As students prepare to head back to school, tens of thousands of veterans in Texas are taking advantage of education benefits they earned through military service. According to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), the state currently leads the nation in the number of veterans utilizing VA education benefits. With 79,525 veterans and their dependents enrolled, Texas accounts for over half of the national total of 156,530 people using the G.I. Bill. For veterans having trouble understanding disability ratings and education benefits, consulting our Texas VA disability compensation lawyer can help make sure they maximize the support they have earned.
The TVC also reports that Texas leads in the number of beneficiaries using Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA). This benefit is available to dependents or surviving spouses of veterans who died, were captured or missing, or have been permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected causes. Of the nearly 80,000 Texans using veteran education benefits, 29,710 are utilizing DEA, illustrating how interconnected disability ratings and educational benefits can be. Tom Palladino, TVC Executive Director and Army veteran, highlighted that veteran disability ratings can directly impact a dependent’s eligibility for educational support, emphasizing the importance of proper claims management.
Institutions like Austin Community College provide dedicated Veterans Resource Centers to support veterans, active-duty members, and military families. ACC offers programs that assist students in transitioning from military service to civilian life, from first-day guidance to post-graduation employment assistance. The college has been recognized for its efforts, receiving the Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Gold Award in 2024. Programs like these demonstrate the value of combining education benefits with professional advocacy, particularly when dealing with disability compensation and claims.
How Contacting A Lawyer Can Help
For veterans, understanding the difference between partial and total unemployability is essential, especially when their service-connected disabilities limit their ability to work. Our VA disability claims lawyers help veterans establish eligibility for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which allows those with severe service-connected conditions to receive compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if their official rating is lower. Some TDIU ratings are temporary, addressing short-term inability to maintain employment due to worsening conditions, while others are permanent, reflecting long-term or progressive disabilities.
Working with our military disability lawyers can help make sure that veterans present medical evidence and vocational assessments properly to the VA. When claims are initially denied or TDIU ratings are adjusted, our VA appeals attorneys advocate for veterans during the appeal process, making sure they receive the full compensation and benefits they have earned. Understanding these distinctions can have significant implications for both financial stability and access to educational or dependent benefits tied to disability ratings.
Veterans across the United States trust our Texas VA disability compensation attorneys because they know we have the skills and experience needed to handle their case. We have countless 5-star reviews from clients who weren’t receiving the appropriate amount of compensation for their disability claims—until they contacted us. Although we’re based in Dallas, we take on cases all throughout the United States, so don’t wait to reach out.
Our Texas VA disability compensation attorneys assist veterans with TDIU claims, appealing reductions or denials, and making sure that service-connected disabilities are accurately recognized for benefits purposes. Whether you are seeking partial or total unemployability, our team provides the guidance needed to maximize your VA benefits, including how your disability rating may affect dependent education assistance and other programs. Contact Glover Luck LLP today to discuss how our team can help you secure the benefits and support you deserve.