Understanding The 2019 VA Disability Payment Schedule

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

What Is VA Disability Compensation?

Before filing a claim for disability compensation, it’s important to first know what the process exactly entails, and understand what this compensation means. VA disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans suffering from conditions that are related to their former military service.

Generally speaking, the amount of monthly compensation a veteran receives depends on their combined disability rating, which is determined by a payment chart. Specifically, veterans are assigned disability ratings for each of the service-connected conditions with which they have been diagnosed.

The VA uses its Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Book C) to assign a disability rating based on the severity of the veteran’s condition and how it affects their ability to function in everyday life. These separate ratings are then combined using the 2019 VA Disability Calculator to determine the amount of compensation that may be received.

Veterans with a combined rating of 30% or higher may be eligible for additional compensation for qualifying dependents, including:

• A spouse
• Children under 18 years old
• Children ages 18-23 years old and still in school
• Dependent parents

To determine the monthly compensation amounts for veterans based on their dependent status, you can review our VA Disability Rate Pay Chart.

Factoring in Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) and VA Disability Compensation

To stay up-to-date with economic fluctuation and be sure fair amounts of compensation are given to deserving veterans with service-related conditions, the VA adjusts monthly compensation amounts based on the yearly changes in the cost of living as determined by the Social Security Administration. These periodic changes made to VA compensation rates allow for VA benefit amounts to increase with the rate of inflation, meaning that the amount you receive will adjust to balance out the economic factors at play. In 2019, the VA Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) and Compensation Rates recorded a 2.8 percent increase, the largest since 2011.  The VA disability compensation rates for veterans without dependents for 2019 are as follows:

Reading the Payment Schedule to Determine VA Disability Rates 2019

The latest change in VA compensation rates went into effect on December 1, 2018, and was reflected in veterans’ benefit checks starting on December 31, 2018. Moving forward, disability benefits for a particular month will be paid on the first business day of the following month. It is important to note that if the first business day of the month falls on a holiday, then VA benefits will be paid on the last business day of the month.

Though we do our best to lay out in detail how to read the payment schedule for VA benefits, it can be tricky to navigate and understand for those unfamiliar with filing claims. For additional support, or to reach someone who can help you earn more of the benefits you so rightfully deserve, contact Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD at (401) 237-6412 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys who can walk you through the process during your free consultation.