Veterans Disability Benefits

Assistance Obtaining Disability Benefits for Veterans in North Carolina

According to statistics provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently 23 million veterans throughout the nation. A significant percentage of these men and women – 771,654 of them – live here in North Carolina. Of these, 131,648 are currently receiving disability compensation or pension payments. If you have a history of qualifying service and can meet the eligibility requirements for disability, you may be able to join this number by obtaining disability benefits to help you support yourself and your family.

The North Carolina Social Security Disability team at Golson, McCracken Inc. takes pride in fighting for people who have been left disabled as a result of their military service, and we encourage you to let us represent you in your claim for benefits.

Veterans Disability Compensation

Benefits are available for veterans who have suffered service-related disabilities. The disabling condition must be an injury or disease that was caused by active military service or was aggravated by service. Whether you became disabled during your service or if you have later developed a disability as a result of an injury, chemical exposure, or other conditions occurring during your service, you may be eligible to receive this type of benefit. Veterans disability is a tax-free benefit, and the amount that you can receive in compensation is based on the degree to which you are disabled.

The minimum available compensation is $127 per month for a veteran with a disability rating of 10 percent, and it ranges as high as $2,769 per month. You may additionally be able to receive an additional dependent’s allowance if you have a disability rating of at least 30 percent and have a dependent spouse or children. Note that disability compensation is not available to veterans who were discharged or separated for dishonorable service.

Veterans Disability Pensions

In addition to disability benefits, it is also possible to claim a monthly pension payment if you are a wartime veteran, have limited income and financial resources, and are totally and permanently disabled, even if the condition is not attributable to military service. To qualify for this pension, you must have served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or the Gulf War, with a total of 90 days’ service and at least 1 day of service during the war period. Your discharge or separation must not have been under dishonorable conditions.

The amount that you can receive in a pension will be reduced in proportion to your income, but we can help you reduce the income that you have to report for this purpose by claiming certain deductions for medical care and certain other expenses. Veterans disability pensions range from $1,021 per month for a veteran without a dependent spouse or child, and up to $2,020 for a veteran who needs regular aid and attendance and has one dependent, in addition to $174 per month for each dependent.

Social Security Disability Wounded Warriors Program

If you qualify for veterans disability benefits, you may also be eligible to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. SSD is different from veterans disability in several respects, one of the most important of which being that it is only available for individuals who are totally and permanently disabled. Whereas veterans disability payments are calculated according to a disability rating, SSD benefits are available only if you are entirely unable to work, and if your condition is expected to last for at least a year or to result in death.

A claim for SSD benefits can take several months or longer to complete, but the Social Security Administration offers a special route for veterans. Through the Wounded Warriors program, it is possible to expedite an SSD claim for a veteran who has become disabled on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of whether the disability is a result of active duty service. To find out what types of benefits you may be able to claim and to begin working on your case, contact us now by filling out our client intake form.