When veterans apply for disability with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a key phrase in the application process is service connected. To be eligible to receive VA disability compensation, veterans must have a qualified injury, illness, or medical condition that is directly linked to their military service. Veterans who have an injury or illness that is not directly linked to their military service — but may have been made worse by their time in the armed forces can still file a non-service connected disability claim.

Veterans who may fall into this second category want to know — what does non-service connected mean for VA disability claims? Is the veteran still eligible for compensation or benefits? How do you file a non-service connected claim? We may be able to help answer those questions at VA Benefits Attorneys.

Are Non-Service Connected Claims Eligible for VA Benefits?

Yes. Veterans who have medical issues and disabilities not related to their military service that prevent them from being able to work can file a non-service disability connected claim. These individuals may be eligible for a Non-Service Connected Pension if they meet specific requirements. This pension is available to veterans below specific income thresholds — on a limited income or without an income due to their disability. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs will evaluate a veteran’s countable income — basic income, income of dependents, social security benefits, investment returns, and retirement benefits. This information is used to calculate a Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR) that will determine the monetary value of the Non-Service Connected Pension. 

Additional benefits for veterans who file a successful non-service connected disability claim include:

• Veteran preference for federal employment opportunities
• Enrollment in healthcare based on income 
• Travel allowance for appointments at VA medical facilities
• Burial plot and allowances
• FREE hearing aids
• FREE glasses
• Aid and Attendance compensation for a qualified spouse

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Non-Service Connected Pension? 

To be eligible for a Non-Service Connected Pension, veterans must meet several requirements that are related to their military service, income, age, and medical condition. Here is a better look at the criteria that disabled veterans must meet to be eligible for this pension.

• Military Service — There is a common misconception that veterans must have served in combat to be eligible for any kind of disability benefits. This is not always the case and it is important to know the difference between a veteran and a combat veteran for this purpose. To be eligible for a Non-Service Connected Pension, veterans must only have served in the military during wartime. The conflicts that are currently included on this list are — World War I (1917 – 1918), Mexican Border Conflict (1916 – 1917), World War II (1941 – 1946), Korean War (1950 – 1955), Vietnam War (1961 – 1975), and Gulf War (1990 – TBD).
•  Age and Disability — Veterans who are 65 years old or older and meet the other criteria do not have to prove they have permanent and total disability. Veterans who are under 65 years of age must show that their disability is severe enough that it prevents them from being able to work and that it is unlikely to significantly improve with medical care. Whether or not the disability or medical condition is considered permanent will also be evaluated by the VA. 
• Level of Income — This pension is intended for older and disabled veterans who no longer have the ability to work or cannot work enough to have the income they need. A veteran’s Non-Service Connected Pension benefits and their eligibility will be determined in part by their countable income based on multiple financial factors — job status, social security benefits, retirement benefits, and more.

READ MORE: Top 10 Most Common VA Disability Claims

Do you have questions about available VA benefits when you do not have a service-connected disability? You may want to know — what does non-service connected mean for VA disability claims? We are here to help at VA Benefits Attorneys. Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for a FREE case review!