Eligibility for Disability Pension     Veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled, or are age 65 and older, may be eligible for monetary support if they have 90 days or more of active military service, at least one day of which was during a period of war. (Veterans who entered active duty on or after Sept. 8, 1980, or officers who entered active duty on or after Oct. 16, 1981, may have to meet a longer minimum period of active duty). The veteran’s discharge must have been under conditions other than dishonorable and the disability must be for reasons other than the veteran’s own willful misconduct.        Payments are made to bring the veteran’s total income, including other retirement or Social Security income, to a level set by Congress. Un-reimbursed medical expenses may reduce countable income for VA purposes.          Improved Disability Pension       Congress establishes the maximum annual improved disability pension rates. Payments are reduced by the amount of countable income of the veteran, spouse or dependent children. When a veteran without a spouse or a child is furnished nursing home or domiciliary care by VA, the pension is reduced to an amount not to exceed $90 per month after three calendar months of care. The reduction may be delayed if nursing-home care is being continued to provide the veteran with rehabilitation services.                 The dates of eligibility are as follows:                  12/07/1941 – 12/31/1946 World War II 06/27/1950 – 01/31/1955 Korean War 08/05/1964 – 05/07/1975 Vietnam War 08/02/1990 Open Gulf War (includes: Gulf War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom)              A VA Pension is NOT an entitlement. It is a benefit for which a veteran might be eligible. It is important that veterans not plan their financial circumstances around the potential approval of a VA pension. It can take up to a year or longer to obtain a decision on a claim, and nothing can be done to speed up this adjudication process. Non Service-Connected Pension             What is it? 2009 VA Improved Disability Pension Rates If you are a veteran... Maximum Annual Rate Without Spouse or Child $11,830 With One Dependent $15,493 Permanently Housebound, No Dependents $14,457 Permanently Housebound, One Dependent $18,120 Needing regular aid and attendance, No Dependents $19,736 Needing regular aid and attendance, One Dependent $23,396 Two Vets Married to Each Other $15,493 Increase for each additional dependent child $2,020