VA Disability Pay and Compensation

Everything you need in one place to calculate and understand your VA disability pay. See the 2026 monthly compensation rates, run your combined rating, estimate back pay and dependent amounts, and learn how Special Monthly Compensation, DIC, and military-retiree pay (CRDP and CRSC) can add to your check. Start with a calculator, then dig into how each piece works.

Calculate your pay

Understand your pay

Benefits by Rating

What each rating level unlocks, from free health care to dependent pay.

Effective Dates

When your pay starts, and how far back your retroactive pay reaches.

Adding Dependents

How a spouse, child, or parent raises your monthly amount at 30% and up.

Extra compensation

Special Monthly Compensation

Higher pay above 100% for severe loss, housebound status, or aid and attendance.

DIC for Survivors

Tax-free monthly pay for the survivors of veterans who died from service.

CRDP, CRSC & Recoupment

How retirees keep both retired pay and VA compensation, and what gets recouped.

CRDP / CRSC Calculator

Military retirees: compare monthly pay under CRDP and CRSC with your own record amounts.

Drill Pay vs. VA Compensation

Guard and Reserve: compare drill and training pay with the VA amount waived for the same days (Form 21-8951-2).

2026 VA Disability Pay Rates

Monthly rates effective December 1, 2025, after the 2.8% cost-of-living increase. Amounts shown are for a veteran with no dependents. At 30% and higher, VA adds amounts for a spouse, children, and dependent parents.

Combined Rating	Monthly Rate (veteran alone)
10%	$180.42
20%	$356.66
30%	$552.47
40%	$795.84
50%	$1,132.90
60%	$1,435.02
70%	$1,808.45
80%	$2,102.15
90%	$2,362.30
100%	$3,938.58

Source: VA.gov. Use the VA Math Calculator for amounts with dependents.

Mind the rounding breaks. VA rounds your combined rating to the nearest 10%. A jump from 72% to 75% rounds you from 70% to 80%, which can be hundreds of dollars a month. The VA Math Calculator shows how close you are to the next break.

This hub is for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. For official rates see the VA compensation rates page. For help with your claim, find a VSO representative near you.

Common Questions

How much is VA disability pay in 2026?

For a veteran with no dependents, 2026 monthly rates (effective December 1, 2025, after the 2.8% COLA) run from $180.42 at 10% to $3,938.58 at 100%. Ratings of 30% and higher add amounts for a spouse, children, and dependent parents.

Does VA disability pay increase with dependents?

Yes, but only at a combined rating of 30% or higher. At 30% and above VA adds a fixed amount for a spouse, each child under 18, each child 18 or older in school, and each dependent parent. Below 30% the rate is the same regardless of dependents.

Can you be paid more than the 100% VA rate?

Yes. Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) pays above the 100% rate for specific severe conditions such as loss of use of a limb, being housebound, or needing aid and attendance. Military retirees may also receive Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) or Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) on top of VA compensation.

Related Tools and Guides

TDIU

Paid at the 100% rate when service-connected conditions prevent steady work.

Increasing Your Rating

When and how to file for a higher rating and more pay.

VA Health Care by Rating

What your rating means for copays, prescriptions, and enrollment.

Condition Lookup

Find the rating criteria for any of 725 VA diagnostic codes.

Claim File Readiness Check

Grade how complete your claim file is, 0 to 100, before you submit.