Veterans Disability & Education Benefits
Many U.S. military veterans incur disabilities during service. Some disabilities limit their ability to earn income after separation. Limited income can also make it more difficult to advance education. The Veterans Administration has programs such as the Vocational Rehabilitation Program to both compensate education and employment limitations.
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Disabilities
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Veteran disabilities are often referred to as service-connected disabilities. These disabilities are incurred while veterans are on active duty. Veterans file injury claims, usually based on medical records from active duty service. The claim is sent to a Veterans Administration (VA) doctor, who performs an examination and then makes a recommendation to the VA. If the VA supports the claim, they assign a percentage rating based on how much of the member's ability was lost from the injury.
Compensation
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Service-connected disability compensation benefits are medical and monetary. Veterans with rated disabilities can be treated at any VA clinic for related conditions, free of charge. In some cases, subsequent disabilities that originate from the service-connected disability can also be treated. Monetary compensation is based on the percentage rating and the member's number of qualifying dependents. The amount can change yearly. For example, veterans with 30 percent disability and one child received $406 per month in 2009.
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Employment
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Disabled veterans also have an employment advantage for all federal civilian jobs and most state government jobs. Although these advantages do not guarantee employment, they can assist in helping them get hired. Veterans with at minimum 10 percent service-connected disability receive a 10-point addition to their federal employment application rating. Veterans with 50 percent or more will be guaranteed a job interview should they meet the minimum job qualifications.
Vocational Rehabilitation
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The VA also has a Vocational Rehabilitation program that assists disabled veterans with finding employment. Veterans with at least 50 percent disability are eligible. The Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps those who cannot work in career fields that they were trained in while in service because of the disability. Funding can be provided for retraining, vocational schools and any special equipment needed.
GI Bill
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The Post 9/11 GI Bill is an educational benefit available to all veterans, disabled or not, who served after Sept. 11, 2001. The Post 9/11 Bill allows for education benefit payments directly to the school in an amount no more than the highest undergraduate state tuition. If those payments do not cover all costs, schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program will cover the remaining amount so that veterans do not have to pay out-of-pocket.
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References
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