This report discusses major benefits that are provided to individual service-disabled veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits typically support service-disabled veterans in obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. Housing grants and benefits can assist veterans in modifying their homes to accommodate a service-connected disability. Programs Not Included in This Report

In addition to the programs described in this report, service-disabled veterans also are typically eligible for programs that are available to the broader veteran population. This report does not discuss benefits that are available to both service-disabled and non-service disabled veterans, such as health benefits. A service-connected disability is a physical or mental injury or condition that was "incurred or aggravated" in the line of military duty and that results in a disability. Veterans Disability Compensation8

Veterans Disability Compensation (VDC) is a monthly cash payment to a veteran with a service-connected disability. A veteran with a disability rating of 20% or more is entitled to VR&E benefits if the VRC determines the veteran has an employment handicap. The Veterans Health Administration administers the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant to assist veterans who have both service- and non-service-connected disabilities in making their homes accessible. The grant limits for the first category of adapted housing are higher than for the second, and both types of adapted housing are available to veterans and servicemembers with severe burn injuries. Special Housing Adaptation Grants

SHA grants are available to veterans who may need to modify their homes, but perhaps not to the degree required for veterans eligible for SAH grants. Other Grants and Benefits

		Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment Grants35

Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities are eligible for one-time grants toward the purchase of an automobile or for financial assistance to purchase adaptive equipment for an existing automobile to make it safe or legal for the veteran's use. Clothing Allowance Grant39

			Eligibility

A veteran with a service-connected disability is eligible for an annual clothing allowance if because of the disability he or she 
wears or uses a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, including a wheelchair, which the VA determines is likely to damage the veteran's clothing; or uses a prescription skin medication that the VA determines causes irreparable damage to the veteran's outergarments. Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance42

			Eligibility

A veteran with a service-connected disability, even if rated at 0%, who is in good health may apply for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) life insurance within two years of receiving a disability rating from the VA. Good health is defined by regulation as being free from any medical condition that would likely weaken the person's normal physical or mental functions or shorten his or her life.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers programs to qualified former U.S. servicemembers (veterans). This report describes programs that provide benefits to veterans with service-connected disabilities (service-disabled veterans). These benefits can compensate a veteran for an injury or provide assistance to enable a veteran to have a higher quality of life.
To qualify for the benefits discussed in this report, a veteran must have a physical or mental condition that was "incurred or aggravated" in the line of military duty and that results in a disability. Service-connected disabilities are rated on a scale from 0% to 100% using a VA rating schedule. Disability ratings are used to determine eligibility for various types of benefits and the amount of Veterans Disability Compensation benefits. This report describes major VA benefit programs that are limited to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Veterans Disability Compensation is a monthly cash payment to a veteran with a service-connected disability. Veterans with higher disability ratings are entitled to higher payments. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment supports services for a veteran with an employment handicap to assist the veteran in obtaining and retaining suitable employment. Housing Grants and Benefits: Specially Adapted Housing Grants support the construction or acquisition of a new home or the remodeling of an existing home to help the veteran live independently in a barrier-free environment. Special Housing Adaptation Grants support modifications to a veteran's home to accommodate a disability but support less-intensive modifications than Specially Adapted Housing Grants. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grants can be used to improve a veteran's access to his or her home or to facilitate continuation of treatment for the veteran's disability. Other Grants and Benefits: Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment Grants can be used to purchase an automobile or to purchase adaptive equipment for an existing automobile to make it safe or legal for the veteran to use that vehicle. Clothing Allowance Grants are for veterans who utilize medical devices or medications that are likely to damage the veteran's clothing. Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance is life insurance for service-disabled veterans.
This report does not discuss health care services provided by the Veterans' Health Administration and other benefits that are available to veterans who may or may not have service-connected disabilities.