Understanding VA Disability Ratings: A Simple Guide

What Is a VA Disability Rating?

The VA gives you a disability rating when you have a service-connected condition (an illness or injury caused or made worse by your military service).

The rating shows how much your condition affects your daily life and ability to work. Ratings go from 0% to 100%, in steps of 10%.

• The higher your rating, the more money and benefits you get.

• You can get ratings for more than one condition.

What Do the Ratings Mean?

Rating	What It Means
0%	VA agrees your condition is service-connected, but it doesn’t affect your life enough to get payments. You may still get some health care.
10–20%	You have mild symptoms. You’ll get monthly payments and health care.
30–60%	Your condition affects your daily life or ability to work. You may get more monthly pay and can add family members to your benefits.
70–90%	You have serious symptoms. You may not be able to keep a job. You can apply for extra help like Individual Unemployability.
100%	You cannot work due to your service-connected conditions. You get the highest level of pay and all VA benefits.

How Does the VA Decide My Rating?

The VA looks at:

• Your diagnosis

• Your medical records

• What your doctor says about your symptoms

• Results of your C&P exam (Compensation & Pension exam)

• How your condition affects your job and daily life

Each condition has a rating chart with clear rules. For example, back pain might be rated based on how much your spine can move.

The VA uses these rules to decide how severe your condition is and what rating to give.

What Is a Combined Rating?

If you have more than one service-connected condition, the VA uses a special formula (not simple addition) to figure out your total rating. This is called “VA math.”

Example:

• You have a 50% rating for PTSD

• You get a 30% rating for knee pain

• Your combined rating is not 80%. VA math makes it 65%, which rounds to 70%

Use the VA’s online combined rating calculator:https://www.va.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings/combined-ratings

What Benefits Do You Get for Each Rating?

Rating	Monthly Pay (Single Veteran, 2025 est.)	What You Get	How to Access
0%	$0	Free VA health care for that condition	Enroll at va.gov/health-care
10%	~$180	Monthly pay, VA health care, basic prescription benefits	Apply at va.gov/disability
30%	~$520	Extra pay for dependents, VA ID card, some tax benefits	Add family under “Manage Dependents” at VA.gov
50%	~$1,040	Priority health care, travel pay for medical visits, some dental care	Use VA travel portal or talk to your VA provider
70%	~$1,800	Mental health priority, eligibility for caregiver programs, unemployability (TDIU)	Apply for TDIU: va.gov/disability
100%	~$3,700+	Full health care, commissary access, CHAMPVA for family, college help for dependents	Visit va.gov/family-member-benefits

You can find the full compensation table here: https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates

How Do I Access These Benefits?

1. Compensation

   • Paid monthly, direct deposit or mailed check

   • Manage payment info at: https://www.va.gov/change-direct-deposit

2. Health Care

   • Apply for VA health care at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply

   • Use VA hospitals, clinics, and telehealth

3. Adding Dependents

   • Log in to VA.gov

   • Go to "Manage Dependents"

4. Dental, Vision, and Travel Help

   • Dental may be available at 100% or TDIU rating

   • Travel pay available for 30%+ with special needs: https://www.va.gov/health-care/accessing-care/travel-pay

5. Education and Family Help

   • 100% disabled veterans can access Dependent Education Assistance (DEA): https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits

   • CHAMPVA health care for family: https://www.va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/champva

Can I Get More Money If I Can't Work?

Yes. You may qualify for TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) if:

• You have one rating at 60% or a combined rating of 70% or more, and

• You can't keep a job because of your service-connected conditions

You still get paid at the 100% rate even if your rating is below 100%.

Apply at: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability

What If I Disagree With My Rating?

If you think your rating is too low or you were denied:

1. Supplemental Claim – Add new medical records or proof

2. Higher-Level Review – A senior reviewer will look again

3. Board Appeal – Ask a judge to review your case

You have 1 year from the date of your decision to appeal. Start here: https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews

Summary: Key Points

• VA disability ratings go from 0% to 100%

• Ratings decide how much monthly pay and benefits you get

• Benefits increase with higher ratings and dependents

• Use VA.gov to manage or update your info

• You can file an appeal if you think your rating is wrong

TDIU helps veterans who can't work but don’t have a 100% rating