Yes, Reservists and National Guard Members can and do receive VA Disability Compensation with no regard to the percentage of their disability rating.

Reservists and National Guard Members normally serve 63 drill days per military calendar year: 48 drill days total for weekends and 15 drill days of training.   For the 63 days, you can only collect compensation from one source, either the Department of Defense or the Veterans Administration.   Unless deployed, each year you will have to submit a “VA Form 21-8951-2” to waive compensation from either the Department of Defense or the Veterans Administration for the 63 drill days served as either a Reserve or National Guard.  Most Reservists and National Guard Members chose to waive the VA Disability Monthly Compensation and choose to select the Department of Defense income for the 63 drill days. In the majority of cases, the Department of Defense payment rate for the 63 drill days is far better than 63 days of VA Disability Monthly Compensation pay rate.

The “VA Form 21-8951-2” is completed with your Unit Commander or Designee after the end of the military calendar year. Since the military calendar year ends on September, 30th, you would file after September 30th each year. Make sure your actual days of service match the record of days served in the Commander’s file. If there is a discrepancy of days served, then make the correction with your Commander or Designee before finalizing your waiver for submission to the VA. The Reservists and National Guard Members must submit their form to the VA within 60 days of completion. The VA, after processing the form and the attached information, will suspend your VA Disability Compensation for 63 days. Prior to the suspension, you will receive a letter from the VA. The VA letter will state the effective start and end dates for the 63 day suspension of your VA Disability Compensation. After the end date of your VA Disability Compensation suspension, your compensation benefit will resume at the amount prior to the suspension.