If you did not receive your VA disability payment, contact the administration through the benefits hotline at 1-800-827-1000, available Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern Time. You may also visit the nearest U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) office for inquiries.
How Long Does VA Take to Send Disability Payments?
The duration you need to wait for VA disability payment will vary. If it is your first payment, you will receive it within 15 days, per VA. Subsequent payments should arrive on the first day of each month. However, if this date is on a holiday or weekend, you will likely receive the check or direct deposit on the last business day of the previous month.
In some cases, disability payment payments may be delayed due to software issues or postage delays. If you do not get the payment within 15 days from the expected day, you should contact VA.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
What to Do When You Disagree With VA’s Disability Rating
The monthly disability benefits you receive will depend on your rating. If you disagree with VA‘s decision regarding your rating, it is advisable to request a decision review process. This procedure will allow you to get a reevaluation using several options.
Supplemental Claim
If you have additional evidence for your case, opt for a supplemental claim. This process is ideal for veterans with new medical records proving a connection between injuries and military service. It is also suitable if your health issue worsens, necessitating more medical care.
Higher-Level Review
Another decision review process you can use if you disagree with VA is a higher-level review. This involves a senior officer analyzing your initial case without including more evidence. They then determine if they can change the decision based on a different opinion or error within 4-5 months.
Board Appeal
A board appeal is another decision review option you can choose. This involves submitting more proof or requesting a hearing from a Veterans Law Judge. If you select a board appeal option, note that you must present the new evidence within 90 days. Further, you may need to wait for more than a year to get a ruling.
Can You Get More VA Disability Benefits After a Decision Review Process?
If VA finds they gave you a disability rating that was too low, they may increase it. This means you will receive more monthly compensation. You may also qualify for other VA benefits like tax waivers and specially adapted home grants.
When VA determines they categorized your injuries correctly, you will not get additional benefits. On the other hand, if they notice your condition has improved, they will reduce your rating. VA will adjust your monthly compensation to the new level and may withdraw some benefits.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
How Much Is VA Disability Payment?
VA determines the compensation for disabled veterans. The primary determinant of the payment amount is your rating. For instance, as of 2022, if you have a 10% disability rating, you should receive $152.64 per month. If you have a 20% rating, you should receive $301.74 per month. This is regardless of whether you have dependent children, parents, or a spouse.
If you have a disability of more than 20% VA will provide monthly compensation according to your rating, as well as an additional amount based on the number of dependents you have.
For example, if you have a 50% disability rating and a spouse but no children, you will get $1,050.44 per month. If you have an 80% rating with a spouse and one child, you will receive $2,035.43 per month. You can find all of the current payment amounts for each unique family situation on VA’s website.
Do VA Disability Payment Amounts Change?
Congress regularly adjusts VA disability payments based on the cost of living. Due to this, the monthly compensation can vary based on economic performance.
Another factor that can lead to receiving different disability pay is changes in family status. For example, VA may increase compensation if you have another child. However, this only applies to vets with disability ratings of 30% or higher.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Is Your VA Disability Rating Permanent?
No, disability ratings are not permanent. VA requires disabled vets to undergo reexaminations every two to five years. The exact time period will depend on factors like:
- Your current health status
- The likelihood of your condition improving
- The effectiveness of your treatments
- The extent of your disability
If VA determines your health condition has changed since the previous exam, they will assign a new rating accordingly. The only veterans exempted from reevaluations are those with a permanent and total disability rating. VA only assigns this category if you have a disabling injury that cannot improve, such as a missing limb.
An Advocate Can Help You Learn More About VA Disability Payments
Understanding the proper steps to follow when dealing with VA can be challenging. A disability advocate understands all the protocols vets must use and the appropriate methods of contacting VA.
With your advocate’s help, you can follow up on your payment or pursue more benefits using a decision review process. Call today to learn more about how our advocacy group can help you.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
