Members of the military may be eligible for both Social Security disability benefits and Veterans’ benefits from the Veterans’ Administration.
Veterans who are applying for benefits from the VA must show that their injuries are connected to their military duty. Benefits are paid by on a graduated scale depending on the severity of the disability. The Social Security Administration only requires you to prove that your injury or disability lasted for 12 months or is expected to last for at least 12 months or end in your death for you to qualify for benefits. Benefits are not linked to the duration of your service or whether your injury or disability is the result of your participation in combat duty. These are the key differences between disability benefits paid out by the Veterans Administration and the disability benefits paid out by the Social Security Administration under the Social Security Disability Insurance program.
Additionally, the Social Security Administration also provides for the expedited processing of claims of veterans who have suffered serious injuries or disabilities. For instance, the 100% Permanent and Total Veterans Initiative allows veterans who have a 100% disability rating from the Veterans Administration to have their disability claims processed quickly and without delay.