VA Disability Ratings: What Changes at Each Percentage

Bottom line

A VA disability rating can affect more than monthly compensation. As a veteran's combined service-connected rating increases, additional benefits may become available — dependent compensation, VA health care costs, prescription costs, travel reimbursement, VA home loan funding fee waivers, Veteran Readiness and Employment, dental care, CHAMPVA, Dependents' Educational Assistance, commissary and exchange privileges, burial benefits, and other programs.

Not every benefit is automatic. A rating can open the door, but the veteran may still need to meet other requirements, apply, submit documentation, or receive a separate VA decision.

A 0% rating still counts

A 0% VA disability rating is still a service-connected rating. That matters. It means VA has recognized that a condition is connected to military service, even if VA does not currently pay monthly compensation for that condition.

0% does not mean "nothing." It means the condition is service-connected but rated as non-compensable at this time. A 0% rating can establish service connection, support a future increase claim if the condition worsens, and support access to certain VA health care or prescription benefits tied to that condition.

Two different questions

There are two questions veterans usually ask after receiving a rating: how much monthly compensation will I receive, and what other benefits may become available because of this rating? They are related, but not the same. This guide covers both.

This guide does not replace VA's official compensation tables. Payment rates can change each year with cost-of-living adjustments.

Combined rating matters

Most veterans talk about their rating as one number. That number is usually the combined disability rating. If a veteran has more than one service-connected condition, VA does not simply add the ratings — VA uses a combined method (the "whole person theory"). Two 10% ratings combine to 19%, then round to the nearest 10%.

Many benefit thresholds depend on the combined rating. If your ratings change, check your VA decision letter and VA.gov profile carefully.

2026 monthly compensation — veteran alone, no dependents

0% — $0.00
10% — $180.42
20% — $356.66
30% — $552.47
40% — $795.84
50% — $1,132.90
60% — $1,435.02
70% — $1,808.45
80% — $2,102.15
90% — $2,362.30
100% — $3,938.58

Rates are effective December 1, 2025. Veterans rated 10% or 20% do not receive a higher rate for dependents. Dependent status can affect compensation beginning at 30%.

0% — possible benefits

Service connection established for the condition.
No-cost VA health care and prescription drugs for service-connected disabilities, if income limits are met.
Travel allowance for scheduled appointments at VA or VA-authorized facilities.
10-point veteran preference in federal hiring.
Commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.
Compensable 0% category (multiple 0% disabilities under 38 CFR 3.324) may add home loan funding fee waiver and burial and plot allowance.

10% — possible additional benefits

No-cost VA health care for any condition.
Prescription medications for service-connected disabilities.
Travel allowance for service-connected disability care.
VA home loan funding fee waiver.
10-point veteran preference in federal hiring.
Possible Veteran Readiness and Employment if there is a serious employment handicap.
Burial and plot allowance.
Commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

20% — possible additional benefits

No-cost VA health care for any condition.
Prescription medications for service-connected disabilities.
Travel allowance for service-connected disability care.
VA home loan funding fee waiver.
10-point veteran preference in federal hiring.
Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Burial and plot allowance.
Commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

30% — first major threshold (dependents can affect pay)

No-cost VA health care for any condition and prescription meds for service-connected disabilities.
Travel allowance for scheduled appointments at VA or VA-authorized facilities.
VA home loan funding fee waiver.
10-point veteran preference and possible federal direct hire authority.
Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Additional compensation for eligible dependents — spouse, children, children 18–23 in a qualifying school program, and dependent parents in some cases.
Possible aid and attendance for an eligible spouse.
Burial and plot allowance; commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

40% — possible additional benefits

Generally the same category as 30% in VA's Benefit Eligibility Matrix.
Confirm eligible dependents are on file with VA.

50% — possible additional benefits

No-cost VA health care and prescription medications.
Travel allowance for scheduled appointments at VA or VA-authorized facilities.
VA home loan funding fee waiver.
10-point veteran preference and possible federal direct hire authority.
Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Additional compensation for eligible dependents and possible aid and attendance for an eligible spouse.
Concurrent receipt of military retired pay, when applicable.
Burial and plot allowance; commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

60%–90% — possible additional benefits

No-cost VA health care and prescription medications.
Travel allowance for scheduled appointments at VA or VA-authorized facilities.
VA home loan funding fee waiver.
10-point veteran preference and possible federal direct hire authority.
Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Additional compensation for eligible dependents.
Concurrent receipt of military retired pay, when applicable.
Possible Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if unable to maintain substantially gainful employment because of service-connected disabilities.
Possible Dependents' Educational Assistance and CHAMPVA if the unemployable condition is considered permanent.
Possible dental care if rated unemployable.
Burial and plot allowance; commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

100% — possible additional benefits

No-cost VA health care and prescription medications.
Travel allowance for scheduled appointments at VA or VA-authorized facilities.
No-cost dental care (VA notes a temporary 100% rating for a long hospital or rehab stay does not qualify).
VA home loan funding fee waiver.
10-point veteran preference and possible federal direct hire authority.
Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Additional compensation for eligible dependents.
Concurrent receipt of military retired pay, when applicable.
Dependents' Educational Assistance if the disability is considered permanent.
CHAMPVA if the disability is considered permanent.
Burial and plot allowance; Uniformed Services ID card.

Permanent and Total (P&T)

Permanent and Total generally means VA has rated a disability as total and does not expect it to improve. Some family benefits depend on permanent status.

CHAMPVA may be available to the spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, if the family member does not qualify for TRICARE. Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance may be available to the child or spouse of a veteran permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, among other qualifying situations.

If a veteran is rated 100%, check whether the decision letter says the rating is permanent and total. That distinction can matter for dependents.

Individual Unemployability (IU / TDIU)

A veteran may qualify for TDIU if they cannot maintain substantially gainful employment because of a service-connected disability, and generally has at least one service-connected disability rated 60% or more, or two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated 40% or more and a combined rating of 70% or more. Some veterans may qualify at a lower rating in certain cases.

If VA grants TDIU, the veteran's monthly compensation may be paid at the 100% rate, but the disability rating itself does not change. TDIU is not automatic — a veteran must apply and VA must decide. If TDIU is granted and the condition is considered permanent, additional family benefits may become available.

100% plus a separate 60%

VA's Benefit Eligibility Matrix lists a separate category for a veteran with a 100% service-connected rating plus an additional separate 60% service-connected rating. Possible statutory housebound benefits may apply. This is more complex — review with VA, an accredited representative, or a qualified VSO.

State benefits are separate

Many states offer additional benefits for veterans with service-connected ratings — property tax exemptions, hunting and fishing licenses, education benefits, license plates, state park access, and more. The rules vary widely. Some require a specific percentage, some require Permanent and Total, some apply only to wartime or combat service.

For veterans in The Veterans Phalanx service area, start with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service or the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. If you live in another state, check your state veterans agency.

Questions to ask VA or an accredited representative

What is my current combined disability rating?
Which conditions are service-connected? Are any rated 0%?
Is my rating considered permanent and total?
Am I eligible to add dependents, and are my spouse, children, or dependent parents listed correctly?
Am I eligible for VA health care or prescription cost changes? Travel reimbursement?
Am I eligible for a VA home loan funding fee waiver? For VR&E? For dental care?
Could CHAMPVA or Dependents' Educational Assistance apply to my family?
Does Individual Unemployability apply to my situation?
Are there state benefits I should check based on my rating?
What deadline applies if I disagree with this decision?