VA Floats One-Time Disability Payment Idea

The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking at the possibility of changing lower-rated disability compensation from monthly checks to one-time lump sum settlements. On the one hand, this could preclude veterans with less-severe disabilities from overloading the system with repeated claims in an attempt to increase their disability ratings. On the other hand, it invites several administrative problems that American Legion spokesman Donald Mooney told the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee needed to be overcome. If the one-time settlement is final, for example, then a veteran whose service-connected condition later deteriorates would be ineligible for an increase. Or if the veteran died later of service-connected causes, the question is whether the surviving spouse should receive benefits. Another situation would arise if the VA should assign an inaccurate disability rating that should be corrected.