[humanser] Not all Blind Veterans Know

[Mary Ann Rojek]

     Not all Blind Veterans Know
 Not all Blind Veterans (BV's) are aware of compensation
 levels. Congress established Special Monthly Compensation
 (SMC) for veterans with very severe disabilities. The 100%
 rate was not sufficient to adequately compensate these
 severely disabled veterans. As a result, Congress passed
 statutory awards, SMC above the 100% rate. For example: at
 present, 100% provides
 $2673 monthly to a single veteran. BV's with vision of 5/200
 or a 5 degree field are rated at paragraph L - $3327 monthly,
 a BV's with light perception only receives paragraph M - $3671
 monthly and a totally blind BV receives paragraph N - $4176.
 Over the years Congress has improved the SMC with mid level
 ratings and combination rating; for example, a BV with
 deafness or the loss of an extremity may receive the maximum
 compensation paragraph O -
 $4664 monthly. Some veterans rated at paragraph O, who are in
 need of consistent aid and attendance, may receive paragraph
 AR-1 $6669 monthly.
 In addition, dependent allowances may be added to the amounts
 listed above for a spouse and dependent children.  Other
 Benefits:  In addition to improvements in compensation, other
 benefits for BV's has secured.
 Following are two Adaptive Housing Grants.  These grants,
 which were increased in late 2008, provide $60,000 (Section
 2101 A) primarily for wheelchair bound veterans. However, this
 large grant is also available to BV's with service-connected
 blindness and the loss of a leg. The smaller Grant, $12,000
 (Section 2101 B), is available to service- connected BV's.
 Initially, the Adaptive Housing grants were one-time grants.
 In 2006, the
 109 Congress passed legislation permitting eligible veterans
 who had not used all of their Section 2101 A or B grants to
 use the remainder again, up to 3 times. A BV who used the 2101
 B grant but less than the present $12,000 may be eligible to
 use the difference.
 Another grant is the Home Improvement and Structural
 Alteration (HISA) Grant available through your local VAMC. The
 HISA Grant provides $4100 to SC BV's and $1200 to NSC BV's.
 This grant may be used for minor alterations to your home in
 relation to your disability.
 Another nice to know bit of information is Dependency and
 Indemnity Compensation (DIC):  The survivors of 100%
 service-connected (SC) veterans are eligible if the veteran
 had rated at 100% for ten years, five years if continuously
 since discharge. In 1991 Congress passed the DIC Reform Act.
 Now there are two DIC rates.  The basic rate for the spouse is
 $1154 monthly. The spouse who was married to a 100% SC veteran
 for 8 years or more prior to the veteran's death would receive
 DIC of $1400 monthly.
 Each minor child would receive $284 monthly in DIC.
 NSC Pension:  Three NSC Pension levels exist:  Basic Pension,
 House Bound Benefits, and Aid and Attendance Allowance.
 Presently, the Basic Pension provides $985 monthly to a single
 veteran, House Bound - $1207 monthly, and Aid and Attendance
 Allowance - $1644 monthly. These amounts may be increased for
 each dependent. There is still a significant income
 limitation. The above listed amounts are reduced dollar for
 dollar by any incomes, whatsoever, the veteran or his/her
 household receives.
 However, there is an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
 Also BV's household earnings can be reduced by the amount of
 medical expenses the BV incurs.
 For information about any of the above contact the VA Regional
 Office in your area or talk with your VIST Coordinator.
 GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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