VA Benefits by Disability Rating
A higher VA disability rating unlocks benefits in steps, not one at a time. Health care moves to priority group 2 at 30% and priority group 1 at 50%; added pay for dependents, the CPS federal hiring preference and travel pay for any VA-approved care start at 30%; concurrent receipt of military retired pay (for military retirees) starts at 50%. Dental care, CHAMPVA, Chapter 35 and Space-A are tied to a 100% rating, and which kind of 100% matters: schedular, TDIU or permanent and total.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Eligibility rules checked against VA, OPM and statute text October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Benefits and 2026 pay at each rating
| Rating | New or changed at this level | 2026 pay, veteran alone |
|---|---|---|
| 100% |
| $3,938.58 |
| 90% | Nothing new over 80%; pay is the only change | $2,362.30 |
| 80% | Nothing new over 70%; pay is the only change | $2,102.15 |
| 70% |
| $1,808.45 |
| 60% |
| $1,435.02 |
| 50% |
| $1,132.90 |
| 40% | Nothing new over 30%; pay is the only change | $795.84 |
| 30% |
| $552.47 |
| 20% |
| $356.66 |
| 10% |
| $180.42 |
| 0% |
| $0.00 |
Three kinds of 100%: schedular, TDIU and permanent and total
Schedular 100%: the rating schedule itself reaches 100%. VA's dental rule for Class IV names it directly: "rated at 100% by schedular evaluation".
TDIU (individual unemployability): VA pays the 100% rate to a veteran whose schedular rating is lower because service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful work. The percentage standards in 38 CFR 4.16(a) start at a single disability ratable at 60 percent, or a combined 70 percent with one disability at 40 percent.
Permanent and total (P&T): VA describes it as a disability rated 100% disabling that is not expected to improve. CHAMPVA and Chapter 35 for a spouse and children, and Space-A flights, depend on it.
Pick a rating
- 100% VA disability benefits
- 90% VA disability benefits
- 80% VA disability benefits
- 70% VA disability benefits
- 60% VA disability benefits
- 50% VA disability benefits
- 40% VA disability benefits
- 30% VA disability benefits
- 20% VA disability benefits
- 10% VA disability benefits
- 0% VA disability benefits
Property tax relief and other state or local benefits for disabled veterans vary by state and are not covered here.
Common questions
Which VA disability rating unlocks the most benefits?
15 of the 16 benefits on this list apply at 100%, directly or under conditions. A schedular 100%, a TDIU rating at the 100% rate and a permanent and total (P&T) rating are different things: dental care turns on schedular 100% or TDIU, and CHAMPVA, Chapter 35 and Space-A turn on P&T.
Do some VA ratings add no benefits over the rating below?
On this list, 40%, 80% and 90% add no new benefit over the level 10 points below. The difference at those levels is monthly pay.
Does a 0% VA disability rating get any benefits?
6 of the benefits on this list apply at 0%, directly or under conditions: VA health care enrollment (priority group); VA beneficiary travel pay; VA home loan funding fee waiver; Commissary, exchange and MWR privileges; VALife life insurance; Federal hiring preference (10 points). A 0% rating pays $0.00 a month.