More Than $1 Billion in VA Compensation and Pension Provided to Missouri’s Veterans in 2010

According to 2010 fiscal year data recently released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), more than $1 billion in compensation and pension payments were awarded to veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents in Missouri, according to a department release.

This is an increase of $115 million from the previous year. Compensation and pension funds are veterans’ compensation for service-connected disability; dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected death; veterans’ pension for non service-connected disabilities; and burial and other benefits to veterans and their survivors.

“These payments are just a small part of what is owed for those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Larry D. Kay, Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, in a press release. “Not only do these funds help improve the quality of life of the Veteran or family member, they help support the local economy as well.”

Total expenditure reports for the fiscal year which ended September 30, 2010 showed the VA spent more than $2.28 billion in Missouri, according to the release, including $121 million on Veterans education and employment, and $977 million on medical care while treating 130,997 Veterans at VA medical centers and outpatient clinics throughout the state.

If you are a Veteran, or the spouse or dependent of a Veteran and would like to know which benefits you may be eligible for, contact the Missouri Veterans Commission at 1-866-VET-INFO or online at www.mvc.dps.mo.gov.

Approximate compensation and pension amounts by county are below:

• St. Louis County - $117,895,000
• St. Louis City - $40,589,000
• St. Charles County- $38,311,000