RATES OF PENSION AUTHORIZED BY LAW, CLASSIFIED AND TABULATED. Rates for "Total disability." 66 The words "total disability" found in section 4695, Revised Statutes, are at the present time construed as meaning a disability equivalent to anchylosis of a wrist." The rates referred to are governed by the rank held at the date of incurrence of disability, and are as follows: 17.00 15.00 8.00 First lieutenant, assistant surgeon, deputy provost marshal, and quartermaster___ Second lieutenant and enrolling officer.. All enlisted men--. NAVY AND MARINE CORPS. Captain and all officers of higher rank, commander, lieutenant commanding, and master commanding, surgeon, paymaster, and chief engineer ranking with commander by law, lieutenant colonel, and all of higher rank in Marine Corps-- 30.00 Lieutenant, passed assistant surgeon, surgeon, paymaster, and chief engineer ranking with lieutenant by law, and major in Marine Corps 25.00 Master (now lieutenant, junior grade), professor of mathematics, assistant surgeon, assistant paymaster, and chaplain, and captain in Marine Corps 20.00 First lieutenant in Marine Corps- 17.00 First assistant engineer, ensign, and pilot, and second lieutenant in 15.00 Cadet midshipmen, passed midshipmen, midshipmen clerks of admirals, 10. 00 8.00 Rate of pension for widow. The rate as fixed by section 4702, Revised Statutes, for a widow whose husband's death was due to his service is the same as the rate for "total disability" of the husband, and is determined by the rank of the deceased husband at the date of incurrence of the fatal disability, as shown in the above table. These rates for "total disability" and for widows have long since become relatively unimportant, because of subsequent legislation as to rates for various disabilities and increased rates for widows without reference to rank in service. The rate for total deafness is $13 from June 4, 1872; $30 from August 27, 1888; and $40 from January 15, 1903. The rate of $30 is divisible for lesser degrees of deafness. What is known as an "intermediate rate" of $50 per month is created by the act of July 14, 1892, for a degree of disability requiring frequent and periodical but not constant aid and attendance. NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING TABLE. The act of September 1, 1922, contains a provision which allows a rate of $100 per month on account of total disability of both hands or both feet, if due to causes originating in line of duty in service in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, or Chinese Boxer Rebellion. The rate provided by law for such disability incurred in service other than in the wars named, is $31.25 as fixed by the act of June 4, 1872. In such cases a rate of $72 might be allowed, however, if the disability was such as to require regular aid and attendance (first grade). As shown in the table a rate of $72 per month may be allowed from June 17, 1878, on account of a disability requiring regular aid and attendance of another person. This is true, however, only in cases in which the rate of $50 had been granted prior to June 16, 1880, under the act of June 18, 1874. The rate of $72 for such degree of disability in all cases is granted by the act of June 16, 1880. The expressions "first grade," "second grade,” and “third grade,” describing rates of pension for certain degrees of disability, were formerly in general use, and are still applied in some cases. These expressions are believed to have had their origin in the act of June 6, 1866, in which three degrees of disability are described, (a) disability requiring regular aid and attendance, for which a rate of $25 was provided; (b) disability resulting in incapacity to perform manual labor, for which a rate of $20 was provided; and (c) disability equivalent to the loss of a hand or foot, for which a rate of $15 per month was provided. These three degrees of disability appear to have constituted what was known as first, second, and third grade. This theory as to the origin of "grade rates" is strengthened somewhat by the fact that in section 4 of the act of March 3, 1873, it is provided "That all persons who under like circumstances have lost a leg above the knee and in consequence thereof are so disabled that they can not use artificial limbs, shall be rated in the second class and receive $24 per month," and this language is repeated in section 4698 of the Revised Statutes. The rate for incapacity to perform manual labor (second grade) had been increased by act of June 4, 1872, from $20 to $24. The amputation described was of course not a "second grade” disability, but the act of March 3, 1873, directed that it “be rated in the second class." The recognized rate of pension at the present time for "first grade" is $72 per month; for "second grade," $30 per month; and for "third grade," $24 per month. Table of maximum rates at the present time for disabilities specified by law. Amputation at shoulder or hip joint, or so near joint as to prevent use Inability to perform, manual labor (second grade) –– Disability equivalent to loss of hand or foot (third grade) Table of rates fixed by the Commissioner of Pensions for certain disabilities not specified by law. 40.00 30.00 24.00 Per month. Severe deafness of one ear and slight of the other____ 10.00 15.00 20.00 22.00 Total deafness of one ear and severe of the other___ 25.00 Deafness of both ears existing in a degree nearly total______ 27.00 Loss of palm of hand and all the fingers, the thumb remaining.... 17.00 Inguinal hernia which does not pass through the external ring--- 12.00 Double inguinal hernia, each of which passes through the eternal ring--- 17.00 Double inguinal hernia, one of which passes through the external ring and other does not. 15.00 Double inguinal hernia, neither of which passes through the external ring. 12.00 Femoral hernia 15.00 Section 4699, Revised Statutes, provides that the rate of $18 per month may be proportionately divided for any degree of disability established for which section 4695 makes no provision. The act of August 27, 1888, provides a $30 rate for total deafness and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant such proportion thereof in cases of partial deafness as he may deem equitable. Act January 15, 1903, increases rate for total deafness to $40. Rates on partial degrees not affected. The act of March 2, 1895, provides that "All pensioners now on the rolls, who are pensioned at less than six dollars per month, for any degree of pensionable disability, shall have their pensions increased to six dollars per month; and that, hereafter, whenever any applicant for pension would, under existing rates, be entitled to less than six dollars for any single disability or several combined disabilities such pensioner shall be rated at not less than six dollars per month." Rates based on service in different wars. SURVIVORS. Indian wars: Per month. Acts of July 27, 1892, June 27, 1902, and May 30, 1908_. $8.00 20.00 Act of March 4, 1917. 20.00 Mexican War: Act January 29, 1887. 8.00 Acts January 5, 1893, and April 23, 1900, certain survivors_. 12.00 Act March 3, 1903, all survivors___. 12.00 Act February 6, 1907 At 62 years- At 70 years_. At 75 years__ Act of May 11, 1912. Act of May 1, 1920_. Act of May 1, 1920, if requiring regular aid and attendance_. Civil War: Act June 27, 1890, in its original form, and also as amended by the act of May 9, 1900-- 12.00 15.00 20.00 30.00 50.00 72.00 Act February 6, 1907 At 62 years At 70 years- At 75 years_. Act of May 11, 1912. Act June 10, 1918- Act May 1, 1920.. Act May 1, 1920, if requiring regular aid and attendance__ War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion: Survivors, act of June 5, 1920---. Civil War: ARMY NURSES. 6 to 12. 00 12.00 15.00 20.00 13 to 30.00 30 to 40. 00 50.00 72.00 12 to 30. 00 Act Aug. 5, 1892 Act May 1, 1920_. War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion: Act June 5, 1920, and Sept. 1, 1922. $12.00 30.00 12 to 30. 00 |