Veterans Affairs Benefits

VA Benefits — Disability, Education, Vocational Rehab

VA Benefit Categories

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits to the nation's veterans, service members, and their families. VA benefits and services fall into the major categories of:

Disability benefits
Education benefits
Vocational rehabilitation and employment
Home loans
Burial benefits
Dependents' and survivors' benefits
Life insurance
Health care

Resources

VA Resources

Airmen requiring specific information on their VA benefits can:

Retrieve information at: www.va.gov
Contact the closest VA department for eligibility requirements

Disability Compensation

Disability Compensation Definition

Disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during RegAF military service.

Post-Service Disabilities

Compensation may be paid for:

Post-service disabilities considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service
Disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service (even though they may arise after service)

Disability Rating Scale

10-100% Rating Scale

The benefit amount is graduated according to the degree of the veteran's disability on a scale from:

- 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent)

Dependent Allowance

Dependent Allowance Threshold

If you have dependents, an additional allowance may be added if your combined disability is rated 30 percent or greater.

Compensation Offsets

Compensation may be offset if you receive:

Military retirement pay
Disability severance pay
Separation incentive payments

Educational Benefits

Educational Benefits Programs

The VA offers a variety of educational benefits to service members and veterans to pursue a higher education during or following their service. Benefit programs include:

Post-9/11 GI Bill
Montgomery GI Bill
Reserve Educational Assistance Program
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance

Yellow Ribbon Program

Yellow Ribbon

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of:

- Public Law 110-252, *Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008*

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

VocRehab Services

Airmen may receive services to help with:

Job training
Employment accommodations
Resume development
Job seeking skills coaching

…through the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program.

Additional Services

Additional VocRehab

Additional services may be provided to assist:

Veterans in starting their own businesses
Independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment

VA Benefits — Home Loans, Burial, DIC, Life Insurance

Home Loans

VA Home Loan Program

The VA helps service members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners by providing:

A home loan guaranty benefit
Other housing-related programs

…to help Airmen buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for their own personal occupancy.

How VA Loans Work

VA Loan Mechanism

VA home loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies.

VA Guarantee

VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.

Burial Benefits

155 National Cemeteries

The VA National Cemetery Administration operates 155 national cemeteries providing burial space for:

Eligible Active-Duty
Retirees
Veterans
Eligible dependents

What Burial Benefits Include

Burial Benefits Items

Burial benefits include:

Gravesite
Opening and closing of grave
Perpetual care
Government headstone or marker

…at no cost or obligation to the family.

Additional Burial Items

In addition, a burial flag and presidential memorial certificate may be given at no cost or obligation after submitting a completed application to the VA.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC Definition

Dependency and indemnity compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit generally payable to:

Surviving spouse
Child
Parent of service members
Survivors of veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities

DIC for Parents

Dependency and indemnity compensation is an income-based benefit for parents who were financially dependent on a service member or veteran who died from a service-related cause.

Life Insurance

VA Life Insurance Purpose

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to give service members and veterans the peace of mind that comes with knowing their family is protected.

Why VA Life Insurance Exists

VA Life Insurance Genesis

The VA life insurance programs were developed to provide financial security for service member families given the extraordinary risks involved in military service.