Am I eligible for VA disability compensation?
To qualify for disability compensation as a veteran, you must meet certain requirements. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements:
- 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 1 of these must be true:
You were injured or got sick while serving in the military—and can link this condition to your illness or injury
You had an illness or injury before you joined the military—and serving made it worse
You have a disability that didn’t appear until after you left active duty—and it’s related to your time in service.
Presumptive conditions
- For some conditions, we automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition. We call these presumptive conditions.
- If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.
- Find out more about these categories of presumptive conditions at:
A chronic (long-lasting) illness that appears within 1 year after discharge
An illness caused by contact with contaminants (toxic chemicals) or other hazardous materials
An illness caused by your time spent as a prisoner of war (POW)
Who’s covered?
Veterans
Qualified dependents
To apply for disability compensation and related compensation benefits, you can complete and mail the VA Form 21-526EZ, “Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits,” and submit it with copies of your service treatment records to this address: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444 or you can contact us at Veterans Asset Planning to help and assist you with your claim.