The federal government supports a number of benefits for qualified former members of the Armed Forces (veterans). Some of these benefits are targeted to veterans who, in the course of service, incurred or aggravated an injury or contracted a disease (service-disabled veterans). This report discusses major benefits that are provided to individual service-disabled veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In some cases, it may omit smaller VA programs. This report divides benefits into four categories: 1. Disability compensation is monthly payments for veterans who have been determined to have a service-connected disability. 2. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits typically support service-disabled veterans in obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. 3. Housing grants and benefits can assist veterans in modifying their homes to accommodate a service-connected disability. 4. Other grants and benefits are available to qualified subsets of service-disabled veterans, including grants for automobiles or clothing. Table 1 summarizes the programs discussed in this report. As the table shows, the programs vary in both funding levels and the number of beneficiaries served. In addition to the programs described in this report, service-disabled veterans also are typically eligible for programs that are available to the broader veteran population. This report does not discuss benefits that are available to both service-disabled and non-service disabled veterans, such as health benefits. To be considered a veteran with a service-connected disability, a former member of the Armed Forces must first meet the statutory definition of veteran . As provided in statute, a veteran is "a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable." In general, a person must have served a minimum period of active duty, other than active duty for training; served the full period for which the person was called to active duty; or incurred a service-connected disability while on active duty or active duty for training to be considered a veteran for the purposes of most federal benefits. A service-connected disability is a physical or mental injury or condition that was "incurred or aggravated" in the line of military duty and that results in a disability. In addition, a disability incurred or aggravated while receiving VA-sponsored medical treatment or vocational rehabilitation is considered service-connected. A disability is based on the inability of "the body as a whole, or of the psyche, or of a system or organ of the body to function under the ordinary conditions of daily life including employment." A service-connected disability need not be connected to combat or service during a period or war. The VA determines a disability rating (from 0% to 100%) for a veteran using the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). The VASRD is a series of schedules for each system in the human body provided in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). For example, for a disability related to the eye, 38 CFR §§ 4.75-4.78 provides information on how to evaluate various functions of the eye and visual impairments. 38 CFR § 4.79 provides the specific schedule that assigns a disability rating (0% to 100%) for each specific condition and set of symptoms and other factors. To continue the eye example, if a veteran has a detached retina, this condition could be rated from 10% to 60% based on the schedule. If the veteran's detached retina results in "incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 1 week, but less than 2 weeks, during the past 12 months," then the rating would be 10%; or "incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months," then the rating would be 60%. If a veteran has more than one rated disability, then the ratings are not added together but rather combined using the formula provided in regulation. Veterans Disability Compensation (VDC) is a monthly cash payment to a veteran with a service-connected disability. The payment is determined by the veteran's disability rating and number of dependents, including a spouse. A veteran is eligible for VDC if the veteran has a service-connected disability rated as at least 10% disabling. A rating of at least 60% based on one disability or two or more disabilities with one disability rated at least 40% and a combined rating of at least 70% can be elevated to a rating of 100%, if the veteran is unable to work at a "substantially gainful occupation" due to service-connected disabilities. VDC is paid as a monthly cash benefit. Benefit levels increase at higher disability ratings. For example, in 2017, a single veteran with no spouse or dependents is eligible for a monthly VDC benefit of $133.57 for a 10% rating; $838.64 for a 50% rating, and $2,915.55 for a 100% rating. Benefits are not automatically adjusted for annual increases in the cost-of-living. However, generally, legislation has been enacted annually to increase VDC benefits using the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). For ratings of 30% or above, benefits are increased if the veteran has a spouse or other dependents. A VDC beneficiary may also receive additional Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) if his or her disability results in a loss or loss of use of an extremity or organ or if the disability renders him or her housebound or in need of daily aid and attendance of another person. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides employment-related services to veterans with a service-connected disability and an employment handicap. The program also provides independent living services for qualified veterans who may not be able to seek employment. To be entitled to VR&E benefits, a veteran must have both (1) a qualified disability rating and (2) a qualifying employment handicap determined by a VA vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC). A veteran with a disability rating of 20% or more is entitled to VR&E benefits if the VRC determines the veteran has an employment handicap. A veteran with a disability rating of 10% may qualify for benefits only if the VRC determines the veteran has a serious employment handicap. In general, a veteran must complete a VR&E program within 12 years of separation from the military or within 12 years of the date the VA notifies the veteran that he or she has a compensable service-connected disability. An entitled veteran works with a VRC to develop a plan for attaining suitable employment and the services necessary to realize that plan. The VR&E program supports a wide range of costs associated with completing an employment plan, including tuitions, fees, books, supplies, and supportive services. If the veteran requires training or education to become employable, the veteran receives a subsistence allowance while enrolled in training. In cases where employment is not possible, the VR&E program may provide independent living services or supplies or equipment related to independent living. VR&E benefits are generally limited to 48 months, although the benefit period can be extended in certain circumstances. Several VA grants are available to assist veterans who have service-connected disabilities with their housing-related needs. The Veterans Benefits Administration operates the Specially Adapted Housing Program, consisting of two subgrants. The program provides grants to veterans and servicemembers with certain service-connected disabilities to assist them in constructing, purchasing, or remodeling homes to fit their needs. The Veterans Health Administration administers the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant to assist veterans who have both service- and non-service-connected disabilities in making their homes accessible. Within the Specially Adapted Housing Program are two similarly named grant programs for veterans and active duty servicemembers. The first, sometimes referred to as the Specially Adapted Housing grant (SAH, or Section 2101(a) grant, after the section of Title 38 of the U.S. Code), is targeted to veterans with mobility impairments, and the second, sometimes referred to as the Special Housing Adaptation grant (SHA, or Section 2101(b) grant) assists veterans who are blind or who have lost the use of their hands. The grant limits for the first category of adapted housing are higher than for the second, and both types of adapted housing are available to veterans and servicemembers with severe burn injuries. Both grants are also available to make changes to the home of a family member with whom a veteran or servicemember is residing temporarily. A veteran or servicemember may use the SAH and SHA grants up to three times, as long as total funding received does not exceed grant limits. SAH grants are available to veterans and servicemembers with permanent and total service-connected disabilities that satisfy the statutory disability criteria. The statute provides that the disability criteria are satisfied by veterans and servicemembers who have lost (or lost the use of) both lower extremities and require the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair for locomotion. blindness in both eyes and lost (or lost the use of) at least one lower extremity. lost (or lost the use of) one lower extremity together with either (1) residuals of an organic disease or injury or (2) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, resulting in the required use of a cane, crutches, braces, or wheelchair for locomotion. lost (or lost the use of) both upper extremities such that they cannot use their arms at or above the elbows. severe burn injuries. SAH grants are also available to veterans and servicemembers with a permanent service-connected disability who have lost (or lost the use of) one or more lower extremities in which the loss so affects balance and propulsion as to require the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair for ambulating.