Claim Raven explanation
What this means
This law provides additional compensation for qualifying dependents when the veteran meets the required disability level, generally at least 30 percent. It addresses spouses, children, and dependent parents.
Eligibility and the amount depend on the family circumstances and other applicable requirements. The base dollar figures in this statutory text are not a current rate quote because payable amounts are adjusted through later legislation.
How this helps your claim
Review whether the award includes all qualifying dependents and uses the correct effective dates. Compare the payment with the official table for the relevant year and dependency situation.
What to check in your records
Use your decision, examination reports, and relevant records to check the following points.
- Confirm the combined disability rating and qualifying dependent relationships.
- Check when VA received the dependency information and assigned the effective date.
- Compare the payment with the applicable year's official dependent compensation rates.
Track the dependent's status for the payment period
Additional dependent compensation depends on the veteran's qualifying evaluation and the dependent meeting the relevant category. Marriage, school attendance and a dependent parent's circumstances involve different evidence. A qualifying percentage alone does not establish every dependent's status.
Keep the event dates and the dates VA received the information. Those dates may matter to when an addition begins under other provisions. The number of people in a household is not necessarily the number of dependents recognized for compensation during a particular period.
Does reaching 30 percent automatically add every family member?
No. The relationship and other requirements must be met, and VA needs the relevant information. Read the award's recognized dependents and dates rather than assuming the rating increase updated every family circumstance. Current payment amounts should be checked in VA's applicable rate tables, not the base figures below.
Official statutory text
38 USC § 1115
OLRC release through Public Law 119-102 (July 12, 2026). Layout and spacing are adapted for reading. The statutory text is shown here; publisher source credits and editorial notes remain in the linked official release.
§ 1115. Additional compensation for dependents
Any veteran entitled to compensation at the rates provided in section 1114 of this title, and whose disability is rated not less than 30 percent, shall be entitled to additional compensation for dependents in the following monthly amounts:
(1) If and while rated totally disabled and—
(A) has a spouse but no child, $150;
(B) has a spouse and one or more children, $259 plus $75 for each child in excess of one;
(C) has no spouse but one or more children, $101 plus $75 for each child in excess of one;
(D) has a parent dependent upon such veteran for support, then, in addition to the above amounts, $120 for each parent so dependent;
(E) notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, the monthly payable amount on account of a spouse who is (i) a patient in a nursing home or (ii) blind, or so nearly blind or significantly disabled as to need or require the regular aid and attendance of another person, shall be $286 for a totally disabled veteran and proportionate amounts for partially disabled veterans in accordance with paragraph (2) of this section; and
(F) notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, the monthly amount payable on account of each child who has attained the age of eighteen years and who is pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution shall be $240 for a totally disabled veteran and proportionate amounts for partially disabled veterans in accordance with paragraph (2) of this section.
(2) If and while rated partially disabled, but not less than 30 percent, in an amount having the same ratio to the amount specified in paragraph (1) of this section as the degree of disability bears to total disability. The amounts payable under this paragraph, if not a multiple of $1, shall be rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Related references
- 38 USC § 1114: Disability Compensation and SMC in Federal Law
- 38 USC § 5107: Benefit of the doubt in VA claims
- 38 CFR § 3.159: VA duty to assist: records and examinations
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