VA Benefits

Below is interesting information that has been posted about VA Benefits.  While I can't confirm the details presented below, I blog about this information to assist those seeking information.  There appears to be a lot of red tape preventing people from getting a direct, sensible answer.  I pray that what I've shared below will illuminate some sketchy details to help many get the benefit that they so deserve.  I will continue to do financial research about this and as always, wish you the best.  Thank you for your service to our country.   ~Alfa Sugar, aka Stephanie Arredondo

Disability Pay
This blogger writes: unless you hit 20 Years you cant have both. Personally I would go with the VA $ since its tax free, well, that and I have a wife and 5 kids and will probably get 70%...Much better than 30% of E-6 Pay..But I have not been able to actually find that written anywhere in an instruction...so if anyone knows...

One blogger writes:  If you receive Military retirement at say at 30% or greater you will receive a medical retirement at 50% base pay.  If the VA rates you at 90% that means your 50% military retirement is non-taxable and you will receive compensation from the VA @40%.  

Another blogger writes the following:
If you are medically retired from the Army, you will only receive one check from the two departments, the check with the higher amount. You do not have the option of choosing which one. However, if at any point your condition worsens and your pay from one authority or the other is raised to a higher level than whichever is paying you at that time, the higher paying authority will take over your payments. Bottom-line, you will only get one check and while you have no say, it will always be the higher amount.

One of the differences between the VA and the Army, outside of the payment, is that the VA will pay 100% of your medical expenses for at-home equipment (home adaptive equipment, sleep apnea machines) whereas TriCare will usually pay for 90%, so a rating from both authorities is a good thing.

Disability Compensation
Chris Attik wrote this article that may be of interest  VA Benefit

Property Tax for Residents of Virginia
Sherri Abrams wrote this article for those disabled veterans living in the state of Virginia.
Disabled Veterans Real Property Tax ReliefJuly 9th, 2011

Effective January 1, 2011 a new law was imposed by the Commonwealth of Virginia allowing a 100% real estate tax exemption for qualifying disabled armed forces veterans and their spouses.
Pursuant to Article X, Section 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia, the General Assembly exempted from taxation the real property, including the joint real property of husband and wife, of any Veteran who has been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability, and who occupies the real property as his/her primary place of residence.

The surviving spouse of a Veteran eligible for the exemption shall also qualify for the exemption, so long as the death of the Veteran occurred on or after January 1, 2011, the surviving spouse does not remarry and the surviving spouse continues to occupy the real property as his/her primary place of residence.

In order to receive this benefit the veteran is required to have a letter of disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (1-800-827-1000). The letter will have specific wording that is required by the Commonwealth of Virginia for this exemption. The letter will NOT be automatically provided to the veteran, he or she must request this letter. Virginia Form 21-4138 may be filled out and signed in the Commissioner of Revenue’s office and faxed to the Veterans Affairs office to request the letter on your behalf.

The regional U. S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs office is located at 210 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, Va. 24011.

When applying with the Commissioner of the Revenue for this exemption the veteran must bring:
1. An original letter of disability issued by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs
2. Photo Identification
3. Proof of residence of occupancy – Voter Registration Card

Surviving spouse should bring:
1. Approved and original letter of disability issued by the U. S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (in the event the veteran was not previously exempted from local real estate taxes)
2. Death certificate to confirm the date is subsequent to December 31, 2010
3. A certificate of marriage from the appropriate State office of records
4. Proof of residence occupancy – Voter Registration Card

The above real estate information may shed light on your current state's residence property tax for veterans. 

All information presented is strictly for information purposes.  You are encouraged to conduct your research, contact a professional or seek guidance.