What Is a VA Disability Rating?
A VA disability rating is a percentage (0%–100%, in 10% increments) that represents how severely a service-connected condition affects your ability to function. The rating directly determines your monthly tax-free compensation amount.
Each condition you claim is given its own rating. If you have multiple conditions, the VA combines them using a specific formula — not simple addition.
How the VA Calculates a Combined Rating
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of VA claims. Here is how it works:
The "Whole Person" Method
Imagine you have a total of 100% of yourself. The VA calculates combined ratings by applying each disability to your remaining "whole person."
Example:
- Start with 100% whole person
- 50% disability — takes 50% of you, leaving 50%
- 30% disability — takes 30% of your remaining 50% (= 15%), leaving 35%
- 10% disability — takes 10% of your remaining 35% (= 3.5%), leaving 31.5%
Combined disability = 100% − 31.5% = 68.5%
The VA then rounds this to the nearest 10%:
- 68.5% rounds to 70% (since it rounds to the nearest 10, and 68.5 is closer to 70)
Key point: 50% + 30% + 10% = 90% on paper, but the VA's combined rating is only 70%. This is why adding your ratings together doesn't give you your combined rating.
2024 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Rates are updated annually. These are the 2024 rates for veterans with no dependents:
| Rating | Monthly Compensation |
|---|---|
| 10% | $171.23 |
| 20% | $338.49 |
| 30% | $524.31 |
| 40% | $755.28 |
| 50% | $1,075.16 |
| 60% | $1,361.88 |
| 70% | $1,716.28 |
| 80% | $1,995.01 |
| 90% | $2,241.91 |
| 100% | $3,737.85 |
Dependents: Veterans rated 30% or higher receive additional amounts for spouses, children, and dependent parents. Check VA.gov for current rates.
The 100% Rating (Total Disability)
A 100% rating means the VA considers you totally disabled by your service-connected conditions. This comes with the highest compensation and additional benefits like:
- Chapter 35 — Dependents' Educational Assistance
- VA healthcare — Priority Group 1
- Property tax exemptions (varies by state)
- Free vehicle registration (many states)
- CHAMPVA — Healthcare for dependents
TDIU: Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability
If your service-connected conditions prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability).
TDIU pays at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is less than 100%. To qualify:
- One condition rated 60% or more, OR
- Two or more conditions with a combined rating of 70% or more, with at least one rated 40% or more
File for TDIU using VA Form 21-8940.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
SMC is additional compensation on top of your standard rating for veterans with specific severe disabilities, such as:
- Loss of use of a limb
- Blindness or deafness
- The need for aid and attendance (requiring help with daily activities)
- Housebound status
SMC rates go well above the standard 100% rate. If you believe you qualify, mention it in your claim or consult a VSO.
How to Increase Your Rating
If your condition has worsened, or if you have new conditions:
- File a new claim for any unrated conditions
- File for an increase on existing conditions if they have worsened
- Request a re-evaluation — though the VA can also propose to reduce your rating if you request a re-exam
- File a Supplemental Claim with new evidence
Warning: If you are over 100% combined (which the VA rounds down to 100%), requesting a re-exam could result in a reduction if your condition has improved.
Protected Ratings
Once a rating has been in place for a certain period, it becomes harder to reduce:
- 5-year protected rating — The VA must find sustained improvement across multiple exams before reducing
- 10-year protected rating — The VA cannot sever service connection (though they can still reduce the percentage)
- 20-year protected rating — The VA cannot reduce below the current level unless it was established by fraud