TSGLI

According to the Army's benefits website (myarmybenefits.us.army.mil), the TSGLI coverage pays a benefit between $25,000 and $100,000 depending on the loss directly resulted from the traumatic injury.

Third, and, most surprisingly, given the significant new benefit (TSGLI) being offered in early 2006, the timing of the injury was not associated with financial strain.

This means any service member who suffered serious traumatic injuries while serving stateside or in other areas outside of OEF/OIF during this time period is eligible for TSGLI.

This is welcome news for the many Service members who suffered serious traumatic injuries while serving stateside or in other areas outside of OEF/OIF during this time period, but until now have not been eligible for TSGLI.

TSGLI coverage includes all servicemembers--active-duty, as well as inactive Reserve and Guard.

TSGLI covers a range of losses including amputations; limb salvage; paralysis; burns; loss of sight, hearing or speech; facial reconstruction; 15-day continuous hospitalization; coma; and loss of activities of daily living due to traumatic brain injury or other traumatic injuries.

Although VA data show that 63 percent of servicemembers with traumatic brain injury were approved for TSGLI, the actual approval rate may be lower, and DOD and VA lack assurance that claim decisions are accurate, consistent, and timely within and across the branches of service.

A retroactive provision of the law provides that any service member, who suffered a qualifying loss between October 7, 2001, and December 1, 2005, will receive a benefit under the TSGLI program, if the loss was a direct result of injuries incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In order to qualify for TSGLI benefits, an injury must qualify as a "scheduled loss." This means that he loss must be contained on the TSGLI program's schedule of compensable injuries, as TSGLI only pays for significant losses.

Another important change to the TSGLI program is the payment of a $25,000 benefit to servicemembers hospitalized for 15 consecutive days as a result of a traumatic injury.

Servicemembers enrolled in SGLI will receive the TSGLI proceeds if they sustain a traumatic injury on or after December 1, 2005 that results in a qualifying loss.

TSGLI is not disability compensation and has no effect on entitlement for compensation and pension benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs or disability benefits provided by the Department of Defense.