In crisis or worried about a veteran? Help is free, confidential and available 24/7.
You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect, according to the Veterans Crisis Line. In immediate danger, call 911.
Last updated: October 28, 2026. Checked against official sources; reviewed when they change.
Short answer: In 2026, VA pays a veteran with no dependents $180.42 a month at a 10% rating and $3,938.58 at 100%. These rates took effect on December 1, 2025, according to VA’s compensation rates page. Payments are tax-free, and veterans rated 30% or higher get more for a spouse, children or dependent parents.
2026 VA disability pay chart
For ratings of 10% and 20%, VA pays one flat amount: $180.42 at 10% and $356.66 at 20%. VA says dependents do not raise those two rates. From 30% up, the amount depends on who is in your household. The table shows the most common cases in U.S. dollars per month.
| Household | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | 552.47 | 795.84 | 1,132.90 | 1,435.02 | 1,808.45 | 2,102.15 | 2,362.30 | 3,938.58 |
| With spouse | 617.47 | 882.84 | 1,241.90 | 1,566.02 | 1,961.45 | 2,277.15 | 2,559.30 | 4,158.17 |
| With spouse and 1 child | 666.47 | 947.84 | 1,322.90 | 1,663.02 | 2,074.45 | 2,406.15 | 2,704.30 | 4,318.99 |
| With 1 child only | 596.47 | 853.84 | 1,205.90 | 1,523.02 | 1,910.45 | 2,219.15 | 2,494.30 | 4,085.43 |
| Each added child under 18 | 32.00 | 43.00 | 54.00 | 65.00 | 76.00 | 87.00 | 98.00 | 109.11 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | 61.00 | 81.00 | 101.00 | 121.00 | 141.00 | 161.00 | 181.00 | 201.41 |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways. VA’s full chart also lists households with dependent parents and with children over 18 in school. Add the “each added child” amount for every child after the first.
What about 2027?
VA ties its yearly increase to Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment. Our explainer on the 2027 VA disability COLA covers the announced increase and when it reaches bank accounts. VA had not posted a 2027 chart when this page was updated.
Who qualifies for VA disability compensation
VA’s eligibility page sets two conditions that must both be true: you have a current illness or injury that affects your mind or body, and you served on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty training. The condition must also be linked to service in one of three ways:
- In-service: you got sick or injured while serving.
- Pre-service: a condition you had before joining got worse because of service.
- Post-service: a service-related disability appeared only after you left.
For presumptive conditions, VA assumes service caused the condition, so you only need to meet the service requirements. They include chronic illnesses that appear within a year of discharge, illnesses tied to toxic exposure and illnesses linked to time as a prisoner of war. Our PACT Act guide lists the toxic-exposure conditions. VA also names PTSD, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury and conditions related to military sexual trauma among those it can compensate.
Other than honorable discharge?
VA says veterans with an other-than-honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge may not be eligible, but they can apply for a discharge upgrade or ask VA for a Character of Discharge review.
How VA ratings and combined ratings work
A rating is a percentage that, in the words of VA’s disability ratings page, represents “how much your disability decreases your overall health and ability to function.” VA bases it on the evidence you submit, the results of a compensation and pension (C&P) exam if one is needed, and records from other sources such as federal agencies.
Several ratings are not simply added together. VA uses what it calls the “whole person theory,” so the total never passes 100%. In VA’s own example, two disabilities rated 10% each combine to 19%, which rounds to a 20% combined rating because VA rounds to the nearest 10%.
How to file a VA disability claim, step by step
- Check eligibility. Confirm you meet the two basic conditions above.
- Gather evidence. VA lists VA and private medical records and supporting statements from family, friends, clergy, law enforcement or people you served with. VA reviews your DD214 and service treatment records itself.
- Protect your start date. Online claims set the effective date automatically when you start the form. If you file on paper, VA suggests submitting an intent to file first, which can make you eligible for retroactive pay.
- Choose how to file. File online at VA.gov; by mail on VA Form 21-526EZ to the Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444; in person at a VA regional office; by fax; or with an accredited attorney, claims agent or VSO representative.
- Attend any exam. If VA schedules a C&P exam, do not miss it.
Evidence is not required at filing. VA says you have up to a year from the date it receives your claim to turn in evidence, and a saved online application keeps its start date if you finish it within 365 days.
What happens after you file
VA reported an average of 68.2 days to complete disability-related claims in September 2026, according to its how-to-file page. You do not need to do anything while waiting unless VA sends a letter asking for more information.
Official videos
▶ Watch: VA disability claims videoOfficial VA video on YouTube
▶ Watch: Compensation 101: What is disability compensation?Official VA video on YouTube
▶ Watch: Compensation 101: What is service connection?Official VA video on YouTube
Frequently asked questions
How much is 100% VA disability in 2026?
A veteran rated 100% with no dependents receives $3,938.58 a month, or $4,158.17 with a spouse and no children, under VA rates effective December 1, 2025.
Does a spouse increase VA disability pay at 10% or 20%?
No. VA says veterans rated 10% or 20% do not receive a higher rate for a dependent spouse, child or parent. Dependent amounts start at 30%.
How are two 10% VA ratings combined?
VA combines them to 19% under its whole person method and rounds to the nearest 10%, so the combined rating is 20%.
Do I need evidence before filing a VA disability claim?
No. VA says evidence is not required at filing, but it may schedule a claim exam, and you have up to a year from the date VA receives your claim to submit evidence.
Is VA disability compensation taxable?
No. VA describes disability compensation as tax-free monthly payments.
Related on Peter’s World
Sources
- VA: Current veterans disability compensation rates
- VA: Eligibility for VA disability benefits
- VA: About disability ratings
- VA: How to file a VA disability claim
Additional sources
Not affiliated with VA or any government agency. Peter’s World is an independent information site. This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Benefits depend on your own records, so confirm details with VA, your state veterans office or an accredited representative such as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, attorney or claims agent.
By Peter. Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources listed above.
Military basics: Military pay chart 2026
