TSGLI Benefits Complete Guide: Schedule of Losses, Claims & Payment Amounts

If you suffered a traumatic injury during military service, you may be entitled to a lump-sum payment of up to $100,000 through TSGLI — one of the most underutilized military benefits available. This guide explains what TSGLI is, who qualifies, how the schedule of losses works, and exactly how to file your claim.

What Is TSGLI?

Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) is a rider attached to every Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy. It provides automatic traumatic injury protection to all servicemembers covered by SGLI, paying between $25,000 and $100,000 for qualifying injuries that result in specific losses.

TSGLI was established by Congress in 2005 to provide immediate financial assistance to servicemembers who suffer severe traumatic injuries. Unlike VA disability compensation (which provides ongoing monthly payments), TSGLI is a one-time lump-sum payment designed to help with the immediate financial impact of a traumatic injury.

Key Facts About TSGLI

• Coverage period: October 7, 2001 through the present for injuries related to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; December 1, 2005 onward for all other qualifying injuries
• Cost: Approximately $1/month (automatically deducted with SGLI premiums)
• Payment range: $25,000 to $100,000 depending on the severity of loss
• Taxability: TSGLI payments are tax-free
• Separate from VA disability: You can receive TSGLI and VA disability compensation simultaneously

Who Qualifies for TSGLI Benefits?

To qualify for a TSGLI claim, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. You were insured by SGLI at the time of the traumatic injury
2. You suffered a scheduled loss within a specified time period after the traumatic event (usually 2 years, though some losses allow longer)
3. The loss was a direct result of a traumatic injury — not caused solely by disease or illness
4. You survived at least 7 full days after the traumatic event

Who Is Automatically Covered?

Almost every active-duty servicemember and reservist is covered. This includes:

• Active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force
• Members of the Ready Reserve and National Guard
• Members of the Commissioned Corps of NOAA and the Public Health Service
• Cadets and midshipmen at service academies

TSGLI Schedule of Losses and Payment Amounts

The TSGLI schedule of losses determines how much you'll receive based on the type and severity of your injury. Payments range from $25,000 to $100,000.

Losses Paying $100,000

• Total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes
• Loss of both hands at or above the wrist
• Loss of both feet at or above the ankle
• Loss of one hand and one foot
• Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with inability to perform at least 2 activities of daily living (ADLs) for 120+ consecutive days
• Coma or persistent vegetative state for 15+ consecutive days
• Burns covering 30%+ of the body or 30%+ of the face

Losses Paying $50,000–$75,000

• Loss of one hand or one foot
• Total and permanent loss of sight in one eye
• Total and permanent loss of hearing in both ears
• Loss of thumb and index finger of the same hand
• Quadriplegia, paraplegia, or hemiplegia for 120+ consecutive days
• Inability to perform at least 2 ADLs for 120+ consecutive days due to traumatic injury

Losses Paying $25,000–$50,000

• Total and permanent loss of speech
• Total and permanent loss of hearing in one ear
• Loss of one or more fingers (depending on which fingers)
• Hospitalization for 15+ consecutive days due to a traumatic injury (when certain conditions are met)
• Inability to perform 1 ADL for 30+ consecutive days

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

The six ADLs that TSGLI considers are:

1. Bathing — Ability to bathe independently
2. Dressing — Ability to dress and undress
3. Eating — Ability to feed yourself
4. Toileting — Ability to use the toilet
5. Transferring — Ability to move in and out of bed or a chair
6. Continence — Ability to control bowel and bladder function

Common Qualifying Injuries and Conditions

Many veterans don't realize their injuries qualify for TSGLI. Here are frequently overlooked qualifying conditions:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from IED blasts, vehicle accidents, or falls
• Severe burns from combat, training accidents, or vehicle fires
• Amputations from combat injuries, training accidents, or motor vehicle accidents
• Paralysis from spinal cord injuries sustained in service
• Loss of sight or hearing from blast exposure, chemicals, or traumatic events
• Internal organ damage requiring extended hospitalization
• Severe fractures requiring surgery and extended inability to perform ADLs

Time Limits for Filing TSGLI Claims

Understanding the filing deadlines is critical:

• Active-duty members: Must file within 2 years of the date of the traumatic injury (with some exceptions)
• Separated veterans: Claims can be filed at any time after separation, but the injury must have occurred during a period of SGLI coverage
• Retroactive claims (injuries between October 7, 2001 and December 1, 2005): These can still be filed for combat-related injuries from OEF/OIF

There is no statute of limitations for TSGLI claims for veterans who have already separated from service. If you suffered a qualifying injury during your time in service and never filed, you can still submit a claim today.

How to File a TSGLI Claim Step by Step

Step 1: Obtain the Application

Download SGLV 8600 (Application for TSGLI Benefits) from the VA's website or request it from your branch of service.

Step 2: Complete Part A (Servicemember/Veteran Section)

Fill out your personal information, details about the traumatic event, and the specific losses you experienced. Be thorough and specific about dates, locations, and circumstances.

Step 3: Have Your Doctor Complete Part B

A licensed physician must complete Part B of the form, documenting your injuries and losses. This section requires:

• Description of the traumatic injury
• Diagnosis and prognosis
• Specific scheduled losses and their duration
• Whether the loss is total and permanent

Step 4: Gather Supporting Documentation

Include the following with your claim:

• Medical records documenting the traumatic injury and treatment
• Line of duty determination (if available)
• DD-214 (for separated veterans)
• Incident reports or after-action reports (if applicable)
• Buddy statements from witnesses to the traumatic event

Step 5: Submit Your Claim

Submit the completed SGLV 8600 and supporting documents to your branch of service:

• Army: U.S. Army Human Resources Command
• Navy/Marines: Navy Personnel Command
• Air Force/Space Force: Air Force Personnel Center
• Coast Guard: Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center

Step 6: Wait for Decision and Appeal if Needed

Processing typically takes 90 to 120 days. If your claim is denied, you have one year to appeal to your branch of service. If the appeal is denied, you can request a final review by the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI).

How TSGLI Interacts with Other VA Benefits

TSGLI is completely separate from the VA disability compensation system. Here's how it fits with other benefits:

Your TSGLI payment will not reduce any other benefit you receive. It is a standalone insurance benefit.

Find All the Benefits You Qualify For

A traumatic injury during service often qualifies you for far more than just TSGLI. Depending on your disability rating and circumstances, you may also be eligible for VA disability compensation, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), adapted housing grants, automobile grants, and many state-specific benefits.

Use the Veterans Benefits Finder to build your complete benefits profile. By entering your disability rating, service details, and state of residence, you'll see every federal and state benefit you're entitled to — including benefits many veterans never discover on their own.