Veterans’ Benefits: Benefits Available for Disabled Veterans

Christine Scott
Specialist in Social Policy

Carol D. Davis
Information Research Specialist

Although U.S. Armed Forces are deployed around the globe, a number of servicemembers are currently serving in the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraq Freedom (OIF) combat zones. As a result of the risks facing these servicemembers, some of them are incurring injuries or illnesses during their active service (or having existing medical conditions worsen as a result of their service). Congress has shown an interest in the treatment of injured servicemembers while undergoing medical treatment and their transition from military to civilian life as veterans. An injured servicemember (or veteran) may require specific types of assistance or benefits to enable him or her to have a better quality of life.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits for veterans. However, certain benefits have specifically been created to assist disabled veterans.

Disability compensation provides a monthly cash benefit to veterans whose disabilities resulted from injury or disease contracted in or aggravated by military service. The amount is based on the level of disability.

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program is designed to help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. Assistance is also available to help veterans with living skills.

Automobile and special adaptive equipment grants are available to certain disabled veterans and servicemembers to purchase new or used automobiles (or other conveyances) to accommodate a disability.

Clothing allowances are designed for certain veterans entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability for which he or she uses a prosthetic or orthopedic device.

Housing grants are provided for constructing an adapted home or modifying an existing home to meet the adaptive needs of certain veterans and servicemembers. There are three grant programs available for permanent residences, and two of the three grant programs are also available for temporary residences.

Service Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI) is life insurance for veterans who have received a service-connected disability rating by the VA.

This report provides information on these benefits, including eligibility, history, and the application process. Information regarding spending and the beneficiaries of these benefits is in the Appendix to this report. This report will be updated as new information becomes available.


Date of Report: August 30, 2011
Number of Pages: 16
Order Number: RL34626
Price: $29.95

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