VA Term Library
If you’re having trouble with the VA disability claims process, you’re not alone. Many former service members are unprepared for the regulations, requirements, paperwork, and hoops they must jump through to collect the disability benefits they are owed.
Our VA Benefits Glossary serves as a helpful guide to common terminology and definitions related to VA disability compensation. Understanding key terms can help you effectively communicate with VA representatives, fully comprehend decisions, know your rights and entitlements, and pursue claims and appeals.
A
Active Service
Military service is required for a veteran to qualify for VA benefits. Qualifying...
Learn MoreAgent Orange
Agent Orange was an herbicide mix that was heavily used as a defoliant...
Learn MoreAid & Attendance Allowance
The Aid and Attendance (A&A) allowance is an additional monetary benefit paid by...
Learn MoreAppeal
This is the process by which a veteran challenges a VA decision on...
Learn MoreArmed Forces
The United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
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C
Camp Lejeune
Contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, has been linked to multiple...
Learn MoreCatastrophic Disability
A severe and permanent disability that significantly impairs a person’s ability to perform...
Learn MoreClay Hunt Act
The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, named after a veteran...
Learn MoreClear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)
Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) is a legal concept in VA claims. It...
Learn MoreCombat Service
Combat Service refers to military duty in designated combat zones or areas where...
Learn MoreCompensable Disability
A VA-rated, service-connected disability that entitles a veteran to monetary compensation. Most compensable...
Learn MoreCompensation
Monthly monetary benefits paid to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The amount of compensation...
Learn MoreCompensation and Pension Examination (C&P Exam)
A medical examination conducted by the VA to assess the severity and impact...
Learn MoreConcurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)
Allows qualified military retirees to receive both retirement pay and VA disability compensation.
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D
Decision Review Officer (DRO)
A Decision Review Officer (DRO) is a senior Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)...
Learn MoreDeferred Decision
A situation where the VA postpones making a decision on a disability claim...
Learn MoreDependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Benefits provided to surviving spouses, children, or dependent parents of veterans who died...
Learn MoreDependent
A family member, such as a spouse, child, or parent, who relies on...
Learn MoreDependents’ and Survivors’ Benefit Programs
VA initiatives providing financial assistance and support to deceased veterans’ dependents and survivors....
Learn MoreDiabetes Mellitus (Type II)
Veterans with Type II diabetes may be eligible for disability compensation and healthcare...
Learn MoreDisability Rating
The percentage assigned by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to a service-connected disability...
Learn MoreDischarge
The type of discharge a veteran receives can significantly impact VA benefits. Generally,...
Learn MoreDisenrollment
VA disenrollment involves withdrawing from VA health care or other VA benefits programs....
Learn MoreDomiciliary
A VA Domiciliary is a residential rehabilitation and treatment program for eligible veterans...
Learn MoreDS Logon
Department of Defense Self-Service Logon, a secure ID that veterans and service members...
Learn MoreDurable Medical Equipment
Medical devices or equipment prescribed by healthcare providers for long-term use. Examples include...
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E
Earned Income
Money a veteran receives through working.
Learn MoreEmergency
A medical situation with acute symptoms that demands immediate attention. In an emergency,...
Learn MoreEnrollment
The process for gaining access to VA health care services.
Learn MoreEnrollment Group Threshold (EGT)
The income limit set by the VA to determine eligibility for certain priority...
Learn MoreEnrollment Priority Group
A classification system set by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and used by...
Learn MoreEnvironmental Contaminants
The VA recognizes certain conditions caused by pesticide exposure, chemical and biological agents,...
Learn MoreExtra-Schedular Rating
An injury that does not have a listing on the VA disability schedule....
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F
Field Adjuster
An insurance professional who assesses and investigates claims on-site, often evaluating damages and...
Learn MoreFinancial Assessment
An evaluation of a veteran’s financial situation to determine eligibility for certain benefits,...
Learn MoreForeign Medical Program (FMP)
FMP reimburses eligible veterans for necessary foreign medical services or supplies and ensures...
Learn MoreFormer Prisoner of War (POW)
Former prisoners of war (POWs) are veterans who, during active military service, were...
Learn MoreFormulary
The VA healthcare system’s formulary lists approved and covered prescription medications. It outlines...
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G
Geriatric Evaluation
An assessment of an elderly veteran’s health and well-being, considering factors like medical,...
Learn MoreGross Household Income
The total earnings of all individuals living in a household before deducting taxes...
Learn MoreGulf War
The Gulf War refers to the conflict in 1990-1991 when a coalition of...
Learn MoreGulf War Syndrome
Gulf War Syndrome, also called Persian Gulf Syndrome or Gulf War Illness, is...
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H
Hardship
Hardship in a VA claim refers to challenging circumstances veterans face, impacting their...
Learn MoreHead or Neck Cancer
Veterans receiving nasopharyngeal (NP) radium therapy for head and neck cancer may qualify...
Learn MoreHealth Care
The Veterans Health Administration offers diverse healthcare options for veterans.
Learn MoreHealth Care for Re-Entry Veterans (HCRV) Program
Focuses on incarcerated Veterans, aiming to prevent homelessness and address medical, psychiatric, and...
Learn MoreHealth Care Programs for Elderly Veterans
VHA Geriatrics and Extended Care provides services to extend the lives of elderly...
Learn MoreHealth Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
HIPAA is a U.S. law safeguarding individuals’ health information privacy. It sets standards...
Learn MoreHome Health Care
Provides skilled nursing and therapeutic services in a home setting as an alternative...
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I
Ionizing Radiation
Exposure to ionizing radiation during military service (such as nuclear testing sites or...
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M
Means Test
A means test in a VA claim assesses an applicant’s financial situation to...
Learn MoreMedicaid
Medicaid is a U.S. government program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals...
Learn MoreMedicare
Medicare is a U.S. government health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65...
Learn MoreMerchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of commercial ships owned...
Learn MoreMilitary Sexual Trauma (MST)
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) refers to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment...
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N
Nexus Letter
A nexus letter is a document written by a medical professional that establishes...
Learn MoreNon-Service-Connected Veteran
Someone who has been discharged from active military duty but does not have...
Learn MoreNoncompensable
A service-connected condition or disability may be non-compensable if it does not meet...
Learn MoreNotice of Disagreement (NOD)
A Notice of Disagreement is a written statement filed by a veteran within...
Learn MoreNursing Home Care
Also called community living center care. Accommodates convalescents not needing acute hospital care.
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O
Outpatient Care
Includes office visits, x-rays, lab tests, and certain surgical procedures without hospital admission.
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P
Pension
VA pension is a needs-based benefit for low-income wartime veterans over 65 or...
Learn MorePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after...
Learn MorePresumption of Service Connection
The legal assumption that certain disabilities are related to military service, simplifying the...
Learn MoreProsthetic Devices
Prosthetic devices are artificial substitutes for missing body parts, including limbs, eyes, teeth,...
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R
Regional Office (RO)
Regional offices (ROs) are local VA offices that determine veterans’ eligibility for VA...
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S
Schedule for Rating Disabilities
The regulations that specify disability ratings and compensation levels for all service-connected conditions.
Learn MoreScheduled Injury
An injury to specific body parts like arms, legs, or organs that have...
Learn MoreService Connection
A direct link between a veteran’s current disability and an injury, disease, or...
Learn MoreService Treatment Records (STR)
Medical records documenting healthcare received by a service member while in the military....
Learn MoreSpecial Home Adaptations
Special home adaptations are grants the VA provides to eligible severely disabled veterans...
Learn MoreSpecial Mode of Transportation
Ambulances, wheelchair vans, air ambulances, or other modes of transport needed for a...
Learn MoreSpecial Monthly Compensation
Additional compensation paid to veterans who have certain severe disabilities or loss of...
Learn MoreStatement in Support of Claim
A buddy letter is a statement from a fellow service member, family member,...
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T
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
Benefits awarded when a veteran’s service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantial gainful...
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U
Urgent Care
Addresses immediate outpatient medical needs for unexpected, non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries to prevent...
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V
Veteran
A veteran is a person who served on active duty in the armed...
Learn MoreVeterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014
Allows eligible veterans to receive hospital care and medical services from non-VA healthcare...
Learn MoreVeterans Service Organization (VSO)
An organization that provides free assistance to veterans filing claims and appeals for...
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