VA Disability Compensation

Monthly tax-free pay for an illness or injury VA decides is connected to military service.

Also called: disability pay, service-connected compensation, VA rating, disability compensation.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

VA disability compensation is a monthly payment for a current disability that VA decides is connected to service. Ratings run from 0% to 100% in steps of 10. Some veterans also receive extra amounts for dependents or for severe disability, called special monthly compensation. A 0% rating means VA recognizes a service-connected condition. Monthly pay for the combined rating generally starts at 10%. At 30% and above, a spouse, child, or dependent parent can change the amount. Veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025 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 Those figures are the veteran-alone rates VA published for that effective date. They are a reference, not a payment decision. Read the official rate table before you use a number.

Thresholds

Thresholds for VA Disability Compensation
Gate	Rule
Combined rating	VA assigns a combined rating from 0% to 100%. Monthly compensation generally starts at 10%. A 0% rating can still matter for health care and other benefits.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Helps DD214 or other separation documents
Where to get it Download it from milConnect if your branch has it there, or request it from the National Archives. A VA application can ask VA to request it for you.
Listed by VA, How to file a VA disability claim read 2026-10-10
Helps VA and private medical and hospital records for the conditions you claim
Where to get it The doctors and hospitals that gave the care. VA’s own records come from your VA facility’s release of information office or My HealtheVet.
Listed by VA, How to file a VA disability claim read 2026-10-10
Helps Supporting statements from family, friends, clergy or people you served with
Where to get it The people who know about the condition write and sign them.
Listed by VA, How to file a VA disability claim read 2026-10-10

Sources

VA disability compensationOfficial
Current veteran compensation ratesOfficial

Legislation

Law the tracker is watching for this entry. See the legislation tracker for every jurisdiction.

Public Law 117-168 Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act of 2022

Needs reviewEnactedProgram created Scope changed

Signed 2022-08-10

Introduced Done, 2021-12-09, step 1 of 6
In committee Done, date not recorded, step 2 of 6
Passed one chamber Done, 2022-02-17, step 3 of 6
Passed both chambers Done, 2022-08-02, step 4 of 6
Signed by the President Done, 2022-08-10, step 5 of 6
In effect Done, 2022-08-10, step 6 of 6

Expands benefits Created presumptions of service connection for burn pit and other toxic exposures and added Agent Orange conditions.

Created the toxic exposure presumptions: burn pit and airborne hazard conditions, added cancers, and further Agent Orange conditions. A veteran who was denied before the presumption existed can be granted now, and a survivor can qualify on cause of death alone. The federal entries in this catalog describe compensation, health care, and DIC without describing the presumptive list, so a reader cannot tell from them that the gate moved.

Sponsor

Touches 38 U.S.C. § 1119 · 38 U.S.C. § 1120

Also touches

Official record

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-25.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.