Veteran Disability claim
Disability Pension benefit PRE-Qualification

The VA benefit discussed in the Handbook is limited to only Non-Service Connected disabilities you have developed due to advancing age or chronic illness.  It does not address PTSD issues.

The VA disability pension pre-qualification is based on four (4) factors to be eligible for the benefit:

1. Time of service
2. Housebound Status
3. Medical Need
4. Liquid Assets
5. 
   

The good news is that there is no look back period for the financial qualifications.  Often, transfers of assets to siblings and/or simple estate planning techniques will bring liquid assets below the maximum threshold.

If you don't qualify today because of assets, you can easily qualify tomorrow!

Important notes:

1. The benefit is ONLY for the veteran. The spouse is only eligible if the veteran is deceased.  This means that if the spouse is the one with the qualifying medical need you will not qualify for the benefit unless (1) the veteran also has qualifying medical needs or (2) the veteran is deceased.

1. Surviving spouses (widows) must have been the legal spouse of the eligible veteran upon the veterans death, and not remarried to be eligible for VA benefits.  If you are divorced from the veteran then you are not eligible to receive any benefits based on his/her service.

Lets Begin Looking At Your Individual Situation For Eligibility

Time of Service

Very simple.  The veteran must have at least 90 consecutive days of active duty with only 1 day of the active duty being during a stated time of war:

   Officially Recognized Periods of War

World War II	December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946
Korean War	June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955
Vietnam War	August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975
Gulf War	August 2, 1990 through a date to be set by law

The veteran must have been discharged from active duty under honorable, or other than dishonorable conditions.

Eligible branches of service include:
Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Merchant Marines (ocean-going) and Navy.
National Gaurd is NOT eligible unless they were called to active duty.


Home Bound Status

The claimant (veteran or surviving spouse) must be considered housebound by the VA to qualify for the aid and attendance entitlement.  

To qualify it is a simple as a situation where they can no longer safely drive.

The claimant just needs the assistance of another person to leave the house.  It does not mean they can not be able to leave the house.


Medical Need

The claimant must have a documented medical condition that requires they have a permanent need for assistance with basic activities of daily living.

These include such things as assistance dressing, bathing, grooming, personal hygiene, eating, transfers, incontinence and assistance with toileting. Safety, such as high risk of fall is also a qualifying medical need.


Liquid Assets

The claimant's household (claimant plus all dependents) liquid assets must be below $80,000.  A spouse is automatically considered a dependent and their income and assets must be included.  Of course, their qualified expenses will also be included.

Liquid assets include stocks, bonds, IRAs, annuities, second or vacation homes, and any collectible items. The primary home is not considered a liquid asset unless it is sold.

While the VA claims there is no such asset threshold, our experience has shown that the liquid assets should be below this threshold.