Disability Compensation

• Disability compensation is for veterans who have a service-connected disability. A service-connected disability is one that was caused by the veteran's military service. If he already had a disability and it was made worse by his military service, he is also eligible. Veterans who receive disability compensation are also treated at VA medical facilities on a mandatory basis.
  
  

Disability Pension

• A disability pension is for veterans who are totally and permanently disabled and who have a low income. Their disabilities are considered non-service connected, meaning they were not due to their military service. They are eligible to be treated at VA medical facilities but only an availability basis.
  
  

Application for Benefits

• You file your claim for VA disability benefits by completing form 21-526, the Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension. Included with your completed application should be a copy of your DD214 separation papers, your marriage license if you're married, any divorce decrees and any medical records you have documenting your disability. The VA will notify you when they receive your claim. Then they will have no further contact with you until they make a decision unless they need addition information from you or want to have you evaluated by a VA doctor. It is not unusual for the VA to take six months or longer to make a decision regarding your claim.
  
  

Retroactive Benefits

• If you are awarded VA disability benefits, you will receive your monthly award amount on the first of every month. If the first falls on a day that the United States post office doesn't run, like a government holiday or a Sunday, you will receive it the last day that the mail runs before the first. Your first check however will be retroactive, meaning that you will receive a lump sum dating back to the date that you filed your claim since that is when the VA deems that you were disabled.