Veterans' Disability Compensation: Trends and Policy Options

Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) oversees a disability program that makes payments through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to compensate U.S. veterans for medical conditions or injuries that are incurred or aggravated during active duty in the military, although not necessarily during the performance of military duties. Compensable service-connected disabilities range widely in severity and type, including the loss of one or more limbs, migraines, scars, and hypertension. Payments are meant to offset the average earnings lost as a result of those conditions, whether or not a particular veteran's condition has reduced his or her earnings or interfered with his or her daily functioning. Disability compensation is not means-tested; veterans who work are eligible for benefits, and, in fact, most working-age veterans who receive disability benefits are employed. Payments are in the form of monthly annuities and typically continue until death.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA608781

Entities

People

  • Elizabeth Bass
  • Heidi Golding

Organizations

  • Congressional Budget Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Employment
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mental Disorders
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Rehabilitation
  • Therapy
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Readers

  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.