See how your VA ratings combine.

2026 VA disability pay rates

Effective date: 2025-12-01. Monthly amounts come from the shared 2026 compensation module.

For a county-level example of purchasing power, see our Arizona rent benchmarks and VA disability pay report. It compares the same basic payment with HUD rent benchmarks across all 15 Arizona counties.

Worked VA math example

The calculator combines 50% and 30% into 65%, then rounds the result to 70%.

Worked bilateral-factor example

Two 20% bilateral ratings produce a 3.6% bilateral factor. After that bilateral total is combined with a 30% rating, the calculator returns 58% and rounds to 60%.

When VA pays at 100% without a 100% rating

Individual unemployability (TDIU) pays at the 100% rate when service-connected conditions keep you from holding steady work. The rating threshold is one condition at 60% or more, or a combined 70% with one condition at 40% or more (38 CFR 4.16(a)).

What each rating opens up

• VA Life Insurance (VALife). Any service-connected rating, even 0%, lets you apply if you are 80 or younger. VA.gov
• Commissary, exchange and MWR access. A service-connected rating and an honorable discharge open base shopping and recreation privileges. Our base shopping guide · VA.gov
• VA health care priority group 3. A rating of 10% or 20% places you in priority group 3. VA.gov
• No VA home loan funding fee. You don't pay the VA funding fee while you receive disability compensation. VA.gov
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E). A rating of at least 10% is one of the requirements for job training and education help. Veteran employment programs · VA.gov
• Extra pay for dependents. At a combined 30% or higher, VA adds pay for a spouse, children and dependent parents. Our guide to adding family · VA.gov
• VA health care priority group 2. A rating of 30% or 40% places you in priority group 2. VA.gov
• VA travel pay. A rating of 30% or higher makes you eligible for mileage pay to VA health care appointments. Veteran transportation programs · VA.gov
• VA health care priority group 1. A rating of 50% or more places you in the highest priority group. VA.gov
• Any needed VA dental care. A 100% rating that is not temporary, or TDIU paid at the 100% rate, places you in dental Class IV. VA.gov
• CHAMPVA health coverage for your family. A permanent and total rating can make your spouse and dependent children eligible. What CHAMPVA covers · VA.gov
• Education benefits for your family (DEA). A permanent and total rating can make your spouse and children eligible for education benefits. How DEA works · VA.gov

See also disabled veteran discounts, state benefits by rating and the full 2026 VA disability pay chart.

Common questions