Am I eligible for VA disability compensation?

You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

• You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and
• You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training

And at least one of these must be true:

• You got sick or injured while serving in the military—and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an in-service disability claim), or
• You had an illness or injury before you joined the military—and serving made it worse (called a pre-service disability claim), or
• You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service (called a post service disability claim)

Presumed disabilities

• A chronic (long-lasting) illness that appears within one year after discharge, or
• An illness caused by contact with contaminants (toxic chemicals) or other hazardous materials, or
• An illness caused by your time spent as a prisoner of war (POW)
• MUST NOT HAVE A BAD CONDUCT OR DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE.
• CONTACT THE CLAY COUNTY VSO BY PHONE OR EMAIL.

As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.

If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself. Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them.

To enroll for VA health care benefits, go to a VA health care facility or the Veterans Services Office with your DD-214. Our office can help you get a certified copy if you don't have it. Visit the Apply for VA health care web page.

The quickest way to order your DD214 is by ordering online at the service records requests webpage.

After you submit your request you will be provided with a  tracking number so you may check on the statues of your DD214.

On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the NPRC destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The records affected:

• Army: Personnel discharged November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960 80% destroyed

• Air Force: Personnel discharged September 25, 1947 to January 1, 1964 (with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.) 75% destroyed
  
  

Pension is a needs-based benefit. It is paid to wartime Veterans with financial needs and their survivors. If you are a Veteran, you are eligible for pension if all of the following are true:

• You were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.

• You served 90 days of active duty with at least one day during wartime

• Your countable income is below the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR)

• You meet net worth limitations

• You meet one of the following criteria: 

• You are age 65 or older.
• You have a permanent and total non service-connected disability.
• You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.
• You are receiving Social Security disability benefits.

*Veterans who entered active duty after Sept. 7, 1980, must serve at least 24 months of active-duty service. If the length of service is less than 24 months, the Veteran must have completed their entire tour of active duty.