125 End Enrollment in VA Medical Care for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8 57a Reduce the Annual Across-the-Board Adjustment for Federal Civilian Employees’ Pay 58 Reduce the Size of the Federal Workforce Through Attrition 35 Reduce Funding for Certain Grants to State and Local Governments 1 to 42 Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act 12a Eliminate Certain Forest Service Programs 6 Limit the Number of Cities Receiving Urban Areas Security Initiative Grants 1 Eliminate the International Trade Administration's Trade-Promotion Activities 3 Convert the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program Into a Direct Loan Program 3 Revenues Title Savings, 2019–2028 (Billions of Dollars) Increase Individual Income Tax Rates 123 to 905 Raise the Tax Rates on Long-Term Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends by 2 Percentage Points and Adjust Tax Brackets 70 to 81 Eliminate or Modify Head-of-Household Filing Status 66 to 165 Curtail the Deduction for Charitable Giving 146 to 176 Eliminate Itemized Deductions 1,312 Change the Tax Treatment of Capital Gains From Sales of Inherited Assets 105 Eliminate the Tax Exemption for New Qualified Private Activity Bonds 32 Expand the Base of the Net Investment Income Tax to Include the Income of Active Participants in S Corporations and Limited Partnerships 199 Tax Carried Interest as Ordinary Income 14 Include Disability Payments From the Department of Veterans Affairs in Taxable Income 4 to 93 Include Employer-Paid Premiums for Income Replacement Insurance in Employees’ Taxable Income 342 Reduce Tax Subsidies for Employment-Based Health Insurance 256 to 638 Further Limit Annual Contributions to Retirement Plans 103 Tax Social Security and Railroad Retirement Benefits in the Same Way That Distributions From Defined Benefit Pensions Are Taxed 411 Eliminate Certain Tax Preferences for Education Expenses 188 Lower the Investment Income Limit for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Extend That Limit to the Refundable Portion of the Child Tax Credit 8 Require Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit Claimants to Have a Social Security Number That Is Valid for Employment 24 Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance 898 to 1,787 Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Social Security 716 to 1,422 Increase the Maximum Taxable Earnings for the Social Security Payroll Tax 785 to 1,223 Expand Social Security Coverage to Include Newly Hired State and Local Government Employees 80 Tax All Pass-Through Business Owners Under SECA and Impose a Material Participation Standard 163 Increase Taxes That Finance the Federal Share of the Unemployment Insurance System 18 Increase the Corporate Income Tax Rate by 1 Percentage Point 96 Repeal Certain Tax Preferences for Energy and Natural Resource–Based Industries 2 to 8 Repeal the “LIFO” and “Lower of Cost or Market” Inventory Accounting Methods 58 Require Half of Advertising Expenses to Be Amortized Over 5 or 10 Years 63 to 132 Repeal the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit 49 Increase All Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages to $16 per Proof Gallon and Index for Inflation 68 to 83 Increase the Excise Tax on Tobacco Products by 50 Percent 42 Increase Excise Taxes on Motor Fuels and Index for Inflation 237 to 515 Impose an Excise Tax on Overland Freight Transport 358 Impose Fees to Cover the Costs of Government Regulations and Charge for Services Provided to the Private Sector 0 to 14 Impose a 5 Percent Value-Added Tax 1,920 to 2,970 Impose a Tax on Emissions of Greenhouse Gases 1,099 Impose a Fee on Large Financial Institutions 90 to 103 Impose a Tax on Financial Transactions 777 Tax Gains from Derivatives as Ordinary Income on a Mark-to-Market Basis 19 Increase Federal Civilian Employees’ Contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System 45 Increase Appropriations for the Internal Revenue Service’s Enforcement Initiatives 35 ARC = Agriculture Risk Coverage; DoD = Department of Defense; LIFO = last in, first out; PLC = Price Loss Coverage; SECA = Self-Employment Contributions Act; TANF = Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; VA = Department of Veterans Affairs. For options affecting primarily mandatory spending or revenues, savings sometimes would derive from changes in both. When that is the case, the savings shown include effects on both mandatory spending and revenues. For options affecting primarily discretionary spending, the savings shown are the decrease in discretionary outlays. a. Savings do not encompass all budgetary effects. Data and Supplemental Information Data Underlying Figures Tables Showing Estimated Budgetary Effects Related Publications Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2021 to 2030 December 9, 2020 How Changing Social Security Could Affect Beneficiaries and the System's Finances April 24, 2019 The Deficit Reductions Necessary to Meet Various Targets for Federal Debt August 21, 2018 The Long-Term Budget Outlook Under Alternative Scenarios for Fiscal Policy August 8, 2018 The 2018 Long-Term Budget Outlook June 26, 2018 An Analysis of the President’s 2019 Budget May 24, 2018 The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2018 to 2028 April 9, 2018 Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026 December 8, 2016 Corrections and Updates On June 28, 2019, CBO reposted the report to correct values that it mentioned for the thresholds used to calculate the excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans. The analysis underlying the report and the resulting budgetary estimates were not affected. On October 23, 2019, CBO posted a file of tables showing the options’ estimated budgetary effects. View full record
  5. These are recommendations. They propose some of these each year. They do not mean the changes will be made, but they give you a good idea of their thinking. Read Further: Military.com explains it in CBO Suggests Raising Tricare Fees, Cutting Veteran Benefits to Slash Deficit. Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2019 to 2028Reducing the Deficit: 2019 to 2028 CBO periodically issues a large number of options—this year’s installment presents 121—to decrease federal spending or increase federal revenues. The CBO’s website allows users to filter options by topic, date, and category. Published Dec 13, 2018 PDF CBO Options for Reducing the Deficit- 2019 to 2028.pdf Summary Since 2007, federal debt held by the public has more than doubled in relation to the size of the economy, and it will keep growing significantly if the large annual budget deficits projected under current law come to pass. Congress faces various policy choices as it confronts the challenges posed by such a large and growing debt. To help inform lawmakers, the Congressional Budget Office periodically issues a compendium of policy options that would help reduce the deficit, reporting the estimated budgetary effects of those options and highlighting some arguments for and against them. This latest series report presents 121 options to decrease federal spending or increase federal revenues over the next ten years (see Summary Table below). Of those options, 112 are presented in the main body of the report, and most of those 112 would save $10 billion or more over that period. The remaining nine options are presented in an appendix and would generally have smaller budgetary effects. The options in this report come from various sources. Some are based on proposed legislation or the budget proposals of various Administrations; others come from Congressional offices or entities in the federal government or private sector. The options cover many areas—defense, health, Social Security, provisions of the tax code, and more. The budgetary effects identified for most options span the ten years from 2019 to 2028 (the period covered by CBO’s baseline budget projections), although many options would also have longer-term effects. Chapters 2 through 4 present options in the following categories: Chapter 2: Mandatory spending, Chapter 3: Discretionary spending, and Chapter 4: Revenues. Each chapter begins with a description of budgetary trends for the topic area, a general discussion of the method underlying the estimates of budgetary effects, and an overview of the options in the chapter. Then, the chapter offers individual entries for each option that provide background information, describe the option, discuss the estimated budgetary effects, the basis of those estimates, and the largest sources of uncertainty, and summarize arguments for and against the change. As a collection, the options are intended to reflect a range of possibilities, not a ranking of priorities or an exhaustive list. Including or excluding any particular option does not imply that CBO endorses or opposes it, and the report makes no recommendations. The report also does not contain comprehensive budget plans; it would be possible to devise such plans by combining certain options in various ways (although some would overlap and would interact with others). CBO’s website includes a search tool that allows users to filter options by major budget category, budget function, topic, and date. That tool is regularly updated to include only the most recent version of budget options from various CBO reports. Therefore, the tool currently includes all the options in this report. It also includes options that were analyzed in the past and were not updated for this report but remain informative. Those options were either in previous editions of this report or in different CBO reports analyzing specific federal programs or aspects of the tax code. Of interest to Veterans: Narrow Eligibility for Veterans’ Disability Compensation by Excluding Certain Disabilities Unrelated to Military Duties 4 to 33 End VA’s Individual Unemployability Payments to Disabled Veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 7 to 48 Reduce VA’s Disability Benefits to Veterans Who Are Older Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 11 Narrow Eligibility for VA’s Disability Compensation by Excluding Veterans With Low Disability Ratings 6 to 38 End Enrollment in VA Medical Care for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8 57a Include Disability Payments From the Department of Veterans Affairs in Taxable Income 4 to 93 Mandatory Spending Title Savings, 2019–2028 (Billions of Dollars) Limit Enrollment in the Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Programs 3 to 10 Eliminate Title I Agriculture Programs 20 Reduce Subsidies in the Crop Insurance Program 4 to 21 Limit ARC and PLC Payment Acres to 30 Percent of Base Acres 10 Raise Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s Guarantee Fees and Decrease their Eligible Loan Limits 3 to 12 Eliminate or Reduce the Add-On to Pell Grants, Which Is Funded With Mandatory Spending 31 to 62 Limit Forgiveness of Graduate Student Loans 12 to 32 Reduce or Eliminate Subsidized Loans for Undergraduate Students 7 to 22 Reduce or Eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness 9 to 22 Remove the Cap on Interest Rates for Student Loans 11 to 16 Adopt a Voucher Plan and Slow the Growth of Federal Contributions for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program 35 to 37a Establish Caps on Federal Spending for Medicaid 162 to 703 Limit States’ Taxes on Health Care Providers 15 to 344 Reduce Federal Medicaid Matching Rates 55 to 394 Introduce Enrollment Fees Under TRICARE for Life 12 Introduce Minimum Out-of-Pocket Requirements Under TRICARE for Life 27 Change the Cost-Sharing Rules for Medicare and Restrict Medigap Insurance 44 to 116 Increase Premiums for Parts B and D of Medicare 40 to 418 Raise the Age of Eligibility for Medicare to 67 15 to 22 Reduce Medicare’s Coverage of Bad Debt 12 to 39 Require Manufacturers to Pay a Minimum Rebate on Drugs Covered Under Part D of Medicare for Low-Income Beneficiaries 154 Modify Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans for Health Risk 47 to 67 Reduce Quality Bonus Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans 18 to 94 Consolidate and Reduce Federal Payments for Graduate Medical Education at Teaching Hospitals 34 to 40 Convert Multiple Assistance Programs for Lower-Income People Into Smaller Block Grants to States 88 to 247 Eliminate Subsidies for Certain Meals in the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs 11 Reduce TANF’s State Family Assistance Grant by 10 Percent 13 Eliminate Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Disabled Children 100a Link Initial Social Security Benefits to Average Prices Instead of Average Earnings 77 to 121 Make Social Security’s Benefit Structure More Progressive 7 to 36 Raise the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 28 Require Social Security Disability Insurance Applicants to Have Worked More in Recent Years 50 Eliminate Eligibility for Starting Social Security Disability Benefits at Age 62 or Later 20 Narrow Eligibility for Veterans’ Disability Compensation by Excluding Certain Disabilities Unrelated to Military Duties 4 to 33 End VA’s Individual Unemployability Payments to Disabled Veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 7 to 48 Reduce VA’s Disability Benefits to Veterans Who Are Older Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security 11 Narrow Eligibility for VA’s Disability Compensation by Excluding Veterans With Low Disability Ratings 6 to 38 Use an Alternative Measure of Inflation to Index Social Security and Other Mandatory Programs 202 Divest Two Agencies of Their Electric Transmission Assets 2a Change the National Flood Insurance Program 1 Tighten Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 8 Reduce Pension Benefits for New Federal Retirees 3 Eliminate the Special Retirement Supplement for New Federal Retirees 5 Discretionary Spending Title Savings, 2019–2028 (Billions of Dollars) Reduce the Department of Defense’s Budget 248 to 517 Reduce DoD’s Operation and Maintenance Appropriation (Excluding Funding for the Defense Health Program) 70 to 195 Cap Increases in Basic Pay for Military Service Members 18 Replace Some Military Personnel With Civilian Employees 14 Cancel Plans to Purchase Additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and Instead Purchase F-16s and F/A-18s 13 Stop Building Ford Class Aircraft Carriers 10 Reduce Funding for Naval Ship Construction to Historical Levels 50 Reduce the Size of the Nuclear Triad 8 to 9 Cancel the Long-Range Standoff Weapon 11 Defer Development of the B-21 Bomber 32 Modify TRICARE Enrollment Fees and Cost Sharing for Working-Age Military Retirees 11a Reduce the Size of the Bomber Force by Retiring the B-1B 17 Reduce the Size of the Fighter Force by Retiring the F-22 27 Cancel the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System 18 Reduce the Basic Allowance for Housing to 80 Percent of Average Housing Costs 15a Cancel Development and Production of the New Missile in the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent Program 24 Reduce Funding for International Affairs Programs 116 Reduce Appropriations for Global Health to Their Level in 2000 57 Eliminate Human Space Exploration Programs 89 Reduce Department of Energy Funding for Energy Technology Development 3 to 16 Eliminate Funding for Amtrak and the Essential Air Service Program 2 to 20a Limit Highway and Transit Funding to Expected Revenues 116 Eliminate the Federal Transit Administration 87 Increase the Passenger Fee for Aviation Security 21 Eliminate Federal Funding for National Community Service 9 Eliminate Head Start 92 Tighten Eligibility for Pell Grants 3 to 86a Increase Payments by Tenants in Federally Assisted Housing 21 Reduce Funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program or Eliminate the Program 9 to 125 End Enrollment in VA Medical Care for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8 57a Reduce the Annual Across-the-Board Adjustment for Federal Civilian Employees’ Pay 58 Reduce the Size of the Federal Workforce Through Attrition 35 Reduce Funding for Certain Grants to State and Local Governments 1 to 42 Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act 12a Eliminate Certain Forest Service Programs 6 Limit the Number of Cities Receiving Urban Areas Security Initiative Grants 1 Eliminate the International Trade Administration's Trade-Promotion Activities 3 Convert the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program Into a Direct Loan Program 3 Revenues Title Savings, 2019–2028 (Billions of Dollars) Increase Individual Income Tax Rates 123 to 905 Raise the Tax Rates on Long-Term Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends by 2 Percentage Points and Adjust Tax Brackets 70 to 81 Eliminate or Modify Head-of-Household Filing Status 66 to 165 Curtail the Deduction for Charitable Giving 146 to 176 Eliminate Itemized Deductions 1,312 Change the Tax Treatment of Capital Gains From Sales of Inherited Assets 105 Eliminate the Tax Exemption for New Qualified Private Activity Bonds 32 Expand the Base of the Net Investment Income Tax to Include the Income of Active Participants in S Corporations and Limited Partnerships 199 Tax Carried Interest as Ordinary Income 14 Include Disability Payments From the Department of Veterans Affairs in Taxable Income 4 to 93 Include Employer-Paid Premiums for Income Replacement Insurance in Employees’ Taxable Income 342 Reduce Tax Subsidies for Employment-Based Health Insurance 256 to 638 Further Limit Annual Contributions to Retirement Plans 103 Tax Social Security and Railroad Retirement Benefits in the Same Way That Distributions From Defined Benefit Pensions Are Taxed 411 Eliminate Certain Tax Preferences for Education Expenses 188 Lower the Investment Income Limit for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Extend That Limit to the Refundable Portion of the Child Tax Credit 8 Require Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit Claimants to Have a Social Security Number That Is Valid for Employment 24 Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance 898 to 1,787 Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Social Security 716 to 1,422 Increase the Maximum Taxable Earnings for the Social Security Payroll Tax 785 to 1,223 Expand Social Security Coverage to Include Newly Hired State and Local Government Employees 80 Tax All Pass-Through Business Owners Under SECA and Impose a Material Participation Standard 163 Increase Taxes That Finance the Federal Share of the Unemployment Insurance System 18 Increase the Corporate Income Tax Rate by 1 Percentage Point 96 Repeal Certain Tax Preferences for Energy and Natural Resource–Based Industries 2 to 8 Repeal the “LIFO” and “Lower of Cost or Market” Inventory Accounting Methods 58 Require Half of Advertising Expenses to Be Amortized Over 5 or 10 Years 63 to 132 Repeal the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit 49 Increase All Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages to $16 per Proof Gallon and Index for Inflation 68 to 83 Increase the Excise Tax on Tobacco Products by 50 Percent 42 Increase Excise Taxes on Motor Fuels and Index for Inflation 237 to 515 Impose an Excise Tax on Overland Freight Transport 358 Impose Fees to Cover the Costs of Government Regulations and Charge for Services Provided to the Private Sector 0 to 14 Impose a 5 Percent Value-Added Tax 1,920 to 2,970 Impose a Tax on Emissions of Greenhouse Gases 1,099 Impose a Fee on Large Financial Institutions 90 to 103 Impose a Tax on Financial Transactions 777 Tax Gains from Derivatives as Ordinary Income on a Mark-to-Market Basis 19 Increase Federal Civilian Employees’ Contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System 45 Increase Appropriations for the Internal Revenue Service’s Enforcement Initiatives 35 ARC = Agriculture Risk Coverage; DoD = Department of Defense; LIFO = last in, first out; PLC = Price Loss Coverage; SECA = Self-Employment Contributions Act; TANF = Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; VA = Department of Veterans Affairs. For options affecting primarily mandatory spending or revenues, savings sometimes would derive from changes in both. When that is the case, the savings shown include effects on both mandatory spending and revenues. For options affecting primarily discretionary spending, the savings shown are the decrease in discretionary outlays. a. Savings do not encompass all budgetary effects. Data and Supplemental Information Data Underlying Figures Tables Showing Estimated Budgetary Effects Related Publications Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2021 to 2030 December 9, 2020 How Changing Social Security Could Affect Beneficiaries and the System's Finances April 24, 2019 The Deficit Reductions Necessary to Meet Various Targets for Federal Debt August 21, 2018 The Long-Term Budget Outlook Under Alternative Scenarios for Fiscal Policy August 8, 2018 The 2018 Long-Term Budget Outlook June 26, 2018 An Analysis of the President’s 2019 Budget May 24, 2018 The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2018 to 2028 April 9, 2018 Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026 December 8, 2016 Corrections and Updates On June 28, 2019, CBO reposted the report to correct values that it mentioned for the thresholds used to calculate the excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans. The analysis underlying the report and the resulting budgetary estimates were not affected. On October 23, 2019, CBO posted a file of tables showing the options’ estimated budgetary effects.
  6. Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Digestive System Changes Federal Register 03/20/2024 VA amends 38 CFR part 4 Read the Federal Register Announcement Here
  7. Home Improvements/Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant This benefit provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence for the following purposes: Allowing entrance to or exit from the primary residence Use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (e.g., roll-in showers) Allowing accessibility to kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters (e.g., lowering counters/sinks) Improving entrance paths or driveways in the immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through the construction of permanent ramping Improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to the installation of home medical equipment HISA will not pay for: Walkways to exterior buildings Spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi Exterior decking New Construction HISA Benefit Amounts Lifetime benefits for Veterans and Servicemembers. $6,800 will be approved to: Address a service-connected disability Address a compensable disability treated “as if” is a service-connected disability and for which the Veteran is entitled to medical services under 38 USC 1710(a)(2)(c) (e.g., disability acquired through treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by VA) Address a non-service-connected disability if the beneficiary has a service-connected disability rated at least 50 percent disability (no combining or combination of disability percentages is allowed). $2,000 will be approved to: Address a disability that is not covered above Note: All HISA projects must be medically justified for the service-connected and/or non-service-connected disability. Don't hesitate to contact your local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to determine your available lifetime HISA benefits. What does HISA exclude? Some excluded HISA structural alterations are exterior decking, the purchase or installation of spas/ hot tubs/Jacuzzi-type tubs, home security systems, removable equipment or appliances such as portable ramps, porch lifts, and stair glides, and routine repairs as part of regular home maintenance, like replacing roofs, furnaces, or air conditioners. HISA Process Map A copy can be downloaded here for a complete map of the HISA process. Additional Information Use the Facility Locator to contact the local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service near you for individual inquiries and eligibility information. Learn more about VBA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants. Applying for a HISA Benefit When applying for the HISA benefit, a completed HISA application package must include the following: (1) A prescription written or approved by a VA physician which includes: (a) The beneficiary’s name, address and telephone number; (b) A description of the prescribed project, including the area of the home to be improved or structurally altered; type of modification and all alternatives to the modifications; and items requiring installation. (c) The diagnosis and medical justification for the prescribed improvement or structural alteration. The medical justification should demonstrate the project’s clinical appropriateness, that is, the beneficiary’s clinical needs should support the type of home improvement or structural alterations being prescribed. (2) A completed and signed VA Form 10-0103, VETERANS APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE In Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations If applying for an advanced payment, request on the application (3) FOR RENTERS: A signed and notarized statement from the owner authorizing the improvement or structural alteration (4) A written itemized estimate of costs for labor, materials, permits, and inspections for the home improvement and structural alteration (5) A color photograph of the unimproved area NOTE: An inspection of the site by VA may be warranted.
  8. Home Improvements/Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant This benefit provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence for the following purposes: Allowing entrance to or exit from the primary residence Use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (e.g., roll-in showers) Allowing accessibility to kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters (e.g., lowering counters/sinks) Improving entrance paths or driveways in the immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through the construction of permanent ramping Improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to the installation of home medical equipment HISA will not pay for: Walkways to exterior buildings Spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi Exterior decking New Construction HISA Benefit Amounts Lifetime benefits for Veterans and Servicemembers. $6,800 will be approved to: Address a service-connected disability Address a compensable disability treated “as if” is a service-connected disability and for which the Veteran is entitled to medical services under 38 USC 1710(a)(2)(c) (e.g., disability acquired through treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by VA) Address a non-service-connected disability if the beneficiary has a service-connected disability rated at least 50 percent disability (no combining or combination of disability percentages is allowed). $2,000 will be approved to: Address a disability that is not covered above Note: All HISA projects must be medically justified for the service-connected and/or non-service-connected disability. Don't hesitate to contact your local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to determine your available lifetime HISA benefits. What does HISA exclude? Some excluded HISA structural alterations are exterior decking, the purchase or installation of spas/ hot tubs/Jacuzzi-type tubs, home security systems, removable equipment or appliances such as portable ramps, porch lifts, and stair glides, and routine repairs as part of regular home maintenance, like replacing roofs, furnaces, or air conditioners. HISA Process Map A copy can be downloaded here for a complete map of the HISA process. Additional Information Use the Facility Locator to contact the local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service near you for individual inquiries and eligibility information. Learn more about VBA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants. Applying for a HISA Benefit When applying for the HISA benefit, a completed HISA application package must include the following: (1) A prescription written or approved by a VA physician which includes: (a) The beneficiary’s name, address and telephone number; (b) A description of the prescribed project, including the area of the home to be improved or structurally altered; type of modification and all alternatives to the modifications; and items requiring installation. (c) The diagnosis and medical justification for the prescribed improvement or structural alteration. The medical justification should demonstrate the project’s clinical appropriateness, that is, the beneficiary’s clinical needs should support the type of home improvement or structural alterations being prescribed. (2) A completed and signed VA Form 10-0103, VETERANS APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE In Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations If applying for an advanced payment, request on the application (3) FOR RENTERS: A signed and notarized statement from the owner authorizing the improvement or structural alteration (4) A written itemized estimate of costs for labor, materials, permits, and inspections for the home improvement and structural alteration (5) A color photograph of the unimproved area NOTE: An inspection of the site by VA may be warranted. View full record
  9. You can read the full report here or download it from the link below. CSP_Annual_Report_2023-Final-2.pdf View full record
  10. You can read the full report here or download it from the link below. CSP_Annual_Report_2023-Final-2.pdf
  11. Top 10 Discussions 1. VACP TREAS 310 is a Compensation Payment. Retro? You May Have Won Your Claim 2. "Exam request - processing -- No longer needed." 2. Compensation Issue? What Does It Mean? 4. Under "Evidence Gathering, Review, and Decision," they wrote: We closed the notice for Exam Request - Processing. What does this mean? 5. Payment History: Returned Payments? 6. Second Signature? 7. Secondary action required? 8. Veterans Benefits Evaluations experience? 9. Pending Completion of Concurrent EP 10. No longer needed; second signature in claim. View full record
  12. Top 10 Discussions 1. VACP TREAS 310 is a Compensation Payment. Retro? You May Have Won Your Claim 2. "Exam request - processing -- No longer needed." 2. Compensation Issue? What Does It Mean? 4. Under "Evidence Gathering, Review, and Decision," they wrote: We closed the notice for Exam Request - Processing. What does this mean? 5. Payment History: Returned Payments? 6. Second Signature? 7. Secondary action required? 8. Veterans Benefits Evaluations experience? 9. Pending Completion of Concurrent EP 10. No longer needed; second signature in claim.
  13. Top 5 Discussions 1. VACP TREAS 310 is a Compensation Payment. Retro? You May Have Won Your Claim 2. "Exam request - processing -- No longer needed." 3. What Does This Mean? 4. Payment History: Returned Payments? (what is this?!) 5. Second Signature View full record
  14. Top 5 Discussions 1. VACP TREAS 310 is a Compensation Payment. Retro? You May Have Won Your Claim 2. "Exam request - processing -- No longer needed." 3. What Does This Mean? 4. Payment History: Returned Payments? (what is this?!) 5. Second Signature
  15. @CapnHaddock Thanks for letting me know. You explained using hadit.com well. @ErcIm97 Support is a big part of hadit.com. I've felt that from the very beginning that building community and providing support would be an instrumental part of hadit.com
  16. @auenone The forum did need a patch applied which I did yesterday, that may have caused the delay in your post being visible.
  17. Oral Argument held at NOVA Conference, Washington DC Judges Allen, Laurer and Jaquith Counsel for the Appellant: Zachary Stolz & Jenna Zellmer Counsel for the VA Secretary: Nathan Kirschner & Dustin Elias Terms: AMA, 526 EZ, M21, Attorney Fees Key Points:
  18. You know what’s tougher than the VA? Everything. I simply refuse to believe that we could force our minds and bodies to do the things we did in military service, but we cannot get our claim granted the way we believe it should be. Crawl through the mud under fire to find a better fire position? You can beat the VA. Jump out of an airplane and have your parachute collapse? You can beat the VA. Survive 2 years of 120 degree days and 80 degree nights in Iraq, living under constant threat of mortar attacks? You can beat the VA. I do believe, however, that we must approach our VA Disability claim with the same discipline, the same grit, and the same professionalism as we approached everything in our military career. Reprinted with permission from The Veterans Law Blog I Have Found 8 distinct patterns in VA Disability Claims. I have been representing Veterans in the VA Disability Claims process for 8 years. During that time, I have looked at hundreds, if not thousands, of VA C-Files. And while looking through those C-Files, I began to notice patterns. Patterns why the VA acted in certain ways. Patterns of filings by Veterans. Patterns of evidence in certain types of claims. I found 8 patterns that were so common, that it was hard to ignore their impact on a VA claim’s outcome or timeline. I realized that the Veterans that did MORE of these 8 things had completely different experiences with the VA disability claims process. A large percentage of people that followed the 8 patterns – what I call the 8 Steps – had very different outcomes and timelines in their VA disability claims and appeals. I tested the 8 Patterns in my Firm’s VA Disability Claims. When we followed all 8 Steps – and broke all 8 patterns – we achieved faster and more satisfactory outcomes from the VBA. Now, I don’t want to mislead you The VA still took a long time. But instead of taking 3 years for the VA to get a decision, we received many decisions in under a year. In a few cases, we received decisions in under 90 days. The VBA still made a lot of mistakes in the VA disability claims. But the VA errors were fewer and smaller. The results were shocking enough that I decided to share my experience with Veterans like you on the Veterans Law Blog. Here are the 8 Steps YOU can Take to Improve Your VA Claim. Step #1: The Veteran has to “See the Solution”. The VA may be the problem. But Congress isn’t the solution. The VA isn’t the solution. YOU are the solution. When you realize that you have MORE Power in Your VA Claim than you think you do, you have taken the 1st step in improving your VA Disability Claim. Start this Step by reading about the “5 Reasons that the VA Keeps Screwing Up Your VA Disability Claim”. Step #2: Get your VA C-File. The C-File is the most important document in your entire VA Disability Claim. Often times, the reason that the VA is denying your disability claim is in your C-File. Retired Army First Sergeant Daniel T. says it best: “I received my VA C-File less than 10 days, thanks. I read partial of my C-File and the information for my claim is in there, VA just didn’t read/find it. I found it on page 26 and again on page 29, wow. The only thing that I was missing from my C-File was my [name of his Specific Medical Record].” Get your VA C-File NOW – don’t wait another day. Follow this link to find out the method my firm uses to get Veteran’s C-Files from the VA. Step #3: Learn the Law. You don’t need to become a lawyer. But you do need to understand some of the basic law of a VA Disability Claim or Appeal. There are 10 Cases that I think Every Veteran Should Know – I teach you how to USE the law in these cases to help your VA disability claim. If you have a Sleep Apnea Claim, it is crucial to learn which arguments you will want to make – all turning on what type of sleep apnea you have and when it was diagnosed. (Check out the hugely popular VA Sleep Apnea Field Manual – in eBook format and as a paperback book.) If you have a TDIU claim – understanding how the VA looks at evidence and arguments in these claims can change how the VA treats your claim. Vietnam Veteran Gary A. said this about my Veterans Law eBook teaching the basics of a TDIU claim: “This eBook is pure gold. I am a Vietnam vet with a 80 % disability rating, currently being evaluated by the VA for TDIU. This book gave me the knowledge and faith that I have done the right things to be successfully evaluated.” Step #4: Build the 4 Pillars. 4 Pillars need to be built in nearly every VA disability claim for service connection. The 4 Pillars are: Eligibility, Service Connection, Impairment Rating, and Effective Date. The most important pillar is Service Connection. The pattern that I saw most frequently in failed VA disability claims was that the Veteran did not know the 4 Pillars of a VA claim, or the 5 Ways to Service connect a disease, disability or injury. Far too many Veterans either made the VA look for the needle in the haystack, or relied on just 1 of the legal theories of service-connection. You can learn everything you need to know about proving VA Service Connection and the 4 Pillars of a VA claim in my 5 hour webinar. Don’t worry, it’s recorded, and broken down into bite-sized chapters so you don’t have to watch it all at once and can come back to it any time you want. Click here to get your copy today. Step #5: Use 5-Star Evidence. Next to not getting a C-File, using bad evidence or the wrong evidence is the single worst thing you can do in your VA Disability Claim. Most Veterans that had problems with the VA treated evidence like this: they hid the evidence in a haystack, and then griped at the VA for not finding the needle. I believe that to successfully prove your claim, you will need to learn – and use – 5 Star Evidence. Veterans need 2 types of evidence to prevail: Lay Evidence and Medical Evidence. Lay Evidence is the Bullet, and Medical Evidence is the Rifle. And my Veterans Law eBook VA Claims Evidence Field Manual (The Secret to Proving Your VA Disability Claim) will teach you the basics of using both. Vietnam Veteran Eddie T. said this about the Veterans Law Blog eBooks: “I am a 100-percent Vietnam combat veteran, who has had the good fortune of working for VA in the capacities of adjudication clerk, claims development, and three-years of training as an adjudicator. It has always intrigued me how lawyers win VA claims for veterans, when we fail to do so. I now have that answer.” Step #6: Choose the Battlefield. Many Veterans think of the VA Claims Process as a “Hamster Wheel” – and endless circle of claims, denials, and remands that never really gets them anywhere. In this eBook, I try to explain how the process is better thought of as a ladder. When we better understand the VA Claims Process, we can choose our Battlefield. Certain battles – like effective dates and many impairment rating issues – cannot be easily won at the VA Regional Office. They are often more easily won at the BVA. Other battles need to be fought at the Veterans Court. By understanding the VA Claims Process better, we can choose to stop fighting the wrong level of the VA, and push our claim into the forum where it is most likely to get granted. Step #7: Protect Survivors & Dependents. 1 out of 3 cases that my Firm handles are for the surviving spouses of Veterans that died while their claim was pending at the VA. There are some things that Veterans need to do – NOW – to protect their surviving spouses and dependents in the event that they die while their VA disability Claim is pending. Preparing your claim for your survivor’s DIC claim, or Accrued Benefits claim, is something that you can start doing now…believe me, it will make it much easier for your surviving spouse to recover Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Accrued Benefits if the VA does not grant your claim before you pass away. Step 8: Choose Your Representative Wisely. Not everyone likes to change their own oil. And for some folks, removing and cleaning the carburetor on a motorcycle is an impossible task. When you are in over your head, seek out help: Check out over 700 posts here on the Veterans Law Blog, where I post every weekday on VA disability claims topics. Talk to other Veterans that have been down this road before, on sites like Hadit.com, the Asknod Blog, or on Facebook in groups like VAisLying.com, I’ve written over 10 Veterans Law eBooks (I call them Field Manuals) that go into much more depth than even the lengthy posts on the Veterans Law Blog. Click here to check out all the Field Manuals – including those that are about to be published. From attorneys that are accredited to represent Veterans in their VA Disability Claims. (Here is a FREE eBook to help you figure out how to find and choose the attorney that is best for you in your VA Claim or Appeal. I have to tell you – no blog, no Veterans message board, no Facebook group of Veterans, and no Veterans Law eBook can take the place of good legal advice from an accredited VA attorney. The information I provide on this site in the Veterans Law Blog and Veterans Law eBooks are meant to be general guidance and education – not legal advice. Legal advice will be narrowly tailored to the specifics of YOUR VA Disability claim. These eBooks are general in nature – and designed to increase your education about, and understanding of, the VA Disability Claims process. If you trust the VA, they are very fond of telling Veterans that they don’t need to hire an attorney – and I’m not telling you that you do. But when you get in over your head, Get Help. Just make sure you get help from someone that knows what they are doing. Watch your back when it comes to VSOs – read about how the VFW literally betrayed a Veteran they represented. Read about a VSO that doesn’t know the timelines in the VA Claims Process. And watch your back with VSOs. View full record
  19. You know what’s tougher than the VA? Everything. I simply refuse to believe that we could force our minds and bodies to do the things we did in military service, but we cannot get our claim granted the way we believe it should be. Crawl through the mud under fire to find a better fire position? You can beat the VA. Jump out of an airplane and have your parachute collapse? You can beat the VA. Survive 2 years of 120 degree days and 80 degree nights in Iraq, living under constant threat of mortar attacks? You can beat the VA. I do believe, however, that we must approach our VA Disability claim with the same discipline, the same grit, and the same professionalism as we approached everything in our military career. Reprinted with permission from The Veterans Law Blog I Have Found 8 distinct patterns in VA Disability Claims. I have been representing Veterans in the VA Disability Claims process for 8 years. During that time, I have looked at hundreds, if not thousands, of VA C-Files. And while looking through those C-Files, I began to notice patterns. Patterns why the VA acted in certain ways. Patterns of filings by Veterans. Patterns of evidence in certain types of claims. I found 8 patterns that were so common, that it was hard to ignore their impact on a VA claim’s outcome or timeline. I realized that the Veterans that did MORE of these 8 things had completely different experiences with the VA disability claims process. A large percentage of people that followed the 8 patterns – what I call the 8 Steps – had very different outcomes and timelines in their VA disability claims and appeals. I tested the 8 Patterns in my Firm’s VA Disability Claims. When we followed all 8 Steps – and broke all 8 patterns – we achieved faster and more satisfactory outcomes from the VBA. Now, I don’t want to mislead you The VA still took a long time. But instead of taking 3 years for the VA to get a decision, we received many decisions in under a year. In a few cases, we received decisions in under 90 days. The VBA still made a lot of mistakes in the VA disability claims. But the VA errors were fewer and smaller. The results were shocking enough that I decided to share my experience with Veterans like you on the Veterans Law Blog. Here are the 8 Steps YOU can Take to Improve Your VA Claim. Step #1: The Veteran has to “See the Solution”. The VA may be the problem. But Congress isn’t the solution. The VA isn’t the solution. YOU are the solution. When you realize that you have MORE Power in Your VA Claim than you think you do, you have taken the 1st step in improving your VA Disability Claim. Start this Step by reading about the “5 Reasons that the VA Keeps Screwing Up Your VA Disability Claim”. Step #2: Get your VA C-File. The C-File is the most important document in your entire VA Disability Claim. Often times, the reason that the VA is denying your disability claim is in your C-File. Retired Army First Sergeant Daniel T. says it best: “I received my VA C-File less than 10 days, thanks. I read partial of my C-File and the information for my claim is in there, VA just didn’t read/find it. I found it on page 26 and again on page 29, wow. The only thing that I was missing from my C-File was my [name of his Specific Medical Record].” Get your VA C-File NOW – don’t wait another day. Follow this link to find out the method my firm uses to get Veteran’s C-Files from the VA. Step #3: Learn the Law. You don’t need to become a lawyer. But you do need to understand some of the basic law of a VA Disability Claim or Appeal. There are 10 Cases that I think Every Veteran Should Know – I teach you how to USE the law in these cases to help your VA disability claim. If you have a Sleep Apnea Claim, it is crucial to learn which arguments you will want to make – all turning on what type of sleep apnea you have and when it was diagnosed. (Check out the hugely popular VA Sleep Apnea Field Manual – in eBook format and as a paperback book.) If you have a TDIU claim – understanding how the VA looks at evidence and arguments in these claims can change how the VA treats your claim. Vietnam Veteran Gary A. said this about my Veterans Law eBook teaching the basics of a TDIU claim: “This eBook is pure gold. I am a Vietnam vet with a 80 % disability rating, currently being evaluated by the VA for TDIU. This book gave me the knowledge and faith that I have done the right things to be successfully evaluated.” Step #4: Build the 4 Pillars. 4 Pillars need to be built in nearly every VA disability claim for service connection. The 4 Pillars are: Eligibility, Service Connection, Impairment Rating, and Effective Date. The most important pillar is Service Connection. The pattern that I saw most frequently in failed VA disability claims was that the Veteran did not know the 4 Pillars of a VA claim, or the 5 Ways to Service connect a disease, disability or injury. Far too many Veterans either made the VA look for the needle in the haystack, or relied on just 1 of the legal theories of service-connection. You can learn everything you need to know about proving VA Service Connection and the 4 Pillars of a VA claim in my 5 hour webinar. Don’t worry, it’s recorded, and broken down into bite-sized chapters so you don’t have to watch it all at once and can come back to it any time you want. Click here to get your copy today. Step #5: Use 5-Star Evidence. Next to not getting a C-File, using bad evidence or the wrong evidence is the single worst thing you can do in your VA Disability Claim. Most Veterans that had problems with the VA treated evidence like this: they hid the evidence in a haystack, and then griped at the VA for not finding the needle. I believe that to successfully prove your claim, you will need to learn – and use – 5 Star Evidence. Veterans need 2 types of evidence to prevail: Lay Evidence and Medical Evidence. Lay Evidence is the Bullet, and Medical Evidence is the Rifle. And my Veterans Law eBook VA Claims Evidence Field Manual (The Secret to Proving Your VA Disability Claim) will teach you the basics of using both. Vietnam Veteran Eddie T. said this about the Veterans Law Blog eBooks: “I am a 100-percent Vietnam combat veteran, who has had the good fortune of working for VA in the capacities of adjudication clerk, claims development, and three-years of training as an adjudicator. It has always intrigued me how lawyers win VA claims for veterans, when we fail to do so. I now have that answer.” Step #6: Choose the Battlefield. Many Veterans think of the VA Claims Process as a “Hamster Wheel” – and endless circle of claims, denials, and remands that never really gets them anywhere. In this eBook, I try to explain how the process is better thought of as a ladder. When we better understand the VA Claims Process, we can choose our Battlefield. Certain battles – like effective dates and many impairment rating issues – cannot be easily won at the VA Regional Office. They are often more easily won at the BVA. Other battles need to be fought at the Veterans Court. By understanding the VA Claims Process better, we can choose to stop fighting the wrong level of the VA, and push our claim into the forum where it is most likely to get granted. Step #7: Protect Survivors & Dependents. 1 out of 3 cases that my Firm handles are for the surviving spouses of Veterans that died while their claim was pending at the VA. There are some things that Veterans need to do – NOW – to protect their surviving spouses and dependents in the event that they die while their VA disability Claim is pending. Preparing your claim for your survivor’s DIC claim, or Accrued Benefits claim, is something that you can start doing now…believe me, it will make it much easier for your surviving spouse to recover Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Accrued Benefits if the VA does not grant your claim before you pass away. Step 8: Choose Your Representative Wisely. Not everyone likes to change their own oil. And for some folks, removing and cleaning the carburetor on a motorcycle is an impossible task. When you are in over your head, seek out help: Check out over 700 posts here on the Veterans Law Blog, where I post every weekday on VA disability claims topics. Talk to other Veterans that have been down this road before, on sites like Hadit.com, the Asknod Blog, or on Facebook in groups like VAisLying.com, I’ve written over 10 Veterans Law eBooks (I call them Field Manuals) that go into much more depth than even the lengthy posts on the Veterans Law Blog. Click here to check out all the Field Manuals – including those that are about to be published. From attorneys that are accredited to represent Veterans in their VA Disability Claims. (Here is a FREE eBook to help you figure out how to find and choose the attorney that is best for you in your VA Claim or Appeal. I have to tell you – no blog, no Veterans message board, no Facebook group of Veterans, and no Veterans Law eBook can take the place of good legal advice from an accredited VA attorney. The information I provide on this site in the Veterans Law Blog and Veterans Law eBooks are meant to be general guidance and education – not legal advice. Legal advice will be narrowly tailored to the specifics of YOUR VA Disability claim. These eBooks are general in nature – and designed to increase your education about, and understanding of, the VA Disability Claims process. If you trust the VA, they are very fond of telling Veterans that they don’t need to hire an attorney – and I’m not telling you that you do. But when you get in over your head, Get Help. Just make sure you get help from someone that knows what they are doing. Watch your back when it comes to VSOs – read about how the VFW literally betrayed a Veteran they represented. Read about a VSO that doesn’t know the timelines in the VA Claims Process. And watch your back with VSOs.
  20. The past few months have been medically challenging. One of the things going on is that my Orthopedic doctor says we have reached the end of what we can do for my knees and shoulder. Because of various risk factors, I am not a suitable candidate for a TKR. The arthritis will continue to get worse, and currently, the pain is so bad I cannot walk; I was on anti-inflammatory meds that helped. Had another ulcerative colitis attack, so no pain meds for me. They don't want me taking anything that has ulcer risks. They said someone would call me to schedule an appointment to see which chair would work best for me. Just curious what I might be looking at. I've heard it can take 3 - 6 months actually to get the chair. We will see. Any input is appreciated.
  21. The following information is from the VA's website and is provided here for your convenience. If you are calculating retroactive pay, check out our VA Historical Compensation Rates post. Review 2024 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. Compensation rates for Veterans with a 10% to 20% disability rating Effective December 1, 2023 Note: If you have a 10% to 20% disability rating, you won’t receive a higher rate even if you have a dependent spouse, child, or parent. Disability rating Monthly payment (in U.S. $) 10% 171.23 20% 338.49 Compensation rates for Veterans with a 30% to 100% disability rating Effective December 1, 2023 With a dependent spouse or parent, but no children Compensation rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add it to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran alone(no dependents) 524.31 755.28 1,075.16 1,361.88 With spouse (no parents or children) 586.31 838.28 1,179.16 1,486.88 With spouse and 1 parent (no children) 636.31 904.28 1,262.16 1,586.88 With spouse and 2 parents (no children) 686.31 970.28 1,345.16 1,686.88 With 1 parent(no spouse or children) 574.31 821.28 1,158.16 1,461.88 With 2 parents(no spouse or children) 624.31 887.28 1,241.16 1,561.88 Added amounts for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 31.00 41.00 51.00 62.00 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 100.00 133.00 167.00 200.00 Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance 57.00 76.00 95.00 114.00 Compensation rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add it to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran alone(no dependents) 1,716.28 1,995.01 2,241.91 3,737.85 With spouse (no parents or children) 1,861.28 2,161.01 2,428.91 3,946.25 With spouse and 1 parent (no children) 1,978.28 2,294.01 2,578.91 4,113.51 With spouse and 2 parents (no children) 2,095.28 2,427.01 2,728.91 4,280.77 With 1 parent(no spouse or children) 1,833.28 2,128.01 2,391.91 3,905.11 With 2 parents(no spouse or children) 1,950.28 2,261.01 2,541.91 4,072.37 Added amounts for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 72.00 82.00 93.00 103.55 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 234.00 267.00 301.00 334.49 Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance 134.00 153.00 172.00 191.14 With dependents, including children Compensation rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran with 1 child only (no spouse or parents) 565.31 810.28 1,144.16 1,444.88 With 1 child and spouse (no parents) 632.31 899.28 1,255.16 1,577.88 With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent 682.31 965.28 1,338.16 1,677.88 With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents 732.31 1,031.28 1,421.16 1,777.88 With 1 child and 1 parent (no spouse) 615.31 876.28 1,227.16 1,544.88 With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) 665.31 942.28 1,310.16 1,644.88 Added amounts for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 31.00 41.00 51.00 62.00 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 100.00 133.00 167.00 200.00 Spouse receving Aid and Attendance 57.00 76.00 95.00 114.00 Compensation rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran with child only (no spouse or parents) 1,813.28 2,106.01 2,366.91 3,877.22 With 1 child and spouse (no parents) 1,968.28 2,283.01 2,565.91 4,098.87 With 1 child, spouse and 1 parent 2,085.28 2,416.01 2,715.91 4,266.13 With 1 child, spouse and 2 parents 2,202.28 2,549.01 2,865.91 4,433.39 With 1 child and 1 parent 1,930.28 2,239.01 2,516.91 4,044.48 With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) 2,047.28 2,372.01 2,666.91 4,211.74 Added amounts for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 72.00 82.00 93.00 103.55 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 234.00 267.00 301.00 334.49 Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance 134.00 153.00 172.00 191.14 Note: 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 How to use the tables to find your monthly payment Find your basic rate Go to the compensation rates for your disability rating. On the Basic monthly rates table, find the amount for your disability rating and dependent status. This is your basic monthly rate. Example (Veteran with no children):
If you’re a Veteran with a 30% disability rating, and you have a dependent spouse (no dependent parents or children), your basic monthly rate would be $586.31 each month. Find your added amounts, if any apply If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits or you have more than one child, you may qualify for additional monthly payment amounts as listed in the Added amountstable. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits First, determine your basic rate. Example (Veteran with children):
If you’re a Veteran with a 70% disability rating, and you have a spouse, plus 3 dependent children under the age of 18, you would start with the basic rate of $1,968.28 (for a Veteran with a spouse and 1 child). Next, look at the Added amounts table. Find the amount for children under age 18 ($72.00). Since your basic rate already provides payment for 1 child, you would add the rate of $72.00 for each additional child (so $72 x 2). If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance, you would also add $134 (which is the added amount for a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance, for a Veteran with a 70% disability rating). In our example of a Veteran with 70% disability rating, your total monthly payment amount would be: $1,968.28 basic rate (1 spouse, 1 child)
+$72 (second child under 18)
+$72 (third child under 18)
+$134 (spouse who receives Aid and Attendance)
Total $2,246.28 View full record
  22. The following information is from the VA's website and is provided here for your convenience. If you are calculating retroactive pay, check out our VA Historical Compensation Rates post. Review 2024 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. Compensation rates for Veterans with a 10% to 20% disability rating Effective December 1, 2023 Note: If you have a 10% to 20% disability rating, you won’t receive a higher rate even if you have a dependent spouse, child, or parent. Disability rating Monthly payment (in U.S. $) 10% 171.23 20% 338.49 Compensation rates for Veterans with a 30% to 100% disability rating Effective December 1, 2023 With a dependent spouse or parent, but no children Compensation rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add it to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran alone(no dependents) 524.31 755.28 1,075.16 1,361.88 With spouse (no parents or children) 586.31 838.28 1,179.16 1,486.88 With spouse and 1 parent (no children) 636.31 904.28 1,262.16 1,586.88 With spouse and 2 parents (no children) 686.31 970.28 1,345.16 1,686.88 With 1 parent(no spouse or children) 574.31 821.28 1,158.16 1,461.88 With 2 parents(no spouse or children) 624.31 887.28 1,241.16 1,561.88 Added amounts for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 31.00 41.00 51.00 62.00 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 100.00 133.00 167.00 200.00 Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance 57.00 76.00 95.00 114.00 Compensation rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add it to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran alone(no dependents) 1,716.28 1,995.01 2,241.91 3,737.85 With spouse (no parents or children) 1,861.28 2,161.01 2,428.91 3,946.25 With spouse and 1 parent (no children) 1,978.28 2,294.01 2,578.91 4,113.51 With spouse and 2 parents (no children) 2,095.28 2,427.01 2,728.91 4,280.77 With 1 parent(no spouse or children) 1,833.28 2,128.01 2,391.91 3,905.11 With 2 parents(no spouse or children) 1,950.28 2,261.01 2,541.91 4,072.37 Added amounts for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 72.00 82.00 93.00 103.55 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 234.00 267.00 301.00 334.49 Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance 134.00 153.00 172.00 191.14 With dependents, including children Compensation rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran with 1 child only (no spouse or parents) 565.31 810.28 1,144.16 1,444.88 With 1 child and spouse (no parents) 632.31 899.28 1,255.16 1,577.88 With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent 682.31 965.28 1,338.16 1,677.88 With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents 732.31 1,031.28 1,421.16 1,777.88 With 1 child and 1 parent (no spouse) 615.31 876.28 1,227.16 1,544.88 With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) 665.31 942.28 1,310.16 1,644.88 Added amounts for 30% to 60% disability rating Dependent status 30% disability rating (in U.S. $) 40% disability rating (in U.S. $) 50% disability rating (in U.S. $) 60% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 31.00 41.00 51.00 62.00 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 100.00 133.00 167.00 200.00 Spouse receving Aid and Attendance 57.00 76.00 95.00 114.00 Compensation rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet. If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits Basic monthly rates for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Veteran with child only (no spouse or parents) 1,813.28 2,106.01 2,366.91 3,877.22 With 1 child and spouse (no parents) 1,968.28 2,283.01 2,565.91 4,098.87 With 1 child, spouse and 1 parent 2,085.28 2,416.01 2,715.91 4,266.13 With 1 child, spouse and 2 parents 2,202.28 2,549.01 2,865.91 4,433.39 With 1 child and 1 parent 1,930.28 2,239.01 2,516.91 4,044.48 With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) 2,047.28 2,372.01 2,666.91 4,211.74 Added amounts for 70% to 100% disability rating Dependent status 70% disability rating (in U.S. $) 80% disability rating (in U.S. $) 90% disability rating (in U.S. $) 100% disability rating (in U.S. $) Each additional child under age 18 72.00 82.00 93.00 103.55 Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program 234.00 267.00 301.00 334.49 Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance 134.00 153.00 172.00 191.14 Note: 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 How to use the tables to find your monthly payment Find your basic rate Go to the compensation rates for your disability rating. On the Basic monthly rates table, find the amount for your disability rating and dependent status. This is your basic monthly rate. Example (Veteran with no children):
If you’re a Veteran with a 30% disability rating, and you have a dependent spouse (no dependent parents or children), your basic monthly rate would be $586.31 each month. Find your added amounts, if any apply If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits or you have more than one child, you may qualify for additional monthly payment amounts as listed in the Added amountstable. Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits First, determine your basic rate. Example (Veteran with children):
If you’re a Veteran with a 70% disability rating, and you have a spouse, plus 3 dependent children under the age of 18, you would start with the basic rate of $1,968.28 (for a Veteran with a spouse and 1 child). Next, look at the Added amounts table. Find the amount for children under age 18 ($72.00). Since your basic rate already provides payment for 1 child, you would add the rate of $72.00 for each additional child (so $72 x 2). If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance, you would also add $134 (which is the added amount for a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance, for a Veteran with a 70% disability rating). In our example of a Veteran with 70% disability rating, your total monthly payment amount would be: $1,968.28 basic rate (1 spouse, 1 child)
+$72 (second child under 18)
+$72 (third child under 18)
+$134 (spouse who receives Aid and Attendance)
Total $2,246.28
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