VA Announces 1.5% Benefits Increase

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced a cost of living increase in the monthly benefits paid out to veterans, their families, and survivors.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs announcement, veterans, family members and survivors, who are currently eligible for veterans disability compensation and pension benefits, will receive a 1.5% cost of living increase. This increase in their monthly payments will be effective from January 2014.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has some other good news for veterans. For the first time ever, payments will not be rounded off to the nearest dollar, as it was being done until now. As a result, veterans, family members, and survivors who are eligible for disability compensation benefits will see additional cents included in the monthly benefits package. For veterans with no dependents, the new rates will range all the way from $ 130.94 every month for a disability that is rated at 10%, to $ 2,858.24 every month for a disability that is rated at 100%.

The increase applies to disability and death pension recipients, disabled veterans who are currently receiving clothing as well as automobile allowances, and survivors of veterans who are currently receiving indemnity compensation and dependency benefits.

When you consider the kind of sacrifices that servicemen and women make for this country, you would assume that when these people return home from combat duty, they would easily receive the benefits that are due to them. Unfortunately, every year, thousands of veterans disability benefits claims that are filed, are rejected.

For veterans and their families, who may rely solely on these benefits as a source of income following their discharge, such rejection or denial of claims or delay in claims processing, can be financially devastating. When claims are denied or delayed, it always helps to consult with a veterans benefits disability lawyer to determine the best course of action going forward.