If you are a Reservist or National Guard member and become injured or ill, you may wonder whether you can receive VA disability benefits. This post explains the rules surrounding eligibility for these payments.
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Not everyone in the military serves full-time. Some people choose to be in the military part-time as a Reservist or National Guard member, remaining active if they’re needed for combat or an emergency while still living and working as civilians. But what happens if they’re injured or become ill during required training? Does the National Guard get VA benefits? Can Reservists get VA disability?
In this article about National Guard VA benefits:
Reserves vs. National Guard
The Reserves and National Guard are both part-time military assignments that people enlist in to back up active duty service members when necessary. Both Reserve and National Guard members are trained, qualified military personnel available during emergencies, like war or a national security crisis. But the two programs are different.
The federal government pays a Reservist for drilling and annual training, and they tend to work full-time as civilians when they’re not fulfilling their military duties. They are more likely to fill positions alongside active duty military, including those overseas, during emergencies.
Reservists go to basic training like active duty military. They’re then required to complete annual training for up to two weeks. They can also receive special training, depending on their areas of interest and skills.
Like Reservists, National Guard members are also paid for basic training and drilling, and many have civilian jobs. The main difference between Guard soldiers and Reservists is that National Guard members serve a dual mission and can be called on by the state or federal government. Reservists, however, do not have a state mission and are not called on to respond to natural disasters like floods or hurricanes, for example.
Does the National Guard get VA benefits?
Both National Guard and Reserve members can receive VA benefits. Eligibility for these benefits depends on factors like the type of service they provide, whether it’s active or inactive, and for how long.
For example, Reservists or National Guard members with a disability that developed or worsened during active duty or active duty training can qualify for VA disability benefits just as a veteran from any other branch may.
However, a Reservist or National Guard veteran who was on weekend drill, or inactive duty for training, when their injury or disease was incurred or aggravated, the disability must have resulted from an injury, heart attack, or stroke.
Once a person is discharged from the National Guard or Reserves, they are eligible for VA disability benefits if they meet certain criteria. Those criteria are:
- Completing six years of honorable service
- Received an honorable discharge
- Have a diagnosable medical condition
- Be able to service-connect the condition that developed during active duty or within a year of discharge
Can I collect VA disability while in the Reserves or National Guard?
Traditional Reservists and National Guard members are eligible to receive VA disability compensation. However, they cannot collect VA disability payments for the same time period that they receive military pay. This is usually verified at the end of the year when the VA sends a notice to National Guard members or Reservists asking them to confirm or contest the number of days they collected military pay for the previous year.
It’s important to note that service members who are Active Guard Reserve, Active Duty Operational Support, or Title-10 will be receiving full-time military pay and must immediately stop collecting VA compensation, or they will become indebted to the federal government.
Because navigating VA benefits can be confusing, especially for National Guard and Reserve members, it may be beneficial to hire an accredited VA disability lawyer who can help you through the process and make sure you’re receiving the benefits you’re owed.
“From the day we contacted [Woods & Woods], they made us feel so comfortable. They treated us like we mattered and we were not just clients but family.”
L.B., a Navy veteran and wife in Florida
How Woods & Woods can help
At Woods & Woods, we focus on helping non-working veterans with service-connected conditions get individual unemployability benefits and, in some cases, increased ratings. We also help survivors of veterans receive their DIC benefits. If you think we can help you with your claim, call us today for a free case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we take and win your case.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, Reservists can get VA disability benefits if they meet their training requirements or are on active duty and can service connect the condition. That means they must be able to prove that training or active duty caused or worsened the condition.
Yes, National Guard members can get VA disability benefits if they meet their training requirements or are on active duty and can service connect the condition. That means they must be able to prove that training or active duty caused or worsened the condition.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
