The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers various benefit programs to veterans and their dependents, such as VA Disability Compensation for veterans with a service-connected disability (such as an illness); VA Pension for veterans with a health condition linked to their civilian life; and compensation for the surviving loved ones of veterans who had a health condition and passed away.
These types of compensation are available from VA mesothelioma claims that veterans or their loved ones can file to receive financial assistance.
Each year, the VA adjusts the compensation rates to reflect the average increase in cost of living, among other factors.
VA Disability Compensation Rates
VA Disability Compensation is a monthly, tax-free benefit provided to veterans with a service-connected health condition, such as mesothelioma. Veterans with mesothelioma can easily calculate the monthly payment they’ll receive from a VA Disability claim. Veterans with service-connected mesothelioma are given a 100% disability rating by the VA, which means they receive the maximum amount designated for their dependent status.
Veterans can also receive two additional benefits: Housebound; and Aid and Attendance. Housebound adds $446 to the monthly payment, and Aid and Attendance adds $913.21. These amounts are also adjusted annually for cost of living.
As of December 1, 2023, the VA Disability Compensation rates are:
| Dependent Status | 100% Disability Rating | Veteran with Housebound Benefits | Veteran Requires Aid & Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single veterans | $3,737.85 | $4,183.85 | $4,651.06 |
| Single veterans and one child | $3,877.22 | $4,323.22 | $4,790.43 |
| Married veterans | $3,946.25 | $4,392.25 | $4,859.46 |
| Married veterans and one child | $4,098.87 | $4,544.87 | $5,012.08 |
| Dependent Status | 100% Disability Rating | Veteran with Housebound Benefits | Veteran Requires Aid & Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single veterans | $3,737.85 | $4,183.85 | $4,651.06 |
| Single veterans and one child | $3,877.22 | $4,323.22 | $4,790.43 |
| Married veterans | $3,946.25 | $4,392.25 | $4,859.46 |
| Married veterans and one child | $4,098.87 | $4,544.87 | $5,012.08 |
Additional VA Disability Compensation amounts include:
- $103.55 for each additional dependent child
- $334.49 for each additional child over 18 in a qualified school program
- $191.14 if the spouse requires Aid & Attendance
VA Pension Rates
VA Pension is a compensation benefit available to veterans with mesothelioma who are not eligible for VA Disability Compensation. Pension is for veterans whose mesothelioma is from asbestos exposure occurring mostly during civilian life. To qualify for VA Pension, the veteran must have served on active duty for at least 90 days and served at least one day during a wartime period.
To calculate your VA Pension amount, the VA subtracts your annual income from the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), and you’ll receive the difference broken up into 12 monthly payments.
As of December 1, 2023, the MAPR for VA Pension for veterans are:
| Dependent Status | Without Housebound or Aid & Attendance | With Housebound Benefits | With Aid & Attendance Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans with no dependents | $16,551 | $20,226 | $27,609 |
| Veterans with at least one dependent (spouse or child) | $21,674 | $25,348 | $32,729 |
| Dependent Status | Without Housebound or Aid & Attendance | With Housebound Benefits | With Aid & Attendance Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans with no dependents | $16,551 | $20,226 | $27,609 |
| Veterans with at least one dependent (spouse or child) | $21,674 | $25,348 | $32,729 |
| MAPR for two married veterans filing together: | |
|---|---|
| Without Housebound or Aid & Attendance benefits | $21,674 |
| With Housebound benefits for one of you | $25,348 |
| With Housebound benefits for both of you | $29,021 |
| With Aid & Attendance benefits for one of you | $32,729 |
| With Housebound benefits for one of you and Aid & Attendance benefits for the other | $36,395 |
| With Aid & Attendance benefits for both of you and your spouse | $43,791 |
Add $2,831 to your MAPR for each additional dependent child. If you have a dependent child who works, exclude up to $14,600 of their annual wages from the income subtracted from your MAPR.
VA Benefit Rates for Survivors
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and VA Survivors Pension are the two types of VA compensation available to survivors.
Nearly 1,000 veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer with poor survival rates, which means many veterans pass away due to their cancer. Fortunately, there are benefits available to surviving spouses and dependents.
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Rates
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free benefit for surviving spouses of veterans who have passed away due to service-related mesothelioma, or a similar condition.
As of December 1, 2023, the amount of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation available to survivors:
| Dependency and Indemnity Compensation available to survivors | |
|---|---|
| Monthly foundation rate | $1,612.75 |
| One dependent child under age 18 | $399.54 |
| 8-year provision | $342.46 |
| Aid & Attendance | $399.54 |
| Housebound benefits | $187.17 |
| Transitional benefit for two years | $342 |
If you qualify for all of the above, this equals a monthly payment of $3,283.46. After two years, the transitional benefit expires and reduces the monthly amount to $2,941.46.
VA Survivors Pension Rates
VA Survivors Pension is a VA compensation benefit available to the surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran who has passed away due to non-service-connected mesothelioma and served during a wartime period.
As of December 1, 2023, the MAPR for surviving spouses:
| Dependent Status | Without Housebound or Aid & Attendance | With Housebound Benefits | With Aid & Attendance Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouses with no dependents | $11,102 | $13,568 | $17,743 |
| Surviving spouses with at least one dependent (spouse or child): | $14,529 | $16,989 | $21,166 |
| Dependent Status | Without Housebound or Aid & Attendance | With Housebound Benefits | With Aid & Attendance Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouses with no dependents | $11,102 | $13,568 | $17,743 |
| Surviving spouses with at least one dependent (spouse or child): | $14,529 | $16,989 | $21,166 |
*include $2,831 for each additional dependent
Unmarried, dependent children of veterans may also be eligible for $2,831 in Survivors Pension.
How to File VA Claims for Mesothelioma
Veterans with mesothelioma are victims of asbestos exposure and deserve to be compensated for their selfless sacrifices for our country. The VA offers various compensation programs for veterans with mesothelioma and surviving dependents.
Filing a claim with the VA can seem overwhelming due to the amount of paperwork required, but working with a VA-accredited claims agent can simplify the process. Contact Mesothelioma Guide’s VA-accredited claims agent, Retired LCDR, Carl Jewett. He specializes in assisting veterans with mesothelioma file VA claims and has helped thousands of veterans receive benefits.
Email Carl at carl@mesotheliomaguide.com to learn more about VA compensation.
Sources & Author
- 2024 Veterans disability compensation rates. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/. Accessed: 12/08/2023.
- 2024 VA pension rates for Veterans. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/. Accessed: 12/08/2023.
- 2024 VA DIC rates for spouses and dependents. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/survivor-dic-rates/. Accessed: 12/08/2023.2024 VA Survivors Pension benefit rates.
- 2024 VA Survivors Pension benefit rates. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension-rates/. Accessed: 12/08/2023.
Sources & Author
