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2021 VA Disability Compensation Rate Tables

VA disability compensation (pay) is a tax-free benefit paid to Veterans with injuries or an illness obtained during or made worse by active duty. These are the latest VA disability compensation rates for 2021.

By Pam Swan
Updated on August 6, 2021
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What is VA Disability Pay?

VA disability pay is a tax-free monthly payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs to Veterans who obtained an illness or injury during military service.

Veterans with existing conditions or conditions worsened by service may also receive disability pay. The VA determines disability pay by disability rating, severity, and the number of dependents.

The VA disability compensation rates below are effective as of Dec. 1, 2020.

If you know your disability rating, jump directly to the VA disability pay charts for your disability rating and dependent status here:

  1. Pay Rates for 10% – 20% (No Dependents)
  2. Pay Rates for 30% – 60% Without Children
  3. Pay Rates for 70% – 100% Without Children
  4. Pay Rates for 30% – 60% With Children
  5. Pay Rates for 70% – 100% With Children

About the VA Disability Rating System

Veterans with a disability that developed or worsened while serving in the military or due to military service may be eligible for Service-Connected disability pay.

Conditions covered by these benefits typically include:

  • Physical disabilities including hearing loss, chronic back pain, asthma and cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals.
  • Mental disabilities including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Find a complete list of covered conditions here.

For every disability claim, the Department of Veterans Affairs assigns a severity rating ranging from 0-100%. This rating moves in 10% increments, is based on service treatment records, VA medical records, and private medical records directly relating to the disability.

For Veterans with more than one disability, the VA uses the combined rating table to calculate your disability percentage.

How to Determine Your Disability Compensation

To determine your disability compensation, you need to file a claim with VA. The VA rates your disability by severity after reviewing every piece of evidence in your claim.

You may only receive compensation for a single diagnostic code per condition, even if that condition satisfies more than one diagnostic code. However, those with more than one condition may receive additional compensation based on the combined rating system.

You may receive additional compensation if:

  • You have very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s)
  • you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents
  • you have a seriously disabled spouse

Note: If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits (signified by A&A in the table cell below), be sure to include the figures from the "Add" row.

Did you know: Veterans can use their disability income in conjunction with their VA loan benefits. Speak with a home loan specialist to see how much you can afford.

More Education on VA Disability Compensation Rates:

VA Disability Pay Charts

VA Compensation Rates: 10% - 20% (No Dependents)

Percentage Rate
10% Disability $144.14
20% Disability $284.93

Note: If you have a 10% to 20% disability rating, you won’t receive a higher rate even if you have a dependent spouse, child, or parent.

VA Compensation Rates: 30% - 60% Without Children

Dependent Status 30% Disability 40% Disability 50% Disability 60% Disability
Veteran with no dependents $441.35 $635.77 $905.04 $1,146.39
Veteran with Spouse Only $493.35 $705.77 $992.04 $1,251.39
Veteran with Spouse & One Parent $535.35 $761.77 $1,062.04 $1,335.39
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents $577.35 $817.77 $1,132.04 $1,419.39
Veteran with One Parent (no spouse) $483.35 $691.77 975.04 $1,230.39
Veteran with Two Parents (no spouse) $525.35 $747.77 $1,045.04 $1,314.39
Add for A&A spouse (see footnote b) $48.00 $64.00 $81.00 $96.00

VA Compensation Rates: 70% - 100% Without Children

Dependent Status 70% Disability 80% Disability 90% Disability 100% Disability
Veteran Alone $1,444.71 $1,679.35 1,887.18 $3,146.42
Veteran with Spouse Only $1,566.71 $1,819.35 $2,044.18 $3,321.85
Veteran with Spouse and One Parent $1,644.71 $1,931.35 $2,170.18 $3,462.64
Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents $1,762.71 $2,043.45 $2,296.18 $3,603.43
Veteran with One Parent $1,542.71 $1,791.35 $2,013.18 $3,287.21
Veteran with Two Parents $1,640.71 $1,903.35 $2,139.18 $3,428.00
Add for A&A spouse (see footnote B) $113.00 $129.00 $145.00 $160.89

VA Compensation Rates: 30% - 60% With Children

Dependent Status 30% Disability 40% Disability 50% Disability 60% Disability
Veteran with Spouse and Child $532.35 $756.77 $1,056.04 $1,328.39
Veteran with Child Only $476.35 $681.77 $963.04 $1,216.39
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child $574.35 $812.77 $1,126.04 $1,412.39
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child $616.35 $868.77 $1,196.04 $1,496.39
Veteran with One Parent and Child (no spouse) $518.35 $737.77 $1,033.04 $1,300.39
Veteran with Two Parents and Child (no spouse) $560.35 $793.77 $1,103.04 $1,384.39
Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 $26.00 $34.00 $43.00 $52.00
Add for Each Child Over Age 18 in a Qualifying School Program (see footnote a) $84.00 $112.00 $140.00 $168.00
Add for A&A spouse (see footnote b) $48.00 $64.00 $81.00 $96.00

VA Compensation Rates: 70% - 100% With Children

Dependent Status 30% Disability 40% Disability 50% Disability 60% Disability
Veteran with Spouse and Child $1,656.71 $1,922.35 $2,160.18 $3,450.32
Veteran with Child Only $1,526.71 $1,772.35 $1,992.18 $3,263.74
Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child $1,754.71 $2,034.35 $2,286.18 $3,591.11
Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child $1,852.71 $2,146.35 $2,412.18 $3,731.90
Veteran with One Parent and Child $1,624.71 $1,884.35 $2,118,18 $3,404.53
Veteran with Two Parents and Child $1,722.71 $1,996.35 $2,244.18 $3,545.32
Add for Each Child Under Age 18 $61.00 $69.00 $78.00 $87.17
Add for Each Child Over Age 18 in a Qualifying School Program (see footnote a) $197.00 $225.00 $253.00 $281.57
Additional for A&A spouse (see footnote b) $113.00 $129.00 $145.00 $160.89

VA Home Loan Payment Calculator

Eligibility for VA Disability Compensation

Veterans with a service-connected physical or mental disability that makes everyday tasks difficult or impossible may be eligible for VA disability benefits.

Eligibility to file a VA disability claim is dependent on meeting one of the following conditions as set by the VA:

  • A Veteran who became sick or injured while serving in the military, or
  • A Veteran with an illness or injury before enlisting that was worsened by service, or
  • A Veteran with a service-connected disability that didn't appear until after separating from the military

The VA will need evidence to support your disability claim when applying, which we discuss in the next section.

How to Apply for VA Disability Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs recommends eligible Veterans apply for disability compensation benefits through the VA's eBenefits online portal. However, Veterans may also apply by mail with VA Form 21-526EZ, in person at your regional benefits office, or with help from a trained professional.

In any case, you will need access to your DD214 (or equivalent discharge or separation papers), the medical evidence of the disability, and dependency records (marriage license and children's birth certificates).

If you have yet to separate from service, you may still apply using the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. To be eligible for the BDD, you must:

  • Be on full-time active duty (including members of the National Guard, Reserve, or Coast Guard), and
  • Have a known separation date, and
  • Your separation date is in the next 90 to 180 days

If you have less than 90 days until separation, you may still file a fully developed or standard claim.

Types of VA Disability Compensation Claims

Generally, there are three methods to apply for disability compensation, each with different timelines to receive benefits.

Decision Ready Claims Program

The fastest method of applying is through the VA's Decision Ready Claims (DRC) program. This program requires you to work with an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) but generally processes claims in 30 days or less.

As of now, the only types of claims the DRC program processes are:

  • Conditions that began during, or caused by, service (Direct Service Connection Claim)
  • Conditions that are believed to be caused by military service with no direct evidence (Presumptive Service Connection Claim)
  • Conditions caused or made worse by a service-connected disability (Secondary Service Connection Claim)
  • A current disability claim that is medically proven to have gotten worse (Increased Disability Claim)
  • Claims for eligible surviving spouses (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Claim)
  • Claims for service members with less than 90 days before separating from the military (Pre-Discharge Claim)

There are additional restrictions for filing under the DRC program. Those applying can consult their VSO to determine if the DRC program is right for them.

Fully Developed Disability Claims

The next fasted option is the Fully Developed Disability Claims (FDDC) program.

The primary difference between the FDDC program and filing a standard claim is the Veteran must provide all evidence upfront and certify there's no additional evidence needed to make a claim decision.

At a minimum, the Veteran should provide:

  • All military personnel records on the condition, and
  • All service treatment records on the condition, and
  • All private (non-VA) medical records on the condition, and
  • All VA health records or supplementary information about related VA health records that the VA can request on your behalf

If the VA requires additional information, the claim typically gets removed from the FDDC program and is processed as a standard claim.

Standard VA Disability Claims

With standard VA disability claims, the VA gathers evidence and compiles all supporting documents.

If the VA is unable to obtain a needed document, they may require your help. When help is required, it typically applies to documents not held by a federal agency, such as private medical records, employer information, and documents from state or local governments.

As with all claims programs, be prepared to provide your DD214 (or other separation documents), service treatment records, VA medical records, and private medical records about your claim. Those needing help applying for their VA disability claim may also work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

Combined Rating System for Veterans with Multiple Disabilities

Veterans with multiple disabilities use the combined rating system.

To use the combined rating system, arrange the disabilities in order by severity and locate the intersect of the two numbers on the table below.

The VA rounds the final figure to the nearest to 10 percent.

If the Veteran has more than two disabilities, find the combined value for the first two, without rounding, and repeat with the third disability. Once you have a final number, round to the nearest 10%.

For example, if disability 1's rating is 40% and disability 2's is 20%, the combined rating is 52%. That figure gets rounded to the nearest 10%, making the disability rating 50%.

For a three-disability example, if disability 1's rating is 60%, disability 2's rating is 30%, and disability 3's rating is 20%, we first find the rating of 1 and 2. The rating of 1 and 2 comes out to be 72. We then take the first combined rating and find the intersect with disability 3. The final number comes out at an even 80% rating.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
19 27 35 43 51 60 68 76 84 92
20 28 36 44 52 60 68 76 84 92
21 29 37 45 53 61 68 76 84 92
22 30 38 45 53 61 69 77 84 92
23 31 38 46 54 62 69 77 85 92
24 32 39 47 54 62 70 77 85 92
25 33 40 48 55 63 70 78 85 93
26 33 41 48 56 63 70 78 85 93
27 34 42 49 56 64 71 78 85 93
28 35 42 50 57 64 71 78 86 93
29 36 43 50 57 65 72 79 86 93
30 37 44 51 58 65 72 79 86 93
31 38 45 52 59 66 72 79 86 93
32 39 46 52 59 66 73 80 86 93
33 40 46 53 60 67 73 80 87 93
34 41 47 54 60 67 74 80 87 93
35 42 48 55 61 68 74 81 87 94
36 42 49 55 62 68 74 81 87 94
37 43 50 56 62 69 75 81 87 94
38 44 50 57 63 69 75 81 88 94
39 45 51 57 63 70 76 82 88 94
40 46 52 58 64 70 76 82 88 94
41 47 53 59 65 71 76 82 88 94
42 48 54 59 65 71 77 83 88 94
43 49 54 60 66 72 77 83 89 94
44 50 55 61 66 72 78 83 89 94
45 51 56 62 67 73 78 84 89 95
46 51 57 62 68 73 78 84 89 95
47 52 58 63 68 74 79 84 89 95
48 53 58 64 69 74 79 84 90 95
49 54 59 64 69 75 80 85 90 95
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
51 56 61 66 71 76 80 85 90 95
52 57 62 66 71 76 81 86 90 95
53 58 62 67 72 77 81 86 91 95
54 59 63 68 72 77 82 86 91 95
55 60 64 69 73 78 82 87 91 96
56 60 65 69 74 78 82 87 91 96
57 61 66 70 74 79 83 87 91 96
58 62 66 71 75 79 83 87 92 96
59 63 67 71 75 80 84 88 92 96
60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96
61 65 69 73 77 81 84 88 92 96
62 66 70 73 77 81 85 89 92 96
63 67 70 74 78 82 85 89 93 96
64 68 71 75 78 82 86 89 93 96
65 69 72 76 79 83 86 90 93 97
66 69 73 76 80 83 86 90 93 97
67 70 74 77 80 84 87 90 93 97
68 71 74 78 81 84 87 90 94 97
69 72 75 78 81 85 88 91 94 97
70 73 76 79 82 85 88 91 94 97
71 74 77 80 83 86 88 91 94 97
72 75 78 80 83 86 89 92 94 97
73 76 78 81 84 87 89 92 95 97
74 77 79 82 84 87 90 92 95 97
75 78 80 83 85 88 90 93 95 98
76 78 81 83 86 88 90 93 95 98
77 79 82 84 86 89 91 93 95 98
78 80 82 85 87 89 91 93 96 98
79 81 83 85 87 90 92 94 96 98
80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98
81 83 85 87 89 91 92 94 96 98
82 84 86 87 89 91 93 95 96 98
83 85 86 88 90 92 93 95 97 98
84 86 87 89 90 92 94 95 97 98
85 87 88 90 91 93 94 96 97 99
86 87 89 90 92 93 94 96 97 99
87 88 90 91 92 94 95 96 97 99
88 89 90 92 93 94 95 96 98 99
89 90 91 92 93 95 96 97 98 99
90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
91 92 93 94 95 96 96 97 98 99
92 93 94 94 95 96 97 98 98 99
93 94 94 95 96 97 97 98 99 99
94 95 95 96 96 97 98 98 99 99

VA Disability Pay Chart Expectations for 2022

By law, VA disability pay follows the percent change in Cost of Live Adjustment (COLA). Tracking COLA keeps disability on track with inflation and your purchasing power the same year over year.

The announcement for the following years' change in COLA doesn't typically come out until October. However, based on the Consumer Price Index, VA disability pay could increase anywhere from 5 to 6 percent in 2022.

We will update our charts here accordingly when the numbers are finalized.

FOOTNOTES:

  1. Rates for more than one child are shown separately and are not included with any other compensation rates unless otherwise stated. For example, a Veteran with a 70% disability rating, spouse and four children (one of whom is over 18 and attending a qualified school program) would receive $1,975.71 ($1,656.71 for a 70% rating with 1 child and spouse + $122.00 for two additional children + $197.00 for one child over 18 in a qualifying educational program).
  2. Where the Veteran has a spouse who is determined to require Aid and Attendance, add the figure shown as “additional for A&A spouse” to the amount shown for the proper dependency code. For example, a Veteran with a 70% disability rating and an Aid and Attendance spouse and two minor children would receive $1,830.71 ($1,656.71 for a 70% rating with 1 child and spouse + $113.00 for Aid and Attendance + $61.00 for the additional child).

See how your disability rating affects your VA home loan benefit. Or talk with a Veterans United loan specialist at 855-870-8845 about your path to homeownership. You can also get started online today.

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By Pam Swan

Pam Swan is the National Military Relations Director for Veterans United. Pam has been actively working to serve members of the military and veterans for over 3 decades.

Pam utilizes her experience to contribute to Veterans United Network. Pam is able to raise awareness of the VA Loan through financial education briefings presented to service members across the country. Pam is also married to a U.S. Army retired soldier of more than 20 years.

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