Disability Claims & Pensions

We Look Forward to Serving You

With over 38 offices across the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) team members look forward to serving you. Many team members are veterans or military spouses themselves who have personal experience with the claims process. They also receive comprehensive training to provide veterans and family members with the highest quality of assistance.

Veterans are highly encouraged to seek assistance from a DVS Veterans Services Representative before filing a claim. All services are free and working with DVS team members will provide veterans and their families with a number of advantages over self- filing.

Find a DVS Office Near You Schedule an Appointment

Eligibility for most federal and state benefits is based on discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the public health service, the Environmental Services Administration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Current and former members of the Selected Reserve may be eligible for certain benefits, such as home loan guaranties and education, if they meet time-in-service and other criteria. Men and women veterans with similar service are entitled to the same federal and state veterans benefits.

The eligibility policy is set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To determine potential eligibility for such benefits visit the Veterans Benefits Administration page.

Disability Compensation & Pensions

Disability Compensation (Service Connection)

Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. The service of the veteran must have been terminated through separation or discharge under conditions that were other than dishonorable. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of dependents, and is paid monthly. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax. Retirement pay, disability severance pay and separation incentive payments known as SSB and VSI (Special Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives) also affects the amount of VA compensation paid.

Disability compensation is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’; visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Compensation page to learn more.

Non-service Connected Pension

Veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled may be eligible for monetary support if they have 90 days or more of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of war. The discharge from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. The permanent and total disabilities must be for reasons other than the veteran’s own willful misconduct. Payments are made to qualified veterans to bring their total income, including retirement and Social Security income, to a level set by Congress. Unreimbursed medical expenses may reduce countable income. Veterans of a period of war who are age 65 or older and meet service and income requirements are also eligible to receive a pension, regardless of current physical condition.

Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Pension page to learn more.

New Client Initial Visit

Initial Visit (new to VDVS)

DD-214
Photo ID
Voided Check or Account Documents (new claims only)

If you will sign a claim for someone else:

Durable Power of Attorney or,
Court Order

If you want to view information for someone else:

3rd Party Authorization Form

If you have dependents to add on the claim:

Marriage Certificate
Previous marriage info/documentation
Birth certificates for spouse and children
All Soc. Sec. Numbers

Disability Claims (Note that the VA may attempt to produce these if you don’t have them)

Proof of an in-service event such as:

Service Medical Treatment Records
Service Personnel Records
Buddy statements or other evidence
Proof of a current diagnosis from a doctor such as recent medical records. Name and address of doctor treating you for condition.

Proof of a connection between an in-service event and your current diagnosis such as:

Ongoing medical records
Buddy statement

Benefits Delivery at Discharge Claims (pre-discharge Disability Claims)

Medical records – electronic, hard copy, or CD (180-90 days only)
If married: Spouse DOB, SSN, marriage certificate
Any previous marriage information/ documentation
Any minor dependent or 18-23 in high school or college
Birth certificate, DOB, SSN
Direct deposit information: bank name, routing number, and account number
DD-214 (when received)

Burial and Death Benefits

Pensions

“I do not know how to articulate how appreciative my father and I are to each and every person involved with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. Mere words will not do justice for the gratitude I feel in my heart. Thank you so much for your dedication. A special message goes out to the staff at my local DVS benefits office; it takes all kinds of people to make a world but…what a nice world it would be if there were more like you.”

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