VA Disability
How VA disability benefits interact with SDI and LTD
VA Disability and SDI/LTD
Many pilots are veterans with a VA disability rating. The short version: VA disability never reduces your CA SDI, and service-connected VA disability usually doesn't reduce your Hartford LTD either.
What Offsets What
| Benefit | Offsets SDI? | Offsets LTD? |
|---|---|---|
| VA disability (service-connected) | No | Usually no |
| VA pension (non-service-connected) | No | Possibly |
| Social Security Disability (SSDI) | No | Yes |
The LTD side is where the distinction matters. Service-connected VA disability is typically not offset by Hartford; a non-service-connected VA pension may be. Because policies vary, request your specific LTD policy and read its offset provisions — if Hartford applies an offset to service-connected compensation, that may be grounds for appeal. If Hartford asks about your VA benefits, answer what the policy requires and be clear about which benefits are service-connected.
Your Rating Doesn't Decide Eligibility
SDI is based on your inability to do your regular work, not on a VA percentage — you can hold a 100% VA rating and still qualify (or not) for SDI on separate criteria. Hartford likewise applies its own policy definition of "disabled"; your VA rating is evidence, not a determination.
How It Stacks
Because LTD offsets SDI but not service-connected VA disability, all three can pay at once:
VA disability: $2,000/month (unchanged)
SDI: $7,000/month (unchanged)
LTD (gross): $17,500 − $7,000 SDI = $10,500/month
Total: $19,500/month
Keep your VA rating decision letters and payment records, noting the service-connected vs. non-service-connected split, along with any Hartford correspondence about VA benefits.
Next Steps
- Calculator — estimate your benefits
- How Offset Is Calculated — LTD offset details
- Contacts — VA Benefits Hotline and other resources