Compensation for Veterans With Service Connected Disabilities: Current Findings and Future Implications

Abstract

Compensation is an essential benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with service connected conditions, which are illnesses or injuries incurred or aggravated during military service. The purpose of this paper is to inform beneficiaries, program administrators, policy makers, and the general public about key developments in the VA compensation program. Based on findings from publicly available data as well as recently published papers, this paper identifies key topics that have future implications for veterans receiving compensation for service connected conditions. These topics include (a) increases in the number of veterans, the combined rating for service connected conditions, and expenditures for compensation, (b) increases in the number of women veterans with service connected conditions, (c) service connected mental health conditions, (d) the use of VA health care by veterans with service connected conditions, (e) premature death in veterans with service connected conditions, and (f) veterans with a combined 100% rating. We hope these questions will be considered by all parties who value this critical program for veterans with service connected conditions.