VA Disability and the spouse (officer, veterans, insurance, policy)

[nicet4]

In December and again in February I was awarded a 50% service connected disability. Agent Orange stuff with diabetes and neuropathy in both feet.

I am fortunate because I don't consider myself disabled and I do take care of myself with exercise every day, watching my diet, no alcohol whatsoever and oral medications as directed. I am 65, working full time and making a decent living so other than the medications, somewhat restricted diet and glucose monitoring I am living a normal life.

I live a healthy lifestyle because I want to be collecting these checks 30 years from now.

So the VA sends me $888/mo and of that $78 is spousal benefits.

My question is if I die first will my wife continue to receive the $78 or does it all just stop?

What happens if I hit 100% disability, does anything change with that?

[Themanwithnoname]

I am a Dependent or Survivor - US Department of Veterans Affairs

[Terryj]

If you die or when you die your wife will be able to draw a survivors pention if she meets the requirements.

Once you reach 100% service connected disability, then your wife will be able to use the CHAMPVA medical benefits, she can us CHAMPVA until she turns 65. You will also receive a 10,000 dollar government insurance policy at no cost, the government waves the monthly premium. There are most likely other benefits offered by your state that you might want to check into.

[debvic]

Originally Posted by nicet4

In December and again in February I was awarded a 50% service connected disability. Agent Orange stuff with diabetes and neuropathy in both feet.

I am fortunate because I don't consider myself disabled and I do take care of myself with exercise every day, watching my diet, no alcohol whatsoever and oral medications as directed. I am 65, working full time and making a decent living so other than the medications, somewhat restricted diet and glucose monitoring I am living a normal life.

I live a healthy lifestyle because I want to be collecting these checks 30 years from now.

So the VA sends me $888/mo and of that $78 is spousal benefits.

My question is if I die first will my wife continue to receive the $78 or does it all just stop?

What happens if I hit 100% disability, does anything change with that?

If you haven't done so, go talk to a service officer with your local DAV office. My son is disabled and they have been a great help in filing the proper paperwork and dispensing vital information. The ones where we live are so dedicated and well trained. The VA only does what it has to, they do not advise you how to get all you and your wife are entitled to. They expect you to do that on your own. That has been our experience anyway.

[ranosb]

Your VA payments will stop when you pass but your spouse may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation;
DIC is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of the following:

• Military service member who died while on active duty, OR
• Veteran whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease, OR
• Veteran whose death resulted from a non service-related injury or disease, and who was receiving, or was entitled to receive, VA Compensation for service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling
  • for at least 10 years immediately before death, OR
  • since the veteran's release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR
  • for at least one year before death if the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

If you are paying into SBP and she qualifies for DIC, DIC is subtracted from SBP payments. If DIC is larger then the SBP payment, she will get no SBP, and she must claim all payments made to SBP be refundable, she must have records of those payments.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation - Compensation

If she doesn't qualify for DIC then she may qualify for a Survivors Pension
http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/spousepen.asp


DIC used to be subtracted from Social Security but they changed the law where you receive full payment of both now.
Maybe in the future the spouse would be able to receive full amounts from DIC and SBP at the same time!