VETERANS ETERANS BENEFITS ENEFITS ADMINIST DMINISTRATION

ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT 

FISCAL YEAR 2005 

SEPTEMBER 2006 

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR BENEFITS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20420 

Dear Reader, 

We are pleased to present the Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report for 

Fiscal Year 2005. This is the eighth edition of the Annual Benefits Report. Its publication 

reinforces the Veterans Benefits Administration’s commitment to our stakeholders and business partners to provide comprehensive information concerning the activities of our five benefit programs. This report contains key data pertaining to the utilization of our benefit programs 

over the past five years. We hope it is a useful tool for the reader to understand our mission 

and our success. 

On the cover and throughout this year’s report are pictures commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on July 21, 2005. The year-long observance of our 

Diamond Jubilee is a reflection of the VA’s history in administering to the needs of those who 

have served our Nation. They have fought for freedom around the world and provided stability and assistance during times of natural disasters and other crises on the home front. Over 

these past 75 years, the programs of VA have evolved; so too have our ongoing efforts to care 

for these heroes and improve the delivery of services to them. 

On the following pages, we present a summary of the benefits used by our Nation’s veterans 

and their dependents in 2005. I thank the employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration 

for making a difference in the lives of our veterans and their families. 

 

 Daniel L. Cooper 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION PAGE

Mission and Vision Statements/Core Values 6

Veterans Benefits Overview 7

75th Anniversary Timeline 8 

 History of the VA Seal 13 

 Executive Order 5398 and “VA Then and Now” 14 

 Purpose of VBA’s Annual Benefits Report 15 

 Top Executives over the Years 16 

COMPENSATION AND PENSION 17

EDUCATION 51

LIFE INSURANCE 60 

LOAN GUARANTY 75 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT 86 

APPENDICES

 

VBA Regional Office Mailing Addresses 97 

Contacting the VA by Telephone 101 

Websites 102 

 

Glossary 103 

Select Veteran Data for All VBA Programs by State 110 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 6 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT

INTRODUCTION 

We are the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), one of the three Administrations forming the U.S. Department of 

Veterans Affairs (VA.) We offer a wide range of benefits to our Nation's veterans, service members, and their families. 

MISSION STATEMENT 

The mission of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), in partnership with the Veterans Health Administration and the 

National Cemetery Administration, is to provide benefits and services to veterans and their families in a responsive, timely 

and compassionate manner in recognition of their service to the Nation. 

VISION STATEMENT 

Our vision is that the veterans whom we serve will feel that our Nation has kept its commitment to them; employees will 

feel that they are both recognized for their contribution and are part of something larger than themselves; and taxpayers 

will feel that we’ve met the responsibilities they’ve entrusted to us. Courage, honesty, trust, respect, open communication, and accountability will be reflected in our day-to-day behavior. 

CORE VALUES 

• Veterans have earned our respect and are our reason for being, our common purpose. All our efforts are directed 

toward meeting their needs. 

• We are committed to communicating to our veterans and employees in a timely, thorough, accurate, understandable, 

and respectful manner. 

• We listen to the concerns and views of veterans and our employees to bring about improvement in benefits and 

 services and the climate in which they are provided. 

• We value understandable business processes that consistently produce positive results. 

• We foster an environment that promotes personal and corporate initiative, risk-taking, and teamwork. 

• We are open to change and flexible in our attitudes. 

• Respect, integrity, trust, and fairness are hallmarks of all our interactions. 

• We value a culture where everyone is involved, accountable, respected, and appreciated. 

• We will perform at the highest level of competence, always, and take pride in accomplishment. We are a “can do” 

organization.
PAGE 7 INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT

VETERANS BENEFITS OVERVIEW 

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is one of three administrations comprising the Department of Veterans 

Affairs. VBA is responsible for administering and delivering an array of Federally authorized benefits and services to 

eligible veterans and their dependents and survivors. 

With annual expenditures over $40 billion and long-term obligations exceeding one trillion dollars, VBA programs have 

a sweeping impact not only on the veteran community but also on the whole of American society. These are programs 

that touch millions of lives in fundamental ways. Benefits and services administered by VBA fall under five business 

lines:

COMPENSATION AND PENSION

EDUCATION

LIFE INSURANCE 

LOAN GUARANTY 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Veterans' benefits represent an integral part of American history. Knowledge of benefits’ history is important for all 

those who are interested in a comprehensive understanding of what VBA does and why. The timeline shown on the 

following pages represents the major milestones in VBA since the formal establishment of the VA in 1930. 

 A more general discussion of the VA and veterans’ benefits from a historical perspective can be found in VA Pamphlet 80-97-2, VA History in Brief, September 1997. This pamphlet is on the VA Home Page: http://www1.va.gov/opa/

feature/history/index.asp. For the latest copy of the pamphlet, Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, go to 

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.asp. 

 

 

 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 8 

75th Anniversary Timeline 

1930 

President Herbert Hoover signs Executive Order 5398 “Consolidation and Coordination of Governmental Activities Affecting Veterans” consolidating the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau, the National Homes for Disabled Soldiers and the Bureau of Pensions into the Veterans Administration. 

1933 

Board of Veterans Appeals established. 

1935 

VA implements new Spanish American War pension program. 

1936 

Congress passes “Soldier’s Bonus” legislation making adjusted service certificates available to more than 

3.5 million veterans. 

1940 

Congress passes National Service Life Insurance Act creating a federal insurance program for members of the armed forces. 

1941 

The December 7th Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brings America into World War II. Germany declares war on America on December 11. 

1943 

As a result of the largest mobilization in American history, U.S. Armed Forces have expanded from 334,000 in 1939 to over 

9,000,000 men and women. 

Congress grants World War II veterans hospital, domiciliary and burial benefits on a par with those of World War I veterans. 

1944 

The GI Bill of Rights is enacted providing government-subsidized training and education, home loan guaranties and the “52-20 club” 

– 52 weeks of unemployment benefits at $20 per week. 

1945 

General Omar Bradley named VA Administrator to oversee veterans’ transition into civilian life during demobilization. 

VA processes more than 83,000 applications for educational benefits during the first year of the GI Bill. 

VA moves many regional benefits offices to downtown urban areas and establishes numerous contact offices to handle the increase 

in benefit applications. 
PAGE 9 INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT

1946 

VA workload unprecedented as demobilization of the 15 million World War II GI’s begins. Veterans’ population swells to 17 million. 

1947 

Congress sets eligibility for benefits for World War II veterans serving between December 7, 1941 to July 25, 1947. 

1952 

Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1952 provides GI Bill benefits package to Korean War veterans. 

The Defense Housing Act of 1951 authorizes the VA to make direct loans to veterans for housing. 

1954 

Number of Korean War veterans increases by 934,000. 

1959 

“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan...” chosen by VA Administrator 

Sumner Whittier as VA motto to be inscribed on plaque and installed on the front of the Central Office building. 

1960 

The Hines, Ill., VA Data Processing Center is activated. 

1961 

The new GI housing bill extended the rights of WW II and Korean veterans to obtain guaranteed loans. 

1963 

The VA Department of Data Management is established February 1. VA has 14 computers in operation varying in size from large to

and small. 

1965 

Uniformed Services Group Life Insurance Act creates the Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance program administered by private insurance company under VA contract. 

1966 

GI Bill passes for Vietnam-era veterans. 

1967 

VA sends contact representatives to South Vietnam to counsel homeward-bound military personnel. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 10 

1968 

President Johnson calls on Congress to pass a comprehensive package of benefits and programs for Vietnam-era 

veterans. 

Veterans Assistance Centers are opened in 10 cities. 

Spouses of veterans are authorized to receive VA educational assistance. 

1972 

VA benefits outreach program contacts 1.75 million service members in Southeast Asia in the years between 1957 and 1972. Outreach is extended to Germany, Japan and Korea. 

1973 

After five years of service and the participation of 99 counselors, the VA ends benefits counseling program in Vietnam. 

The National Cemetery System is transferred by Congress from the Army to VA. 

1974 

VA sends 1,300 representatives to college campuses to speed processing of educational benefits. 

1979 

VA establishes Vietnam Veteran Outreach Centers (Vet Centers) to provide readjustment counseling to Vietnam Era veterans. 

1982 

VA Agent Orange Office formed to help resolve questions about Agent Orange. 

VA seeks out former POWs to inform them about benefits in compliance with the Former Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 1981. 

1983 

VA adopts system-wide automated data processing for medical centers – the Decentralized Hospital Computer Program. 

1984 

Congress passes the Montgomery GI Bill, helping veterans return to school to further their education. 

1987 

VA marks its 12 millionth home loan guaranty. 
PAGE 11 INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT

1988 

Ceremony recognizes 20 millionth GI Bill participant. 

President Reagan signs legislation creating the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

1989 

White House ceremonies mark beginning of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a new cabinet department. 

1990 

VA facilities mobilize to support casualties of Persian Gulf War and assist these newest combat veterans with benefits claims. 

VBA works with Department of Defense and Department of Labor to begin the Transition Assistance Program in seven states to 

provide military personnel employment, training, and benefits information before discharge. 

1991 

Congress passes the Persian Gulf Conflict Supplemental Authorization and Personnel Benefits Act, which declares the conflict a war 

for determining eligibility for veterans’ benefits. 

1992 

VA Readjustment Counseling Program begins sexual assault counseling. 

New nationwide toll-free phone number connects callers to nearest VA regional office. 

1993 

VA establishes Persian Gulf Health Registry to provide information and health examinations to Gulf War veterans. 

A new division in the National Center for PTSD devoted to studying the impact of military trauma on women veterans is established. 

1994 

VA leads celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the GI Bill. 

VA establishes the Center for Women Veterans to improve services to women veterans. 

1995 

VA provides disability payments for Gulf War veterans who have certain chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illness that 

might result from Gulf War service. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 12 

1996 

Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act changes VHA from a hospital system to a health care system. 

VA announces additional illnesses are presumed to result from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. 

1997 

VA begins establishing community-based outpatient clinics throughout the country to improve access to care. 

1998 

Legislation increases VA authority to treat Gulf War veterans. 

1999 

VA conducts first treatment trials for Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses. 

VA launches “One VA” program to provide seamless, customer-driven service to veterans. 

2000 

The Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 is passed. 

2001 

Researchers supported by VA and DoD find preliminary evidence that veterans who served in the Gulf War are nearly twice as likely 

as their non-deployed counterparts to develop Lou Gehrig’s Disease. 

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is recognized as a presumptive condition for Vietnam veterans

VA joins the rest of the federal government in responding to September 11 terrorist attacks. 

2004 

Servicemembers Group Life Insurance increases from $250,000 to $400,000 

2005 

Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) and Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) are 

enacted. 

Loan Guaranty benefits are indexed to Fannie Mae. 

VA responds to Hurricane Katrina devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. 
PAGE 13 HISTORY OF VA SEAL

HISTORY OF THE VA SEAL

OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE FORMER VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

This seal was used by the Veterans Administration from its founding on July 21, 1930, when President Herbert Hoover signed 

Executive Order 5398, the Consolidation and Coordination of Governmental Activities Affecting Veterans Act. 

The seal remained in use until March 15, 1989, when the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 1988 (signed by President 

Ronald Reagan on October 25, 1988) converted the former government agency into the Cabinet-level Department of Veterans 

Affairs. 

OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 1988 brought many changes to VA, including a new seal. 

The reproduction and use of the VA seal are specified by regulation (38 CFR 1.9). It is reserved for limited use as the 

symbol of governmental authority invested by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The seal is used to identify official 

documents, certifications, awards, publications, regulations and reports. Variation and modifications of the seal are prohibited. It 

is VA's legally sanctioned official signature. 

VA turned to its employees in its search for a new seal representing the newest Cabinet member. A contest was held among 

more than 225,000 VA employees to design the new seal. 

A design submitted by David Gregory, a medical media production specialist working at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center, 

won. He focused on traditional American symbols and his own innovative symbolism to visually convey VA's special mission. 

The VA seal features five key elements. The primary element is the bald eagle, the official symbol of the United States since 

1789. The mature eagle is a powerful representation of the United States symbolizing both the American people and the freedoms they enjoy. The circle of five stars above the eagle represent the five branches of the U.S. military; Army, Navy, Air Force, 

Marine Corps, Coast Guard, which produce the veterans VA serves. 

The two flags in the eagle's talons symbolize America 's history from the thirteen colonies to the present fifty states. A golden 

cord symbolic of those Americans who have fallen in service to their country binds the flags. The cord is also held by the eagle 

to perpetuate the memory of those veterans who have sacrificed for the nation. The seal's colors are derived from the American

flag and the natural colors of the earth, representing the Nation's commitment to its veterans. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 14 

EXECUTIVE ORDER 5398 

CONSOLIDATION AND COORDINATION OF GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES AFFECTING VETERANS

WHEREAS SECTION 1 OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS ENTITLED “AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT TO CONSOLIDATE AND COORDINATE GOVERNMENTAL

ACTIVITIES AFFECTING WAR VETERANS,” APPROVED JULY 3, 1930, PROVIDES: 

“(A) THAT THE PRESIDENT IS AUTHORIZED, BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, TO CONSOLIDATE AND COORDINATE ANY HOSPITALS AND EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE

BUREAUS, AGENCIES, OR OFFICES, ESPECIALLY CREATED FOR OR CONCERNED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAWS RELATING TO THE RELIEF AND OTHER

BENEFITS PROVIDED BY LAW FOR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND NAVAL ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE BUREAU OF PENSIONS, THE NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS, AND THE UNITED STATES VETERANS’ BUREAU, INTO AN ESTABLISHMENT TO BE KNOWN AS

THE VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION, AND TO TRANSFER THE DUTIES, POWERS, AND THE FUNCTIONS NOW VESTED BY LAW IN THE HOSPITALS, BUREAUS, AGENCIES, 

OR OFFICES SO CONSOLIDATED AND COORDINATED INCLUDING THE PERSONNEL THEREOF, AND THE WHOLE OR ANY PART OF THE RECORDS AND PUBLIC

PROPERTY BELONGING THERETO TO THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION. 

“(B) UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT THE ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS SHALL HAVE THE POWER, BY ORDER OR REGULATION, TO CONSOLIDATE, ELIMINATE, OR REDISTRIBUTE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE BUREAUS, AGENCIES, OFFICES, OR ACTIVITIES IN THE VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION AND TO CREATE

NEW ONES THEREIN, AND, BY RULES AND REGULATIONS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH LAW, SHALL FIX THE FUNCTIONS THEREOF AND THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF

THEIR RESPECTIVE EXECUTIVE HEADS.” 

 NOW, THEREFORE, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY SAID LAW, THE UNITED STATES VETERANS’ BUREAU, THE BUREAU OF PENSIONS, AND THE

NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS ARE HEREBY CONSOLIDATED AND COORDINATED INTO AN ESTABLISHMENT TO BE KNOWN AS THE VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION, AND DUTIES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS VESTED BY LAW IN THE UNITED STATES VETERANS’ BUREAU, THE NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS, AND IN THE BUREAU OF PENSIONS, AND THE PERSONNEL OF THE UNITED STATES VETERANS’ BUREAU, THE BUREAU OF PENSIONS, 

AND THE NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS, AND THE RECORDS AND PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE WORK THEREOF, AND THE PUBLIC PROPERTY BELONGING THERETO, ARE HEREBY TRANSFERRED TO THE VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION. 

THE WHITE HOUSE

HERBERT HOOVER

JULY 21, 1930 

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VA - THEN AND NOW

 THEN (1930) NOW (2005) 

AMERICA’S POPULATION OF LIVING VETERANS 4.6 million 24.3 million 

VA BUDGET $786 million $71.2 billion 

VA PERSONNEL 31,500 235,978 

NUMBER OF VA HOSPITALS 54 154 

VA MEDICAL BUDGET $30 million $31.5 billion 

VETERANS HOSPITALIZED AT VA FACILITIES 54,000 587,000 

VISITS BY VETERANS FOR OUTPATIENT CLINIC CARE 800,000 57.5 million 

NUMBER OF VA REGIONAL OFFICES 54 57 

NUMBER OF VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS RECEIVING VA COMPENSATION OR PENSION BENEFITS 900,000 3.5 million 

AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION AND PENSION BENEFITS PAID $418 million $31.0 billion 

NUMBER OF VA LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES 646,000 7.6 million 

FACE VALUE OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES $3.3 billion $1.1 trillion 
PAGE 15 INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT

PURPOSE OF VBA’S ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT 

The intent of this Annual Benefits Report (ABR) is to clearly delineate the particulars of the benefit programs delivered 

by VBA. The report identifies the current level of program participation by eligible persons and profiles the veteran/

beneficiary. 

The purpose is not to offer subjective analyses of the work processes associated with the day-to-day administration of 

the programs or to report on their performance. 

The report is meant to accomplish the following: 

• Present a clear, complete, data-driven picture of the extent to which veterans and their dependents use these 

benefits; 

• Provide insights into the nature of the benefits’ programs; 

• Portray the economic impact of VBA programs on veterans, their families, the Federal government, and the nation. 

A complete discussion on VBA’s performance in administering these programs is contained in the Department’s 

FY 2005 Performance and Accountability Report, dated November 2005. The document can be accessed through this 

electronic link: http://www.va.gov/budget/report/. Program goals and objectives are detailed in VA’s annual 

performance plans. The FY 2003-FY 2008 Strategic Plans can be found on the Department’s website: 

http://www1.va.gov/op3/docs/VA_Strategic_Plan_FY_2003_2008.pdf.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 16 

SECRETARIES OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

R. James Nicholson Feb 1, 2005 -- present 

Anthony J. Principi Jan 23, 2002 – Feb 1, 2005 

Hershel Gober (acting) July 25, 2000 – Jan 2002 

Togo D. West, Jr. 1998 – 2000 

Hershel Gober (acting) 1997-98 

Jesse Brown 1993-97 

Anthony J. Principi (acting) 1992-93 

Edward J. Derwinski 1989-92 

Thomas K. Turnage 1986-89 

Harry N. Walters 1982-86 

Robert P. Nimmo 1981-82 

Max Cleland 1977-81 

Richard L. Roudebush 1974-77 

Donald E. Johnson 1969-74 

William J. Driver 1965-69 

John S. Gleason 1961-64 

Sumner G. Whittier 1957-61 

Harvey V. Higley 1953-57 

Maj. Gen. Carl R. Gray 1948-53 

General Omar N. Bradley 1945-47 

Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines 1930-45 

ADMINISTRATORS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Nicholson Principi

Gober West

Brown Derwinski

Walters Turnage

Nimmo

Roudebush

Cleland

Gleason Driver

Johnson

Higley Whittier

Bradley Hines Gray
PAGE 17 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

COMPENSATION AND PENSION 

CURRENT BENEFITS

COMPENSATION BASED UPON SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH

Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans with service-connected disabilities. “Service-connected” 

means the disability was a result of disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. To be eligible 

for disability compensation, the veteran’s discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable and the disability 

must not be the result of willful misconduct by the veteran. 

Disability compensation is graduated according to the degree of the veteran’s disability on a scale from 0 percent 

disabling to 100 percent disabling, in increments of 10 percent. Additional benefits are payable to veterans with severe 

disabilities such as anatomical loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, blindness, or deafness. The most seriously disabled 

veterans receive the highest benefit amounts, and less severely disabled veterans receive lower benefits. 

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to the survivors of service members who died while on active 

duty or veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. VA may also pay DIC benefits to survivors of continuously rated totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities for ten or more years immediately preceding the veteran’s death or five years from the date of the veteran’s discharge. 

DIC benefits may also be paid to the survivors of former prisoners of war who died after September 30, 1999, and who 

were continuously rated totally disabled veterans due to a service-connected disability for a period of not less than one 

year immediately preceding death. 

Surviving spouses and dependent children are potentially eligible for DIC benefits. An additional amount is payable if the 

veteran was rated totally disabled for a period of at least eight years prior to death. For deaths prior to January 1, 1993, 

benefit rates are based on the veteran’s military pay grade or the current monthly rate established by law, whichever is 

the greater benefit. 

Parents of veterans or service members who die as the result of a service-connected disease or injury are also potentially 

eligible for DIC benefits. Parents’ DIC is a needs-based program for financially dependent parents. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 18 

PENSION BASED UPON NON SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OR DEATH

VA pension programs are designed to provide income support to wartime veterans and their families who are 

experiencing financial hardship. The program is means tested. The total family income from sources other than VA 

determines the amount of the benefit. Laws establish income limits and regulate the rates of payments. 

Wartime veterans who are age 65 and older or are determined permanently and totally disabled as the result of a 

non-service-connected disability may be eligible for a disability pension. Entitlement to this disability pension is subject to income limitations. Additional amounts may be paid to a veteran who has dependents or who is so disabled 

as to require the aid and attendance of another person, or is housebound. Benefits are also paid under two 

 protected or “grandfathered” prior pension programs. These rates and limits are fixed at the amounts in effect when 

the programs were replaced. 

Surviving spouses and dependent children of wartime veterans are potentially eligible for death pension benefits, 

subject to income limitations. As with disability pension, death pension is paid under the current pension program as 

well as under the two “grandfathered” prior programs. 

The new agency was responsible for medical services for war veterans; disability compensation 

and allowances for World War I veterans; life insurance; bonus certificates; retirement payments 

for emergency officers; Army and Navy pensions; and retirement payments for civilian 

 employees. 
PAGE 19 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

DATA

The table below summarizes information about the beneficiaries who began receiving compensation and pension 

benefits during FY 2005 and the monetary value of these benefits. 

The following table provides the number of active beneficiaries in the compensation and pension benefit programs at 

the end of FY 2005 and the monetary value of these benefits. Note this information includes the beneficiaries from the table 

above plus beneficiaries already on the rolls (active accounts). 

SUMMARY OF BENEFICIARIES WHO BEGAN RECEIVING 

COMPENSATION AND PENSION BENEFITS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005 

BENEFIT PROGRAM

NUMBER 

OF PEOPLE

ESTIMATED 

AVERAGE ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID 

COMPENSATION–DISABILITY 160,352 $1,140,000,336 $7,109 

COMPENSATION–DEATH1 19,162 $233,551,743 $12,188 

PENSION–DISABILITY 48,662 $417,298,558 $8,575 

PENSION–DEATH2 23,919 $116,661,799 $4,877 

TOTAL 252,095 $1,907,512,435 $7,567 

1 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation; includes surviving spouses, children (not dependents on surviving spouse awards), 

2 Includes surviving spouses and children (not dependents on surviving spouse awards) 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – COIN CP-103 and CP-127 

ESTIMATED TOTAL

 ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAID 

SUMMARY OF ACTIVE COMPENSATION AND PENSION BENEFIT ACCOUNTS 

AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

BENEFIT PROGRAM

NUMBER 

OF PEOPLE

ESTIMATED

 TOTAL ANNUAL 

AMOUNTS PAID 

ESTIMATED

 AVERAGE

 ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAID 

COMPENSATION–DISABILITY 2,636,979 $23,443,450,188 $8,890 

COMPENSATION–DEATH1 328,809 $4,098,111,813 $12,464 

PENSION–DISABILITY 335,787 $2,579,596,356 $7,682 

PENSION–DEATH 206,594 $692,384,760 $3,351 

TOTAL 3,508,169 $30,813,543,117 $8,783 

1 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and Death Compensation 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0221 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 20 

COMPENSATION – DISABILITY

Disability compensation is payment for disabilities incurred during or aggravated by the veteran’s military service (except 

when the disability resulted from willful misconduct of the veteran). Only veterans (not dependents, survivors, or others) 

are eligible to receive VA disability compensation. 

Disabilities are evaluated according to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities in Title 38, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 4. The Rating Schedule is based on a “whole person” concept. This means that each disability is evaluated for 

its disabling effect on the whole person. 

The range of disabling effects on a person from a specific disability rarely includes every 10 percent increment from zero 

percent to 100 percent. For example, the Rating Schedule provides four possible evaluations for the disabling effect of a 

disfiguring scar of the head, face, or neck: 0, 10, 30, or 50 percent, according to the extent of the disfigurement. Active 

pulmonary tuberculosis, on the other hand, is always rated 100 percent disabling. Multiple disabilities will result in a combined degree of disability for purposes of compensation payment. 

Combined degree of disability is expressed as a percentage and represents the overall disabling effect on a veteran of all 

his or her service-connected disabilities. The combined percent is not calculated by summing all the individual degrees of 

disability. Instead, a rating formula is applied to calculate the overall disabling effect of the veterans’ service-connected 

disabilities. Under certain 

circumstances, multiple zero percent 

disabilities can have a combined 

percentage of 10 percent (38 CFR 

3.324). These are called 

“compensable zeros” and are shown in 

the 0% row in the tables that follow. 

Disability compensation monetary 

amounts are set by Congress and correspond to the combined degree of 

disability. 

The table to the right provides the 

number of veterans by combined degree of disability who began receiving 

compensation during FY 2005. A 

similar table showing the total number 

of veterans by combined degree of disability receiving compensation at the 

end of FY 2005 is found on page 23. 

VETERANS WHO BEGAN RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED

DISABILITY COMPENSATION BY COMBINED DEGREE DURING

 FISCAL YEAR 2005 

COMBINED

 DEGREE

NUMBER

OF VETERANS

ESTIMATED 

TOTAL ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

ESTIMATED 

AVERAGE ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

0% 504 $441,504 $876 

10% 46,264 $60,330,107 $1,304 

20% 31,347 $79,671,535 $2,542 

30% 22,898 $99,279,317 $4,336 

40% 17,311 $108,463,109 $6,266 

50% 11,880 $104,623,358 $8,807 

60% 9,736 $145,407,939 $14,935 

70% 6,863 $149,878,037 $21,839 

80% 3,733 $90,421,174 $24,222 

90% 1,671 $44,009,729 $26,337 

100% 8,145 $257,474,527 $31,611 

TOTAL 160,352 $1,140,000,336 $7,109 

Source: CP-127 
PAGE 21 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

MOST FREQUENT SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES FOR VETERANS WHO BEGAN

RECEIVING COMPENSATION DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 

DISABILITY NUMBER PERCENT OF TOTAL

Tinnitus 46,739 9.1% 

Defective Hearing 38,657 7.5% 

Diabetes Mellitus 24,615 4.8% 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 21,428 4.2% 

Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain 20,241 3.9% 

Generalized, Musculoskeletal Conditions 15,876 3.1% 

Arthritis, due to Trauma 15,524 3.0% 

Hypertensive Vascular Disease 12,248 2.4% 

Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine 12,031 2.3% 

Scars, Other 11,605 2.2% 

TOTAL - MOST FREQUENT DISABILITIES 218,964 42.4% 

TOTAL - ALL DISABILITIES 516,059 100% 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network - COIN CP-145 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 22 

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF COMBINED DEGREE SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES FOR

VETERANS WHO BEGAN RECEIVING COMPENSATION — BY FISCAL YEAR

COMBINED DEGREE 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

 0% 327 529 635 434 504 

10% 25,161 39,336 44,304 42,555 46,264 

20% 15,972 37,822 36,035 29,765 31,347 

30% 12,785 20,454 22,039 20,031 22,898 

40% 8,294 15,476 16,377 14,934 17,311 

50% 5,976 9,863 10,869 10,230 11,880 

60% 4,159 7,726 8,573 7,961 9,736 

70% 3,230 5,582 6,459 6,087 6,863 

80% 1,303 2,688 3,184 2,949 3,733 

90% 529 1,199 1,456 1,322 1,671 

100% 3,690 7,011 8,004 7,913 8,145 

TOTAL 81,426 147,686 157,935 144,181 160,352 
PAGE 23 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

BODY SYSTEM 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Musculoskeletal System 110,520 156,339 164,970 164,297 194,331 

Impairment of Auditory Acuity 31,995 59,241 75,316 76,836 88,366 

Skin 28,047 41,453 42,766 36,955 41,161 

Neurological Conditions 12,927 28,794 33,575 28,922 33,602 

Cardiovascular System 14,253 26,643 28,069 28,315 26,577 

Endocrine System 5,918 39,852 36,897 26,206 26,274 

Mental Disorders 16,065 25,402 31,022 23,564 33,308 

Respiratory System 14,190 19,304 20,678 19,239 21,903 

Digestive System 15,109 21,501 22,017 19,078 21,281 

Genitourinary System 6,270 13,392 14,993 12,884 14,670 

Eye 2,998 5,320 5,708 4,774 5,529 

Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies 2,081 3,300 3,233 2,702 2,705 

Gynecological Conditions 2,285 2,795 2,780 2,487 2,670 

Hemic and Lymphatic Systems 923 1262 1,484 1,822 1,814 

Dental and Oral Conditions 1,310 2,087 1,915 1,616 1,868 

TOTAL 264,891 446,685 485,423 449,697 516,059 

FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON OF SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES BY BODY SYSTEM

OF VETERANS WHO BEGAN RECEIVING COMPENSATION — BY FISCAL YEAR

BODY SYSTEM CHANGE

Musculoskeletal System 75.8% 

Impairment of Auditory Acuity 176.2% 

Skin 46.8% 

Neurological Conditions 159.9% 

Cardiovascular System 86.5% 

Endocrine System 344.0% 

Mental Disorders 107.3% 

Respiratory System 54.4% 

Digestive System 40.8% 

Genitourinary System 134.0% 

Eye 84.4% 

Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies 30.0% 

Gynecological Conditions 16.8% 

Hemic and Lymphatic Systems 96.5% 

Dental and Oral Conditions 42.6% 

PERCENT CHANGE FROM FY 2001 — FY 2005 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 24 

The table below presents the total number of veterans and estimated amounts paid by combined degree of disability 

end of FY 2005. 

For comparison, the following table provides combined percent information for veterans receiving compensation at the 

end of fiscal years 2001 through 2005. 

TOTAL VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES BY COMBINED 

PERCENT - FIVE FISCAL YEARS

COMBINED 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

0% 16,906 16,364 15,925 15,313 14,750 

10% 822,788 805,229 791,473 782,910 775,854 

20% 372,113 387,681 396,640 402,492 408,667 

30% 308,156 313,207 318,239 321,521 327,007 

40% 200,954 214,613 227,918 236,785 246,987 

50% 121,316 128,508 136,535 143,291 151,943 

60% 126,788 138,378 151,443 161,050 172,694 

70% 93,913 107,097 123,951 138,548 153,190 

80% 56,945 67,583 80,545 91,526 102,979 

90% 26,908 32,897 40,339 46,818 54,161 

100% 174,316 186,730 202,221 215,442 228,747 

TOTAL 2,321,103 2,398,287 2,485,229 2,555,696 2,636,979 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0223 

TOTAL NUMBER OF VETEANS RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY 

BENEFITS BY COMBINED PERCENT OF DISABILITY END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

COMBINED DEGREE

NUMBER OF 

VETERANS

ESTIMATED TOTAL

 ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAID

ESTIMATED AVERAGE 

ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAID

0% 14,750 $12,921,834 $876 

10% 775,854 $1,011,837,165 $1,304 

20% 408,667 $1,038,713,180 $2,542 

30% 327,007 $1,417,818,180 $4,336 

40% 246,987 $1,547,523,119 $6,266 

50% 151,943 $1,338,115,117 $8,807 

60% 172,694 $2,579,201,375 $14,935 

70% 153,190 $3,345,458,414 $21,839 

80% 102,979 $2,494,379,640 $24,222 

90% 54,161 $1,426,458,008 $26,337 

100% 228,747 $7,231,024,156 $31,611 

TOTAL 2,636,979 $23,443,450,188 $8,890 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0223 
PAGE 25 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

COMBINED DEGREE PERCENT CHANGE FY 2001 TO 2005 

 0% -12.8% 

10% -5.7% 

20% 9.8% 

30% 6.1% 

40% 22.9% 

50% 25.2% 

60% 36.2% 

70% 63.1% 

80% 80.8% 

90% 101.3% 

100% 31.2% 

Source: RCS 20-0223 

VETERANS RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY COMPENSATION 

FROM FY 2001 TO 2005 AS A PERCENT OF CHANGE

BY COMBINED DEGREE OF DISABILITY
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 26 

SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR VETERANS

 RECEIVING COMPENSATION END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY AGE 

Age Band 

Number of 

Veterans 

Estimated Annual 

 Payments 

Percent of 

Total 

35 and under 201,533 $1,045,564,260 4.5% 

 36-55 816,157 $6,249,379,368 26.7% 

 56-75 1,101,450 $11,643,387,024 49.7% 

 75 and Over 517,839 $4,505,119,536 19.2% 

TOTAL 2,636,979 $23,443,450,188 100% 

Source: RCS 20-0236 

The following tables present information about the age of veterans who began receiving disability compensation 

benefits during FY 2005 as well as for all veterans receiving disability compensation benefits, with an 

estimate of the annual payments. 

SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR VETERANS 

WHO BEGAN RECEIVING COMPENSATION DURING FY 2005 BY AGE

AGE NUMBER 

OF VETERANS

ESTIMATE ANNUAL 

PAYMENTS

PERCENT

OF TOTAL

35 and under 37,109 $203,966,316 17.9% 

36-55 55,048 $389,088,907 34.1% 

56-75 54,840 $430,217,621 37.7% 

Over 75 13,355 $116,727,492 10.2% 

TOTAL 160,352 $1,140,000,336 100.0% 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network - COIN CP-127
PAGE 27 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

As previously noted, many veterans have more than one disability. Each disability is evaluated according to its disabling 

effect, without regard to other disabling conditions present. A rating formula is applied to assess the overall disabling effect (combined degree) of all the veteran’s service-connected conditions. 

In contrast to the previous tables, which organized information according to the number of individual veterans and their 

combined evaluations, the table below organizes information according to the number of service-connected disabilities 

and their separate evaluations. A “zero percent” service-connected disability rating means a disability exists and is related to the veteran’s service but is not so disabling that it entitles the veteran to compensation payments. 

Data for the table below and on the following pages are taken from compensation payment records. Consequently, the 

disabilities of service-connected veterans who do not receive compensation because their combined disability ratings are 

zero percent are not represented in the table. 

The zero percent disabilities shown in these tables are for those veterans who receive compensation (either as a result of 

having combined multiple zero percent disability evaluations or a zero percent disability and one or more disability rating 

evaluations above zero percent, i.e., 10 percent or greater). 

This table portrays the disabilities of 2,636,979 veterans. The average number of disabilities per veteran is 2.91. Approximately 89% of these disabilities are evaluated in the 0 through 30 percentage rating category. 

TOTAL INDIVIDUAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES BY PERCENT FOR VETERANS RECEIVING COMPENSATION END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

EVALUATION NUMBER OF DISABILITIES

0% 2,363,021 

10% 3,052,872 

20% 813,832 

30% 593,025 

40% 212,238 

50% 166,344 

60% 142,177 

70% 97,526 

80% 10,331 

90% 3,202 

100% 221,219 

TOTAL 7,675,787 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0227 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 28 

RANKING OF INDIVIDUAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES BY BODY SYSTEM FOR

VETERANS RECEIVING COMPENSATION END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

Body System Total Number of Disabilities 

Musculoskeletal System 3,002,239 

Impairment of Auditory Acuity 822,413 

Skin 799,131 

Neurological Conditions 521,970 

Mental Disorders 520,497 

Cardiovascular System 471,455 

Digestive System 457,934 

Respiratory System 347,190 

Endocrine System 247,324 

Genitourinary System 214,036 

Eye 121,443 

Gynecological System 46,880 

Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, Nutritional Deficiencies 45,076 

Dental and Oral Conditions 32,211 

Hemic and Lymphatic System 25,988 

TOTAL 7,675,787 

PERCENT OF INDIVIDUAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES BY BODY SYSTEM FOR VETERANS 

RECEIVING COMPENSATION END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

Musculoskeletal System 39.1% Endocrine System 3.2% 

Impairment of Auditory Acuity 10.7% Genitourinary System 2.8% 

Skin 10.4% Eye 1.6% 

Neurological Conditions 6.8% Gynecological System 0.6% 

Mental Disorders 6.8% 

Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, Nutritional 

Deficiencies 0.6% 

Cardiovascular System 6.1% Dental and Oral Conditions 0.4% 

Digestive System 6.0% Hemic and Lymphatic System 0.3% 

Respiratory System 4.5% Source: Benefits Delivery Network–RCS 20-0227 

 Note: Does not include 24 in "Other" category 
PAGE 29 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON OF INDIVIDUAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES BY BODY SYSTEM 

FOR VETERANS RECEIVING COMPENSATION END OF FISCAL YEAR 

Body System 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

Musculoskeletal System 2,412,412 2,524,243 2,652,380 2,786,986 3,002,239 

Impairment of Auditory 

 Acuity 530,931 587,524 665,419 742,211 822,413 

Skin 731,378 750,407 770,083 778,521 799,131 

Neurological Conditions 331,653 369,377 422,448 581,442 521,970 

Mental Disorders 414,679 433,618 463,223 488,333 520,497 

Cardiovascular System 357,259 385,924 419,039 442,640 471,455 

Digestive System 434,606 440,931 448,128 452,307 457,934 

Respiratory System 303,890 314,021 325,106 334,866 347,190 

Endocrine System 68,040 134,905 185,908 217,126 247,324 

Genitourinary System 145,938 161,387 180,785 196,268 214,036 

Eye 104,472 108,407 113,553 117,256 121,443 

Gynecological Conditions 36,667 39,325 41,905 44,156 46,880 

Infectious Diseases, Immune 

Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies 46,714 46,586 46,576 46,045 45,076 

Dental and Oral Conditions 27,572 28,924 30,171 31,114 32,211 

Hemic and Lymphatic Systems 21,471 22,216 23,122 24,996 25,988 

TOTAL 5,967,682 6,347,795 6,787,857 7,284,267 7,675,787 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network–RCS 20-0227 

 Note: Does not include 24 in "Other" category for FY 2005 

CHANGES IN SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES BY BODY SYSTEM 

FOR VETERANS RECEIVING COMPENSATION FY 2001-FY 2005 

EVALUATION

PERCENT

CHANGE

EVALUATION

PERCENT

CHANGE

 Musculoskeletal System 24.4% Endocrine System 263.5% 

 Impairment of Auditory Acuity 54.9% Genitourinary System 46.7% 

 Skin 9.3% Eye 16.2% 

 Neurological Conditions 57.4% Gynecological Conditions 27.9% 

 Mental Disorders 25.5% 

Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, Nutritional 

Deficiencies -3.5% 

 Cardiovascular System 32.0% Dental and Oral Conditions 16.8% 

 Digestive Systems 5.4% Hemic and Lymphatic System 21.0% 

 Respiratory System 14.2% 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network–RCS 20-0227

 Note: Does not include 24 in "Other" category 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 30 

The following table identifies the total number of individual service-connected disabilities grouped by body systems. The 

percentages reflect the proportional amount that each rating represents for that body system. Total conditions similarly 

reflect the proportional amount for each rating group of all body systems, e.g. 39.8% of the total service-connected disabilities are rated at 10%. 

TOTAL INDIVIDUAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES FOR VETERANS RECEIVING 

COMPENSATION END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY PERCENT AND BODY SYSTEM

RATING

MUSCULOSKELTAL

SYSTEM AUDITORY SKIN NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS 

MENTAL

 DISORDERS 

CARDIOVASCULAR 

SYSTEM 

DIGESTIVE 

SYSTEM 

0% 727,801 24.2% 337,006 41.0% 514,948 64.4% 62,983 12.1% 15,838 3.0% 67,423 14.3% 255,212 55.7% 155,389 44.8% 

10% 1,469,77 49.0% 404,826 49.2% 243,153 30.4% 253,633 48.6% 91,107 17.5% 219,665 46.6% 128,543 28.1% 101,951 29.4% 

20% 435,193 14.5% 24,888 3.0% 5,307 0.7% 75,809 14.5% 358 0.1% 45,169 9.6% 27,665 6.0% 6,972 2.0% 

30% 156,091 5.2% 17,673 2.1% 27,116 3.4% 57,171 11.0% 118,535 22.8% 75,348 16.0% 23,608 5.2% 44,710 12.9% 

40% 114,722 3.8% 13,455 1.6% 2,063 0.3% 28,030 5.4% 210 0.0% 11,595 2.5% 7,827 1.7% 1,617 0.5% 

50% 20,317 0.7% 7,399 0.9% 3,763 0.5% 14,381 2.8% 92,221 17.7% 1,662 0.4% 946 0.2% 12,694 3.7% 

60% 52,179 1.7% 4,703 0.6% 2,107 0.3% 10,159 1.9% 175 0.0% 32,407 6.9% 6,000 1.3% 12,270 3.5% 

70% 4,410 0.1% 2,609 0.3% 40 0.0% 3,326 0.6% 84,872 16.3% 237 0.1% 158 0.0% 168 0.0% 

80% 1,729 0.1% 2,695 0.3% 376 0.0% 3,361 0.6% 46 0.0% 152 0.0% 123 0.0% 268 0.1% 

90% 1,066 0.0% 964 0.1% 5 0.0% 529 0.1% 3 0.0% 10 0.0% 0 0.0% 2 0.0% 

100% 18,956 0.6% 6,195 0.8% 253 0.0% 12,588 2.4% 117,132 22.5% 17,787 3.8% 7,852 1.7% 11,149 3.2% 

TOTAL 3,002,239 39.1% 822,413 10.7% 799,131 10.4% 521,970 6.8% 520,497 6.8% 471,455 6.1% 457,934 6.0% 347,190 4.5% 

RESPIRATORY

 SYSTEM 

Rating ENDOCRINE

 SYSTEM

GENITOURINARY

 SYSTEM

EYE

GYNECOLOGICAL

CONDITIONS

INFECTIOUS

 DISEASES, 

IMMUNE

 DISORDERS, 

NUTRITIONAL 

DEFICIENCIES

DENTAL

AND ORAL

CONDITIONS

HEMIC 

AND

 LYMPHATIC

SYSTEMS

TOTAL

 ALL 

CONDITIONS

0% 7,639 3.1% 104,091 48.6% 39,226 32.3% 16,064 34.3% 35,193 78.1% 16,970 52.7% 7,238 27.9% 2,363,021 30.8% 

10% 50,065 20.2% 33,514 15.7% 33,771 27.8% 7,153 15.3% 3,568 7.9% 10,001 31.0% 2,147 8.3% 3,052,872 39.8% 

20% 162,472 65.7% 17,528 8.2% 6,898 5.7% 168 0.4% 822 1.8% 2,940 9.1% 1,643 6.3% 813,832 10.6% 

30% 3,732 1.5% 18,657 8.7% 26,004 21.4% 11,919 25.4% 1,771 3.9% 1,571 4.9% 9,119 35.1% 593,025 7.7% 

40% 15,097 6.1% 9,194 4.3% 6,772 5.6% 470 1.0% 433 1.0% 463 1.4% 290 1.1% 212,238 2.8% 

50% 143 0.1% 39 0.0% 1,762 1.5% 10,725 22.9% 68 0.2% 194 0.6% 30 0.1% 166,344 2.2% 

60% 4,841 2.0% 13,693 6.4% 1,213 1.0% 119 0.3% 1,796 4.0% 14 0.0% 501 1.9% 142,177 1.9% 

70% 61 0.0% 8 0.0% 1,421 1.2% 5 0.0% 21 0.0% 5 0.0% 185 0.7% 97,526 1.3% 

80% 96 0.0% 1,221 0.6% 157 0.1% 24 0.1% 73 0.2% 3 0.0% 7 0.0% 10,331 0.1% 

90% 23 0.0% 0 0.0% 598 0.5% 0 0.0% 1 0.0% 1 0.0% 0 0.0% 3,202 0.0% 

100% 3,155 1.3% 16,091 7.5% 3,621 3.0% 233 0.5% 1,330 3.0% 49 0.2% 4,828 18.6% 221,219 2.9% 

TOTAL 247,324 3.2% 214,036 2.8% 121,443 1.6% 46,880 0.6% 45,076 0.6% 32,211 0.4% 25,988 0.3% 7,675,787 100.0% 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0227 
PAGE 31 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

MOST PREVALENT SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES

Body System 

and Disability 

Total 

 Number 

Body 

 System 

 (%) 

Body System 

and Disability 

Total 

 Number 

Body 

 System 

 (%) 

Musculoskeletal System Endocrine System 

Generalized musculoskeletal conditions 300,098 10.0% Diabetes mellitus 220,532 89.2% 

Arthritis, due to trauma 272,047 9.1% Hypothyroidism 13,464 5.4% 

Other impairment of knee 235,158 7.8% Hyperthyroidism 5,069 2.0% 

Impairment of Auditory Acuity Genitourinary System 

Defective hearing (includes former codes 

 for hearing loss) 413,989 50.3% Generalized genitourinary system 38,400 17.9% 

Tinnitus 339,573 41.3% Malignant neoplasms genitourinary system 33,529 15.7% 

Otitis media, suppurative, chronic 21,062 2.6% Prostate gland injuries, infections, hypertrophy, post-operative residuals 28,210 13.2% 

Skin Eye 

Scars, other 283,337 35.5% Defective visual acuity 30,855 25.4% 

Scars, superficial, tender and painful 101,032 12.6% Generalized eye conditions 14,032 11.6% 

Scars, disfiguring, head, face or neck 98,323 12.3% Conjunctivitis, other, chronic 8,763 7.2% 

Neurological Conditions Gynecological System 

Migraine 68,443 13.1% Uterus and ovaries, removal of, complete 9,570 20.4% 

Paralysis of sciatic nerve 66,775 12.8% Uterus, removal of, including corpus 9,565 20.4% 

Paralysis of the median nerve 50,007 9.6% Generalized, gynecological conditions and 

disorders of the breast 6,363 13.6% 

Mental Disorders Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, 

and Nutritional Deficiencies 

Post-traumatic stress disorder 244,876 47.0% Malaria (inactive) 31,044 68.9% 

Generalized anxiety disorder 63,167 12.1% Generalized, infectious diseases, immune 

disorder and nutritional deficiencies 2,930 6.5% 

Major depressive disorder 37,825 7.3% HIV-related illness 2,877 6.4% 

Cardiovascular System Dental and Oral Conditions 

Hypertensive vascular disease (essential arterial hypertension) 193,055 40.9% Temporomandibular articulation, limited 

motion 12,598 39.1% 

Frozen feet, residuals of (immersion foot) 71,294 15.1% Generalized, dental and oral conditions 7,973 24.8% 

Arteriosclerotic heart disease 57,370 12.2% Mandible, malunion of 6,518 20.2% 

Digestive System Hemic and Lymphatic Systems 

Hemorrhoids, external or internal 124,859 27.3% Splenectomy 6,935 26.7% 

Hernia, hiatal 54,105 11.8% Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 4,249 16.3% 

Duodenal ulcer 52,725 11.5% Generalized, hemic and lymphatic systems 4,137 15.9% 

Respiratory System 

Asthma, bronchial 55,473 16.0% 

Sinusitis, maxillary, chronic 37,108 10.7% 

Septum, nasal, deflection of 27,248 7.8% Source: Coin CP-145 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 32 

 MOST FREQUENT SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES FOR VETERANS

 RECEIVING COMPENSATION END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

BODY SYSTEM DISABILITY

NUMBER OF 

VETERANS

 ALL CONDITIONS

FY 2005 

(PERCENT OF TOTAL) 

Impairment of Auditory 

Acuity Defective hearing 413,989 5.4% 

Impairment of Auditory 

Acuity Tinnitus 339,573 4.4% 

Musculoskeletal System 

Generalized Musculoskeletal 

Systems 300,098 3.9% 

Skin Scars, other 283,337 3.7% 

Musculoskeletal System 

Arthritis, Due to Trauma, substantiated by x-ray findings 272,047 3.5% 

Mental Disorders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 244,876 3.2% 

Musculoskeletal System Other impairment of knee 235,158 3.1% 

Endocrine System Diabetes Mellitus 220,532 2.9% 

Cardiovascular System 

Hypertensive vascular disease 

(essential arterial hypertension) 193,055 2.5% 

Musculoskeletal System 

Arthritis, Degenerative, Hypertrophic or Osteoarthritis 162,004 2.1% 

Source: RCS 20-0227 
PAGE 33 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

This table shows the total number of veterans receiving disability compensation at the end of FY 2005 by period of 

service. Also provided are the estimated annual and average annual payments made during the fiscal year. The chart 

depicts the percentages of totals for each group. (Note: The graph combines the Mexican Border and World War 1 

data.) 

TOTAL VETERANS RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED 

DISABILITY BENEFITS END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

PERIOD OF 

SERVICE

NUMBER OF 

VETERANS

ESTIMATED

 TOTAL ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

ESTIMATED

 AVERAGE ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

MEXICAN BORDER 1 $10,068 $10,068 

WORLD WAR I 3 $39,960 $13,320 

WORLD WAR II 356,190 $2,968,796,760 $8,335 

KOREAN WAR 161,512 $1,465,431,180 $9,073 

VIETNAM ERA 916,220 $10,692,618,372 $11,670 

GULF WAR ERA 611,729 $3,979,984,500 $6,506 

PEACETIME PERIODS 591,324 $4,336,569,348 $7,334 

TOTAL 2,636,979 $23,443,450,188 $8,890 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0221 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 34 

MOST PREVALENT DISABILITIES AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY PERIOD OF SERVICE 

PERIOD 

OF SERVICE

DISABILITY

NUMBER 

OF DISABILITIES

PERCENT OF BODY 

SYSTEM TOTAL

WWII 

DEFECTIVE HEARING 42,464 5.8% 

FROZEN FEET, RESIDUALS OF (IMMERSION FOOT) 39,169 5.4% 

TINNITUS 32,491 4.5% 

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER 31,367 4.3% 

SCARS, OTHER 30,571 4.2% 

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 25,281 3.5% 

ARTHRITIS, DUE TO TRAUMA, SUBSTANTIATED BY X-RAYS 24,420 3.3% 

SCARS, SUPERFICIAL, TENDER AND PAINFUL 15,584 2.1% 

SCARS, DISFIGURING, HEAD, FACE OR NECK 11,718 1.6% 

KOREA 

DEFECTIVE HEARING 25,529 7.2% 

TINNITUS 22,100 6.2% 

FROZEN FEET, RESIDUALS OF (IMMERSION FOOT) 19,808 5.6% 

SCARS, OTHER 15,476 4.4% 

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 10,994 3.1% 

ARTHRITIS, DUE TO TRAUMA, SUBSTANTIATED BY X-RAY 10,030 2.8% 

SCARS, SUPERFICIAL, TENDER AND PAINFUL 7,147 2.0% 

DUODENAL ULCER 6,825 1.9% 

SCARS, DISFIGURING, HEAD, FACE OR NECK 5,758 1.6% 

GENERALIZED MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS 5,552 1.6% 

DIABETES MELLITUS 190,199 6.9% 

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 179,737 6.5% 

DEFECTIVE HEARING 129,323 4.7% 

SCARS, OTHER 121,850 4.4% 

TINNITUS 120,625 4.4% 

VIETNAM 

FLATFOOT, ACQUIRED 15,359 2.1% 

This table shows the ten most prevalent service-connected disabilities for veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, 

the Gulf War Era, and the various Peacetime periods. 
PAGE 35 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

MOST PREVALENT DISABILITIES AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY PERIOD OF SERVICE 

PERIOD OF 

SERVICE

DISABILITY

NUMBER OF

 DISABILITIES

PERCENT OF 

TOTAL

VIETNAM 

GENERALIZED MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS 78,270 2.9% 

HYPERTENSIVE VASCULAR DISEASE (ESSENTIAL ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION) 72,169 2.6% 

ARTHRITIS, DUE TO TRAUMA, SUBSTANTIATED BY X-RAY FINDINGS 69,034 2.5% 

OTHER IMPAIRMENT OF KNEE 62,713 2.3% 

ARTHRITIS, DEGENERATIVE, HYPERTROPHIC, OR OSTEOARTHRITIS 52,920 1.9% 

GULF WAR 

GENERALIZED MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS 131,092 5.9% 

TINNITUS 104,039 4.7% 

ARTHRITIS, DUE TO TRAUMA, SUBSTANTIATED BY X-RAY FINDINGS 100,374 4.5% 

OTHER IMPAIRMENT OF KNEE 81,677 3.7% 

HYPERTENSIVE VASCULAR DISEASE (ESSENTIAL ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION) 64,558 2.9% 

LUMBO-SACRAL STRAIN 61,658 2.8% 

SCARS, OTHER 60,350 2.7% 

DEFECTIVE HEARING 60,023 2.7% 

ARTHRITIS, DEGENERATIVE, HYPERTROPHIC OR OSTEOARTHRITIS 54,042 2.4% 

LIMITED MOTION OF ANKLE 53,002 2.4% 

GENERALIZED MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS 78,233 4.9% 

OTHER IMPAIRMENT OF KNEE 77,768 4.9% 

ARTHRITIS, DUE TO TRAUMA, SUBSTANTIATED BY X-RAY FINDINGS 68,068 4.2% 

DEFECTIVE HEARING 64,013 4.0% 

TINNITUS 60,278 3.8% 

SCARS, OTHER 54,823 3.4% 

HYPERTENSIVE VASCULAR DISEASE (ESSENTIAL ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION) 50,247 3.1% 

LUMBO-SACRAL STRAIN 44,736 2.8% 

ARTHRITIS, DEGENERATIVE, HYPERTROPHIC OR OSTEOARTHRITIS 39,646 2.5% 

INTERVERTEBRAL DISC SYNDROME 37,103 2.3% 

 PEACETIME 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 36 

The table below shows the total number of disabilities, average number of disabilities per veteran, number of veterans 

with compensation, and total veteran population at the end of FY 2005 by period of service. 

SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

BY PERIOD OF SERVICE

PERIOD OF SERVICE WORLD WAR II KOREA VIETNAM

GULF WAR 

ERA

PEACETIME 

PERIODS

TOTAL NUMBER

OF DISABILITIES 728,911 355,344 2,745,555 2,233,479 1,602,697 

AVERAGE NUMBER

OF DISABILITIES PER VETERAN 2.0 2.2 3.0 3.7 2.7 

VETERANS BY PERIOD OF

 SERVICE WITH COMPENSATION

356,190 161,512 916,220 611,729 591,324 

TOTAL VETERAN POPULATION BY 

PERIOD OF SERVICE * 

3,525,769 3,256,925 8,054,993 4,377,845 6,231,463 

*This sum includes veterans whose service is across multiple periods of service; VA Office of Policy & Planning for Veteran Population as 

of September 30, 2005. 

 Source: RCS 20-0221 and RCS 20-0227 
PAGE 37 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

COMPENSATION – DEATH

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to survivors of veterans who die of service-related causes. 

This section provides information about surviving spouses, children, and parents who received DIC during FY 2005. 

The next table shows the number of surviving spouses, children (those not included as dependents on a surviving 

spouse’s award), and dependent parents initially awarded DIC benefits during FY 2005. The table also identifies the 

total annual and average annual amounts of DIC benefits paid to these survivors. The five-year comparison of these 

data is presented in graphic form. 

TOTAL BENEFICIARIES WHO BEGAN RECEIVING 

DIC IN FISCAL YEAR 2005 

TYPE OF BENEFIT

NUMBER OF

 BENEFICIARIES

ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAID 

ESTIMATED 

AVERAGE ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID 

SURVIVING SPOUSES 17,480 $224,481,354 $12,842 

SURVIVING CHILDREN 1,396 $8,352,380 $5,983 

SURVIVING PARENTS 286 $718,009 $2,511 

TOTAL 19,162 $233,551,743 $12,188 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – COIN CP-127 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 38 

The following table presents information about the age of surviving spouses who began receiving DIC benefits during 

FY 2005. 

The table below shows the DIC children not in the custody of a surviving spouse in two age categories: those under age 

18 and those over age 18. Children over age 18 are shown according to their beneficiary status: those eligible to receive 

DIC because of school attendance and those eligible because they are helpless. 

AGE NUMBER

ESTIMATED ANNUAL

 PAYMENTS

PERCENT 

OF TOTAL

Under 35 658 $8,155,966 3.8% 

36-55 3,003 $38,120,485 17.2% 

56-75 8,106 $104,060,617 46.4% 

Over 75 5,713 $74,144,287 32.7% 

TOTAL 17,480 $224,481,354 100% 

BENEFICIARIES WHO BEGAN RECEIVING DIC YEAR 2005 

CHILDREN'S AGE NUMBER ESTIMATED ANNUAL

PAYMENT

Under Age 181 606 $3,220,770 

Age 18 and Over in School 598 $1,821,986 

Age 18 and Over and 

Helpless 192 $1,248,077 

TOTAL 1,396 $ 6,292,834 
PAGE 39 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

The following table identifies the total number of beneficiaries on the rolls receiving service-connected death benefits 

at the end of FY 2005 as well as the estimated total and average annual amounts paid. 

BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED DEATH BENEFITS 

END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

RELATIONSHIP NUMBER 

ESTIMATED TOTAL

 ANNUAL AMOUNTS

ESTIMATED AVERAGE

ANNUAL AMOUNTS

SURVIVING SPOUSES 309,729 $4,009,103,807 $12,944 

SURVIVING CHILDREN 12,071 $72,221,759 $5,983 

SURVIVING PARENTS 6,490 $16,293,275 $2,511 

DEATH COMPENSATION 519 $492,972 $950 

TOTAL 328,809 $4,098,111,813 $12,464 

Source: CP-127 and RCS 20-0221 

PERCENT OF TOTAL

BENEFICIARIES

94.2% 

3.7% 

2.0% 

0.2% 

100% 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 40 

TOTAL BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED DEATH BENEFITS

BY PERIOD OF SERVICE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

PERIOD OF 

SERVICE

NUMBER OF 

BENEFICIARIES

ESTIMATED

 TOTAL ANNUAL AMOUNTS

PAID

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR 10 $129,503 

MEXICAN BORDER 2 $26,806 

WORLD WAR I 1,134 $13,320,794 

WORLD WAR II 107,706 $1,344,955,351 

KOREAN 37,276 $478,337,564 

VIETNAM 132,562 $1,634,722,308 

GULF WAR ERA 13,667 $176,910,510 

PEACETIME 36,453 $449,708,938 

TOTAL 328,809 $4,098,111,813

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0221 

PERCENT OF 

TOTAL BENEFICIARIES

0.0% 

0.0% 

0.3% 

32.8% 

11.3% 

40.3% 

4.2% 

11.1% 

 100% 

The tables below show the number and percentages of beneficiaries receiving DIC and Death Compensation 

(pre-DIC program) by the veterans’ period of service. Also shown are the estimated total annual payments by 

 period of service. 

Surviving Spouses Receiving DIC End of Fiscal Year 2005 by Age 

Age Number Annual Payment 

Age 35 and Under 2,886 $35,685,588 

36-55 33,236 $416,434,206 

56-75 124,309 $1,604,596,057 

Over 75 149,298 $1,952,387,957 

TOTAL 309,729 $4,009,103,807 

Sources: RCS 20-0221 and CP 127 

Children Receiving DIC End of Fiscal Year 2005 by Age 

Age Number Annual Payment 

Under Age 18 4,183 $23,067,127 

Age 18 and Over in School 615 $1,873,414 

Age 18 and Over and Helpless 7,273 $47,280,917 

TOTAL 12,071 $72,221,459 

Source: CP-127 
PAGE 41 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

PENSION – DISABILITY

Disability pension is payable to wartime veterans who are age 65 and older or are determined permanently and totally 

disabled as the result of a non-service-connected disability. Disabilities for pension claims are evaluated in the same 

manner as disabilities for compensation claims (using the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities in Title 38, U.S. Code of 

Federal Regulations, 

Part 4. ) 

The number of veterans added to the disability pension rolls during FY 2005 is shown in the next table. The table also 

shows the total annual amount and the average annual amount of disability pension payments. 

The category called “Other Pension Programs” groups the two older pension programs – Protected Pension (or Old Law 

Pension) and Section 306 Pension - into one. No original claims can be granted under these two protected, or 

“grandfathered”, pension programs. There are instances, however, when former beneficiaries under these programs can 

have their benefits restored if they meet the necessary income and eligibility criteria. 

VETERANS WHO BEGAN RECEIVING DISABILITY 

PENSION FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY PROGRAM 

TYPE OF PENSION

NUMBER OF

 VETERANS

ESTIMATED

 TOTAL ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

ESTIMATED

 AVERAGE ANNUAL 

AMOUNTS PAID

PL 95-588– NEW LAW PENSION 48,650 $417,280,954 $8,577 

OTHER PENSION PROGRAMS 12 $7,604 $1,467 

TOTAL 48,662 $417,298,558 $8,575 

SOURCE: BENEFITS DELIVERY NETWORK – COIN CP-103 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 42 

The table below identifies the total number of beneficiaries on the rolls receiving disability pension benefits at the end of 

FY 2005 as well as the estimated total and average annual amounts paid. The chart presents five years of these total 

numbers of veterans receiving pension. 

TOTAL VETERANS RECEIVING DISABILITY PENSION 

END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY PROGRAM 

TYPE OF PENSION NUMBER OF VETERANS ESTIMATED ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAID

PROTECTED (OLD LAW) PENSION 136 $145,872 

SECTION 306 PENSION 10,100 $16,579,236 

PL 95-588 NEW LAW PENSION 325,551 2,562,871,248 

TOTAL 335,787 $2,579,596,356 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0221 
PAGE 43 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

The number and annual amount of disability pension payments for each age group are shown in the table below. 

The "Other Pension" category groups the two older pension program, Protected Pension (or Old Law) and Section 

306 Pension, into one. Additionally, this category references entitlement restored. The average age of a veteran in 

these programs is 68.4 years. 

DISABILITY PENSION END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

BY PERIOD OF SERVICE

PERIOD OF SERVICE 

OTHER PENSION 

NUMBER OF

 VETERANS

NEW LAW PENSION

NUMBER OF 

VETERANS

TOTAL PERIOD OF

SERVICE 

ESTIMATED ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

WORLD WAR I 5 5 $34,956 

WORLD WAR II 6,685 103,243 109,928 $731,007,528 

KOREAN WAR 2,767 66,699 69,466 $399,789,840 

VIETNAM WAR 784 150,670 151,454 $1,400,557,464 

GULF WAR ERA 0 4,934 4,934 $48,206,568 

TOTAL 10,236 325,551 335,787 $2,579,596,356 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0221 Note: The “Other Pension” category groups the two older pension programs 

(Protected Pension or Old Law and Section 306 Pension) into one category. 

The distribution of veterans by period of service is presented below. 

NUMBER OF VETERANS WHO BEGAN RECEIVING DISABILITY

 PENSION BENEFITS DURING FY 2005 BY AGE

AGE 

OTHER 

PENSION* 

NEW LAW 

PENSION

COMBINED 

PROGRAMS

ESTIMATED ANNUAL

AMPOUNT PAID

PERCENT OF

 TOTAL

35 and Under 0 557 557 $4,776,526 1.1% 

36-55 1 12,459 12,460 $106,850,110 25.6% 

56-75 5 18,124 18,129 $155,464,337 37.3% 

Over 75 7 17,509 17,516 $150,207,586 36.0% 

TOTAL 13 48,649 48,662 $417,298,558 100.0% 

Source: CP-103; *The "Other Pension" category groups the two older pension program, Protected Pension (or Old Law) 

and Section 306 Pension, into one. Additionally, this category references entitlement restored.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 44 

VETERANS RECEIVING DISABILITY PENSION 

END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY AGE

Age 

Number of 

 Veterans 

Estimated 

Annual Payments 

 Under 45 4,081 $41,491,820 

 45-54 51,663 $489,078,612 

 55-69 105,467 $945,680,568 

 70-84 137,958 $833,755,008 

 85 and Over 36,618 $269,590,349 

TOTAL 335,787 $2,579,596,356 

Source: RCS-20-0236 Table 2 and RCS-20-0238 Table 8 

The following tables present information about the age of veterans who received pension benefits during FY 2005 and 

are followed by a chart presenting the percentages by period of service. 
PAGE 45 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

BENEFICIARIES WHO BEGAN RECEIVING DEATH PENSION DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY PROGRAM

TYPE OF PENSION

NUMBER OF 

BENEFICIARIES

ESTIMATED 

TOTAL ANNUAL

AMOUNTS

ESTIMATED 

AVERAGE ANNUAL

AMOUNTS

PL 95-588– NEW LAW

 PENSION 23,869 $116,630,320 $4,886 

OTHER PENSION 50 $31,479 $630 

TOTAL 23,919 $116,661,799 $4,877 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – COIN CP-103 

PENSION – DEATH

The death pension program provides income support to surviving spouses and dependent children of wartime veterans who are 

experiencing financial hardship. Laws establish income limits and regulate the rates of payments. Death pension is paid under the 

current pension program as well as under the two “grandfathered” prior programs. 

The number of beneficiaries added to the death pension rolls during FY 2005 is shown in the next table. The table also shows the 

total annual amount and the average annual amount of death pension payments. The table groups the two older pension programs 

into one category called “Other Pensions.” Original claims can no longer be granted under the two older pension programs. However, survivors whose awards were previously stopped can be reinstated if they meet certain income and entitlement criteria. 
PAGE 46 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

A five-year fiscal year comparison is graphically depicted below. The table below presents information about the 

age of surviving spouses who began receiving death pension benefits during FY 2005. 

BENEFICIARIES WHO BEGAN RECEIVING DIEATH PENSION DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY

AGE

AGE OTHER 

PENSION* 

NEW LAW 

PENSION

COMBINED 

PROGRAMS

ESTIMATED ANNUAL

AMOUNT PAID

PERCENT OF

 TOTAL

35 and Under 0 80 80 $394,461 0.3% 

36-55 1 2,417 2,418 $11,922,584 10.3% 

56-75 6,180 6,180 $30,472,113 26.2% 

Over 75 6 14,863 14,869 $73,315,510 63.1% 

TOTAL 7 23,540 23,547 $116,104,668 100.0% 

Source: CP-103; *The "Other Pension" category groups the two older pension program, Protected Pension (or 

Old Law) and Section 306 Pension, into one. Additionally, this category references entitlement restored.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 47 

TOTAL BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING DEATH 

PENSION BY PROGRAM END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

TYPE OF PENSION NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES

ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

PROTECTED (OLD LAW) PENSION 423 $304,116 

SECTION 306 PENSION 43,548 $46,581,540 

PL 95-588 NEW LAW PENSION 162,623 $645,499,104 

TOTAL 206,594 $692,384,760 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network – RCS 20-0221 

The table below identifies the total number of beneficiaries on the rolls receiving death pension benefits at the 

end of FY 2005 as well as the estimated total and average annual amounts paid. 
PAGE 48 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

SURVIVNG SPOUSES RECEIVING DEATH PENSION

 END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY AGE 

Age Other 

Pension* 

New Law 

Pension 

All Pension 

 Programs 

Estimated Annual 

Payment 

 Age 35 

 and Under 4 273 277 $1,114,583 

 36-55 190 15,405 15,595 $62,906,683 

 56-75 3,904 54,266 58,170 $225,383,151 

 Over 75 29,685 87,814 117,499 $391,950,273 

TOTAL 33,783 157,758 191,541 $681,354,689 

Source: CP-103 

* The “Other Pension” category groups the two older pension programs Protected Pension or Old Law and Section 306 Pension 

into one category. 

NON SERVICE-CONNECTED DEATH PENSION

BY PERIOD OF SERVICE

Period of Service Total Percent of Total 

Wars of 1800s 369 0.2% 

World War I 12,077 5.8% 

World War II 145,969 70.7% 

Korean 27,691 13.4% 

Vietnam 20,214 9.8% 

Gulf War Era 274 0.1% 

TOTAL 206,594 100.0% 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network–RCS 20-0221 

“Wars of the 1800s” include the Civil War, Mexican Border Era, and Spanish-American War. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 49 

This same information is displayed by the veterans’ period of service.

FIDUCIARY PROGRAM

VA’s Fiduciary Program is responsible for protecting the benefit entitlement of incompetent VA beneficiaries and ensuring that benefits are used for their welfare and needs. Program responsibilities include selecting and monitoring a 

qualified fiduciary that meets the needs and situation of the beneficiary. This section provides information concerning 

fiduciaries who have been appointed to receive payments for VA beneficiaries. 

The table below provides the number of beneficiaries with a fiduciary by payee type. 

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES BY PAYEE TYPE

TYPE OF PAYEE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES

VETERAN 65,328

SURVIVING SPOUSE 13,661

ADULT DISABLED CHILD 18,597

MINOR CHILD 2,908

DEPENDENT PARENT 167

TOTAL 100,661

DEATH PENSION BY PERIOD OF 

SERVICE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

PERIOD OF 

SERVICE 

OTHER PENSION 

NUMBER OF

 BENEFICIARIES

NEW LAW PENSION

NUMBER OF 

BENEFICIARIES

TOTAL

 PERIOD OF 

SERVICE

TOTAL 

PAYMENTS

WARS OF 1800S 203 166 369 $1,124,208 

WORLD WAR I 5,864 6,213 12,077 $29,758,440 

WORLD WAR II 34,143 111,826 145,969 $441,605,976 

KOREAN 3,197 24,494 27,691 $99,621,324 

VIETNAM 564 19,650 20,214 $118,629,048 

GULF WAR ERA 0 274 274 $1,645,764 

TOTAL 43,971 162,623 206,594 $692,384,760 

Source: Benefits Delivery Network–RCS 20-0221 

 The “Other Pension” category groups the two older pension programs Protected Pension or Old Law and Section 306 Pension 

into one category. “Wars of the 1800s” include the Civil War, Mexican Border Era, and Spanish-American War. 
PAGE 50 COMPENSATION AND PENSION

The next table shows the relationship of the appointed fiduciaries to the beneficiaries. 

SUMMARY

Compensation and pension claims have risen in number and complexity over the past five years. The number of claims 

received increased by 17 percent from 674,219 in 2001 to 788,298 in 2005. Furthermore, the average number of disabilities per compensation recipient increased from 2.57 to 2.91 during this same time period. 

VBA strives to serve claimants in an accurate, timely, and compassionate manner. VBA provided benefits to 3,502,544 

veterans and dependents and added more than 250,000 new beneficiaries to the compensation and pension rolls in FY 

2005. The number of veterans receiving disability compensation has increased to just over 2.6 million. 

RELATIONSHIP OF FIDUCIARY

RELATIONSHIP NUMBER

LEGAL CUSTODIAN 67,420

SPOUSE 13,909

COURT-APPOINTED FIDUCIARY 11,854

INSTITUTIONAL 3,875

CUSTODIAN-IN-FACT 354

SUPERVISED DIRECT PAYMENT 3,246

SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN RESERVATION 3

TOTAL 100,661

BENEFITS PAID BY PAYEE CATEGORY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM

BENEFIT PROGRAM/ 

 PAYEE CATEGORY

ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL

AMOUNTS PAID

ESTIMATED AVERAGE 

ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAID

COMPENSATION–DISABILITY $964,948,296 $28,355 

COMPENSATION–DEATH $92,315,976 $8,536 

PENSION–DISABILITY $253,155,444 $9,892 

PENSION - DEATH $62,796,588 $2,783 

TOTAL $1,373,216,304 $14,765 

Source: CP 129- December 2005 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 51 

EDUCATION 

VA education programs provide veterans, service members, reservists, 

and certain family members of veterans with educational resources to 

supplement opportunities missed because of military service. These 

programs are also meant to help the armed forces both recruit and retain members. For members of the armed forces, VA educational 

benefits assist in the readjustment to civilian life. On a broader scale, 

educational benefits are meant to enhance the Nation’s competitiveness through the development of a more highly educated and more 

productive workforce. 

CURRENT BENEFITS

There are four active education programs: All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty), Educational Assistance for Members of the Selected Reserve (Montgomery GI 

Bill – Selected Reserve), Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Dependents Educational Assistance - DEA), and Post-Vietnam Era 

Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). 

ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

(MONTGOMERY GI BILL - ACTIVE DUTY) 

Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD) is a contributory program. The service member’s pay is automatically reduced by $100 per month for the first 12 months of active duty unless the service member declines to participate at the 

time of enlistment. 

Requirements and features of MGIB-AD are as follows: 

• First entered active duty after June 30, 1985; 

• Must fulfill one's basic service obligation; 

• Must have completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma, or its equivalent, before applying for benefits; 

• Must receive an honorable discharge; 

• Maximum entitlement is 36 months; 
PAGE 52 EDUCATION

• The Department of Defense (DoD) may increase an individual’s monthly benefit by up to $950 based upon the 

military skill or specialty of that individual; 

• Amount of basic benefit may be increased by up to $150 each month by making an additional contribution up to 

$600; and 

• Generally, must use benefits within 10 years following discharge. 

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE 

(MONTGOMERY GI BILL – SELECTED RESERVE) 

Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) is the first GI Bill to provide educational assistance to members of 

the Selected Reserve (including National Guard members). DoD funds this program and is responsible for determining eligibility to this program. VBA administers the program. 

Requirements and features of MGIB-SR include: 

• Must agree to a six-year Selected Reserve obligation after June 30, 1985; 

• Must have completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma, or its equivalent, before applying for 

 benefits; 

• Must remain a member in good standing in the Selected Reserve; 

• Maximum entitlement is 36 months; and 

• Generally, must use benefits within 14 years of date eligibility began. 

SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 

(DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE - DEA)

DEA is the only VA educational assistance program designed for students who have never served in the Armed 

Forces. Requirements of DEA are as follows: 

• Eligibility is based on the veteran's service-connected death, total service-connected disability, or MIA/POW/

hostage status; 

• Maximum entitlement is 45 months; 

• With some exceptions, children generally use benefits between ages 18 and 26; 

• Spouses have 10 years in which to use benefits; and, 

• A spouse's remarriage bars further benefits, 1 while a child's marriage does not. 

1 Public Law 106-117, signed on November 30, 1999, restores entitlement if a surviving spouse’s remarriage has been terminated by death or 

divorce. Public Law 108-183 lifts the bar to receipt of benefits if the surviving spouse is 57 years old or older on the date of the remarriage. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 53 

POST-VIETNAM ERA VETERANS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VEAP) 

VEAP was the first GI Bill program that required a contribution by the service member. Requirements and features of 

VEAP are as follows: 

• First entered active duty after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985; 

• Contributed to VEAP while on active duty and before April 1, 1987; 

• Maximum contribution of $2,700 by the service member; 

• Government matches contribution $2 for $1; 

• Maximum entitlement is 36 months; 

• Benefit must be used within 10 years of the last discharge from the service; 

• Unused contributions may be refunded; 

• Additional "kickers” or contributions from the Department of Defense (DoD) under certain circumstances; and 

• Current full-time VEAP rate is based on the monthly contributions up to a maximum of $300 per month plus any 

DoD "kicker" adjustment. 

Education: Class room at Howard 

University (Washington, DC) 
PAGE 54 EDUCATION

TRAINING RAINING AVAILABLE VAILABLE

UNDER THE FOUR BENEFIT PROGRAMS

 MGIB-AD MGIB-SR DEA VEAP 

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY DEGREE X X X X

BUSINESS, TECHNICAL OR VOCATIONAL X X X X

INDEPENDENT STUDY OR DISTANCE LEARNING X X X X

CORRESPONDENCE COURSES X X X ** X

FLIGHT TRAINING X X X  X

REIMBURSEMENT OF LICENSING & CERTIFICATION

EXAMS X X X

ACCELERATED PAYMENTS FOR HIGH TECH CLASSES X

REIMBURSEMENT FOR NATIONAL ADMISSIONS & 

CREDIT EXAMS X X X

ON THE JOB TRAINING & APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS X X X X

TUITION ASSISTANCE TOP UP PROGRAM X

ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSES X X X

REMEDIAL, DEFICIENCY, & REFRESHER TRAINING **  X X X X

H.S. DIPLOMA OR GED X X

 * SPOUSES ONLY

** ONLY AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR CREDIT TOWARDS A COLLEGE DEGREE
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 55 

DATA

The first table below shows the number of beneficiaries (veterans, service members, reservists, and dependents) who 

began receiving their education benefits for the first time as well as the total number of beneficiaries and payments 

made during fiscal year 2005. The second table shows the data for those beneficiaries who began to receive education 

benefits as well as the total number for the five year period between FY 2001 through FY 2005. 

The VEAP program continues to maintain a steady decrease in both the new and total number of students; this trend is expected to continue as the program sunsets. 

BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING EDUCATION BENEFITS DURING 

FISCAL YEAR 2005 

PROGRAM NUMBER OF NEW PERCENT OF TOTAL TOTAL PAYMENTS 

MGIB-AD1 68,414 69.0% 336,347 $1,950,274,079 

MGIB-SR2 19,589 19.7% 87,161 $194,982,734 

DEA 11,047 11.1% 74,267 $486,477,126 

VEAP 155 0.2% 723 $1,155,860 

TOTAL 99,205 100% 498,498 $2,632,889,799 

1 MGIB AD Includes Peacetime Veterans and Servicemembers. 

2 Based on service in the Selected Reserve. 

Source: Education Service SAS Reports, Benefits Delivery System Reports, and HINES Finance Center Reports 

BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING EDUCATION BENEFITS DURING 

EACH FISCAL YEAR BY PROGRAM

NEW BENEFICIARIES 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

MGIB-AD 67,621 72,566 73,270 76,496 68,414 

MGIB-SR 22,469 29,802 21,055 20,193 19,589 

DEA 6,328 14,964 16,728 11,624 11,047 

VEAP 261 174 222 175 155 

MGIB-AD 289,771 323,165 321,837 332,031 336,347 

MGIB-SR 82,283 85,766 88,342 88,650 87,161 

DEA 46,917 53,888 61,874 68,920 74,267 

VEAP 1,680 1,340 917 796 723 

TOTAL BENEFICIARIES 
PAGE 56 EDUCATION

The following tables show the distribution by program, types of training, and training time for those beneficiaries who 

began using their education benefit for the first time during FY 2005. 

NEW BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING EDUCATION BENEFITS

 DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY TYPE OF TRAINING AND PROGRAM 

EDUCATION 

PROGRAM

COLLEGE 

NON-DEGREE

GRADUATE

UNDERGRADUATEVOCATIONAL/ 

TECHNICAL

PROGRAM

 TOTAL

PERCENT OF

ALL PRGRAMS 

MGIB-AD 2,419 2,924 57,969 5,102 68,414 69.0% 

MGIB-SR 447 646 17,822 674 19,589 19.7% 

DEA 518 302 9,359 756 11,047 11.1% 

VEAP 7 23 115 10 155 0.2% 

TYPE TRAINING 3,391 3,895 85,265 6,542 99,205 100% 

PERCENT OF 

 PROGRAM TOTAL 3.4% 3.9% 85.9% 6.6% 

Source: Education Service SAS reports 

MGIB-AD includes peacetime veterans and servicemembers 

DEA total also includes 112 students in miscellaneous programs. This datum is not distributed among the training programs but is 

added to the 11,047 

EDUCATION

 PROGRAM

LESS THAN

ONE-HALF

TIME

ONE-HALF

TIME

THREEQUARTER

TIME

FULL-TIME

PROGRAM

 TOTAL

PERCENT OF

ALL

 PROGRAMS 

MGIB-AD 3,089 8,713 7,324 49,288 68,414 69.0% 

MGIB-SR 687 2,005 2,133 14,764 19,589 19.7% 

DEA 460 1,059 1,236 8,292 11,047 11.1% 

VEAP 28 44 14 69 155 0.2% 

TRAINING 

TIME TOTAL 4,264 11,821 10,707 72,413 99,205 100% 

PERCENT OF

PROGRAM TOTAL 4.3% 11.9% 10.8% 73.0% 

Source: Education Service SAS reports 

MGIB AD includes peacetime veterans and servicemembers 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 57 

BENEFICIARIES TERMINATING EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The next tables present FY 2005 data regarding terminations as well as five-year statistics by program on these 

terminations. Educational assistance terminates when a veteran exhausts entitlement or reaches the deadline for 

using the benefit (delimiting date). 

The number of beneficiaries using all of their educational entitlement or reaching their delimiting date has grown steadily 

over the last four years. More MGIB-AD beneficiaries have left the program due to entitlement exhaustion than 

those who have passed their delimiting date. Due to a change extending the delimiting date for MGIB-SR from 10 

to 14 years, there has been a decrease in the number of beneficiaries passing their delimiting date. VEAP has 

continued to have fewer total beneficiaries leaving the program as the program sunsets. 

PROGRAM

ENTITLEMENT 

EXHAUSTED

DELIMITING

 DATE

TOTAL

 TERMINATIONS

PERCENT OF 

TOTAL 

TERMINATIONS

MGIB-AD 18,791 6,378 25,169 86.4% 

MGIB-SR 2,966 107 3,073 10.5% 

DEA 547 264 811 2.5% 

VEAP 62 32 94 .3% 

TOTAL 22,366 6,781 29,147 100% 

PERCENT OF TOTAL 

TERMINATIONS 76.7% 23.3% 100% 

Source: Education Service SAS reports 

BENEFICIARIES BENEFITS TERMINATED IN FISCAL YEAR 2005 

PROGRAM 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

MGIB-AD 16,946 19,248 20,094 23,406 25,169 

MGIB-SR 3,440 1,792 3,029 3,046 3,073 

DEA 425 248 270 681 811 

VEAP 335 254 134 90 94 

TOTAL 21,146 21,542 23,527 27,223 29,147 

Source: Education Service SAS reports 
PAGE 58 EDUCATION

NEW EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Congress enacted four new ways for beneficiaries to use their benefits over the past few years. These include Tuition 

Assistance Top-Up (TATU), Repayment for Licensure and Certification Tests, Accelerated Payments, and 

Transferability of MGIB Benefits. 

Public Law 106-398 (amended by Public Law 107-14) established the TATU program and permits VA to issue a payment to an individual for all or any portion of the difference between the military service’s tuition assistance amount and 

the total cost of tuition and related expenses, up to an individual’s normal monthly benefit. An individual must receive 

military tuition assistance for the course to be eligible for TATU payments. There was a significant decrease in the number of unique trainees in FY 2003 compared to FY 2002. This is attributed to a FY 2003 change in Department of Defense policy that increased the level of tuition assistance paid from 75% to 100% up to $250 per semester hour. 

Public Law 106-419 allows beneficiaries to receive reimbursement for approved licensure and certification tests (up to 

$2,000 per test) taken on or after March 1, 2001. VA can only pay for the cost of the tests and not other fees connected 

with obtaining a license or certification. The number of unique individuals receiving reimbursement for licensure and 

certification tests decreased by almost 24% in FY 2005 compared to FY 2004. 

Public Law 107-103 allows an accelerated payment for certain high cost, high tech programs for enrollment on or after 

October 1, 2002. To qualify, the beneficiary must be enrolled in a high tech program and must certify that he/she intends to seek employment in a high tech industry as defined by VA. The beneficiary receives a lump sum payment up 

to 60% of tuition and fees if the monthly amount exceeds an amount equal to 200 percent of the monthly rate otherwise 

payable. The total dollars decreased 14 percent in FY 2005 compared to FY 2004. 

The U.S. Air Force conducted an education opportunity pilot test allowing qualifying Chapter 30 MGIB eligible members 

to transfer up to 18 months of entitlement to their spouses and/or children. During FY 2005, six dependents received a 

total of $24,611 in benefits.

 UNIQUE TRAINEES AND PAYMENT ($000)

 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004 FY2005 

TUITION ASSISTANCE

 TOP-UP 30,427 $25,095 12,520 $12,592 11,786 $14,974 12,905 $17,868 

LICENSE AND 

CERTIFICATION TESTS 3,217 $1,490 3,382 $1,743 4,387 $1,819 3,334 $1,479 

ACCELERATED PAYMENT 0 0 0 $2,818 0 $6,621 0 $5,722 

TOTAL 33,644 $26,585 15,902 $17,153 16,173 $23,414 16,239 $25,069 

Source: Education Service SAS reports 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

PAGE 59 

SUMMARY

Overall, the number of beneficiaries 

in the four programs increased 

slightly in FY 2005 compared to 

FY 2004. The Dependents Educational Assistance program saw the 

largest increase of 8% in FY 2005. 

Although the number of new 

beneficiaries decreased slightly, it 

appears that the large majority of all 

beneficiaries are using the benefit 

longer and exhausting their 

entitlement. By far, most beneficiaries in the four programs are using 

their benefits on a full-time basis for 

training that leads to an 

undergraduate degree. Vocational 

and/or technical training is the next 

most favored type of training among 

education beneficiaries. 

The overall usage for MGIB-AD, the 

largest program, grew from 57.9% in 

FY 2001 to 65.5% in FY 2005. The 

MGIB-AD usage rate is derived by 

dividing the number of veterans who 

have received MGIB-AD benefits by 

the number of all veterans who 

participated in MGIB-AD and separated from active military service. 

The usage rate includes those veterans who are still within their 10-year 

eligibility period but have not yet applied for education benefits. It is expected this upward trend will continue in FY 2006 and FY 2007. 
PAGE 60 INSURANCE

LIFE INSURANCE 

Government life insurance programs were created to provide life insurance at 

a standard premium rate to members of the armed forces who are exposed 

to extra hazards, including deadly hazards of war, as a result of military service. 

Traditionally, few commercial life insurance companies offered life insurance 

that included coverage against death while in the armed forces. Those that 

did charged a high premium rate because of the additional risk. In general, a 

new life insurance program was created for each wartime period starting with 

World War I. Service members leaving the armed forces are eligible to maintain their VA life insurance following discharge. 

The purpose of the life insurance program is to provide universally available 

life insurance benefits to veterans and service members that may not be 

available to them from the commercial insurance industry due to the hazards 

of war, lost or impaired insurability resulting from military service, and to provide these benefits at competitive premium rates. 

CURRENT BENEFITS

The various life insurance benefits can be grouped into the following three categories: Matured Life Insurance Programs, Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Programs, and Uniformed Services and Post-Vietnam Life Insurance Programs. 

MATURED LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAMS

These programs were established to provide the same or better life insurance benefits than were available to private 

citizens at the time they were established. These programs are closed to the issuance of new coverage but continue to 

have active policies. The matured life insurance programs are National Service Life Insurance (NSLI), United States 

Government Life Insurance (USGLI), Veterans’ Special Life Insurance (VSLI) and Veterans’ Reopened Insurance (VRI.)

The maximum amount of basic coverage available under any of these programs is $10,000. Any excess revenues resulting from favorable experience for NSLI, VRI, and VSLI programs are returned to policyholders in the form of dividends. Policyholders have several dividend payment options from which to choose. Additionally they may choose to 

use their dividends to buy paid‐up additional insurance. Policyholders may also request to take a loan on their policy or 

cash surrender their policy for its cash value. The loan interest rate for adjustable rate loans is currently 5%. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 61 

DISABLED VETERANS INSURANCE PROGRAMS 

The Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) and the Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) programs were 

established to provide insurance coverage and services to veterans who have lost their ability to purchase commercial 

insurance at standard (healthy) rates because of their service-connected disabilities. These life insurance programs 

continue to issue coverage. The S-DVI program provides for a maximum of $10,000 of life insurance coverage. Premiums can be waived for veterans who are totally disabled. Supplemental S-DVI is offered to veterans who have been 

approved for waiver of premiums on their S-DVI policy. Supplemental S-DVI provides a maximum of $20,000 of additional coverage, although premiums cannot be waived for this additional coverage. The VMLI program provides up to 

$90,000 of mortgage protection life insurance to severely disabled veterans who have received a grant for speciallyadapted housing. Policies are issued at standard premium rates to individuals who are considered health risks. 

UNIFORMED SERVICES AND POST-VIETNAM VETERANS 

The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), and the 

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) programs were established to provide insurance coverage and services to active 

duty and reserve members of the uniformed services that are commonly provided by large scale civilian employers. The 

SGLI program provides up to $400,000 of group life insurance coverage for service members and reservists. The 

FSGLI program provides up to $100,000 of group life insurance coverage for spouses of SGLI policyholders and 

$10,000 of free coverage for each dependent child. The VGLI program allows service members to convert up to the 

maximum amount of SGLI coverage they had at discharge to a renewable term life insurance policy.

PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

Public Law 109-80 increased the maximum amount of SGLI coverage from $250,000 to $400,000 for all service members effective September 1, 2005. Any service member eligible for SGLI coverage on September 1, 2005, was covered 

for $400,000 under SGLI, even if he/she previously declined or elected lesser coverage. This resulted in an increase of 

$399 billion in SGLI life insurance coverage. Service members, however, have the option to decline or reduce their coverage after September 1, 2005, in multiples of $50,000. 
PAGE 62 INSURANCE

DATA

The table below shows the maximum coverage available by insurance program. The “Years” column indicates the policy 

issuance time frames for each program. 

Insurance programs highlighted above reflect Matured Insurance Programs. 

Insurance programs highlighted above reflect Disabled Veterans’ Life Insurance Programs. 

Insurance programs highlighted above reflect Uniformed Services and Post-Vietnam Veterans Life Insurance 

Programs. 

PROGRAM YEARS

MAXIMUM 

 COVERAGE

United States Government Life Insurance 

(USGLI) 1919-1940 $10,000 

 National Service Life Insurance (NSLI)1 1940-1951 $10,000 

Veterans' Special Life Insurance (VSLI)1 1951-1956 $10,000 

Veterans' Reopened Insurance (VRI)1 1965-1966 $10,000 

Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (SDVI)2 1951-present $10,000 

Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) 1971-present $90,000 

 Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance 

(SGLI)3 1965-present $400,000 

 Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

(SGLI) - Child Coverage 2001-present $10,000 

 Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

(FSGLI) - Spouse Coverage 2001-present $100,000 

1 Since 1972, dividends can be used to increase coverage by purchasing paid-up additional life insurance to the basic life 

insurance. 

2 An additional $20,000 of supplemental coverage is available to totally disabled veterans 

3 The maximum coverage for SGLI increased to $400,000 effective September 1, 2005.

 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 63 

The next table compares VA life insurance programs with commercial life insurance companies. The comparison is 

based on the total face value of active life insurance in effect. Rankings for 2005 are shown below. 

2005 RANKINGS 

BY TOTAL LIFE

 INSURANCE

 IN-FORCE RANK

INSURANCE COMPANY

TOTAL 

LIFE INSURANCE

1 Metropolitan Life & Affiliated $3,863,036,000,000 

2 Prudential of America Group $1,812,419,000,000 

3 Swiss Reinsurance Group $1,556,829,000,000 

4 ING Group $1,387,751,000,000 

5 Aegon USA Inc $1,154,750,000,000 

6 VA Life Insurance Programs $1,150,325,000,000 

7 American International Group $1,083,806,000,000 

8 Hartford Life Inc $901,332,000,000 

9 Northwestern Mutual Group $870,379,000,000 

10 Lincoln National Corp $849,236,000,000 

11 Genworth Financial Group $804,517,000,000 

12 New York Life Group $794,185,000,000 

13 UnumProvident Corp $698,143,000,000 

14 Citigroup $646,597,000,000 

15 Munich America Reassurance Co $619,112,000,000 

Source: This information is based on year end 2004 data in the September 2005 Best’s Review. 2005 information will not be available until September 2006. 
PAGE 64 INSURANCE

NEW LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE ISSUED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 

Life 

Insurance 

Number of 

 People Insured 

Total 

Coverage Amount 

Average Face 

Value 

Maximum 

Face Value 

VMLI 1 277 $21,477,700 $77,537 $90,000 

SDVI 2, 3 17,755 $195,928,250 $11,035 $10,000 

VGLI 4 30,063 $5,672,165,000 $188,676 $400,000 

SGLI 5 268,994 $105,438,923,150 $391,975 $400,000 

SGLI 6 - Child 168,062 $1,680,620,000 $10,000 $10,000 

FSGLI 6 - Spouse 163,569 $16,051,698,126 $98,134 $100,000 

TOTAL 648,720 $129,060,812,226 $198,947 

 1 Source: VMLI Database – VMLI Quarterly Report 

 2 Source: SDVI-FY 2005 Policy Exhibit 

 3 Source:Additional Coverage, up to $20,000, is available for totally disabled policyholders. New supplemental 

 S-DVI policies (3,789) were issued 

 4 Source: Veterans and Reservists Group Insurance System – OSGLI Monthly Report. VGLI data is for the policy year ending June 30, 2005 

 5 Estimates based upon accessions to Active Duty and Reserve forces in FY05. Data on accessions from Defense 

 Manpower Data Center. Effective September 1, 2005, the maximum coverage for VGLI and SGLI increased to $400,000. 

 6 Source: DEERS and Military Pay Records 

 

The table that follows identifies the number of new policies issued during FY 2005, the total face value of the policies, 

and the average face value of the policies. In the case of SGLI and FSGLI, which is group insurance, the military services maintain the records on each insured service member. The actual number of service members who enrolled in 

SGLI in FY 2005 is not known. The information shown in this table is estimated based upon current enrollment rates 

and the number of people who entered active military service during FY 2005. The exact number of children covered by 

FSGLI is also an estimate. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 65 

NEW LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE ISSUED 

 COMPARATIVE INFORMATION FOR FIVE FISCAL YEARS 

 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Number of 

People 

 Insured 394,572 3,484,460 621,225 667,674 648,720 

 Total 

 Coverage 

Amounts $91,604,081,998 $206,252,183,507 $103,129,307,866 $92,231,113,570 $129,060,812,226 

Average 

Face 

Values $232,161 $59,192 $166,010 $138,138 $198,947 

The table below displays information about new life insurance coverage for the prior four years for purposes of 

comparison. The significant increase in FY 2002 is due to the beginning of the FSGLI program. In that year, 

3.1 million individuals entered the FSGLI program. 

Policies lapse primarily because the policyholder did not pay the premiums. The following table provides data about 

policies that lapsed during FY 2005. 

POLICY LAPSES DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 

Policy Lapses Number1 Lapse Rate Face Value1 Average Face 

Value 

NSLI 6,554 0.5% $40,192,928 $6,133 

VSLI 462 0.2% $3,499,000 $7,574 

VRI 232 0.4% $1,198,750 $5,167 

SDVI 1,470 0.9% $15,339,000 $10,435 

 TOTAL 8,718 0.5% $60,229,678 $6,909 

1 Sources: Insurance Fiscal Year 2005 Policy Exhibit 
PAGE 66 INSURANCE

LIFE INSURANCE PAYMENTS MADE DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 

MATURED

 ENDOWMENT NUMBER1 AMOUNT2 AVERAGE PAYMENT

 USGLI 46 $230,942 $5,020 

 NSLI 957 $10,214,301 $10,673 

 VSLI 69 $900,915 $13,057 

 VRI 1 $13,015 $13,051 

 SDVI 209 $1,788,850 $8,599 

 TOTAL 1,282 $13,148,023 $10,248 

CASH 

SURRENDER

NUMBER1 AMOUNT2 AVERAGE

 PAYMENT

 USGLI 85 $231,280 $2,721 

 NSLI 6,712 $41,608,138 $6,199 

 VSLI 794 $3,962,452 $4,990 

 VRI 390 $2,027,432 $5,199 

 SDVI 728 $5,111,968 $7,022 

 TOTAL 8,709 $52,941,270 $6,079 

DIVIDENDS NUMBER3 AMOUNT4

AVERAGE

 PAYMENT

USGLI 9,034 $1,540,730 $171 

NSLI 1,202,065 $365,926,605 $304 

VSLI 206,501 $81,301,810 $394 

VRI 52,881 $13,159,306 $249 

TOTAL 1,470,481 $461,928,451 $314 

LOANS NUMBER5,6 AMOUNT7

AVERAGE

 PAYMENT

 USGLI 51 $60,000 $1,176 

 NSLI 11,913 $36,149,000 $3,034 

 VSLI 3,262 $8,356,000 $2,562 

 VRI 910 $2,000,000 $2,198 

 SDVI 8,309 $9,042,000 $1,088 

 TOTAL 24,445 $55,607,000 $2,275 

1 Source: FY-2005 Policy Exhibit 

2 Source: FY-2005 Statement of Operations and Changes in Net Position 3 Source: FY-2005 Policy Exhibit-Cover Sheet 

4 Source: FY-2005 Statement of Cash Flows 5 Source: Program numbers from an estimate based on SQC in FY-2005 and Percent of Total 6 Source: Chief, Planning, Oversight & Actuarial Support Staff 

7 Source: Insurance General Ledger Accounting System – Statement of Financial Condition Report. 

The tables below provide data on the insurance payments for FY 2005. Definitions for the following insurance terms 

are found in the glossary: Matured Endowments (p. 106); Cash Surrenders (p. 103); Dividends (p. 104); and 

Loans (p. 106.) 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 67 

LIFE INSURANCE DIVIDENDS PAYMENTS 

COMPARATIVE INFORMATION FOR FIVE FISCAL YEARS

 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Number 2,052,062 1,927,189 1,810,557 1,696,542 1,470,481 

 Total 

Amounts $667,957,535 $624,446,188 $576,620,666 $525,494,110 $461,928,451 

Average 

Payment $326 $324 $318 $310 $314 

The table below displays information about dividend payments for FY 2005 and provides the data for the prior four years 

for purposes of comparison. 

 LIFE INSURANCE PAYMENTS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 

DEATH

 CLAIMS

NUMBER1 AMOUNT2 AVERAGE 

PAYMENT

USGLI 1,225 $4,203,438 $3,431 

NSLI 85,894 $895,827,219 $10,429 

VSLI 5,831 $67,200,870 $11,525 

VRI 4,422 $38,507,491 $8,708 

SDVI 5,571 $56,095,789 $10,069 

VMLI 140 $10,033,966 $71,671 

SGLI3 2,507 $601,075,954 $239,759 

SGLI3 - Child 1,054 $10,530,000 $9,991 

FSGLI3 - Spouse 838 $80,348,776 $95,882 

VGLI3 1,762 $164,971,576 $93,627 

TOTAL 109,244 $1,928,795,079 $17,656 

1 Source: FY-2005 Policy Exhibit. VMLI Database – VMLI Quarterly Report Veterans and Reservist Group Insurance System – 

Prudential Monthly Report 

2 Source: FY 2005 Statement of Financing and Changes in Net Position – Prudential Monthly Report of VMLI Database – VMLI 

Quarterly Report. Veterans and Reservist Group Insurance System – OSGLI Monthly Report 

3 SGLI, FSGLI, and VGLI data are for the policy year ending June 30, 2005; includes Regular, Accelerated & Conversion Pool 

The table below provides a distribution of the lump sum death claim payments by life insurance program. 
PAGE 68 INSURANCE

NUMBER OF DEATH CLAIMS PAID 

COMPARATIVE INFORMATION FOR FIVE FISCAL YEARS

 

FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Number of 

Claims Paid 109,867 110,319 109,880 111,824 109,244 

 Total 

Amounts Paid $1,463,188,372 $1,614,713,636 $1,723,625,327 $1,867,222,516 $1,928,795,079 

Average 

Amounts Paid $13,318 $14,637 $15,686 $16,698 $17,656 

The table below displays information about death claims paid for FY 2005 and the prior four years for purposes of 

comparison. 

Although most veterans choose to receive payments in a single lump sum, a monthly payment option is available for 

Cash Surrenders and Matured Endowments. In the two disability benefit provisions of policies – Total and Permanent 

Disability Provision and Total Disability Income Provision – no lump sum option exists; payments are made monthly. 

Similarly, most beneficiaries also receive payment in a single “lump sum;” a monthly payment option is available in 

some programs for death claim payments. 

Definitions for the above insurance terms are found in the glossary: Matured Endowments (p. 105); Cash Surrenders 

(p. 102); Dividends (p. 103); Total and Permanent Disability Provision and Total Disability Income Provision (p. 107.) 

The table on the next page provides data on monthly payments to veterans and to beneficiaries. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 69 

LIFE INSURANCE MONTHLY AWARD

 PAYMENTS END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

 PAYMENT TYPE NUMBER OF AWARDS MONTHLY PAYMENTS AVERAGE PAYMENT

 TOTAL DISABILITY INCOME PROVISION 1 

USGLI 37 $24,876 $672 

NSLI 11,450 $13,447,944 $1,174 

VSLI 2,587 $3,478,590 $1,345 

VRI 615 $467,484 $760 

TOTAL 14,689 $17,418,894 $1,186 

 MATURED ENDOWMENTS 1

USGLI - - - 

NSLI 767 $784,926 $1,023 

VSLI 593 $846,438 $1,427 

VRI 38 $31,296 $824 

SDVI 8 $3,408 $426 

 TOTAL 1,406 $1,666,068 $1,185 

 CASH SURRENDERS 1 

USGLI - - - 

NSLI 57 $60,030 $1,053 

VSLI 0 $0 $0 

VRI 2 $528 $264 

SDVI - - - 

 TOTAL 59 $60,558 $1,026 

TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY 1 

USGLI 53 $14,088 $266 

 DEATH AWARDS 2

USGLI 2,143 $591,516 $276 

NSLI 36,333 $22,463,334 $618 

VSLI 672 $491,154 $731 

VRI 229 $125,184 $547 

SDVI 239 $92,508 $387 

 TOTAL 39,616 $23,763,696 $600 1 Source: Insurance Master Record Database– AVS 2012 

2 Source: Insurance TBC VAL-C (Settlement Option Benefits) Life Income-for NSLI, VSLI are 150% of the Lifetime Guaranteed Amount and the Guaranteed Certain Only 

amount 
PAGE 70 INSURANCE

TOTAL LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

 IN-FORCE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2005 

 INSURANCE

NUMBER OF 

POLICIES

TOTAL 

FACE VALUE

AVERAGE FACE

VALUE

MAXIMUM FACE

VALUE

USGLI1 9,034 $27,990,656 $3,098 $10,000 

NSLI1 1,202,065 $13,198,172,231 $10,980 $10,000 

VSLI1 206,501 $2,490,299,424 $12,060 $10,000 

VRI1 52,881 $487,502,081 $9,219 $10,000 

SDVI2 175,200 $1,728,371,802 $9,865 $100,002 

VMLI3 2,514 $166,433,220 $66,203 $90,000 

SGLI4 2,482,500 $973,077,700,000 $391,975 $400,000 

SGLI4-Child 2,076,000 $20,760,000,000 $10,000 $10,000 

FSGLI4-Spouse 988,000 $96,956,500,000 $98,134 $100,000 

VGLI4 417,500 $46,599,780,000 $111,616 $400,000 

 TOTAL 7,612,195 $1,155,492,749,414 $151,795 

1 Source: Insurance FY 2005 Policy Exhibit Cover Sheet 

2 Additional $20,000 available for totally disabled policyholders 

3 Source: VMLI Database - VMLI Quarterly Report 

4 Source: Veterans And Reservists Group Insurance System - OSGLI Monthly Report 

LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES IN FORCE 

COMPARATIVE INFORMATION FOR FIVE FISCAL YEARS

 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 

NUMBER OF

 POLICIES 4,867,612 7,872,906 7,755,217 7,696,603 7,612,195 

TOTAL FACE

VALUE $641,068,691,952 $748,650,733,268 $745,453,203,387 $756,822,320,973 $1,155,492,749,414 

AVERAGE FACE

VALUE $131,701 $95,092 $96,123 $98,332 $151,795 

The first table below shows the total number of veterans, service members and service members’ spouses and children insured under each program, the total face value of their policies, and the average face value of a policy in each program. The 

second table displays information about policies in force and provides the data for the prior four years for purposes of comparison. Policies in force increased in 2002 due to the start of the FSGLI program. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 71 

The table below shows the total age distribution of persons insured in the VA Life Insurance programs and the percent of total 

each age group represents for that life insurance plan. Note to Age Distribution for Life Insurance Programs by Policy 

Type table: Because certain programs were active only during past wartime periods, their age distributions parallel the 

aging of all other veterans of those periods. The programs in which policies can still be obtained (SDVI, VMLI, SGLI, 

VGLI) have policyholders across a wide distribution of ages. This table includes only spouses in the FSGLI data. 

Age Distribution for Life Insurance Programs 

 by Type and Percentage of Policy 

Policy < 20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 89 > Total Average 

Age Age 

USGLI - - - - - - - 7,617 1,417 9,034 87.6 

 - - - - - - - 84% 16% 100% 

NSLI1 - - - - - 7 508,730 645,178 48,151 1,202,066 80.3 

 - - - - - - 42% 54% 4% 100% 

VSLI1 - - - - - 5,672 196,789 3,884 156 206,501 73.5 

 - - - - - 3% 95% 2% - 100% 

VRI1 - - - - - 146 14,630 36,476 1,629 52,881 81.2 

 - - - - - - 28% 69% 3% 100% 

SDVI1 2 1,100 5,157 17,855 78,217 42,826 26,681 3,250 112 175,200 58.4 

 - 1% 3% 10% 45% 24% 15% 2% - 100% 

VMLI2 - 15 176 518 1,095 617 93 - - 2,514 53.5 

 - 1% 7% 21% 44% 25% 4% - - 100% 

SGLI4 143,912 1,091,44 623,286 324,708 74,301 1,330 21 - - 2,259,000 30.3 

 6% 48% 28% 14% 3% - - - - 100% 

FSGLI 19,451 354,020 369,202 193,285 47,385 3,657 - - - 987,000 33.4 

 2% 36% 37% 20% 5% - - - - 100% 

VGLI3 210 44,290 114,254 111,056 104,206 40,474 3,175 70 1 417,736 44.4 

- 11% 27% 27% 25% 10% 1% - - 100% 

TOTAL 163,575 1,490,86 1,112,07 647,422 305,204 94,729 750,119 696,475 51,466 5,311,931 - 

3% 28% 21% 12% 6% 2% 14% 13% 1% 100% - 

1 Source: Insurance TBC VAL-C FY 2005 Attained Age Report 

2 Source: VMLI Reserve Valuation Data 

3 Source: VGLI Insurance System 

4 DMDC Data-Attained Age for Active and Reserves combined All data as of September 30, 2005, with the 

exception of SGLI and VGLI which are as of June 30, 2005. 
PAGE 72 INSURANCE

SGLI Coverage By Branch of Service 

Branch Total Number 

 Eligible for SGLI 

Number 

with SGLI 

Percent with 

SGLI 

Percent of 

SGLI by Branch 

Army Active 526,243 522,747 99.3% 23.1% 

Navy Active 395,018 386,515 97.8% 17.1% 

Air Force Active 373,931 364,679 97.5% 16.1% 

Marine Corps Active 196,421 194,908 99.2% 8.6% 

Coast Guard Active 39,203 37,241 95.0% 1.6% 

NOAA 284 223 78.5% 0.0% 

Public Health Service 5,987 5,687 95.0% 0.3% 

TOTAL—Active 1,537,087 1,512,000 98.4% 66.9% 

Army Reserve and 

Guard 521,613 488,106 93.6% 21.6% 

Navy Reserve 80,838 70,669 87.4% 3.1% 

Air Force Reserve and 

Guard 177,544 157,529 88.7% 7.0% 

Marine Corps Reserve 21,742 21,692 99.8% 1.0% 

Coast Guard 

Reserve 10,010 9,004 89.9% 0.4% 

TOTAL—Reserve 811,747 747,000 92.0% 33.1% 

TOTAL 2,348,834 2,259,000 96.2% 100% 

All data are as of September 30, 2005, with the exception of SGLI and FSGLI which are as of June 30, 2005.

Note to SGLI and FSGLI Coverage By Branch of Service tables: The second half of table shows the reserve 

 components for the branches. For the branches that have a National Guard, the Guard members are included in the 

reserve component numbers. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 73 

FSGLI Coverage By Branch of Service 

Branch 

Total Number 

Eligible for 

FSGLI 

 Number with 

FSGLI 

Percent with 

FSGLI with 

Percent of 

FSGLI by 

Branch 

Army Active 271,017 241,700 89.2% 24.5% 

Navy Active 193,866 175,293 90.4% 17.8% 

Air Force Active 194,525 181,276 93.2% 18.4% 

Marine Corps Active 86,052 80,540 93.6% 8.2% 

Coast Guard Active 19,713 15,683 79.6% 1.6% 

NOAA 140 100 71.4% 0.0% 

Public Health Service 4,248 3,663 86.2% 0.4% 

TOTAL—Active 769,561 698,255 90.7% 70.7% 

Army Reserve and Guard 270,317 170,451 63.1% 17.3% 

Navy Reserve 48,831 24,350 49.9% 2.5% 

Air Force Reserve and Guard 116,847 85,085 72.8% 8.6% 

Marine Corps Reserve 6,171 5,827 94.4% 0.6% 

Coast Guard Reserve 4,252 3,032 71.3% 0.3% 

TOTAL—Reserve 446,418 288,745 64.7% 29.3% 

TOTAL 1,215,979 987,000 81.2% 100% 

The FSGLI data reflect spousal coverage only. 
PAGE 74 INSURANCE

SUMMARY

VA Life Insurance provides over $1.1 trillion in insurance coverage to 7.4 million veterans, service members and their 

families. In 2005, $2.6 billion was paid to veterans, survivors and their families in the form of dividends, policy loans, 

cash surrenders, matured endowments and death benefits. 

Effective September 1, 2005, insurance coverage for service members increased by $399 billion when VA implemented 

an increase in SGLI maximum coverage from $250,000 to $400,000. Ninety-eight percent of all active duty service 

members and ninety-two percent of reservists are insured under SGLI. 

Like many government programs, the insurance 

 program was established to meet a need that the 

 private sector could not or, in our case would not 

 provide. The origins of today's insurance programs 

date back to 1914. 

Photo courtesy of Arms and Armour Press, At War in Korea 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 75 

CURRENT BENEFITS

VA home loans may be used to: 

ο Purchase a home; 

ο Purchase a residential unit in certain condominium projects; 

ο Build a home; 

ο Refinance an existing home loan; 

ο Improve a home by installing solar heating or other energy conservation measures. 

There are three types of loans guaranteed as defined by the purpose of the loan. A “Purchase Loan” is one used to 

purchase a home. The other two types of loans are “refinancing” loans: interest rate reduction and other refinancing 

(e.g., cash-out). Interest rate reduction is the most common reason for refinancing a loan. 

There is no maximum loan amount for a VA loan. Lenders generally set a maximum based on rules of the secondary mortgage market. The maximum VA guaranty is 25% of the conforming loan limit as reported by Freddie Mac, 

and lenders are usually willing to loan up to the conforming loan limit without a downpayment (Note: guaranty on 

cash-out refinances is limited to $36,000). 

LOAN GUARANTY 

Since World War II, the VA loan guaranty program has assisted veterans by 

guaranteeing nearly 18 million home loans totaling over $883 billion. Most 

were made without a downpayment. These loans are made on favorable 

terms; they can be for up to 30 years, can be pre-paid without penalty, and 

can be assumed by a creditworthy purchaser of the home. The primary advantage of the VA loan is that the veteran does not have to make a downpayment. Additionally, VA assists veteran borrowers who are experiencing difficulties making their mortgage payments through personal, supplemental loan 

servicing. VA often intercedes with the lender to arrange forbearance, i.e., to 

give the veteran more time to catch up on past due amounts before deciding 

whether to foreclose on the property. VA will also refund loans in appropriate 

cases, or suggest available alternatives to foreclosure such as deeds in lieu of 

foreclosure or compromise sales. These alternatives are beneficial to the 

veteran and the Government. The VA home loan program has been and remains a major benefit to veterans in acquiring their own homes. 

The objective of the VA home loan guaranty program is to enable veterans to enter the home-buying market. The 

“no-downpayment” feature is intended to help veterans afford the purchase of suitable homes. VA does not require 

a downpayment if the purchase price or cost is not more than the reasonable value of the property as determined 

by VA, but the lender may require one. If the purchase price or cost is more than the reasonable value, the difference must be paid in cash from the veteran’s own resources. 
PAGE 76 LOAN GUARANTY 

Veterans pay a funding fee ranging from 1.25 percent to 3.3 percent of the loan amount (0.5 percent for interest rate 

reduction loans). The funding fee can be included in the loan. Veterans receiving VA compensation are exempt from 

paying the fee. 

Severely disabled veterans, mostly those who are wheelchair bound, may be entitled to obtain grants under the Specially Adapted Housing Program. Additionally, Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants are available for disabled 

veterans who have blindness in both eyes, or have anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands. These distinctive 

programs help eligible veterans through grants to buy, build or modify homes specifically adapted for their use. There 

is no time limitation or deadline for applying for either grant benefit. These benefits can be used for, but are not limited to: 

ο Wider doorways and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs; 

ο Ramps instead of steps; and 

ο Wheelchair accessible bathrooms. 

Loan Guaranty also administers the Native American Veterans Direct Loan Program. This program helps Native 

American veterans finance the purchase of homes on Federal trust territory. Loan Guaranty provides program information and materials to all interested parties and to VA personnel. VA has entered into memoranda of understanding 

(MOUs) with 70 participating Native American tribes. During FY 2005, VA closed 38 loans under this program. Since 

its inception, VA has made more than 500 loans to Native American veterans under this program. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 77 

The table below summarizes eligibility criteria for the Loan Guaranty program. 

All veterans must have been discharged or released from active duty under other than dishonorable conditions. If the veteran served 

less than the minimum required time period, he or she could be eligible if a discharged because of a service-connected disability. 

SUMMARY OF HOME LOAN GUARANTY ENTITLEMENTS AND OTHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

PERIOD OF SERVICE

OR ENTITLEMENT SERVICE DATES LENGTH OF SERVICE OR OTHER CRITERIA

World War II 9/16/40 - 7/25/47 90 days 

Post-World War II 7/26/47 - 6/26/50 181 continuous days 

Korean War 6/27/50 - 1/31/55 90 days 

Post-Korean War 2/1/55 - 8/4/64 181 continuous days 

Vietnam Era 8/5/64 - 5/7/75 90 days* 

Post-Vietnam Era 5/8/75 - 9/7/80 181 continuous days 

Enlisted 9/8/80 - 8/1/90 2 years 

Officers 10/17/81 - 8/1/90 2 years 

Gulf War Era 8/2/90 - present 2 years or period called to active duty 

(not less than 90 days) 

Active Duty Personnel 

 On active duty, after having served 

 continuously for at least 181 days (90 days 

for Gulf War Era duty) unless discharged or 

separated from a previous qualifying 

 period of active duty service. 

Reservists 6 years 

Unmarried Surviving Spouse 

 Married to an eligible veteran who died as 

a result of service or service-connected 

conditions 

Spouse of POW/MIA Active duty member who is missing in action (MIA) or who is a prisoner of war (POW) 

Restored Entitlement Possible under certain situations 

*For veterans who served within Vietnam, the beginning date is 2/28/1961. 
PAGE 78 LOAN GUARANTY 

TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF LOANS GUARANTEED IN FY 2005 

STATUS

FIRST TIME

HOME BUYER

PREVIOUS 

HOME

 BUYER

NO 

DOWN

PAYMENT

DOWN

PAYMENT

PURCHASE

 LOANS

INTEREST 

RATE 

REDUCTION

OTHER 

REFINANCING

NUMBER 

OF LOANS 60,735 

 

58,395 108,385 

 

10,745 119,130 40,995 5,729 

TOTAL LOAN

AMOUNT 

(INDOLLARS) 

 

8,949,606,795 9,860,902,479 16,864,250,552 1,946,258,722 18,810,509,274 5,238,761,148 852,010,501 

AVERAGE 

LOAN AMOUNT 

(INDOLLARS) 147,355 

 

168,866 155,596 

 

181,132 157,899 127,790 148,719 

TOTAL GUARANTY

AMOUNT 

(INDOLLARS) 2,481,339,395 2,604,544,052 4,581,360,881 504,522,566 5,085,883,447 1,526,655,097 195,913,466 

AVERAGE 

GUARANTY

 AMOUNT

 (INDOLLARS) 40,855 

 

44,602 42,269 

 

46,954 42,692 37,240 34,197 

SELECT FIVE-YEAR TREND OF LOANS GUARANTEED BY STATUS

STATUS 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER 96,266 89,575 69,154 73,891 60,735 

PREVIOUS HOME BUYER 80,895 87,323 79,656 78,504 58,395 

NO DOWNPAYMENT 160,002 106,541 135,160 137,773 108,385 

DOWNPAYMENT 17,156 16,357 13,650 14,622 10,745 

PURCHASE LOANS 177,158 176,899 148,810 152,395 119,130 

INTEREST RATE REDUCTION 67,696 131,889 330,426 175,147 40,995 

OTHER REFINANCING 5,155 8,464 10,182 8,246 5,729 

The following table shows the distribution of loans guaranteed in FY 2005, sorted by whether or not the borrower made a 

downpayment as well as by buyer status. Similar data are presented on a five-year basis on the subsequent tables. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 79 

The following table shows activity of programs designed to provide housing assistance grants to seriously disabled 

veterans as well as direct loans to Native American veterans on trust lands during FY 2005. 

VA HOME LOANS GUARANTEED

 OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS 

FISCAL YEAR 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

NUMBER OF 

LOANS 250,009 317,251 489,418 335,788 165,854 

 TOTAL LOAN 

AMOUNT (INDOLLARS) 31,254,954,728 40,129,134,594 63,254,794,007 44,130,601,603 24,901,280,923 

AVERAGE LOAN 

AMOUNT (INDOLLARS) 125,015 126,490 129,245 131,424 150,140 

TOTAL GUARANTY 

AMOUNT (INDOLLARS) 9,153,835,594 11,667,454,970 18,245,097,305 12,643,384,380 6,808,452,010 

AVERAGE GUARANTY

AMOUNT (INDOLLARS) 36,614 36,777 37,279 37,653 41,051 

SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING GRANTS 

AND DIRECT LOANS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 

PROGRAM

SPECIALLY

ADAPTED

 HOUSING GRANTS

SPECIAL 

HOUSING 

ADAPTATION GRANTS

DIRECT

 LOANS TO 

NATIVE AMERICANS TOTAL

NUMBER OF 

GRANTS/LOANS

 

526 

 

61 

 

38 

 

625 

AMOUNT OF 

GRANTS/LOANS(INDOLLARS)

 

25,742,162 

 

580,041 

 

3,266,200 

 

29,588,403 

AVERAGE AMOUNT

OF GRANTS/LOANS

(INDOLLARS)

 

48,939 

 

9,509 

 

85,953 

 

47,341 
PAGE 80 LOAN GUARANTY 

LOANS GUARANTEED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 

BY PERIOD OF SERVICE / ENTITLEMENT

PERIOD OF SERVICE/ 

ENTITLEMENT 

NUMBER 

TOTAL

 LOAN AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS) 

AVERAGE

 LOAN

 AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS)

TOTAL 

GUARANTY 

AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS) 

WORLD WAR II 547 60,840,875 111,226 18,733,637 34,248 

POST-WORLD WAR II 62 7,320,941 118,080 2,186,682 35,269 

KOREAN WAR 496 53,212,890 107,284 16,587,352 33,442 

POST-KOREAN WAR 1,435 159,284,066 110,999 48,785,165 33,997 

VIETNAM ERA 9,712 1,182,666,298 121,774 348,612,183 35,895 

POST-VIETNAM ERA 14,719 1,980,233,212 134,536 563,955,597 38,315 

GULF WAR ERA 42,373 6,222,864,776 146,859 1,719,054,948 40,570 

RESTORED ENTITLEMENT 44,995 7,259,257,729 161,335 1,922,964,482 42,737 

SERVICE PERSONNEL 47,343 7,384,419,170 155,977 2,002,030,613 42,288 

RESERVISTS 3,708 535,095,772 144,308 148,879,457 40,151 

UN-REMARRIED SURVIVORS 459 55,594,245 121,120 16,506,831 35,963 

SPOUSES OF POWS 5 490,949 98,190 155,063 31,013 

AVERAGE 

GUARANTY

 AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS)

Data regarding loans guaranteed during FY 2005 by veterans’ period of service and by other entitlement criteria are presented below. The table on the next page presents the data on a five-year basis. 

... The goal of the Specially Adapted 

Housing (SAH) Program is to provide a 

barrier-free, wheelchair accessible living 

environment which affords the veteran a 

level of independent living he or she 

may not normally enjoy. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 81 

FIVE YEAR TREND OF LOANS GUARANTEED BY ENTITLEMENT

ENTITLEMENT 

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

WORLD WAR II 923 1,136 1,646 1,269 547 

POST-WORLD WAR II 107 166 335 194 62 

KOREAN WAR 1,222 1,406 2,025 1,589 496 

POST-KOREAN WAR 2,732 3,618 5,339 3,778 1,435 

VIETNAM ERA 20,553 24,850 34,911 25,428 9,712 

POST-VIETNAM ERA 34,293 39,185 55,308 37,769 14,719 

GULF WAR ERA 66,478 72,077 98,423 75,383 42,373 

RESTORED ENTITLEMENT 74,998 115,636 221,730 123,724 44,995 

SERVICE PERSONNEL 40,069 49,228 57,129 57,524 47,343 

RESERVISTS 8,051 9,179 11,385 8,178 3,708 

UN-REMARRIED SURVIVORS 578 760 1,161 931 459 

SPOUSES OF POWS 5 10 26 21 5 

TOTAL LOANS 250,009 317,251 489,418 335,788 165,854 

Headquarters, Veterans Administration 

circa 1932 
PAGE 82 LOAN GUARANTY 

HOME LOANS GUARANTEED DURING

 FISCAL YEAR 2005 BASED ON GENDER AND AGE

GENDER NUMBER 

TOTAL

 LOAN AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS) 

AVERAGE

 LOAN

 AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS) 

TOTAL 

GUARANTY 

AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS) 

AVERAGE 

GUARANTY

 AMOUNT 

(IN DOLLARS) 

MALE 147,018 22,069,982,482 150,118 6,032,124,483 41,030 

FEMALE 18,836 2,831,298,441 150,313 776,327,527 41,215 

AGE

18 - 25 13,248 1,674,838,502 126,422 497,168,631 37,528 

26 - 35 55,110 8,445,497,191 153,248 2,294,507,136 41,635 

36 -45 48,985 7,963,832,498 162,577 2,119,195,255 43,262 

46 - 55 26,018 3,854,780,451 148,158 1,053,798,408 40,503 

56 - 65 16,346 2,230,942,363 136,482 626,584,189 38,333 

66 - 75 4,575 555,124,784 121,339 163,392,488 35,714 

76 - 80 941 107,103,518 113,819 32,443,107 34,477 

OVER 80 631 69,161,616 109,606 21,362,796 33,855 

AGE TOTAL 165,854 24,901,280,923 150,140 6,808,452,010 41,051 

 

PURCHASE LOANS GUARANTEED DURING 

FISCAL YEAR 2005 BASED ON ANNUAL INCOME

INCOME NUMBER

TOTAL 

LOAN AMOUNT

(IN DOLLARS) 

AVERAGE

 LOAN

(IN DOLLARS) 

TOTAL 

GUARANTY

AMOUNT

AVERAGE

GUARANTY

(IN DOLLARS) 

$25,000 to $34,999 12,343 1,297,301,050 105,104 423,687,525 34,326 

$35,000 to $44,999 22,934 2,917,811,018 127,226 851,921,773 37,147 

$45,000 to $54,999 23,679 3,512,222,998 148,326 955,198,186 40,339 

$55,000 to $64,999 18,582 3,084,084,046 165,972 808,705,661 43,521 

$65,000 to $74,999 13,776 2,489,872,471 180,740 639,076,370 46,391 

$75,000 and over 25,193 5,283,096,116 209,705 1,326,687,937 52,661 

TOTAL 165,854 24,901,280,923 150,140 6,808,452,010 41,051 

Average Income 

(In Dollars)

58,590 Median Income 

(In Dollars)

54,120 Median Loan 

(In Dollars)

150,093 

Less than $25,000 2,623 226,121,575 86,207 80,605,995 30,730 

The distribution of loans guaranteed during FY 2005 by gender and age as well as income level of the eligible borrower is 

shown below. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 83 

NUMBER OF LOANS GUARANTEED FIVE FISCAL YEARS BY AGE

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

18-25 10,511 10,968 12,361 14,123 13,248 

26-35 93,771 101,921 131,320 92,612 55,110 

36-45 77,386 100,724 158,892 104,653 48,985 

46-55 44,683 63,701 106,893 67,776 26,018 

56-65 16,098 27,555 55,759 39,920 16,346 

66-75 7,560 12,382 18,416 12,476 4,575 

76-80* 3,818 2,608 941 

Over 80* 1,959 1,620 631 

TOTAL 250,009 317,251 489,418 335,788 165,854 

* DATA COLLECTION FOR THESE AGE GROUPS BEGAN FY 2003. 

PERCENT OF AGE REPRESENTATION 

OF LOANS GUARANTEED FIVE FISCAL YEARS 

18-25 4.2% 3.5% 2.5% 4.2% 8.0% 

26-35 37.5% 32.1% 26.8% 27.6% 33.2% 

36-45 31.0% 31.7% 32.5% 31.2% 29.5% 

46-55 17.9% 20.1% 21.8% 20.2% 15.7% 

56-65 6.4% 8.7% 11.4% 11.9% 9.9% 

66-75 3.0% 3.9% 3.8% 3.7% 2.8% 

76-80 0.0% 0.0% 0.8% 0.8% 0.6% 

OVER 80 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% 

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
PAGE 84 LOAN GUARANTY 

Providing race information on the application for a VA guaranteed loan is voluntary. The race demographics and 

distribution of new loan guaranties presented below show the distribution among the 95 percent who provided race 

information for FY 2005. For the previous four fiscal years, the percentages are: 2004, 89 percent; 2003, 87 percent; 2002, 83 percent; and 2001, 80 percent. 

LOANS GUARANTEED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005 BY RACE

RACE NUMBER

TOTAL 

LOAN AMOUNT

(IN DOLLARS) 

AVERAGE

 LOAN

(IN DOLLARS) 

TOTAL 

GUARANTY

AMOUNT

AVERAGE

GUARANTY

(IN DOLLARS) 

WHITE 117,515 $17,569,134,540 $149,505 $4,811,337,517 $40,942 

HISPANIC 11,308 $1,647,357,468 $145,681 $425,618,731 $37,639 

ASIAN/ 

PACIFIC ISLANDER/

NATIVE HAWAIIAN

2,713 $458,792,149 $169,109 $110,304,512 $40,658 

AMERICAN INDIAN/

ALASKAN NATIVE 1,218 $180,566,045 $148,248 $38,901,294 $31,939 

BLACK/AFRICAN

AMERICAN 25,900 $3,877,255,193 $149,701 $1,057,232,134 $40,820 

SELECT FIVE YEAR TREND OF LOANS GUARANTEED BY RACE

RACE 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

WHITE 156,241 204,316 330,408 221,931 117,515 

BLACK/AFRICAN 

AMERICAN 28,462 37,378 61,357 49,530 25,900 

HISPANIC 12,526 16,569 26,036 20,708 11,308 

ASIAN/ 

PACIFIC ISLANDER/

NATIVE HAWIIAN 2,714 3,660 5,740 4,541 2,713 

AMERICAN INDIAN/

ALASKAN NATIVE 1,266 1,626 2,428 2,168 1,218 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 85 

SUMMARY

VBA recently guaranteed its 18 millionth home loan since the inception of the Loan Guaranty program. The flexibility 

of the program ensures its accessibility to the vast majority of the qualifying veteran homebuyer population. The 

number of Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptation Grants to assist seriously disabled veterans 

achieve maximum independence in their own homes continues to increase each year. 

The VA Home Loan Program for eligible veterans and active duty personnel assists 

them with purchasing and retaining a home. 
PAGE 86 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT 

The mission of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program is to enable veterans with serviceconnected disabilities and employment handicaps obtain and maintain stable and suitable employment. When the 

severity of disability prohibits suitable employment, VR&E assists those veterans achieve maximum independence in 

daily living. 

CURRENT BENEFITS

VR&E provides a wide range of vocational and educational counseling services to service members on active duty, as 

well as veterans and dependents who are eligible for one of VA’s educational benefit programs. These services are 

designed to help individuals choose a vocational direction and determine the course needed to achieve the chosen 

goal. Assistance may include interest and aptitude testing, occupational exploration, setting occupational goals, locating the right type of training program, and exploring educational or training facilities which might be utilized to achieve 

an occupational goal. 

Veterans may progress through a series of steps. VR&E provides each veteran with a case manager. The case manager follows the veteran’s progress through the program and ensures delivery of prescribed services. The steps are 

described below: 

STEP 1. Application for the benefit 

STEP 2. Evaluation to assess needs, determine services to which a veteran may be entitled, 

 and conduct rehabilitation planning 

STEP 3. Rehabilitation services for employment (services and 

 assistance that lead to veteran becoming job- ready or able to live more 

 independently in the community) 

STEP 4. Services in “job-ready” status assist the veteran in obtaining and maintaining suitable 

 employment 

STEP 5. Rehabilitation - includes veterans who obtain and maintain suitable employment or achieve 

 maximum independence in daily living 

PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

VR&E has several new and creative methods to assist veterans in returning to work and maintaining suitable 

employment. Two new outreach methods piloted in FY 2005 include the Five-Track Employment Model and the 

“Coming Home to Work” initiative. 

VR&E established Job Resource Labs in four pilot stations. These labs aid VR&E staff and veterans in conducting 

comprehensive analyses of local and national job outlooks, developing job-search plans, preparing for interviews, developing resumes, and conducting thorough job searches. VR&E is now rolling out the program nationwide. The Job 

Resources Lab is an integral part of the Five-Track Employment Model. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 87 

The Coming Home to Work initiative is an early outreach effort that provides civilian work experience in a government 

facility and other Vocational Rehabilitation services to VR&E eligible service members pending medical separation from 

the military. VR&E staff is currently working with federal, state, and local government facilities to coordinate future work 

experience opportunities. These facilities currently include Department of Defense's prosthetics centers, community services and information technology offices; VA Medical Centers and Regional Offices; the Colorado Department of Wildlife; 

and JR ROTC at public high schools. 

DATA

In FY 2005, 61,116 veterans applied for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services. Of those who applied: 

ο 65.1% were found to be entitled; 

ο 4.8% did not have a qualifying service-connected disability rating and were determined not eligible; and 

ο 12.1% were determined not entitled (no qualifying employment handicap or serious employment handicap). 

Definitions for the following VR&E terms are found in the glossary: Applicants (p. 102); Denied Eligibility and Denied 

Entitlement (p. 104); Entitled to Services (p. 105); Participants (p. 106); and Rehabilitated (p. 107). 

The tables that follow on the next page display the demographics of veterans in each of the categories as outlined in the 

above table. These data are provided for both the female and male veteran populations. 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT 

ACTIVITIES FY 2005 

 MALE FEMALE TOTAL

APPLICANTS 50,899 10,217 61,116 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 2,393 569 2,962 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 6,138 1,238 7,376 

ENTITLED TO SERVICES 32,548 7,216 39,764 

PARTICIPANTS 42,391 12,837 55,228 

REHABILITATED 9,833 2,131 11,964 

SOURCE: VR&E PROGRAM MANAGEMENT REPORTS
PAGE 88 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES BY AGE FY 2005 

 

BELOW 

17 OR

 UNKNOWN

17 

THROUGH

 21 

22 

THROUGH

29 

30 

THROUGH 

39 

40 

THROUGH

44 

45 

THROUGH

49 

50 

THROUGH

54 

55 

THROUGH

59 

60 

AND

ABOVE

TOTAL

MALE

APPLICANTS 1 713 8,215 10,464 8,388 6,862 5,274 7,098 3,884 50,899 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY - 144 697 492 385 271 204 123 77 2,393 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT - 26 455 1,093 1,184 1,039 835 960 546 6,138 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 2 223 4,456 7,291 5,316 4,865 3,490 4,619 2,286 32,548 

PARTICIPANTS 1 92 5,724 12,105 7,957 7,851 4,235 3,309 1,117 42,391 

REHABILITATED 1 - 641 2,272 1,403 1,619 1,173 1,632 1,092 9,833 

FEMALE

APPLICANTS - 294 3,108 2,926 1,705 1,248 641 226 69 10,217 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY - 58 247 128 57 46 28 5 - 569 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT - 16 221 379 266 206 109 29 12 1,238 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES - 79 1,816 2,266 1,292 998 545 176 44 7,216 

PARTICIPANTS - 45 2,853 4,666 2,212 1,874 868 277 42 12,837 

REHABILITATED 1 - 297 778 376 373 224 58 24 2,131 

SOURCE: VR&E PROGRAM MANAGEMENT REPORTS

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES BY PRIOR EDUCATION LEVEL FY 2005 

 

BELOW 

HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL POST HIGH SCHOOL

FOUR YEAR 

DEGREE

GRADUATE DEGREE

TOTAL

MALE

APPLICANTS 1,309 25,721 16,910 4,775 2,184 50,899 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 59 1,260 678 259 137 2,393 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 116 2,744 2,065 865 348 6,138 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 740 16,975 11,097 2,512 1,224 32,548 

PARTICIPANTS 536 22,416 15,649 2,277 1,513 42,391 

REHABILITATED 211 4,881 3,410 839 492 9,833 

FEMALE

APPLICANTS 59 4,052 4,263 1,293 550 10,217 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 3 260 188 70 48 569 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 6 419 494 224 95 1,238 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 53 3,123 3,024 658 358 7,216 

PARTICIPANTS 77 6,021 5,308 826 605 12,837 

REHABILITATED 14 868 881 237 131 2,131 

SOURCE: VR&E PROGRAM MANAGEMENT REPORTS 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 89 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES BY BRANCH OF SERVICE FY 2005 

 

AIR FORCE ARMY

COAST

GUARD

MARINE

CORPS

NAVY OTHER UNKNOWN TOTAL

MALE

APPLICANTS 6,509 24,320 486 6,520 8,956 24 4,084 50,899 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 128 266 8 104 178 1 1,708 2,393 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 921 2,994 53 720 1,319 7 124 6,138 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 4,486 16,391 359 4,428 6,261 11 612 32,548 

PARTICIPANTS 6,637 20,647 516 5,621 8,602 7 361 42,391 

REHABILITATED 1,604 4,762 113 1,268 1,971 4 111 9,833 

FEMALE

APPLICANTS 1,841 4,842 69 454 2,029 5 977 10,217 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 44 52 1 2 47 - 423 569 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 241 575 11 49 329 1 32 1,238 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 1,416 3,687 63 379 1,531 3 137 7,216 

PARTICIPANTS 2,682 6,503 110 683 2,761 5 93 12,837 

REHABILITATED 487 1,032 28 100 463 - 21 2,131 

SOURCE: VR&E PROGRAM MANAGEMENT REPORTS

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES BY PERIOD OF SERVICE FY 2005 

 

WORLD WAR

II 

POST WORLD

WAR II ERA

KOREAN

CONFLICT

POST-KOREAN

CONFLICT

VIETNAM ERA

POST -

VIETNAM

ERA

GULF 

WAR

TOTAL

MALE

APPLICANTS 372 38 268 537 8,313 9,914 31,457 50,899 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 3 3 1 18 212 616 1,540 2,393 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 34 4 40 76 1,109 1,320 3,555 6,138 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 165 16 158 282 5,201 6,070 20,656 32,548 

PARTICIPANTS 14 1 29 92 3,004 6,342 32,909 42,391 

REHABILITATED 116 12 85 115 1,804 1,492 6,209 9,833 

FEMALE

APPLICANTS 2 - 2 6 106 1,345 8,756 10,217 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY - - - - 6 94 469 569 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT - - - 1 9 200 1,028 1,238 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES - - 2 4 81 924 6,205 7,216 

PARTICIPANTS - - - 6 55 1,254 11,522 12,837 

REHABILITATED - - 1 2 23 257 1,848 2,131 

Source: VR&E Program Management Reports 
PAGE 90 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES BY LENGTH OF SERVICE FY 2005 

 

3 

MONTHS

ORLESS

3 TO 6 

MONTHS

6 MONTHS

TO 

2 YEARS

4 TO 10 

YEARS

10 TO 15 

YEARS

15 TO 20 

YEARS

20 TO 30 

YEARS

MORE 

THAN 30 

YEARS

IN 

SERVICE

TOTAL

MALE

APPLICANTS 242 534 7,322 11,695 3,063 2,238 8,392 170 3,390 50,899 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 25 38 282 374 81 43 163 6 887 2,393 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 15 74 853 1,340 394 330 1,427 24 181 6,138 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 165 386 4,543 8,095 2,314 1,743 5,427 95 623 32,548 

PARTICIPANTS 206 520 4,542 11,418 3,626 2,634 8,811 122 0 42,391 

REHABILITATED 33 79 1,195 2,338 888 621 2,022 41 27 9,833 

FEMALE

APPLICANTS 91 221 1,381 2,876 668 378 1,250 12 823 10,217 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 8 14 56 106 14 3 28 - 247 569 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT 7 17 121 353 117 59 222 2 75 1,238 

ENTITLEDTO SERVICES 81 169 1,008 2,140 556 323 928 7 135 7,216 

PARTICIPANTS 161 317 1,699 3,961 1,005 631 1,822 7 - 12,837 

REHABILITATED 20 46 217 646 224 126 338 2 12 2,131 

Source: VR&E Program Management Reports 

In Service: The VR&E program provides service to active military personnel such as those in medical hold or those in the pre-discharge 

phase. 

2 TO 4 

YEARS

13,853 

494 

1,500 

9,157 

10,512 

2,589 

2,517 

93 

265 

1,869 

3,234 

500 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 91 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES BY 

COMBINED SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY RATING FY 2005 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% MEMO

RATING

CASES 

NOT RATED

TOTAL

MALE

APPLICANTS 35 5,817 8,004 8,314 6,769 4,442 3,879 2,964 1,643 660 2,965 3,304 2,103 50,899 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 26 118 98 100 84 36 45 17 17 6 17 45 1,784 2,393 

DENIED 

ENTITLEMENT 1 1,016 857 987 790 522 577 482 303 128 402 73 - 6,138 

ENTITLEDTO 

SERVICES 3 1,335 4,649 5,179 5,184 3,474 3,483 3,057 1,994 929 2,932 329 - 32,548 

PARTICIPANTS 5 1,672 7,149 8,183 7,826 4,945 4,887 3,069 1,950 850 1,730 125 - 42,391 

FEMALE

APPLICANTS 10 1,074 1,518 1,710 1,385 880 884 539 389 139 336 834 519 10,217 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY 9 40 27 24 17 8 10 6 4 3 1 14 406 569 

DENIED 

ENTITLEMENT 1 212 163 195 189 105 108 79 65 35 59 27 - 1,238 

ENTITLEDTO 

SERVICES - 246 1,011 1,213 1,149 837 877 661 496 221 410 95 - 7,216 

PARTICIPANTS 5 415 1,932 2,317 2,284 1,644 1,671 1,071 737 295 429 37 - 12,837 

Source: VR&E Program Management Reports 

VETERANS WITH SERIOUS EMPLOYMENT HANDICAPS FY 2005 

CASE STATUS TOTAL 

VETERANS 

MALES

WITH SERIOUS 

EMPLOYMENT 

HANDICAPS

FEMALES 

WITH SERIOUS

 EMPLOYMENT

HANDICAPS

TOTAL VETERANS

WITH SERIOUS 

EMPLOYMENT

HANDICAPS

ENTITLED 

TO SERVICES 39,764 18,455 3,627 22,082 

PARTICIPANTS 55,228 5,688 3,827 9,515 

REHABILITATED 11,964 5,300 899 6,199 

Source: VR&E Program Management Reports 

Of those veterans participating in a plan of 

services, most follow the employment 

track and may receive services that include employment planning, training or 

education, medical or dental care, and 

other supportive services. 

Veterans whose disability prevents 

employment strive to achieve maximum 

independence in daily living. 

Some of the veterans participating in 

VR&E services have a serious employment handicap, which means there is 

significant impairment of the veteran’s 

ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his/her abilities, 

aptitudes, and interests. 
PAGE 92 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

VETERANS PARTICIPATING IN A VOCATIONAL

TRAINING PROGRAM DURING FY 2005 

 MALE FEMALE TOTAL

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL 35,560 11,323 46,883 

VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL 2,836 477 3,313 

GRADUATE SCHOOL 1,505 673 2,178 

COLLEGE, NONDEGREE 966 170 1,136 

EXTENDED EVALUATION/INDEPENDENT LIVING 991 117 1,108 

PAID ON-JOB TRAINING 165 14 179 

NON-PAY WORK EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT 147 41 188 

NON-PAY ON-JOB TRAINING 109 17 126 

APPRENTICESHIP 53 2 55 

IMPROVEMENT OF REHAB POTENTIAL 39 3 42 

HIGH SCHOOL 12 0 12 

FARM CO-OP 8 0 8 

TOTAL 42,391 12,837 55,228 

SOURCE: VR&E PROGRAM MANAGEMENT REPORTS 

Courtesy of FDR Library 

The employment assistance needs of each veteran are assessed and a plan of services developed that will lead 

into suitable employment. Services may include: job market exploration, job-seeking skills, resume preparation, 

interview skills, and other assistance. The table below reflects veterans participating in Vocational Rehabilitation 

and Employment training program during FY 2005. 

Upon completion of the individualized evaluation process, the veteran 

enters a rehabilitation program to become job-ready in the selected 

vocational choice or to achieve the maximum ability to live independently in the community. The length of time that a veteran remains in a 

rehabilitation program varies according to the veteran’s individual 

circumstances; the average time spent in the program is approximately two and one-half years.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 93 

VETERANS SUCCESSFULLY REHABILITATED 

PRE AND POST ANNUAL EARNINGS BY OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY FY 2005 

 MALE FEMALE

AVERAGE AGE 47 40 

 

TOTAL

AVERAGE 

ANNUAL WAGES

PRIOR TO VR&E 

PROGRAM 

ENTRANCE

AVERAGE

 ANNUAL WAGES 

AT 

REHABILITATION

AVERAGE 

ANNUAL

WAGES PRIOR

TO VR&E 

PROGRAM 

ENTRANCE

AVERAGE

 ANNUAL

 WAGES AT 

REHABILITATION

PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL, AND

MANAGERIAL 6,656 $6,817 $34,109 $4,710 $30,535 

CLERICAL 656 $5,313 $27,370 $4,489 $24,545 

SERVICE

502 $5,800 $25,623 $3,732 $23,490 

MISCELLANEOUS

371 $4,642 $27,000 $0 $18,152 

MACHINE TRADES

318 $5,796 $29,220 $0 $20,580 

STRUCTURAL (BUILDING TRADES) 245 $6,421 $32,320 $1,285 $20,278 

SALES 248 $5,151 $28,158 $2,936 $26,319 

BENCHWORK 87 $5,275 $25,947 $4,308 $19,493 

PROCESSING (BUTCHER, MEAT

PROCESSOR, ETC.) 16 $4,192 $36,599 $0 $28,908 

AGRICULTURAL, FISHERY 

AND FORESTRY 41 $4,189 $23,551 $0 $13,056 

TOTAL 9,140 $5,011 $29,591 $4,178 $27,576 

*Excludes Independent Living Veterans (2.824) 

Source: VR&E Program Management Reports 

The next table shows annual earnings pre- and post-VR&E program participation for those veterans who were successfully rehabilitated. 
PAGE 94 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

The two charts on the following pages present data of the number of applicants and female participants over five fiscal years. 

SUMMARY

In 2005, the VR&E program successfully rehabilitated 879 more veterans than in FY 2004. Improvements are continuing to be made to enhance the services provided to program participants. 

A pilot study of the Five-Track Employment Model was demonstrated to be successful and will be deployed nationally 

during 2006. Utilizing the new Five-Track Employment Model, more relationships with employers will be established 

which positively affects the number of job placements for VR&E participants. 

VETERANS SUCCESSFULLY REHABILITATED PRE AND POST ANNUAL EARNINGS

BY OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY FY 2005 

 MALE

AVERAGE AGE 41 47 37 40

 PARTICIPANTS REHABILITATED PARTICIPANTS REHABILITATED

AGRICULTURAL, FISHERY

AND FORESTRY 92 36 18 5

BENCHWORK 232 80 19 7

CLERICAL 1,511 455 708 201

INDEPENDENT LIVING 1,163 2,578 192 246

MACHINE TRADES 1,060 314 22 4

MISCELLANEOUS 967 358 119 13

PROCESSING 

(BUTCHER, MEAT PROCESSOR, ETC.) 44 15 6 1

PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL, AND

MANAGERIAL 35,290 5,120 11,408 1,536

SALES 361 208 61 40

SERVICE 988 431 272 71

STRUCTURAL (BUILDING TRADES) 683 238 12 7

TOTALS 42,391 9,833 12,837 2,131

Source: VR&E Program Management Reports 

FEMALE

This table displays both participants and rehabilitated veterans by their occupational categories during FY 2005. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 95 

11,497

11,917

12,522

12,778 12,837

10 ,50 0

11,0 0 0

11,50 0

12 ,0 0 0

12 ,50 0

13 ,0 0 0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Female Participation FY 2001-2005

11,497

11,917

12,522

12,778 12,837

10 ,50 0

11,0 0 0

11,50 0

12 ,0 0 0

12 ,50 0

13 ,0 0 0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Female Participation FY 2001-2005

11,497

11,917

12,522

12,778 12,837

10 ,50 0

11,0 0 0

11,50 0

12 ,0 0 0

12 ,50 0

13 ,0 0 0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Female Participation FY 2001-2005
PAGE 96 APPENDICES

APPENDICES 

 Page 

VBA REGIONAL OFFICE MAILING ADDRESSES 97 

CONTACTING VA BY TELEPHONE 101 

INTERNET REFERENCES 102 

GLOSSARY 103 

SELECT VETERAN DATA FOR ALL VA BENEFIT 

PROGRAMS BY STATE 110 

 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 97 

ALABAMA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

345 PERRY HILL ROAD

MONTGOMERY, AL 36109-3798 

ALASKA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

2925 DEBARR ROAD

ANCHORAGE, AK 99508-2989 

ARIZONA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

3333 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE

PHOENIX, AZ 85012-2458 

ARKANSAS 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

2200 FORT ROOTS DRIVE

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72114-1756 

CALIFORNIA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE - FEDERAL BUILDING

11000 WILSHIRE BLVD. 

LOS ANGELES, CA 90024-3602 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE - FEDERAL BUILDING

1301 CLAY STREET - SUITE 1300N 

OAKLAND, CA 94612-5209 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

8810 RIO SAN DIEGO DRIVE

SAN DIEGO, CA 92108-1508

COLORADO 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

BOX 25126 

DENVER, CO 80225-0126 

CONNECTICUT 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

555 WILLARD AVENUE, BLDG. 2E ROOM 5137 

NEWINGTON, CT 06103-0909

DELAWARE 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1601 KIRKWOOD HIGHWAY

WILMINGTON, DE 19805-4988 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1722 EYE STREET, NW 

WASHINGTON, DC 20421-1111 

FLORIDA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

P.O. 1437 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33731-1437 

GEORGIA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1700 CLAIRMONT RD. 

DECATUR, GA 30333-4032 

HAWAII 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

PO BOX 29020 

459 PATTERSON ROAD, E WING. 

HONOLULU, HI 96820-1420 

IDAHO 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

805 W. FRANKLIN STREET

BOISE, ID 83702-5560 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL OFFICES MAILING ADDRESSES
PAGE 98 VBA REGIONAL OFFICE MAILING ADDRESSES

ILLINOIS

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

2122 W. TAYLOR STREET

CHICAGO, IL 60612-4281 

INDIANA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

575 NORTH PENNSYLVANIA STREET

INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46204-1526 

IOWA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

210 WALNUT STREET - ROOM 1063 

DES MOINES, IA 50309-9825 

KANSAS 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

5500 E. KELLOGG

WICHITA, KS 67218-1698 

KENTUCKY 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

321 W. MAIN ST., SUITE 390 

LOUISVILLE, KY 40202-6200 

LOUISIANA* 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

671A WHITNEY AVE 

GRETNA, LA 70054 

* THIS IS A TEMPORARY MAILING ADDRESS DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANE

KATRINA. 

MAINE 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1 VA CENTER - BLDG. 248, ROOM 205 

TOGUS, ME 04330-6795 

MARYLAND 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE - FEDERAL BUILDING

31 HOPKINS PLAZA - ROOM 233 

BALTIMORE, MD 21201-0001 

MASSACHUSETTS 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

JOHN F. KENNEDY BUILDING

GOVERNMENT CENTER - ROOM 1265 

BOSTON, MA 02203-0393 

MICHIGAN 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

PATRICK V. MCNAMARA FEDERAL BLDG. 

477 MICHIGAN AVENUE - ROOM 1400 

DETROIT, MI 48226-2591 

MINNESOTA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

ONE FEDERAL DRIVE, FORT SNELLING

ST. PAUL, MN 55111-4050 

MISSISSIPPI 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1600 EAST WOODROW WILSON AVENUE

JACKSON, MS 39216-5102 

MISSOURI 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

400 SOUTH 18TH STREET

ST. LOUIS, MO 63103-2676 

MONTANA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

WILLIAMS STREET, HIGHWAY 12 WEST

FORT HARRISON, MT 59636-9999 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 99 

NEBRASKA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

5631 S. 48TH STREET

LINCOLN, NE 68516-4198 

NEVADA

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1201 TERMINAL WAY

RENO, NV 89520-0118 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

NORRIS COTTON FEDERAL BLDG. 

275 CHESTNUT STREET

MANCHESTER, NH 03101-2489 

NEW JERSEY 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

20 WASHINGTON PLACE

NEWARK, NJ 07102-3174 

NEW MEXICO 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

DENNIS CHAVEZ FEDERAL BLDG. 

500 GOLD AVENUE, SW 

ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87102-3118 

NEW YORK 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

130 S. ELMWOOD AVENUE

BUFFALO, NY 14202-2478 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

245 W. HOUSTON STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10014-4805 

NORTH CAROLINA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE - FEDERAL BUILDING

251 NORTH MAIN STREET

WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27155-1000 

NORTH DAKOTA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

2101 ELM STREET

FARGO, ND 58102-2417 

OHIO 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

A. J. CELEBREEZE FEDERAL BUILDING

1240 EAST NINTH STREET

CLEVELAND, OH 44199-2002 

OKALHOMA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

FEDERAL BUILDING

125 SOUTH MAIN STREET

MUSKOGEE, OK 74401-7025 

OREGON 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE 

EDITH GREEN/WENDELL WYATT FEDERAL BUILDING

1220 SOUTHWEST 3RD AVENUE ROOM 1217 

PORTLAND, OR 97204-2825 

PENNSYLVANIA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE AND INSURANCE CENTER

PO BOX 8079 

5000 WISSAHICKON AVENUE

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19101-8079 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1000 LIBERTY AVENUE

PITTSBURGH, PA 15222-4004 

PHILIPPINES

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

FPO AP 96515-1110 

MANILA, PI 1000 
PAGE VBA REGIONAL OFFICE MAILING ADDRESSES

PUERTO RICO 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

150 AVENIDA. CARLOS CHARDON

SUITE 232 

SAN JUAN, PR 00918-1703 

RHODE ISLAND 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

380 WESTMINSTER STREET

PROVIDENCE, RI 02903-3246 

SOUTH CAROLINA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

1801 ASSEMBLY STREET

COLUMBIA, SC 29201-2495 

SOUTH DAKOTA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

2501 W. 22ND STREET

SIOUX FALLS, SD 57105-1305 

TENNESSEE 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

110 NINTH AVENUE, SOUTH

NASHVILLE, TN 37203-3817 

TEXAS 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

6900 ALMEDA ROAD

HOUSTON, TX 77030-4200 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

ONE VETERANS PLAZA

701 CLAY AVENUE

WACO, TX 76799-0001 

UTAH 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

550 FOOTHILL DRIVE

SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84113-1106 

VERMONT 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

215 N. MAIN STREET

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT 05009-0001 

VIRGINIA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

210 FRANKLIN ROAD, SW 

ROANOKE, VA 24011-2204 

WASHINGTON 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

FEDERAL BUILDING

915 SECOND AVENUE

SEATTLE, WA 98174-1060 

WEST VIRGINIA 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

640 4TH AVENUE

HUNTINGTON, WV 25701-1340 

WISCONSIN 

VA REGIONAL OFFICE

5400 W. NATIONAL AVENUE 

MILWAUKEE, WI 53214-3416 

WYOMING 

2360 E. PERSHING BLVD. 

CHEYENNE, WY 82001 

THE DENVER REGIONAL OFFICE SERVES THE STATE OF WYOMING. 

THE LOCAL ADDRESS PROVIDED IS FOR THE BENEFITS OFFICE.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 101 

CONTACTING VA BY TELEPHONE 

COMPENSATION AND PENSION, LOAN GUARANTY, 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT, 

AND GENERAL BENEFITS INFORMATION 1-800-827-1000 * 

EDUCATION 

 1-888-GI BILL 1 * 

 (1-888-442-4551)* 

LIFE INSURANCE 1-800-669-8477 * 

BURIAL HEADSTONES AND MARKERS 1-800-697-6947 * 

HEALTH CARE 1-877-222-8387 *

CHAMPVA 1-800-733-8387 * 

TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR THE DEAF (TDD) 1-800-829-4833 * 

ANNUAL BENEFITS REPORT (OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE

ANALYSIS AND INTEGRITY) 1-202-273-6811 

*Indicates toll-free numbers 

**A MORE EXTENSIVE LISTING OF PHONE NUMBERS, TO INCLUDE SPECIAL HELP LINES, MAY BE FOUND IN THE

2005 EDITION OF THE HANDBOOK FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS. THIS MAY BE 

ACCESSED ONLINE AT http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf.
PAGE 102 CONTACT THE VA 

INTERNET REFERENCES 

VA WEBSITES 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOME PAGE http://www.va.gov 

HEALTH CARE http://www.va.gov/vbs/health/index.htm 

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION http://www.cem.va.gov 

OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS http://www.va.gov/oca/index.htm 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS & SPECIAL EVENTS http://www.va.gov/opa/index.htm 

ABOUT VA http://www.va.gov/about_va/ 

LINKS TO VA ORGANIZATIONS http://www.va.gov/

ONLINE APPLICATIONS http://www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm 

ONLINE FORMS http://www.va.gov/vaforms/ 

FACILITY LOCATOR

http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/

home.asp?isFlash=1 

CONTACT INFORMATION https://iris.va.gov/ 

VETERAN DATA AND INFORMATION http://www.va.gov/vetdata/ 

VBA WEBSITES 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION HOME PAGE http://www.vba.va.gov 

COMPENSATION AND PENSION http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/index.htm 

EDUCATION http://www.gibill.va.gov/ 

LIFE INSURANCE http://www.insurance.va.gov/ 

LOAN GUARANTY http://www.homeloans.va.gov 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm 

*A more extensive listing of websites regarding veterans benefits may be found in the 2005 edition of the 

handbook Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents. This may be accessed online at http://

www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 103 

AID AND ATTENDANCE – An additional 

monetary allowance payable to individuals 

who are : 

 In a nursing home or 

 In need of daily care to help with feeding, 

dressing, or keeping clean. 

APPLICANTS (VR&E) – Veterans who have applied for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services. 

BENEFITS DELIVERY AT DISCHARGE (BDD) – 

Program to assist active duty personnel in filing for VA benefits prior to their separation or 

retirement from active duty. VBA provides 

information about VA benefits and assistance in filing benefit claims. 

BODY SYSTEMS – Title 38, Code of Federal 

Regulations, Part 4, classifies the various 

areas of the body into fifteen (15) different 

systems as follows: 

Musculoskeletal System 

Skin 

Auditory 

Mental Disorders 

Digestive System 

Neurological Conditions and Convulsive 

Disorders 

Cardiovascular System 

Respiratory System 

Endocrine System 

Genitourinary System 

Eye 

Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, 

Nutritional Deficiencies 

Gynecological Conditions 

Dental and Oral Conditions 

Hemic and Lymphatic Systems 

BUYER STATUS – A first-time homeowner or 

previous homeowner. 

CASH SURRENDER – A policyholder, upon request, receives the cash value that accrued 

in his/her life insurance policy, and in return 

surrenders all rights, title, and interest to his/

her basic and/or paid-up additional insurance coverage amounts. 

CHAPTER 31 BENEFITS – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E ) program 

provides benefits and services to veterans 

whose service-connected disabilities prohibit 

them from obtaining and/or maintaining employment. 

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) – VA 

rules and regulations are contained in Title 38 

Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR). The 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs is 

empowered to prescribe all rules and regulations, consistent with existing law, 

necessary or appropriate to carry out the 

laws administered by the Department 

(Section 501, Title 38 USC). 

COMBINED DEGREE – The combined degree 

of disability is expressed as a percentage 

(from zero to 100 in increments of 10) and 

represents the overall disabling effect of a 

veteran’s service-connected disabilities. 

COMPENSABLE ZEROS – Disabilities that are 

independently evaluated at zero percent 

disabling but produce an employment 

handicap to warrant a 10 percent combined disability evaluation. This evaluation 

entitles the veteran to receive disability 

compensation payments. 

COMPUTER SYSTEMS – VBA derives statistical 

data about veterans from multiple sources 

and from various computer systems: e.g. 

VBA Data Warehouse, VBA’S Benefits DelivGLOSSARY
PAGE 104 GLOSSARY

ery Network (BDN), the Beneficiary 

Identification and Records Locator System 

(BIRLS); and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals 

Control and Locator System (VACOLS). 

DENIED ELIGIBILITY (VR&E) – Veterans who 

have been determined ineligible for VR&E 

benefits for reasons such as a lack of a qualifying service connected disability rating. 

DENIED ENTITLEMENT (VR&E) – Veterans who 

have been determined not entitled to VR&E 

services due to a lack of an employment 

handicap or a serious employment handicap. 

DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 

(DEA) – Refers to Dependents’ Educational 

Assistance Program (Chapter 35 of the Title 

38, U.S. Code). See Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. 

DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION (DIC) – A monetary death benefit payable to eligible surviving spouses, children, 

and/or dependent parents. 

DEPENDENTS – Qualifying dependents for VA 

benefit purposes are a veteran’s spouse and 

child (natural child, adopted child, or stepchild). A veteran’s mother or father may also 

be considered a dependent generally if 

there is financial need. 

DIAGNOSTIC CODES – VBA uses codes of 

four digit numeric characters to signify specific medical conditions. These numeric 

codes are in 38 CFR, Part 4. 

DIRECT LOAN - A home loan made by the 

Department of Veterans Affairs directly to 

veterans. This is distinct from guaranteed 

loans, which are made by private lenders 

and guaranteed by VA. 

DISABILITY COMPENSATION – A monetary 

benefit paid to veterans for serviceconnected disability. 

DISABILITY PENSION – A monetary benefit 

paid to wartime veterans who are age 65 or 

older, or permanently and totally disabled as 

the result of a nonservice-connected 

disability. In either case, the veteran’s 

annual income must not exceed the limit set 

by statute in order to qualify for this benefit. 

DIVIDEND - A payment to policyholders in 

participating life insurance programs. It is an 

allocation of program surplus funds representing the return of premiums not needed 

to pay claims and expenses, and a distribution of earnings from investment. Dividends 

are issued annually on the policy anniversary 

date. 

DMDC – The Defense Manpower Data 

Center maintains the largest archive of personnel, manpower, training and financial 

data in the Department of Defense (DoD). 

NO DOWNPAYMENT OPTION – The VA home 

loan guaranty program allows the veteran to 

enter the home buying market with the option of providing no downpayment. This 

option is intended to help the veteran afford 

the purchase of a suitable home. 

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE - A monetary 

benefit to eligible veterans, dependents, 

reservists, and service members while they 

are in an approved training program. 

ELIGIBILITY - VA benefits require that the veteran be discharged from active military ser-
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 105 

vice under “other than dishonorable” conditions. In addition to this general requirement, 

there are specific statutory and regulatory 

requirements for each of the five benefit programs; some of these requirements are described in the sections of this report dealing 

with the respective benefit programs. 

ENTITLED TO SERVICES (VR&E) – Veterans determined to have a disability that presents 

an employment or serious employment 

handicap, and for whom it has been determined that vocational rehabilitation should 

be successful. 

ENTITLEMENT (EDU) – The number of months 

the student is eligible for VA education 

benefits. This number is usually expressed in 

months and days the student will be eligible 

for full-time benefits. Entitlement may vary 

depending on the education program the 

individual qualifies under. In no event will entitlement exceed 48 months under any combination of education programs. 

ENTITLEMENT (C&P) - Once basic eligibility 

 requirements have been met, decisions on 

entitlement for C&P benefits are based on 

statutory and regulatory requirements and 

the evidence of record that documents 

these requirements have been met. 

EVALUATION FOR ENTITLEMENT TO A PROGRAM OF REHABILITATION SERVICES – The 

process used to determine whether the 

veteran’s disabilities cause an employment 

handicap. 

FACE VALUE - That dollar amount of life insurance money that would be paid upon the 

death of the veteran. For some policies, the 

face value can exceed the basic amount of 

the policy because of the option of using 

dividends to purchase "paid-up additions" to 

the policy. 

FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNER – A veteran using his 

home loan entitlement to purchase a home 

for the first time. 

FISCAL YEAR – Any yearly accounting or 

budgetary period without regard to its relationship to the calendar year. 

FISCAL YEAR 2005 – Began October 1, 2004, 

and ended September 30, 2005. The Department of Veterans Affairs operates under 

this schedule for accounting and budgetary 

purposes. 

FORECAST OF PROGRAM LIABILITIES – 

Future liabilities represent payments that the 

government is obligated to deliver in future 

years. This is much like the obligation of a life 

insurance company to pay the face amount 

of a standard policy to beneficiaries at the 

time of the insured person’s death. 

FUNDING FEE – A fee, required by law, 

charged to veterans who obtain a VA guaranteed home loan. 

FSGLI – Family Servicemembers' Group Life 

Insurance was established in 2001 to provide 

service members, who have Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage, 

the opportunity to have life insurance coverage on their spouses and dependent children. 

GUARANTEED LOAN – A loan that is 

federally backed by the VA home loan 

provision. 
PAGE 106 GLOSSARY

HOUSEBOUND – An additional monetary allowance payable to those individuals who 

are confined to their home as a result of a 

permanent disability. 

INDIVIDUAL UNEMPLOYABILITY – Veterans unable to secure and follow a substantially 

gainful occupation by reason of service -

connected disability will be rated totally disabled, provided that the veteran has a 

single disability rated 60 percent or more or a 

combined evaluation of at least 70 percent, 

with one disability ratable at 40 percent or 

higher. 

KICKERS (EDU) – Amounts contributed by 

DoD to an education fund on behalf of participants to encourage enlistment or retention in the Armed Forces. (The military services may use different terms such as "Army 

College Fund" or "Navy College Fund", etc.) 

These amounts are added to any other education benefits to which the person may be 

entitled. Kickers are applicable only to MGIBAD, MGIB-SR, and VEAP. 

LOAN (INS)- An amount borrowed against 

the cash value of a permanent plan life 

insurance policy. 

LOAN DEFAULTED-GUARANTY CLAIM PAID – 

Loan Guaranty term used when the 

borrower defaults on the loan and VA pays 

the loan guaranty claim. 

LOAN GUARANTY PROGRAM – The benefit 

program whereby VA guarantees a portion 

of a loan to lenders to facilitate veterans obtaining a home. 

MATURED ENDOWMENT – The face amount of 

life insurance less any indebtedness that is 

paid to the insured based on the plan of life 

insurance. The proceeds may be paid as a 

lump sum or the insured may request installment payments. 

MGIB-AD – The Montgomery GI Bill-Active 

Duty Educational Assistance Program 

(Chapter 30 of Title 38, U.S. Code) which provides educational assistance to persons who 

served on active duty in the Armed Forces. 

MGIB-SR – The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected 

Reserve Educational Assistance Program 

(Chapter 1606 of Title 10, U.S. Code) which 

provides educational assistance to members 

of the Selected Reserve or the Ready Reserve of any of the reserve components of 

the Armed Forces. 

NSLI - National Service Life Insurance was 

established in 1940 to meet the insurance 

needs of World War II veterans. The program 

closed in 1951. 

ORIGINAL DISABILITY CLAIM – A veteran’s first 

claim for disability benefits, either compensation or pension or both. Any subsequent 

claim is categorized as a reopened or 

 supplemental claim. 

PAID-UP ADDITIONS – Policyholders with 

participating policies can use their annual 

dividends to purchase additional life insurance. Established in 1972, this is the only way 

most policyholders may increase their life insurance coverage amount. 

PARTICIPANTS (VR&E) – Veterans who are 

currently receiving subsistence allowance in 

one of the following VR&E case statuses: extended evaluation, independent living, job 

ready or rehabilitation to employment. 

PEACETIME VETERANS – Veterans who served 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 107 

during a period of time not statutorily defined as a period of war. 

PRISONERS OF WAR (POWs) – Veterans who 

were forcibly detained (confined) by an enemy, foreign government, or hostile force 

while serving in the active military, 

naval or air service. 

PREVIOUS HOMEOWNER – A person who has 

had a previous ownership interest in a home. 

PROTECTED PENSION – The pension program, 

both disability and death, replaced by Section 306 Pension, which in turn was replaced 

by the current pension program under the 

provisions of PL 95-588. Veterans and survivors receiving either Protected Pension or 

Section 306 Pension may continue to receive 

the benefits as long as they continue to 

meet the basic entitlement requirements of 

the respective programs. 

PURCHASE LOAN – A loan made solely for 

the purpose for purchasing a home. 

RANGE OF DISABILITIES – A disability is 

evaluated according to the VA Schedule for 

Rating Disabilities in Title 38, CFR, Part 4. 

Extent of disability is expressed as a percentage from zero percent (for conditions that 

exist but are not disabling to a compensable 

degree) to 100 percent, in increments of 10 

percent. Most disabilities, however, do not 

have every 10 percent increment from zero 

to 100. 

RATING SCHEDULE – 38 CFR, Part 4. 

REGIONAL OFFICE (RO) – A VA field office 

composed of divisions which carry out the 

functions of VBA. Fifty-seven such offices 

exist throughout the United States, the District 

of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the 

 Philippines. 

REHABILITATED (VR&E) – Veterans who have 

successfully found and maintained suitable 

employment or have successfully completed 

the independent living program. 

RESERVIST – A member of a reserve component of one of the armed forces who has potential entitlement to certain VA benefits by 

reason of his or her reserve status, including 

educational assistance under Title 10 of the 

United States Code, Chapter 1606. 

RESTORED ENTITLEMENT (LGY) – Previously 

used entitlement may be restored when a 

property secured by a VA loan is sold and 

the loan is paid in full or when an eligible veteran transferee agrees to assume the outstanding balance on a VA loan and substitute his/her entitlement for the same amount 

originally used on the loan. 

SDVI – Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance 

was established in 1951 to meet the insurance needs of veterans with serviceconnected disabilities. SDVI is open to veterans separated from the service on or after 

April 25, 1951, who receive a serviceconnected disability rating of 0 percent or 

greater. 

SECONDARY MARKET – The financial market 

where mortgages are bought and sold. 

SERVICE-CONNECTED – A disease or injury 

determined to have occurred in or aggravated by military service. 

SERIOUS EMPLOYMENT HANDICAP – A 

significant impairment, caused in part by a 

service-connected disability, in the veteran's 
PAGE 108 GLOSSARY

ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain 

employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. 

SERVICE MEMBER – An individual who is currently serving on active duty. This individual 

is also referred to as “service person”. 

SGLI – Servicemembers Group Life Insurance 

was established in 1965 to meet the insurance needs of service members. 

SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING GRANTS – A 

one-time grant to a seriously disabled veteran to assist in adapting his or her home to 

accommodate limitations caused by the disability. 

SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE (VR&E) – A 

monthly living allowance paid to a qualified 

veteran in a program of vocational rehabilitation. The allowance is generally paid to 

those veterans who are enrolled in education or training programs. The amount is 

based on training time and number of dependents. 

SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL 

ASSISTANCE (DEA) – Under Chapter 35 of Title 

38, U.S. Code, a monetary educational 

benefit payable to eligible dependents and 

survivors of veterans. 

TITLE 38 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS – 

Regulations that pertain to veterans benefits. 

TOTAL DISABILITY INCOME (INS) - An option 

available with some insurance policies that 

provides for monthly payments to policyholders who, prior to their 65th birthday, 

have incurred a mental or physical disability 

which prevents them from performing substantially gainful employment. 

TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY (INS) – 

Total ratings are authorized for any disability 

or combination of disabilities for which the 

Schedule of Rating Disabilities prescribes a 

100 percent evaluation or, where less than 

100 percent, the requirements for Individual 

Unemployability are met. Permanence of total disability is considered to exist when the 

impairment is reasonably certain to continue 

throughout the life of the disabled veteran 

and generally requires no future medical exams. 

TSGLI – The Traumatic Injury Protection Program provides automatic traumatic injury 

coverage to all service members covered 

under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. Every member who 

has SGLI also has TSGLI effective December 

1, 2005. This coverage applies to active duty 

members, reservists, funeral honors duty and 

one-day muster duty. This benefit is also provided retroactively for members who incur 

certain severe losses as a result of a traumatic injury between October 7, 2001, and 

December 1, 2005, if the loss was the direct 

result of injuries incurred in Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom. 

USGLI – United States Government Life Insurance was established in 1919 to meet the 

insurance needs of World War I veterans. This 

program closed in 1940. 

VEAP – The Veterans Educational Assistance 

Program (Chapter 32 of Title 38, U.S. Code) is 

a contributory educational assistance program for Post-Vietnam Era veterans. 

VETERAN - A person who served in the active 

military, naval, or air service, and who was 

discharged or released under conditions 

other than dishonorable. 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 109 

VGLI – Veterans Group Life Insurance was 

established in 1974 to meet the insurance 

needs of veterans after separation from service. 

VMLI – Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance 

was established in 1971 to provide mortgage 

protection life insurance to severely disabled 

veterans who have received grants for the 

purchase of specially adapted housing. 

VR&E – The Vocational Rehabilitation and 

Employment (VR&E) Program is available to 

help service-disabled veterans become employable and live independently. 

VRI – Veterans’ Reopened Insurance was 

established in 1965 to provide insurance 

protection for certain classes of disabled veterans from World War II and the Korean 

Conflict. The program closed in 1966. 

VSLI – Veterans Special Life Insurance was 

established in 1951 to meet the insurance 

needs of veterans who served during the Korean Conflict and post-Korean era. The program closed in 1956. 

ZERO (0) PERCENT DISABILITY – A zero percent 

disability rating means that a disability exists 

and is related to the veteran’s service but is 

not so disabling that it entitles the veteran to 

compensation payments. Also called a noncompensable disability. 
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 110

Summary of FY 2005 Benefits 

 Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 24,387,035

Disability Compensation Recipients 2,640,414

Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs $1,961,873,931

Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs $23,542,487,166

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 201,533

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 816,157

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 1,101,450

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 389,778

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 128,061

Disability Pension Recipients 335,787

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $214,966,363

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $2,579,596,356

Disability Pension by Age under 45 4,081

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 51,663

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 105,467

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 137,958 

 Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 36,180 

 Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 336,347

MGIB-SR Trainees 87,161

DEA Trainees 74,267

VEAP Trainees 611

 Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $1,813,087,135

Total Face Value of Insurance $18,098,769,415

Total Number of Policies 1,648,195

 Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 165,854

Total Loan Amount $24,901,280,923

 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 9,279
PAGE 111 BENEFITS BY STATES

Alabama

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 421,992

Disability Compensation Recipients 57,908 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 42,211,687 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 506,540,246 

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,669

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 19,389

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 26,093

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 6,876

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,850

Disability Pension Recipients 10,127

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $7,649,183

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $91,790,196

Disability Pension by Age under 45 89

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,079

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,111

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 5,221

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,627 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 4,758

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,020

DEA Trainees 2,192

VEAP Trainees 10 

 Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $27,054,561 

 Total Face Value of Insurance $270,066,591 

 Total Number of Policies 22,225 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,764

Total Loan Amount $519,082,810 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 435 
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 112

Alaska 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 66,537

Disability Compensation Recipients 11,723 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 8,105,340 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 97,264,078 

 Disability Compensation by Age under 35 974 

 Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 5,752 

 Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 4,334 

 Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 546 

 Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 112 

 Disability Pension Recipients 316

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $219,613

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $2,635,356

Disability Pension by Age under 45 2

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 86

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 171

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 45

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 12 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 922

MGIB-SR Trainees 181

DEA Trainees 154

VEAP Trainees 2 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $2,435,730

Total Face Value of Insurance $24,314,174

Total Number of Policies 1,995 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,986

Total Loan Amount $414,823,223 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 125
PAGE 113 BENEFITS BY STATES

Arizona

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 552,963

Disability Compensation Recipients 60,656 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 48,014,873 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 576,178,470

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 4,994

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 18,229

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 25,744

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 9,004

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,664

Disability Pension Recipients 5,311

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $3,078,733

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $36,944,796

Disability Pension by Age under 45 76

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 906

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,833

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 2,066

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 430 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 19,862

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,698

DEA Trainees 2,283

VEAP Trainees 13 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $42,001,672

Total Face Value of Insurance $419,273,050

Total Number of Policies 37,499 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 5,804

Total Loan Amount $965,213,895 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 254 
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 114

Arkansas 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 265,532

Disability Compensation Recipients 32,953 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 31,326,586 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 375,919,032

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 2,295

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 10,117

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 14,617

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 4,439

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,471

Disability Pension Recipients 6,067

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $3,545,650

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $42,547,800

Disability Pension by Age under 45 98

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 869

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,742

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 2,543

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 815

 Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,159

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,664

DEA Trainees 1,455

VEAP Trainees 4 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $16,935,625

Total Face Value of Insurance $169,056,389

Total Number of Policies 14,487 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,396

Total Loan Amount $289,014,187 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 181
PAGE 115 BENEFITS BY STATES

California 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 2,257,130

Disability Compensation Recipients 224,314 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 163,585,833 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 1,963,029,995

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 20,457

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 64,243

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 91,905

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 35,356

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 12,254

Disability Pension Recipients 23,446

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $14,567,196

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $174,806,352

Disability Pension by Age under 45 345

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 4,521

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 8,463

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 8,124

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,993 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 34,645

MGIB-SR Trainees 4,484

DEA Trainees 6,664

VEAP Trainees 61 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $184,045,958

Total Face Value of Insurance $1,837,200,919

Total Number of Policies 163,419 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,152

Total Loan Amount $417,925,877 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 541
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 116

Colorado 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 424,029

Disability Compensation Recipients 50,981 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 36,001,215 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 432,014,574

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 4,504

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 18,902

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 20,289

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 5,529

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,746

Disability Pension Recipients 3,692

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,483,451

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $29,801,412

Disability Pension by Age under 45 54

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 715

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,179

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,357

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 387 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 9,090

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,016

DEA Trainees 1,339

VEAP Trainees 13 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $28,815,693

Total Face Value of Insurance $287,646,726

Total Number of Policies 26,008 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 6,122

Total Loan Amount $1,157,135,215 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 330
PAGE 117 BENEFITS BY STATES

Connecticut 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 260,388

Disability Compensation Recipients 20,046 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 12,918,210 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 155,018,522

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,351

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 4,688

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 7,836

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 4,360

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,801

Disability Pension Recipients 1,874

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $850,812

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $10,209,744

Disability Pension by Age under 45 12

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 251

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 531

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 760

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 320 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 1,580

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,071

DEA Trainees 321

VEAP Trainees 5 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $27,510,121

Total Face Value of Insurance $274,614,125

Total Number of Policies 26,664 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 496

Total Loan Amount $94,429,025 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 58
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 118

Delaware 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 79,915

Disability Compensation Recipients 7,962

Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs $5,095,104

Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs $61,141,248

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 530

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 2,773

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 3,271

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 1,098

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 290

Disability Pension Recipients 582

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $331,802

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $3,981,624

Disability Pension by Age under 45 8

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 93

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 189

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 231

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 61 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 647

MGIB-SR Trainees 340

DEA Trainees 208

VEAP Trainees 1 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $6,088,532

Total Face Value of Insurance $60,777,523

Total Number of Policies 5,542 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 796

Total Loan Amount $147,759,773 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 40
PAGE 119 BENEFITS BY STATES

District of Columbia 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 36,056

Disability Compensation Recipients 4,262

Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs $2,870,284

Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs $34,443,408

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 256

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 1,321

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 1,746

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 660

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 279

Disability Pension Recipients 953

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $563,332

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $6,759,984

Disability Pension by Age under 45 8

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 165

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 284

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 428

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 68 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 735

MGIB-SR Trainees 110

DEA Trainees 171

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $3,192,353

Total Face Value of Insurance $31,867,007

Total Number of Policies 2,832 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 41

Total Loan Amount $5,895,926 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 105
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 120

Florida 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 1,768,359

Disability Compensation Recipients 214,525 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 154,014,973 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 1,848,179,677

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 13,642

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 64,351

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 86,998

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 36,843

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 12,641

Disability Pension Recipients 22,066

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $14,736,789

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $176,841,468

Disability Pension by Age under 45 269

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 3,253

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 7,279

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 8,678

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 2,587 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 23,658

MGIB-SR Trainees 3,501

DEA Trainees 4,597

VEAP Trainees 35 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $165,838,498

Total Face Value of Insurance $1,655,448,698

Total Number of Policies 151,339 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 11,133

Total Loan Amount $1,814,801,886 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 596
PAGE 121 BENEFITS BY STATES

Georgia 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 758,963

Disability Compensation Recipients 92,295 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 62,759,942 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 753,119,302

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 7,937

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 38,081

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 35,833

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 8,130

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,284

Disability Pension Recipients 11,422

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $7,344,137

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $88,129,644

Disability Pension by Age under 45 179

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,704

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 3,545

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 4,611

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,383 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 12,892

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,193

DEA Trainees 2,596

VEAP Trainees 16 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $44,256,752

Total Face Value of Insurance $441,783,922

Total Number of Policies 37,176 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 9,060

Total Loan Amount $1,313,640,323 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 301
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 122

Hawaii 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 104,842

Disability Compensation Recipients 14,341 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 10,808,242 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 129,698,908

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 938

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 4,539

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 6,108

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 2,107

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 644

Disability Pension Recipients 752

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $488,029

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $5,856,348

Disability Pension by Age under 45 13

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 157

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 329

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 209

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 44 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,066

MGIB-SR Trainees 559

DEA Trainees 387

VEAP Trainees 4 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $14,875,275

Total Face Value of Insurance $148,489,372

Total Number of Policies 11,864 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 462

Total Loan Amount $128,366,137 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 108
PAGE 123 BENEFITS BY STATES

Idaho 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 132,554

Disability Compensation Recipients 15,850 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 11,963,662 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 143,563,940

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,349

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 4,934

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 6,781

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 2,120

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 656

Disability Pension Recipients 1,486

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $979,319

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $11,751,828

Disability Pension by Age under 45 17

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 207

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 420

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 661

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 181 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 1,453

MGIB-SR Trainees 497

DEA Trainees 367

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $8,298,126

Total Face Value of Insurance $82,834,340

Total Number of Policies 7,394 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,504

Total Loan Amount 206,216,826 
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 124

Illinois 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 874,387

Disability Compensation Recipients 61,558 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 40,030,871 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 480,370,456

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 6,149

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 17,774

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 24,362

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 9,887

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 3,361

Disability Pension Recipients 10,002

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $6,200,640

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $74,407,680

Disability Pension by Age under 45 103

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,652

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 3,629

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 3,797

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 821 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 15,860

MGIB-SR Trainees 4,013

DEA Trainees 1,712

VEAP Trainees 23 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $68,377,079

Total Face Value of Insurance $682,560,132

Total Number of Policies 64,116 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,895

Total Loan Amount $597,629,476 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 238
PAGE 125 BENEFITS BY STATES

Indiana 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 542,505

Disability Compensation Recipients 45,776 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 28,859,917 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 346,319,004

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,437

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 14,281

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 19,150

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 6,897

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,966

Disability Pension Recipients 4,758

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,845,672

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $34,148,064

Disability Pension by Age under 45 58

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 806

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,634

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,870

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 390 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 3,747

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,210

DEA Trainees 960

VEAP Trainees 10 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $26,213,093

Total Face Value of Insurance $261,666,811

Total Number of Policies 24,514 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,236

Total Loan Amount $410,520,029 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 162
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 126

Iowa 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 260,406

Disability Compensation Recipients 20,789 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 14,438,213 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 173,258,560

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,454

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 5,802

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 8,418

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 3,706

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,374

Disability Pension Recipients 3,522

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,343,050

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $28,116,600

Disability Pension by Age under 45 39

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 519

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 987

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,541

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 436 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 3,132

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,849

DEA Trainees 526

VEAP Trainees 6 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $19,177,121

Total Face Value of Insurance $191,431,669

Total Number of Policies 18,740 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 983

Total Loan Amount $123,590,197 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 59
PAGE 127 BENEFITS BY STATES

Kansas 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 241,958

Disability Compensation Recipients 24,407 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 16,367,644 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 196,411,733

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,727

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 7,799

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 10,019

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 3,636

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,210

Disability Pension Recipients 3,104

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $1,956,821

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $23,481,852

Disability Pension by Age under 45 53

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 545

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 976

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,201

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 329 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,901

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,154

DEA Trainees 724

VEAP Trainees 5 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $17,044,849

Total Face Value of Insurance $170,146,698

Total Number of Policies 15,936 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,940

Total Loan Amount $253,562,698 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 89
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 128

Kentucky 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 355,576

Disability Compensation Recipients 40,833 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 32,891,478 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 394,697,733

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,109

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 12,912

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 17,328

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 5,825

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,631

Disability Pension Recipients 6,982

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $4,364,849

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $52,378,188

Disability Pension by Age under 45 63

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 963

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,170

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 3,059

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 727 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 3,239

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,264

DEA Trainees 1,276

VEAP Trainees 7 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $18,622,511

Total Face Value of Insurance $185,895,388

Total Number of Policies 16,412 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,797

Total Loan Amount $351,925,665 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 144
PAGE 129 BENEFITS BY STATES

Louisiana 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 361,757

Disability Compensation Recipients 37,395 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 30,582,783 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 366,993,395

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,315

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 10,802

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 16,629

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 5,185

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,460

Disability Pension Recipients 9,514

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $6,008,727

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $72,104,724

Disability Pension by Age under 45 123

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,336

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,714

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 4,176

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,165 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 4,739

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,514

DEA Trainees 1,640

VEAP Trainees 6 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $22,889,489

Total Face Value of Insurance $228,489,619

Total Number of Policies 19,007 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,541

Total Loan Amount $334,996,067 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 154
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 130

Maine 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 141,416

Disability Compensation Recipients 19,931 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 19,403,159 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 232,837,906

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,354

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 5,894

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 8,976

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 2,815

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 802

Disability Pension Recipients 2,683

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $1,648,349

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $19,780,188

Disability Pension by Age under 45 32

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 457

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 889

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,067

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 238 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 1,003

MGIB-SR Trainees 393

DEA Trainees 740

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $10,872,866

Total Face Value of Insurance $108,536,146

Total Number of Policies 9,503 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 634

Total Loan Amount $93,887,125 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 36
PAGE 131 BENEFITS BY STATES

Maryland 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 478,543

Disability Compensation Recipients 48,915 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 31,196,631 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 374,359,573

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 4,255

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 18,639

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 18,354

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 5,725

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,936

Disability Pension Recipients 3,721

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,253,406

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $27,040,872

Disability Pension by Age under 45 44

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 623

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,289

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,474

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 291 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 8,596

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,213

DEA Trainees 937

VEAP Trainees 16 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $36,410,864

Total Face Value of Insurance $363,463,958

Total Number of Policies 32,832 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,271

Total Loan Amount $624,978,599 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 117
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 132

Massachusetts 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 476,363

Disability Compensation Recipients 54,153 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 37,658,278 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 451,899,338

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 2,477

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 10,347

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 22,241

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 13,921

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 5,147

Disability Pension Recipients 4,287

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,443,352

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $29,320,224

Disability Pension by Age under 45 46

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 707

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,356

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,747

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 431 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,631

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,452

DEA Trainees 1,085

VEAP Trainees 13 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $47,318,479

Total Face Value of Insurance $472,346,983

Total Number of Policies 48,147 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 486

Total Loan Amount $90,964,673 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 98
PAGE 133 BENEFITS BY STATES

Michigan 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 820,485

Disability Compensation Recipients 63,961 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 42,613,020 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 511,356,241

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 4,361

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 16,907

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 27,435

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 11,563

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 3,664

Disability Pension Recipients 8,969

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $6,284,163

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $75,409,956

Disability Pension by Age under 45 145

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,717

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 3,618

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 2,864

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 625 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 6,534

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,897

DEA Trainees 1,369

VEAP Trainees 21 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $49,197,863

Total Face Value of Insurance $491,107,547

Total Number of Policies 47,387 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,249

Total Loan Amount $305,297,784 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 133
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 134

Minnesota 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 418,386

Disability Compensation Recipients 44,921 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 32,591,201 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 391,094,407

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 2,762

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 10,912

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 19,491

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 8,640

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 3,103

Disability Pension Recipients 4,771

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,794,966

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $33,539,592

Disability Pension by Age under 45 40

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 608

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,218

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 2,112

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 793 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 3,886

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,663

DEA Trainees 1,231

VEAP Trainees 13 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $38,977,717

Total Face Value of Insurance $389,087,039

Total Number of Policies 36,474 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,306

Total Loan Amount $220,019,670 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 53
PAGE 135 BENEFITS BY STATES

Mississippi 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 238,279

Disability Compensation Recipients 26,811 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 21,036,141 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 252,433,693

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,574

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 8,226

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 11,855

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 3,998

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,133

Disability Pension Recipients 6,264

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $3,692,632

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $44,311,584

Disability Pension by Age under 45 52

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 657

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,437

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 3,089

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,029 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,018

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,528

DEA Trainees 810

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $14,070,474

Total Face Value of Insurance $140,455,617

Total Number of Policies 11,700 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,918

Total Loan Amount $251,815,068 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 100
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 136

Missouri 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 546,416

Disability Compensation Recipients 51,233 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 37,158,423 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 445,901,081

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,361

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 15,323

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 22,018

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 7,959

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,467

Disability Pension Recipients 8,407

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $5,759,556

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $69,114,672

Disability Pension by Age under 45 71

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,324

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,516

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 3,506

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 990 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 5,295

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,100

DEA Trainees 1,326

VEAP Trainees 16 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $33,102,697

Total Face Value of Insurance $330,440,862

Total Number of Policies 31,749 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,724

Total Loan Amount $507,990,143 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 187
PAGE 137 BENEFITS BY STATES

Montana 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 101,438

Disability Compensation Recipients 13,241 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 10,427,039 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 125,124,466

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,166

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 4,017

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 5,886

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 1,643

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 515

Disability Pension Recipients 1,667

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $1,071,476

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $12,857,712

Disability Pension by Age under 45 12

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 297

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 592

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 611

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 155 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 922

MGIB-SR Trainees 351

DEA Trainees 279

VEAP Trainees 2 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $7,138,398

Total Face Value of Insurance $71,257,587

Total Number of Policies 6,522 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 866

Total Loan Amount $119,454,528 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 74
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 138

Nebraska 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 156,667

Disability Compensation Recipients 17,858 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 14,657,298 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 175,887,575

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,163

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 5,675

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 6,643

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 2,211

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 599

Disability Pension Recipients 2,163

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $1,522,178

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $18,266,136

Disability Pension by Age under 45 35

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 336

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 639

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 904

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 249 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,394

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,078

DEA Trainees 742

VEAP Trainees 5 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $12,151,255

Total Face Value of Insurance $121,297,406

Total Number of Policies 11,796 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,937

Total Loan Amount $279,418,626 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 36
PAGE 139 BENEFITS BY STATES

Nevada 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 244,205

Disability Compensation Recipients 25,999 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 18,641,531 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 223,698,366

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,961

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 8,262

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 11,689

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 3,243

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 839

Disability Pension Recipients 3,100

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $1,966,715

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $23,600,580

Disability Pension by Age under 45 38

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 560

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,193

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,123

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 186 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,785

MGIB-SR Trainees 415

DEA Trainees 540

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $13,789,974

Total Face Value of Insurance $137,655,580

Total Number of Policies 11,930 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,465

Total Loan Amount $287,688,973 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 84
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 140

New Hampshire 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 129,281

Disability Compensation Recipients 14,528 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 10,063,653 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 120,763,830

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 940

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 4,177

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 6,526

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 2,219

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 658

Disability Pension Recipients 1,004

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $678,890

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $8,146,680

Disability Pension by Age under 45 4

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 129

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 272

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 447

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 152 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 760

MGIB-SR Trainees 234

DEA Trainees 289

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $9,938,542

Total Face Value of Insurance $99,209,455

Total Number of Policies 9,125 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 389

Total Loan Amount $72,011,534 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 48
PAGE 141 BENEFITS BY STATES

New Jersey 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 563,953

Disability Compensation Recipients 48,800 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 32,660,636 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 391,927,632

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 2,483

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 9,796

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 20,514

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 11,556

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 4,445

Disability Pension Recipients 3,318

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,022,694

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $24,272,328

Disability Pension by Age under 45 32

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 470

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 962

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,456

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 398 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 3,074

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,341

DEA Trainees 838

VEAP Trainees 10 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $58,826,985

Total Face Value of Insurance $587,228,282

Total Number of Policies 56,785 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,243

Total Loan Amount $223,104,564 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 75
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 142

New Mexico 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 178,070

Disability Compensation Recipients 26,182 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 27,020,380 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 324,244,557

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,593

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 7,469

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 12,378

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 3,610

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,109

Disability Pension Recipients 3,044

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $1,920,695

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $23,048,340

Disability Pension by Age under 45 58

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 489

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,004

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,191

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 302 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,812

MGIB-SR Trainees 612

DEA Trainees 1,468

VEAP Trainees 5 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $15,204,884

Total Face Value of Insurance $151,779,631

Total Number of Policies 12,481 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,676

Total Loan Amount $390,795,262 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 79
PAGE 143 BENEFITS BY STATES

New York 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 1,132,703

D Disability Compensation Recipients 104,510 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 72,052,884 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 864,634,609

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 6,658

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 23,108

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 44,092

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 21,776

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 8,810

Disability Pension Recipients 15,567

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $8,962,539

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $107,550,468

Disability Pension by Age under 45 215

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 2,399

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 4,987

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 6,334

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,632 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 8,059

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,996

DEA Trainees 2,538

VEAP Trainees 27 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $110,688,003

Total Face Value of Insurance $1,104,920,225

Total Number of Policies 106,706 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,510

Total Loan Amount $287,910,713 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 237
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 144

North Carolina 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 761,894

Disability Compensation Recipients 99,194 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 78,877,989 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 946,535,866

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 8,536

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 37,072

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 40,582

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 10,425

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,510

Disability Pension Recipients 10,568

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $5,873,391

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $70,480,692

Disability Pension by Age under 45 101

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,417

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,698

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 4,987

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,365 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 10,462

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,812

DEA Trainees 3,505

VEAP Trainees 15 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $49,612,297

Total Face Value of Insurance $495,244,553

Total Number of Policies 41,246 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 11,453

Total Loan Amount $1,551,023,305 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 315
PAGE 145 BENEFITS BY STATES

North Dakota 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 54,208

Disability Compensation Recipients 7,492 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 5,139,028 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 61,668,336

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 649

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 2,251

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 3,135

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 1,024

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 428

Disability Pension Recipients 991

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $566,935

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $6,803,220

Disability Pension by Age under 45 6

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 124

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 276

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 452

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 133 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 729

MGIB-SR Trainees 897

DEA Trainees 254

VEAP Trainees 2 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $4,543,472

Total Face Value of Insurance $45,354,272

Total Number of Policies 4,310 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 559

Total Loan Amount $64,879,857 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 27
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 146

Ohio 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 1,032,095

Disability Compensation Recipients 84,578 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 53,230,425 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 638,765,099

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 6,182

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 24,788

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 34,485

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 14,389

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 4,692

Disability Pension Recipients 14,808

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $10,049,556

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $120,594,672

Disability Pension by Age under 45 237

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 3,122

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 5,836

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 4,589

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,024 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 8,048

MGIB-SR Trainees 4,189

DEA Trainees 1,733

VEAP Trainees 23 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $65,260,247

Total Face Value of Insurance $651,446,991

Total Number of Policies 62,436 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 4,644

Total Loan Amount $642,349,333 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 243
PAGE 147 BENEFITS BY STATES

Oklahoma 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 351,072

Disability Compensation Recipients 50,547 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 49,006,651 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 588,079,808

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,857

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 14,815

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 23,267

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 6,730

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,838

Disability Pension Recipients 8,166

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $6,517,981

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $78,215,772

Disability Pension by Age under 45 109

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,257

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,816

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 3,176

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 808 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 5,160

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,506

DEA Trainees 2,171

VEAP Trainees 7 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $22,881,121

Total Face Value of Insurance $228,406,086

Total Number of Policies 19,071 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,723

Total Loan Amount $441,563,728 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 260
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 148

Oregon 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 362,104

Disability Compensation Recipients 38,687 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 34,389,509 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 412,674,102

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,367

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 11,254

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 16,846

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 5,382

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,801

Disability Pension Recipients 5,854

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $4,200,816

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $50,409,792

Disability Pension by Age under 45 61

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,150

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,142

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,971

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 530 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 3,551

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,033

DEA Trainees 1,164

VEAP Trainees 9 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $23,721,940

Total Face Value of Insurance $236,799,389

Total Number of Policies 21,517 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 2,078

Total Loan Amount $338,516,212 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 226
PAGE 149 BENEFITS BY STATES

Pennsylvania 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 1,117,004

Disability Compensation Recipients 90,704 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 62,498,879 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 749,986,546

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 5,633

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 21,767

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 37,735

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 19,023

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 6,529

Disability Pension Recipients 14,384

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $9,916,000

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $118,992,000

Disability Pension by Age under 45 165

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 2,048

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 4,675

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 5,818

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,678 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 6,788

MGIB-SR Trainees 4,088

DEA Trainees 2,099

VEAP Trainees 23 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $90,439,477

Total Face Value of Insurance $902,793,474

Total Number of Policies 90,450 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,444

Total Loan Amount $479,429,987 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 262
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 150

Rhode Island 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 88,735

Disability Compensation Recipients 9,743 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 7,572,218 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 90,866,610

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 513

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 2,193

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 3,955

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 2,215

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 856

Disability Pension Recipients 979

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $624,265

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $7,491,180

Disability Pension by Age under 45 9

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 141

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 312

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 401

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 116 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 611

MGIB-SR Trainees 318

DEA Trainees 249

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $7,511,498

Total Face Value of Insurance $74,981,981

Total Number of Policies 7,651 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 131

Total Loan Amount $26,312,547 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 40
PAGE 151 BENEFITS BY STATES

South Carolina 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 411,987

Disability Compensation Recipients 49,716 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 37,738,604 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 452,863,253

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,827

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 17,337

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 21,954

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 5,254

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,307

Disability Pension Recipients 7,170

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $4,731,770

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $56,781,240

Disability Pension by Age under 45 65

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 843

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,060

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 3,270

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 932 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 4,251

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,547

DEA Trainees 1,508

VEAP Trainees 8 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $27,519,827

Total Face Value of Insurance $274,711,016

Total Number of Policies 23,124 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 3,746

Total Loan Amount $552,238,512 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 261
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 152

South Dakota 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 72,196

Disability Compensation Recipients 9,969 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 7,552,399 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 90,628,792

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 790

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 3,252

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 4,238

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 1,215

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 435

Disability Pension Recipients 1,706

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $1,063,343

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $12,760,116

Disability Pension by Age under 45 18

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 205

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 431

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 816

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 236 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 708

MGIB-SR Trainees 927

DEA Trainees 253

VEAP Trainees 2 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $5,707,082

Total Face Value of Insurance $56,969,773

Total Number of Policies 5,424 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 691

Total Loan Amount $93,858,414 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 73
PAGE 153 BENEFITS BY STATES

Tennessee 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 536,574

Disability Compensation Recipients 59,274 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 44,685,056 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 536,220,669

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 4,621

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 20,427

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 25,012

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 6,913

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 1,860

Disability Pension Recipients 9,788

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $6,076,215

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $72,914,580

Disability Pension by Age under 45 98

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,355

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 2,940

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 4,223

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,172 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 5,358

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,299

DEA Trainees 1,475

VEAP Trainees 10 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $29,234,633

Total Face Value of Insurance $291,828,707

Total Number of Policies 24,486 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 5,691

Total Loan Amount $751,848,074 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 298
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 154

Texas 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 1,667,370

Disability Compensation Recipients 222,588 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 175,844,458 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 2,110,133,499

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 20,433

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 72,362

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 94,988

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 26,601

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 8,099

Disability Pension Recipients 26,911

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $17,576,459

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $210,917,508

Disability Pension by Age under 45 417

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 4,603

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 8,775

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 10,378

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 2,738 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 30,141

MGIB-SR Trainees 4,361

DEA Trainees 7,091

VEAP Trainees 35 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $112,252,591

Total Face Value of Insurance $1,120,538,403

Total Number of Policies 94,058 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 22,119

Total Loan Amount $2,912,357,624 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 760
PAGE 155 BENEFITS BY STATES

Utah 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 148,958

Disability Compensation Recipients 15,005 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 10,498,051 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 125,976,606

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,337

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 4,660

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 6,066

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 2,225

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 716

Disability Pension Recipients 1,228

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $742,166

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $8,905,992

Disability Pension by Age under 45 18

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 223

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 419

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 465

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 103 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,152

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,703

DEA Trainees 635

VEAP Trainees 3 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $11,124,297

Total Face Value of Insurance $111,046,010

Total Number of Policies 10,655 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,799

Total Loan Amount $285,756,963 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 176
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 156

Vermont 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 56,743

Disability Compensation Recipients 5,374 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 4,332,712 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 51,992,544

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 333

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 1,504

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 2,407

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 843

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 283

Disability Pension Recipients 585

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $319,712

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $3,836,544

Disability Pension by Age under 45 3

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 84

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 205

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 245

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 48 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 339

MGIB-SR Trainees 161

DEA Trainees 117

VEAP Trainees 1 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $4,346,293

Total Face Value of Insurance $43,385,976

Total Number of Policies 3,835 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 118

Total Loan Amount $19,037,477 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 25
PAGE 157 BENEFITS BY STATES

Virginia 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 744,459

Disability Compensation Recipients 100,074 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 64,215,414 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 770,584,966

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 7,706

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 41,417

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 38,673

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 9,509

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,694

Disability Pension Recipients 6,443

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $3,625,037

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $43,500,444

Disability Pension by Age under 45 69

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 977

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,896

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 2,805

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 696 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 15,371

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,049

DEA Trainees 2,242

VEAP Trainees 20 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $52,224,051

Total Face Value of Insurance $521,315,847

Total Number of Policies 45,176 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 9,044

Total Loan Amount $1,582,658,702 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 308
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 158

Washington 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 625,408

Disability Compensation Recipients 83,315 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 63,554,892 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 762,658,706

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 7,119

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 30,765

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 33,992

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 8,718

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,702

Disability Pension Recipients 5,327

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $3,486,318

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $41,835,816

Disability Pension by Age under 45 100

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 1,120

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,998

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,683

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 426 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 8,457

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,678

DEA Trainees 2,185

VEAP Trainees 16 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $41,497,510

Total Face Value of Insurance $414,240,356

Total Number of Policies 36,778 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 7,029

Total Loan Amount $1,308,538,005 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 361
PAGE 159 BENEFITS BY STATES

West Virginia 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 185,221

Disability Compensation Recipients 22,075 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 20,843,592 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 250,123,104

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,615

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 5,555

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 10,861

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 3,164

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 848

Disability Pension Recipients 4,552

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $2,969,860

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $35,638,320

Disability Pension by Age under 45 61

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 757

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,616

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 1,772

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 346 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 2,513

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,096

DEA Trainees 729

VEAP Trainees 2 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $11,271,815

Total Face Value of Insurance $112,518,575

Total Number of Policies 9,422 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 639

Total Loan Amount $93,269,970 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 76
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 160

Wisconsin 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 466,054

Disability Compensation Recipients 44,614 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 32,871,648 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 394,459,774

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 3,838

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 12,947

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 18,651

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 6,910

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,256

Disability Pension Recipients 5,604

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $3,690,516

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $44,286,192

Disability Pension by Age under 45 62

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 963

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,759

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 2,133

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 687 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 3,159

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,506

DEA Trainees 978

VEAP Trainees 10 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $37,506,310

Total Face Value of Insurance $374,399,024

Total Number of Policies 36,130 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 1,978

Total Loan Amount $285,038,026 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 208
PAGE 161 BENEFITS BY STATES

Wyoming 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 54,341

Disability Compensation Recipients 6,132 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 4,269,870 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 51,238,436

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 507

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 2,059

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 2,633

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 732

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 198

Disability Pension Recipients 534

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $320,325

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $3,843,900

Disability Pension by Age under 45 8

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 96

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 189

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 190

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 51 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 674

MGIB-SR Trainees 249

DEA Trainees 143

VEAP Trainees 1 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $3,296,289

Total Face Value of Insurance $32,904,532

Total Number of Policies 2,909 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 678

Total Loan Amount $104,783,845 
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 162

Philippines 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 0

Disability Compensation Recipients 5,111

Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs $487,814

Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs $58,461,768

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 38

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 602

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 1,063

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 1,236

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 2,172

Disability Pension Recipients 827

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $904,778

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $10,857,336

Disability Pension by Age under 45 4

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 38

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 321

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 208

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 256 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 288

MGIB-SR Trainees 0

DEA Trainees 44

VEAP Trainees 0 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $606,644

Total Face Value of Insurance $6,055,694

Total Number of Policies 441 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 17
PAGE 163 BENEFITS BY STATES

Puerto Rico 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 128,322

D Disability Compensation Recipients 19,790 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 20,717,602 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs 248,611,223

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 989

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 6,035

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 9,114

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 3,012

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 612

Disability Pension Recipients 13,536

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $7,504,125

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $90,049,500

Disability Pension by Age under 45 27

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 473

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 1,728

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 9,420

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 1,888 

Education

MGIB-AD Trainees 806

MGIB-SR Trainees 1,569

DEA Trainees 1,670

VEAP Trainees 4 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $5,885,589

Total Face Value of Insurance $58,751,682

Total Number of Policies 4,408 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 486

Total Loan Amount $61,974,837 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Number of Veterans Obtaining Suitable Employment 66
 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 164

All Other (Includes other U.S. Territories and Foreign) 

Compensation and Pension

Estimated Veteran Population 130,236

Disability Compensation Recipients 16,815 

 Estimated Monthly Disability Compensation Costs 10,978,138 

 Estimated Annual Disability Compensation Costs $131,737,656

Disability Compensation by Age under 35 1,448

Disability Compensation by Age 35-54 7,654

Disability Compensation by Age 55-74 6,234

Disability Compensation by Age 75-84 1,175

Disability Compensation by Age 85 and over 304

Disability Pension Recipients 885

Estimated Monthly Disability Pension Costs $627,379

Estimated Annual Disability Pension Costs $7,528,548

Disability Pension by Age under 45 10

Disability Pension by Age 45-54 67

Disability Pension by Age 55-69 217

Disability Pension by Age 70-84 453

Disability Pension by Age 85 and over 138 

Education*

MGIB-AD Trainees 27,927

MGIB-SR Trainees 2,562

DEA Trainees 258

VEAP Trainees 50 

Insurance

Life Insurance Payments $5,282,113

Total Face Value of Insurance $52,727,603

Total Number of Policies 4,362 

Loan Guaranty

Number of Loans 22

Total Loan Amount $3,979,008
1979 

1998 

1993 

1999 

1981 

1984 

1978 

1985 

 FROM THE FRONT COVER: 

 VETERANS’ DAYS POSTERS 1979—2005 

 1996 1989 1983 1991 1992 1994

 2004 2000 2003 1980 2001 2005

 1997 

 1982 

 1986 

 1995 

 2002 

 1993 

 1987 

 1988 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans Benefits Administration 

810 Vermont Avenue N.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20420 

Internet Homepage http://www.vba.va.gov

You may obtain additional copies of this report by calling the Office of Performance 

Analysis and Integrity at (202) 273-6811. You may also access this report through our 

Internet Homepage http://www.vba.va.gov/reports.htm.