Popular Name: Compensation
Objectives: To compensate veterans for disabilities incurred or aggravated during military service according to the average impairment in earning capacity such disability would cause in civilian occupations.
64.109 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Persons who have suffered disabilities during service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The disability must be shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service in the line of duty. Separation from service must have been under other than dishonorable conditions.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Disabled veterans.
Credentials/Documentation: Military discharge certificate.
64.109 APPLICATION & AWARD PROCESS:
Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: An application (VA Form 21-526) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office.
Award Procedure: Awards are authorized at the regional office.
Deadlines: None, but it must be filed within 1 year after separation from service in order for entitlement to be established from the day following discharge; otherwise, entitlement is established only from the date of receipt of the claim.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: About 67% in 180 days or less.
Appeals: Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals: Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Not applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects: Not applicable.
Range & Average of Financial Assistance: Basic rates of compensation range from $91 for a 10% degree of disability to a maximum of $5,346 a month for specified very severe disabilities.
64.109 RELATED PROGRAMS:
64.109 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
In fiscal year 1995, 2,225,944 disabled
veterans received compensation. Estimates are: fiscal year 1996,
2,240,200 veterans; and fiscal year 1997, 2,247,400 veterans.
64.109 FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:
Federal Agency:
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS
Type of Assistance:
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 95 $11,641,721,000; FY 96 est
$11,987,023,000; and FY 97 est $12,040,316,000.
Budget Account Number:
36-0153-0-1-701.
Authorization:
38 U.S.C. 1110, 1131.
Regulations, Guidelines, & Literature:
38 CFR 3.4; "Federal
Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-96-1, $3.25,
available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20202-9325.
Regional or Local Office:
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for
Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office:
Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington,
DC 20420. Phone: (202) 273-7218.
64.109 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula & Matching Requirements:
Not applicable.
Length & Time Phasing of Assistance:
Not applicable.
Uses & Use Restrictions:
No restrictions.
64.109 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
The veteran must submit to an examination at the request
of the Department of Veterans Affairs when necessary to evaluate the
present extent of the disabilities. Failure to appear for such
examination may result in suspension of benefits.
Audits:
None.
Records:
None.
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