List Of Benefits For Veterans 70 Percent Disabled

Navigating the array of benefits available to veterans with a 70% VA disability rating can be a daunting task. This blog aims to provide a clear and comprehensive guide to help veterans understand and access the benefits they are entitled to. From financial compensation to health care and vocational training, this post outlines a list of benefits for veterans 70% disabled and eligibility criteria, ensuring veterans can make the most of their support.

List Of Benefits For Veterans 70% Disabled

Veterans with a 70% VA disability rating are eligible for a variety of benefits:

• VA Disability Compensation

• Health Care Benefits

• Vocational Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

• VA Home Loan Guarantee

• Additional Compensation for Dependents

• Concurrent Retired and Disability Pay (CRDP)

• Life Insurance for Disabled Veterans

• Training Programs Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill

• Social Security

• Increasing VA Disability Benefits

• Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)

Benefits For Veterans 70% Disabled

VA Disability Compensation

The monthly compensation for a 70% VA disability rating is $1,716.27. This amount is tax-free and may increase or decrease each year based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).^[1] Veterans with a combined disability rating of 30 percent or higher and one or more qualifying dependents are eligible for additional monthly compensation for each dependent​​.

Health Care Benefits

Veterans with a 70% VA Disability Rating are eligible to be placed in VA Health Care Priority Group 1, the highest priority group. This group receives health care services with no copays, including preventative care, in-patient services, mental health care, medical equipment, medication, dental care, glasses, hearing aids, and emergency care at non-VA facilities​​​​.

Vocational Readiness And Employment (VR&E)

Veterans with a 70 percent VA disability rating are eligible for VR&E benefits, which provide career services and counseling, including training, resume development, and job-seeking assistance. This program also offers on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and non-paid work experience​​​​.

VA Home Loan Guarantee

This benefit helps veterans obtain more favorable terms on their mortgages, such as lower interest rates and down payments. It helps veterans buy, repair, rebuild, or maintain their homes​​​​.

Concurrent Retired And Disability Pay (CRDP)

This benefit restores a veteran's service pay by eliminating the VA waiver. Veterans with a disability rating of 50 percent or higher may qualify for this benefit, which allows them to receive both their VA disability compensation and their retired pay without any reduction​​​​.

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)

This program allows military retirees to receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation, which was previously not permitted. The CRDP program began in 2004 and is a "phase in" of benefits that gradually restored the retiree's VA disability offset by January 2014. Eligible retirees are enrolled automatically in this program, and it primarily benefits those with a VA disability rating of 50% or greater.

Life Insurance for Disabled Veterans (VGLI)

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is available to veterans as a continuation of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI). It offers coverage amounts based on the level of SGLI coverage when the veteran left the military. VGLI allows for lifetime renewable term coverage after separation from service, and the premium amount is based on the veteran's age and chosen coverage amount.

Training Programs Under The Post 9/11 GI Bill

This program offers various educational opportunities for eligible veterans, including entrepreneurship training, flight training, and higher education programs like undergraduate and graduate degrees. It also covers licensing and certification reimbursement, on-the-job training, tutorial assistance, and vocational/technical training. These benefits are designed to help veterans transition into civilian life and careers.

Social Security Benefits

Veterans with a 70% disability rating may qualify for Social Security benefits, either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).^[2] SSDI is available for those with a condition that is totally disabling and doesn't count VA disability benefits as income. SSI, on the other hand, is need-based and counts VA disability benefits as income, which may affect eligibility.

Increasing VA Disability Benefits

Veterans can attempt to increase their disability rating if they believe their service-connected condition(s) warrant a higher rating. This can be done by filing an appeal within VA’s deadlines, filing a new claim for an increased rating, or claiming a secondary service connection for additional conditions. This process involves demonstrating that the severity of the condition aligns with a higher rating criteria.

Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability (TDIU)

TDIU is a benefit that compensates veterans at the 100 percent disability rate if they are unable to work due to their service-connected conditions. This is particularly relevant for veterans who cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to their disabilities.

Additional Benefits

Veterans with a 70% VA disability rating have access to several additional benefits beyond the basic compensation:

• VA Special Monthly Compensation: This is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. For veterans, it's typically provided due to a service-related condition causing the loss or loss of use of specific organs or extremities.

• Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP): This program offers veterans safe, reliable, and inexpensive ways to receive and manage VA monetary benefits through financial services at participating banks.

• Travel Allowance for Medical Appointments: Veterans with a 70% disability rating are eligible for a travel allowance for scheduled appointments for care at a VA medical facility or VA authorized health care facility.

• Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemptions: These are state-specific benefits that can reduce the property tax burden for disabled veterans.

• Waiver of VA Funding Fee for Home Loan: Veterans with a service-connected disability are exempt from paying the VA funding fee for a VA home loan, a significant saving when buying or refinancing a home.

• Dependents Educational Assistance: This program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

• Folds of Honor Educational Scholarships: This scholarship, up to $5,000 per year, is available for eligible dependents of disabled veterans. It supports the educational pursuits of dependents, including children and spouses.

• Special Restorative Training: For veterans with a severe disability, special restorative training is available to help overcome or lessen the effects of a disability.

• CHAMPVA Medical Insurance: If the veteran's disability condition is permanent and they are deemed unemployable, they and their dependents may be eligible for CHAMPVA, a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies.

• Dental Care: Veterans with a 70% disability rating may be eligible for dental care if their disability condition is unemployable.

• Burial and Plot Allowance: This benefit helps with the expenses of burial and funeral for disabled veterans.

• Commissaries, Exchanges, and MWR Facilities: Veterans with a 70% disability rating have access to these facilities, which offer a variety of goods and services at potentially lower prices than the local market.

• 10-Point Veteran Preference in Federal Hiring: This gives eligible veterans preference over non-veteran applicants in the federal hiring process.

• Direct Hire Authority: This allows certain federal agencies to hire veterans without competition, making it potentially easier for them to secure federal employment.

• Concurrent Receipt of Military Retired Pay: Eligible veterans can receive both their VA disability compensation and their retired pay without any reduction, known as Concurrent Retired and Disability Pay (CRDP).

What Is The Compensation For A 70% VA Disability Rating?

Veterans with a 70% VA disability rating are entitled to a monthly tax-free compensation to acknowledge the impact their service-connected conditions have on their quality of life. This compensation is set at $1,716.27. However, this amount can increase under certain circumstances:

• Dependent Compensation: Veterans with dependents, such as a spouse, children, or dependent parents, may receive additional compensation. For instance, a veteran with one child and no spouse might receive an additional sum per month for the dependent child. This amount increases with the number of dependents.

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA): The VA adjusts disability compensation rates annually based on the COLA, which is tied to inflation rates. This adjustment ensures that the value of the benefits keeps pace with the cost of living.

• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Veterans with specific severe disabilities might be eligible for SMC. This is an additional tax-free benefit for conditions such as the loss of use of a limb or specific disabilities related to reproductive organs.

Understanding The Wide Range Of Benefits 

Understanding the list of benefits for veterans 70% disabled can significantly improve the quality of life for veterans with a 70% VA disability rating. This guide is a starting point to explore and access these benefits, ensuring that veterans receive the support and recognition they deserve for their service. Whether it's healthcare, vocational training, or financial assistance, these benefits play a crucial role in the lives of veterans and their families.

Find out more about veteran benefits with our guide on finding legal support for veterans' benefits. Visit Disability Help and explore our comprehensive resources to learn more.