Special Monthly Compensation Rate Payment Variations
Effective December 1, 2022
Levels K and Q are special rates called SMC rate payment variations. We may add Level K to your basic SMC rate.
SMC-K and SMC-Q rates
| How this payment variation works | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SMC letter designation | 128.62 | How this payment variation works | If you qualify for SMC-K, we add this rate to your basic disability compensation rate for any disability rating from 0% to 100%. We also add this rate to all SMC basic rates except SMC-O, SMC-Q, and SMC-R. You may receive 1 to 3 SMC-K awards in addition to basic and SMC rates. |
| SMC letter designation | 67.00 | How this payment variation works | This is a protected rate that we havent awarded since August 19, 1968. If we awarded you an SMC-Q designation, we pay this rate in place of your basic disability compensation rate. |
How Are Va Compensation Rates Determined
Congress designed the rates to reflect the projected amount of lost income that results from a veterans disability.
The rating percentages reflect the severity of the condition, so a 30% rating for a single veteran with no dependents means that a lower rate of pay should cover the economic loss of the disability, while a 100% rating receives the highest pay rate under the law.
Free Va Dental Care For 100 Disabled Veterans
VA dental care services depend on several factors, such as your VA disability rating, service-connected dental disabilities, current home/living situation, etc. Based upon these factors, the VA places veterans into a Benefits Class and youll get the specific VA dental benefits assigned to that class. Generally, a disabled veteran must have a 100% disability rating to qualify for completely FREE VA dental care. Click HERE to learn more about FREE VA dental care eligibility for disabled veterans.
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Virginia Military Survivors And Dependents Education Program
The Military Survivors and Dependents Program provides educational benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90% disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict.
The veterans 90-100% permanent disability must have been directly caused by the veterans involvement in military operations:
- against terrorism
- as a result of a terrorist act
- an armed conflict.
In the first tier of the program, eligible students are guaranteed a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university, or Eastern Virginia Medical School. In the second tier, eligible students may receive a stipend to offset educational expenses such as room, board, books, and supplies.
With A Dependent Spouse Or Parent But No Children
Compensation rates for 30% to 60% disability rating
Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your disability rating in the top row. Your basic monthly rate is where your dependent status and disability rating meet.
If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add it to your amount from the Basic monthly rates table.
| Dependent status | 30% disability rating | 40% disability rating | 50% disability rating | 60% disability rating | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent status | 30% disability rating | 508.05 | 40% disability rating | 731.86 | 50% disability rating | 1,041.82 | 60% disability rating | 1,319.65 |
| With spouse | 30% disability rating | 568.05 | 40% disability rating | 811.86 | 50% disability rating | 1,141.82 | 60% disability rating | 1,440.65 |
| With spouse and 1 parent | 30% disability rating | 616.05 | 40% disability rating | 875.86 | 50% disability rating | 1,222.82 | 60% disability rating | 1,537.65 |
| With spouse and 2 parents | 30% disability rating | 664.05 | 40% disability rating | 939.86 | 50% disability rating | 1,303.82 | 60% disability rating | 1,634.65 |
| With 1 parent | 30% disability rating | 556.05 | 40% disability rating | 795.86 | 50% disability rating | 1,122.82 | 60% disability rating | 1,416.65 |
| With 2 parents | 30% disability rating | 604.05 | 40% disability rating | 859.86 | 50% disability rating | 1,203.82 | 60% disability rating | 1,513.65 |
Compensation rates for 70% to 100% disability rating
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Dependents Education Assistance Program
The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, currently receiving TDIU benefits, or who died while on active duty, or as a result of a service-connected condition. DEA benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. Dependents may receive up to 45 months of education benefits, if they began using the program before August 1, 2018. If they began the program on or after August 1, 2018, they have 36 months to use the benefits.
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George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers
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DISCLAIMER: Information on this website is not legal advice. Reviewing the information on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship with the law firm. Nothing presented on this website reflects an endorsement by the U.S. Government or any branch of the military. The attorney, investigator, or a representative of the firm may visit you anywhere in SC or GA for initial investigations in many circumstances. George Sink, Sr licensed in SC.
*No fee if no recovery. Fees computed before deducting expenses from recovery. âWe dont get paid until you get paid or similar language refers only to fees charged by the attorney. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client. Contingent attorneysâ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Contingent fees are not permitted in all types of cases.
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients. Verdicts, awards, and total recoveries presented reflect gross numbers, before attorneys fees, costs and expenses are deducted.
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Top State For Disabled Veterans: Nevada
This pick even surprised us a bit: Nevada is the #4 overall best state for disabled veterans.
Nevada has some great benefits for disabled veterans, which well explore more in this section.
Disabled veterans in Nevada with a 100% VA disability rating can receive a property tax exemption up to $20,000 of the assessed value of his/her primary residence.
Disabled veterans with a VA rating between 60% to 70% are eligible for a $10,000 deduction, and disabled veterans with a disability rating of 80% to 90% percent are eligible for a $15,000 reduction.
In addition, Nevada is one of 9 states with no state income tax, and therefore, veterans in Nevada do not pay any state income tax.
Military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and VA disability pay are also tax free in Nevada.
Honorably discharged veterans and on active duty stationed in Nevada at the time of discharge are charged tuition as in-state residents.
In addition, honorably discharged veterans within the two years immediately preceding the date of matriculation may also receive in-state tuition rates at any Nevada state school.
Nevada disabled veterans with a 100% VA disability rating are eligible for Disabled Veteranlicense plates at a reduced initial fee of just $6, with no annual fee.
Finally, Nevada resident disabled veterans with a VA rating of 50% or higher can get a Specialty Combination Hunting and Fishing License for just $15.00 per year.
Nevada Disabled Veteran Benefits Quality Score: 81.25/100
Can I Use Chapter 33 Post 9/11 Gi Bill Benefits And Chapter 35 Dea Benefits At The Same Time
No, the VA does not allow students to utilize both Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits and CH 35 DEA benefits during the same term.
You will need to decide which Chapter you want to use and notify your schools Veterans Certifying Official .
Note: GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs .
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Ssi/ssdi And Va Disability Benefits
Veterans may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance , in conjunction with, or as an alternative to VA disability payments. They may also use the Medicaid and Medicare health benefits that come with SSI/SSDI to supplement VA health services.
The definition of disability and application process is different for SSA and VA disability benefits, and Veterans may begin receiving SSA benefits while they are waiting on a VA benefit decision.
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Hi Veterans, want to learn about some of the 100 percent VA disability benefits available to you right now?
Brian Reese here author of You Deserve It:The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, and today, Im going to teach you the top benefits for veterans with a 100 percent VA rating, some of which youve probably never even heard of
Make sure you stay tuned in until the end of the video because Ive included another FREE bonus just for you!
***VIDEO TIMESTAMPS & LINKS***
01:04 Sometimes you have to take the leap!
09:55 Fellow Veterans: Get you butt to the doctor!
13:39 What is the standard of proof in a VA disability compensation claim?
15:15 Get a Medical Nexus Letter!
18:30 The VA Rater is looking for Frequency, Severity and Duration of symptoms over time!
21:35 VA Claims Insider FREE Resource Library
25:13 VA Disability Compensation Pay
29:30 FREE Healthcare and Prescription Medication
30:44 Property Tax Exemptions by State!
34:55 VA Total Disability Individual Unemployability
36:58 CHAMPVA Health Insurance
38:37 Commissary and Base Exchange Privileges
44:29 Free Space A Travel for 100% P& T Disabled Veterans
45:28 NEW! Disabled Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness Program
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Do Veteran Benefits Differ By State
Yes, all 50 states and territories have their own benefits for veterans.
100 percent disabled veterans generally qualify for the highest level of state benefits.
The top 5 states for veteran benefits are Texas, Florida, Alaska, Nevada, and Illinois.
State specific benefits for veterans include property tax exemptions, income tax waivers, education benefits, free drivers licenses, free hunting licenses, free fishing licenses, help with employment and housing, and cash payments for serving in a time of war.
Click HERE to view a comprehensive list of veteran benefits by state.
Priority Group 1 For Health Care
When you apply for VA health care, VA will assign you to 1 of 8 priority groups. These priority groups are based on the following:
- Your military service history
- Automotive adaptive equipment
- Home improvement and structural alteration grants
- Clothing allowance benefits
- Dependents health care
- Emergency care at a non-VA facility
- Foreign medical care
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Life Insurance Policy 800
You may be eligible for a low-cost life insurance policy if you meet all the requirements listed below.Eligibility: All of these must be true. You:
- Were released from active duty on or after April 25, 1951, and did not receive a dishonorable discharge, and
- Were rated for a service-connected disability , and
- Are in good health except for any service-connected conditions, and
- Apply within 2 years from the date we grant your new service-connected disability
Note: An increase of a rating you had beforeor a rating of Individual Unemployability, meaning you cannot workdoes not qualify you for S-DVI.You can receive:
Free State Education Benefits For 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
Some states offer FREE college benefits to some veterans and the dependents of 100% disabled veterans. In Texas for example, the Hazelwood Act provides veterans, spouses, and dependent children with up to 150 hours of tuition free college at state schools. In the state of Florida, the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program waives out-of-state tuition fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions. Florida also provides scholarship opportunities for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA. Click HERE to see if your state offers free education for disabled veterans.
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Civilian Health And Medical Programs Of The Department Of Veterans Affairs
The Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs is a health care program in which VA will share the cost of certain covered healthcare services that exist for the spouses and children of disabled veterans with 100 percent disability ratings.
This additional benefit is unique insofar as it is not just a benefit that is available to the veterans themselves. Instead, it is also a benefit that they can use to the advantage of their family members. Examples of covered healthcare services under CHAMPVA include ambulatory services, hospice treatment, certain inpatient and outpatient treatments or hospitalizations, family planning, medical services, and medical equipment costs.
Temporary 100 Percent Disability Rating
Veterans may qualify for a temporary 100 percent disability rating if:
They have been hospitalized for a service-connected disability for 21 days or moreThey have undergone surgery for a service-connected disability that requires a recovery period of at least 30 daysWhen the temporary 100 percent disability rating is granted, the VA pays benefits at the 100 percent rate for the period the veteran is hospitalized or throughout the recovery period.
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When Does The Va Pay Chapter 35 Dea Benefits
For DEA benefits, you should get paid starting the month following your first month of class and then every month thereafter.
Payments for Chapter 35 DEA benefits are considered in-arrears, meaning, you will get paid on the first of the month following the month you just finished class.
For example, if April was your first month of class, youll get paid on May 1st.
How Does The Va Assign Rating Percentages
The VA follows the rules of the VAs Schedule for Rating Disabilities to assign rating percentages to veterans conditions.
The VASRD is the official rating chart for VA disability based on their medical diagnosis by diagnostic code and severity of symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration.
- Frequency means how often.
Generally, the more severe your symptoms, the higher your rating will be for that condition.
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Our 100 Percent Va Disability Attorneys Can Help You Appeal
Veterans who are denied 100 VA Disability Benefits have the option to appeal. You only have one year from the date the decision was made to appeal. The appeals process gets complicated fast it is important to get legal representation. At Woods & Woods, when you hire us for your appeal, our team of doctors, lawyers, case managers, case analysts, and support staff go to work for you. Our legal team often works with psychologists and vocational experts to help veterans get the medical documents they need to win their appeal.
Free Tax Preparation For Disabled Veterans
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers FREE tax help to disabled veterans who generally make $56,000 per year or less. IRS-certified volunteers provide FREE basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Intuit Turbo Tax offers its online IRS Free File Program if youre a disabled veteran with an Adjusted Gross Income of $36,000 or less OR you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit . Click HERE to learn more about this free tax filing software for disabled veterans.
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Best State Disabled Veterans: Florida
Again, no surprise here: Florida is the #2 overall best state for disabled veterans to retire in 2023.
Florida offers disabled veterans a ton of fantastic benefits.
Also, Florida is one of 9 states with no state income tax, so your earnings go a long way.
Florida also exempts military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and VA disability compensation payments from state taxes.
Floridas Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program is one of the best education benefit programs for disabled veterans in the United States.
For example, Florida waives out-of-state tuition fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions.
Florida also provides scholarship opportunities for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are rated at 100% P& T by the VA.
Florida also honors disabled veterans with a 100% VA rating with a free drivers license and one free set of Disabled Veteran DV plates.
Finally, Florida disabled veterans with a 100% Permanent and Total VA rating are entitled to a free 5-year all-purpose hunting and fishing license.
Florida Disabled Veteran Benefits Quality Score: 92.5/100
Commissary And Exchange Benefits For 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
Veterans with a 100 percent rating can present their Veteran Health Identification Card to gain entry to Department of Defense and Coast Guard installations, some commissary stores/commissaries, exchanges, and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation retail activities where they can shop at discounted rates.
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