In 2026, VA disability compensation for a single veteran ranges from $180.42 per month at a 10% rating to $3,938.58 per month at 100%. These rates took effect December 1, 2025 and include a 2.8% cost-of-living increase.
Below is the full chart, then the part most veterans never get explained: how “VA math” combines multiple ratings, and what you can legitimately do if your rating does not reflect your actual condition.
2026 VA disability compensation chart
2026 rates, effective December 1, 2025. Dependent allowances begin at a combined rating of 30% or higher. For rates with dependent parents or additional children, see the VA’s current compensation rate tables— always the source of truth for this year’s figures.
| Rating | Veteran alone | With spouse | Spouse + child | With child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | — | — |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | — | — |
| 30% | $552.47 | $619.10 | $669.32 | $596.55 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $880.91 | $946.52 | $849.14 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,236.42 | $1,317.39 | $1,197.47 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,556.99 | $1,653.35 | $1,510.87 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,948.87 | $2,060.60 | $1,896.59 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,261.02 | $2,388.12 | $2,201.57 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,539.63 | $2,682.10 | $2,472.99 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.35 | $4,327.04 | $4,078.23 |
Monthly amounts. At 10% and 20%, the rate is the same regardless of dependents.
How VA math works — ratings are not added
The VA does not add your ratings together. It uses “whole person” math: you start at 100% healthy, and each condition takes its percentage from what remains.
Example — 50% + 30% does not equal 80%:
- Start at 100% healthy.
- First condition: 50% disabled. 50% healthy remains.
- Second condition: 30% of the remaining 50% = 15% more disability.
- Combined: 50% + 15% = 65%, which the VA rounds to the nearest 10% — a 70% rating.
The rounding works in your favor when the combined number ends in 5 or higher: 65% becomes 70%, and 55% becomes 60%. It also explains why getting from 90% to 100% is so hard — each new condition applies to a smaller and smaller healthy remainder.
Six legitimate ways to increase your rating
- File for secondary conditions. Conditions caused by your service-connected disabilities deserve their own ratings — PTSD leading to sleep apnea is a classic example. See the list below.
- Request an increase. If a rated condition has worsened since your last exam, file for an increased rating and document how it has progressed.
- File under the PACT Act. The PACT Act added many presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxins. Check your eligibility on the VA’s PACT Act page.
- Claim bilateral conditions. Conditions affecting both sides of your body — both knees, both ears — earn a bilateral factor that adds percentage points to the combined math.
- Apply for TDIU. If your disabilities keep you from working, TDIU pays at the 100% rate even when your combined rating is lower. Details below.
- Get buddy statements. Written statements from people who served with you are valid lay evidence — their observations of your condition during service carry real weight.
Common secondary conditions worth reviewing
- Back and spine conditions may lead to: radiculopathy (nerve pain down the legs or arms), sciatica, hip and knee problems, erectile dysfunction, bowel or bladder issues.
- PTSD and other mental health conditions may lead to: sleep apnea, migraines, high blood pressure, GERD/acid reflux, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders.
- Diabetes may lead to: peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, heart conditions, kidney disease.
- Hearing loss may lead to: tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, Meniere's disease, depression and anxiety.
- Knee conditions may lead to: hip problems on either side, back conditions, ankle and foot conditions, gait abnormalities.
- Heart conditions may lead to: hypertension, depression and anxiety, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea.
One requirement: a secondary claim usually needs a nexus letter — a medical professional stating your secondary condition is “at least as likely as not” caused by the service-connected one. Your County Veterans Service Officer helps with this for free.
TDIU: paid at 100% without a 100% rating
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) pays the 100% rate — $3,938.58 per month for a single veteran in 2026 — when service-connected conditions prevent you from keeping substantially gainful employment. The standard requirements:
- One disability rated at 60% or higher, or
- A combined rating of 70% or higher with at least one disability at 40% or higher, and
- Being unable to maintain substantially gainful employment because of those disabilities — considering your work history, education, and skills.
Get free, accredited help with your claim
You never have to pay to file, appeal, or increase a VA claim. Your County Veterans Service Officer is VA-accredited, works for you, and costs nothing — here is how to find yours. Have a question first? Ask us and we’ll point you in the right direction within one business day.
This page is educational information, not legal or medical advice. For decisions about your claim, work with a VA-accredited representative.
Common questions
Is VA disability pay taxable?
No. VA disability compensation is not subject to federal income tax, and no state taxes it either. You do not report it as income on your tax return. See our tax benefits guide for other tax breaks tied to your rating.
Why doesn’t 50% + 30% equal 80%?
Because the VA uses "whole person" math instead of simple addition. Each new condition takes its percentage from the healthy portion that remains. A 50% rating leaves you 50% "healthy," so a second 30% condition adds 30% of that remaining 50% — which is 15%, for a combined 65%, rounded to 70%.
How often do the pay rates change?
Once a year. Rates adjust each December 1 with the federal cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The 2026 rates on this page took effect December 1, 2025 and included a 2.8% increase. Always confirm the current year’s figures on va.gov.
What is TDIU and how is it different from a 100% rating?
TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) pays at the 100% rate even though your combined schedular rating is lower, because your service-connected conditions prevent you from holding substantially gainful employment. You generally need one disability rated 60%+, or a 70%+ combined rating with at least one condition at 40%+.
Do I need to pay a lawyer to file or increase a claim?
No. Your County Veterans Service Officer is VA-accredited and helps you file claims, appeals, and increases completely free — as do service organizations like the DAV, VFW, and American Legion. Paid help is rarely needed before an appeal stage.