0%–100% P&T · Full breakdown
Rating Levels
A detailed breakdown of every VA disability rating — what benefits unlock, what you'll receive, and what each level means for your life.
Compensation
2025 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Tax-free monthly payments based on your combined rating. Rates increase with dependents at 30% and above.
| Rating | Veteran Only | With Spouse | Spouse + Child | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | VA healthcare enrollment |
| 10% | $175.51 | $175.51 | $175.51 | Tax-free monthly compensation |
| 20% | $346.95 | $346.95 | $346.95 | Increased monthly compensation |
| 30% | $537.42 | $601.42 | $648.42 | Additional pay for dependents begins at 30% |
| 40% | $774.16 | $859.16 | $922.16 | Annual automobile allowance (if applicable) |
| 50% | $1,102.04 | $1,208.04 | $1,287.04 | Over $1,100/month tax-free |
| 60% | $1,395.93 | $1,523.93 | $1,617.93 | TDIU eligibility (single condition at 60%+) |
| 70% | $1,759.19 | $1,908.19 | $2,018.19 | TDIU eligibility (combined rating 70%+) |
| 80% | $2,044.89 | $2,214.89 | $2,340.89 | Approaching maximum compensation |
| 90% | $2,297.96 | $2,489.96 | $2,630.96 | Near-maximum monthly compensation |
| 100% | $3,831.30 | $4,044.91 | $4,201.35 | Maximum monthly compensation (over $3,800/month) |
| 100% P&T | $3,831.30 | $4,044.91 | $4,201.35 | Everything at 100% plus: |
- ✓VA healthcare enrollment
- ✓Service-connected treatment at no cost
- ✓Presumptive conditions recognized
- ✓Tax-free monthly compensation
- ✓VA healthcare (Priority Group 3)
- ✓10-point federal hiring preference
- ✓Increased monthly compensation
- ✓VA healthcare with no copays for SC conditions
- ✓Vocational rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
- ✓Additional pay for dependents begins at 30%
- ✓Commissary and exchange access
- ✓Space-A military flights
- ✓Annual automobile allowance (if applicable)
- ✓Adaptive housing grants
- ✓Increased dependent compensation
- ✓Over $1,100/month tax-free
- ✓Additional clothing allowance eligibility
- ✓Increased adaptive housing benefits
- ✓TDIU eligibility (single condition at 60%+)
- ✓Increased benefits for each dependent
- ✓Most state property tax reductions
- ✓TDIU eligibility (combined rating 70%+)
- ✓Many states offer full property tax exemption
- ✓Enhanced VA dental eligibility
- ✓Approaching maximum compensation
- ✓Full property tax exemption in many states
- ✓Additional state-specific benefits unlock
- ✓Near-maximum monthly compensation
- ✓Full property tax exemption in most states
- ✓Strong eligibility for TDIU if unable to work
- ✓Maximum monthly compensation (over $3,800/month)
- ✓Free VA dental care
- ✓No copays for any VA services
- ✓Everything at 100% plus:
- ✓ChampVA healthcare for dependents
- ✓Chapter 35 DEA education for dependents
Rates increase annually
VA compensation rates are adjusted each year for cost of living (COLA). The rates shown here are the 2025 rates. 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 math is not simple addition. Your ratings are combined using a formula that accounts for your remaining 'healthy' body.
The Formula
The VA starts with your highest rated condition. Each additional rating is applied to the remaining “healthy” portion of your body, not the total. The result is rounded to the nearest 10%.
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%
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%
Start at 70% (30% healthy). 50% of 30% = 15%. Total: 70% + 15% = 85%. VA rounds to 90%.
Combined Rating: 90%
Why this matters
Because of VA math, adding a new 10% condition when you're already at 90% only adds about 1% to your combined total. But adding a 30% condition when you're at 50% adds a significant jump. Understanding this helps you prioritize which conditions to claim and appeal.
Thresholds
Benefits That Unlock at Each Level
Key benefits unlock at specific rating thresholds. Know which milestones matter for your situation.
Service-connected but no compensation
- ✓VA healthcare enrollment
- ✓Free treatment for service-connected conditions
Compensation begins
- ✓Tax-free monthly payments
- ✓10-point federal hiring preference
- ✓Vocational rehabilitation (VR&E Chapter 31)
Dependent benefits begin
- ✓Additional pay for spouse, children, parents
- ✓Commissary and exchange access
- ✓CRDP for military retirees
Enhanced benefits
- ✓Over $1,100/month
- ✓Clothing allowance for prosthetics
- ✓Most state property tax reductions
Maximum benefits
- ✓Over $3,800/month
- ✓Free dental care
- ✓No VA copays
- ✓Emergency non-VA care covered
Maximum + permanent benefits
- ✓ChampVA for dependents
- ✓Chapter 35 DEA education
- ✓Student loan discharge
- ✓No re-evaluations ever
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.
Eligibility requirements:
- ✓One condition rated at 60% or higher, OR
- ✓Combined rating of 70% or higher with at least one condition at 40%+
- ✓Your service-connected conditions must prevent you from working
File using VA Form 21-8940. Include work history, education, and how your conditions prevent employment. TDIU can be permanent (P&T) if your conditions are static.
TDIU is not 'giving up'
Many veterans avoid TDIU because they feel guilty or think it means admitting defeat. It doesn't. If your service-connected conditions genuinely prevent you from working, TDIU exists specifically for this situation. It's a benefit you earned.
Housing
VA Home Loan Benefits
The VA Home Loan is one of the most powerful benefits available to veterans. It's available to most veterans with an honorable discharge — you do not need a disability rating to qualify, though your rating can reduce costs.
Key benefits:
- ✓No down payment required — buy a home with $0 down
- ✓No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — saves $100-300+/month
- ✓Competitive interest rates — typically lower than conventional loans
- ✓No prepayment penalty — pay off early with no fees
- ✓Reusable benefit — you can use it multiple times throughout your life
- ✓Limited closing costs — the VA caps what lenders can charge
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.Find a VA-approved lender — not all lenders do VA loans. Ask specifically for a loan officer experienced with VA loans.
- 3.Get pre-approved and start house hunting — your pre-approval letter shows sellers you're serious.
Funding fee: Most VA loans have a one-time funding fee (1.25%-3.3% depending on down payment and usage). Veterans rated 10% or higher are exempt from the funding fee entirely, saving thousands of dollars.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)
If you have a permanent, service-connected disability (like loss of use of limbs), you may qualify for a grant up to ~$109,986 to build or modify a home for accessibility.
Special Housing Adaptation (SHA)
For specific disabilities (blindness, loss of hands), grants up to ~$44,299 are available to adapt your existing home to meet your needs.
VA home loan + disability = maximum savings
If you have a 10%+ disability rating, you pay no VA loan funding fee. Combined with no down payment and no PMI, this can save you $10,000-$30,000+ over the life of a mortgage compared to a conventional loan. Learn more at VA.gov → (opens in new tab)
Next Steps
Now that you know what each rating level provides, explore what's available to you.
Related Journeys
Veterans who use this page are often on one of these paths.
Just Separated / Brand New
“Where do I even start?”
Understanding Your Rating
“What does my rating actually get me?”
100% P&T Veterans
“I'm 100% P&T — what else am I entitled to?”
Family Members
“My spouse or parent is a veteran.”
Survivor & Gold Star Benefits
“I lost my veteran. What am I entitled to?”
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