Rating Levels
A detailed breakdown of compensation rates, combined-rating math, and programs that may consider a rating alongside their own eligibility rules.
Compensation
2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Monthly payments effective December 1, 2025, based on the combined rating. At 30% and above, VA may add compensation for qualifying dependents on the award.
| Rating | Veteran Only | With Spouse | Spouse + Child | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Service connection is established for the rated condition |
| 10% | $180.42 | $180.42 | $180.42 | Tax-free monthly compensation at the current rate |
| 20% | $356.66 | $356.66 | $356.66 | Tax-free monthly compensation at the current rate |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $666.47 | VA may add compensation for a qualifying spouse, child, or dependent parent |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $947.84 | VA may add compensation for qualifying dependents |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $1,322.90 | Tax-free compensation at the current 50% rate |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $1,663.02 | A single 60% rating may meet one schedular TDIU percentage route |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $2,074.45 | A combined 70% rating may meet a schedular TDIU route when at least one disability is 40% |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $2,406.15 | Tax-free compensation at the current 80% rate |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $2,704.30 | Tax-free compensation at the current 90% rate |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $4,318.99 | Compensation at the current 100% schedular rate |
| 100% P&T | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $4,318.99 | The compensation rate is the same as the 100% schedular rate |
- With spouse:
- $0.00
- +Child:
- $0.00
- Service connection is established for the rated condition
- VA health care enrollment and priority use separate eligibility rules
- Care for a service-connected condition may be exempt from copays
- With spouse:
- $180.42
- +Child:
- $180.42
- Tax-free monthly compensation at the current rate
- If enrolled, a 10% or 20% rating generally falls in Priority Group 3
- May support federal hiring preference; federal rules still apply
- With spouse:
- $356.66
- +Child:
- $356.66
- Tax-free monthly compensation at the current rate
- If enrolled, a 10% or 20% rating generally falls in Priority Group 3
- Care for a service-connected condition may be exempt from copays
- With spouse:
- $617.47
- +Child:
- $666.47
- VA may add compensation for a qualifying spouse, child, or dependent parent
- If enrolled, a 30% or 40% rating generally falls in Priority Group 2
- Monthly compensation depends on recognized dependents
- With spouse:
- $882.84
- +Child:
- $947.84
- VA may add compensation for qualifying dependents
- If enrolled, a 30% or 40% rating generally falls in Priority Group 2
- Automobile and adapted-housing benefits require specific disabilities
- With spouse:
- $1,241.90
- +Child:
- $1,322.90
- Tax-free compensation at the current 50% rate
- If enrolled, a 50% or higher rating generally falls in Priority Group 1
- CRDP may apply to qualifying military retirees; retirement rules apply
- With spouse:
- $1,566.02
- +Child:
- $1,663.02
- A single 60% rating may meet one schedular TDIU percentage route
- TDIU also requires inability to secure or follow substantially gainful work due to service-connected disabilities
- Compensation may include qualifying dependents
- With spouse:
- $1,961.45
- +Child:
- $2,074.45
- A combined 70% rating may meet a schedular TDIU route when at least one disability is 40%
- TDIU still requires inability to secure or follow substantially gainful work due to service-connected disabilities
- VA dental eligibility is not created by a 70% rating alone
- With spouse:
- $2,277.15
- +Child:
- $2,406.15
- Tax-free compensation at the current 80% rate
- Compensation may include qualifying dependents
- TDIU requires separate percentage and unemployability findings
- With spouse:
- $2,559.30
- +Child:
- $2,704.30
- Tax-free compensation at the current 90% rate
- Compensation may include qualifying dependents
- TDIU requires separate percentage and unemployability findings
- With spouse:
- $4,158.17
- +Child:
- $4,318.99
- Compensation at the current 100% schedular rate
- May qualify for Class IV VA dental care; dental rules still apply
- If enrolled, a 50% or higher rating generally falls in Priority Group 1
- With spouse:
- $4,158.17
- +Child:
- $4,318.99
- The compensation rate is the same as the 100% schedular rate
- A qualifying dependent may apply for CHAMPVA if not eligible for TRICARE
- A qualifying spouse or child may apply for Chapter 35 DEA
Rates increase annually
VA compensation rates are adjusted each year for cost of living (COLA). The rates shown here are the 2026 rates, effective December 1, 2025. Your actual payment may also include Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for specific conditions like loss of use of a limb.
VA Math
How Combined Ratings Work
VA uses its Combined Ratings Table rather than ordinary addition, then converts the final value to the nearest number divisible by 10.
The Formula
VA orders evaluations from highest to lowest and combines them successively under its table. Values ending in 5 are adjusted upward during the final conversion. Your decision letter contains the official combined evaluation.
- Example 1Ratings: 50% + 30%
Start at 50% disabled (50% healthy). Apply 30% to the remaining 50% healthy = 15%. Total: 50% + 15% = 65%. VA rounds to 70%.
Combined Rating: 70%
- Example 2Ratings: 40% + 20% + 10%
Start at 40% (60% healthy). 20% of 60% = 12%. Now 52% (48% healthy). 10% of 48% = 4.8%. Total: 56.8%. VA rounds to 60%.
Combined Rating: 60%
- Example 3Ratings: 70% + 50%
Start at 70% (30% healthy). 50% of 30% = 15%. Total: 70% + 15% = 85%. VA rounds to 90%.
Combined Rating: 90%
Use the math to check, not to chase ratings
An additional service-connected evaluation may or may not change the rounded combined result. Claim and review decisions should be based on the condition, facts, evidence, and applicable deadline— not on a projected payment or a desired threshold.
Thresholds
Programs That May Use a Rating Threshold
A rating can be one input for compensation, health, family, retirement, or state programs. Each program still applies its own rules.
Threshold 0%
Service connected at a noncompensable rate
- No monthly disability payment for that rating
- Health-care enrollment and priority remain a separate determination
- Care for the service-connected condition may be exempt from copays
Threshold 10%+
Compensation begins
- Tax-free monthly compensation at the current rate
- Federal hiring preference may apply under separate rules
- You may apply for VR&E; VA decides entitlement separately
Threshold 30%+
Dependent compensation may begin
- Additional pay may be available for a qualifying spouse, child, or dependent parent
- VA must recognize each dependent before adding compensation
- Other family, military-access, and retirement programs use separate criteria
Threshold 50%+
Priority Group 1 if enrolled in VA health care
- Tax-free compensation at the current rating and dependent level
- CRDP may apply to qualifying military retirees
- Clothing allowances and state tax programs have separate eligibility rules
Threshold 100%
Compensation at the 100% schedular rate
- May qualify for Class IV VA dental care
- If enrolled, Priority Group 1 health-care rules apply
- Non-VA emergency care still requires separate coverage and notification review
Threshold 100% P&T
A separate permanent-and-total finding
- Qualifying dependents may apply for CHAMPVA or Chapter 35 DEA
- Federal student-loan discharge may apply under separate rules
- Routine future exams are generally not scheduled for static or permanent conditions, but review is still possible
TDIU
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability
If your service-connected conditions prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may be eligible for TDIU. This pays you at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is lower.
Common schedular paths:
- One disability rated at 60% or higher, including qualifying grouping rules, OR
- A 70% or higher combined rating with one disability rated at least 40%, including qualifying grouping rules
- Service-connected disabilities must prevent substantially gainful employment
Cases below those percentage paths may still be considered under the extraschedular process. VA Form 21-8940 collects work and education history; VA may request employer information on Form 21-4192. TDIU and permanent-and-total status are separate determinations.
TDIU focuses on work impact
Employment status alone does not decide TDIU. VA reviews the functional effects of service-connected disabilities along with work, education, and training history. Part-time work is not automatically marginal, and unemployment does not automatically establish eligibility.
Housing
VA Home Loan Benefits
A VA-backed purchase loan may be available when you qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility, meet VA and lender credit and income standards, and will occupy the home. A disability rating is not a general loan-eligibility requirement, but compensation status can affect the funding fee.
Key benefits:
- A no-down-payment option — often available when the sales price is not above the appraised value and lender requirements are met
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — VA-backed purchase loans do not require monthly PMI or MIP
- Potentially competitive terms — compare offers because private lenders set rates and underwriting terms
- No prepayment penalty — pay off early with no fees
- Reusable benefit — it may be used again when entitlement and other requirements allow
- Limited closing costs — VA rules limit certain charges, while other closing costs still apply
How to get started:
- 1.Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — apply online at VA.gov, through a lender, or by mail with VA Form 26-1880
- 2.Compare private lenders that offer VA-backed loans. Rates, fees, credit standards, and service can differ.
- 3.Review the lender's preapproval, the property requirements, appraisal, purchase agreement, and closing costs before committing.
Funding fee
Funding-fee rates currently range from 0.5% to 3.3% depending on loan type, down payment, and prior use. Borrowers receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability—and certain others listed by VA—are exempt. Have the lender verify the exemption before closing.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)
Veterans and service members with a qualifying service-connected disability may receive up to $126,526 for FY 2026 to buy, build, or adapt a permanent home under current SAH rules.
Special Housing Adaptation (SHA)
Veterans and service members with a qualifying service-connected disability may receive up to $25,350 for FY 2026 under current SHA ownership and use rules.
Verify the loan and grant rules at VA.gov
A Certificate of Eligibility confirms service-based home-loan eligibility, not lender approval or a particular rate. Compare the total cost with other loan options, and check current funding-fee exemptions and adapted-housing grant criteria before relying on an estimate. Learn more at VA.gov → (opens in new tab)
Next Steps
Use the rating as one input, then verify the separate rules for the program or next step you want to explore.
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