Central Virginia Vets: Special benefits for those with service-connected disability

By Donald H. Mustard
Published: May 12, 2008

The veteran, who currently receives VA service-connected disability compensation or benefits under the Improved Pension Program, may also be entitled to benefits provided in two other programs.

The receipt of service-connected disability compensation or pension benefits does not automatically entitle the veteran to receive benefits from these two special programs, however. In most cases, the veteran must submit a claim for benefits under either of these programs. Each of these programs, Aid and Attendance and Housebound, has strict eligibility requirements, which must be met before VA will approve the additional benefit.

Aid and attendance
Need for aid and attendance will be considered to exist when the veteran is so nearly helpless that he cannot care for himself. Examples include being unable to dress or undress, to keep clean and presentable, to feed himself or to protect himself from hazards and dangers in his daily environment, or needing frequent adjustment of special prosthetic or orthopedic appliances.

It is not required that the need be constant, but that the services of another person to provide the care for the veteran are needed regularly. Total blindness or being bedridden meets the requirements for regular aid and attendance.

All conditions must be service-connected
When a veteran is in need of a higher level of care – the absence of which would require hospitalization, entry into a nursing home, residential or other institutional care – the VA will provide a higher level of monthly aid and attendance allowance.

For this purpose, the term “need of a higher level of care” is considered the need of personal health care services provided on a daily basis in the veteran’s home by one who is licensed to provide such services or who provides such services under the regular supervision of a licensed health care professional.

The VA will determine the existence of the need for such care.

Housebound
The service-connected housebound benefit is payable to a veteran, whose condition must meet thresholds, either as a single service-connected disability or several
disabilities. The net result is that if the disabilities meet eligibility criteria and if the veteran is confined to his home or is institutionalized for the foreseeable future, the veteran might qualify for the
benefit.

The rates for a veteran determined by VA to be eligible for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits will be established by VA based on the severity of the service connected disability (ties) and the number of dependents.

Sources: Applicable 2008 VA rate tables, the 2007 edition of the VFW Service Officer handbook and the Department of Veterans Affairs booklet, “Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents,” 2008 edition.

This column provides only general information concerning VA benefits. If you have questions about veteran’s benefits, contact VA at (800) 827-1000 or the service officer for DAV Chapter 8 and VFW Post 8184 at (434) 316-0229. The office, located at 2337 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, is open for walk-ins 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and by appointment on Thursdays.