# 100 Percent Vet: full text of our VA disability guides > Plain-English guides on VA disability ratings, pay and benefits from 100percentvet.com. Rates are 2026 VA rates, effective December 1, 2025. 100 Percent Vet is a private company and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Index: https://100percentvet.com/llms.txt --- # VA Benefits by Rating: 0% to 100% URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-benefits-guide/ Updated: 2026-09-23 Every VA disability rating comes with a monthly payment starting at 10%, plus benefits that switch on at set thresholds: 30% adds pay for dependents, 50% puts you in VA health care Priority Group 1, and 100% with a permanent and total finding opens education and health coverage for your family. Here is what each tier gets you in 2026, and the regulation behind it. ## What does each VA rating get you? Monthly pay is for a veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025. Benefits are cumulative: each tier keeps everything from the tiers below it. | Rating | Monthly pay, 2026 | What switches on | | --- | --- | --- | | 0% | $0 | Service connection on record, commissary and exchange access, VALife eligibility | | 10% | $180.42 | Monthly pay, VA home loan funding fee exemption, VR&E eligibility, Priority Group 3 | | 20% | $356.66 | Priority Group 3, VR&E with an employment handicap | | 30% | $552.47 | Added pay for dependents, Priority Group 2 | | 40% | $795.84 | Priority Group 2, one piece of the TDIU 70/40 rule | | 50% | $1,132.90 | Priority Group 1, no medication copays | | 60% | $1,435.02 | A single 60% condition meets the TDIU threshold | | 70% | $1,808.45 | Higher per-child amounts, TDIU 70/40 threshold, caregiver program rating floor | | 80% | $2,102.15 | Higher pay, same benefit set as 70% | | 90% | $2,362.30 | Higher pay, same benefit set as 70% | | 100% | $3,938.58 | Full dental care, and with P&T: Chapter 35 education and CHAMPVA for family | Want to see how your individual ratings combine? Use the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## What does a 0% VA rating get you? A 0% rating pays nothing each month. It still matters. It means the VA has found your condition is service connected, and that finding is the hardest part of any claim. If the condition gets worse, you file for an increase instead of starting over. - Service connection on record. A 0% condition can also be the starting point for secondary conditions under 38 CFR 3.310. - Commissary, exchange and MWR access. Veterans with any service-connected rating, including 0%, have had base shopping access since January 2020. - VALife. The VA says veterans 80 or younger with any service-connected rating, even 0%, can get up to $40,000 of guaranteed whole life coverage. - VA health care. You can apply to enroll. Your priority group depends on your full situation. ## What do 10% and 20% VA ratings get you? At 10% the VA starts paying you each month: $180.42 in 2026. At 20% it is $356.66. Pay at these levels is for the veteran only. Dependents are not added until 30% (38 U.S.C. 1115). - VA health care Priority Group 3. The VA's priority groups page places 10% and 20% ratings here. - No VA home loan funding fee. The VA says you are exempt if you receive compensation for a service-connected disability. On a large loan that can be thousands of dollars. - Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31). Veterans rated 10% or more can apply. Entitlement depends on an employment handicap, generally 20% with an employment handicap or 10% with a serious employment handicap (38 CFR 21.40). VR&E can pay for school or training and a monthly allowance. - Federal hiring preference for veterans with a service-connected disability. ## What changes at a 30% VA rating? 30% is the first rating where the VA pays you more for your family. A veteran alone gets $552.47. With a spouse it is $617.47. With a spouse and one child it is $666.47. - Add your dependents with VA Form 21-686c. The VA does not add them automatically. Veterans who reach 30% and never file the 686c are underpaid every month. Use VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 in school. - VA health care Priority Group 2 at 30% and 40%. - Federal jobs. Veterans rated 30% or more can be hired through a noncompetitive appointment authority. ## What does a 40% VA rating get you? $795.84 a month for a veteran alone, $882.84 with a spouse. You stay in Priority Group 2. A single condition rated 40% also matters for TDIU: under 38 CFR 4.16(a), one condition at 40% plus a combined rating of 70% meets the schedular threshold. ## What does a 50% VA rating get you? $1,132.90 a month for a veteran alone, $1,241.90 with a spouse. The big change is health care. - VA health care Priority Group 1. The VA's priority groups page places ratings of 50% or more here. - No copays for care or medications. The VA says ratings of 10% or more already remove copays for outpatient and inpatient care. At 50% you are in Priority Group 1, which also removes medication copays. - Military retirees: at 50% or more you can generally receive both retired pay and VA compensation without an offset (Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay). ## What does a 60% VA rating get you? $1,435.02 a month for a veteran alone, $1,566.02 with a spouse. If a single condition is rated 60%, you meet the schedular threshold for TDIU under 38 CFR 4.16(a). If that condition keeps you from holding a steady job, TDIU pays at the 100% rate while your rating stays at 60%. ## What changes at a 70% VA rating? $1,808.45 a month for a veteran alone, $1,961.45 with a spouse, $2,074.45 with a spouse and one child. - Bigger dependent amounts. From 70% up, each additional child under 18 adds $76 a month (versus $32 at 30% to 60%), and each additional school child adds $246 (versus $105). - TDIU 70/40 rule. A combined 70% with one condition at 40% or more meets the schedular threshold (38 CFR 4.16(a)). - Caregiver support. The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers requires a rating of 70% or higher, plus other criteria about needing personal care. ## What do 80% and 90% VA ratings get you? 80% pays $2,102.15 a month for a veteran alone. 90% pays $2,362.30. The benefit set is the same as 70%. What changes is how close you are to 100%, and how hard the last step is. At 90%, you need a combined value of 95 to round up to 100%. That math is why so many veterans sit at 90% for years. We lay out every route in [how to get a 100% VA rating](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-rating/). ## What does a 100% VA rating get you? $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone. $4,158.17 with a spouse. $4,318.99 with a spouse and one child. That is $1,576.28 a month more than 90%. - Full VA dental care for veterans rated 100% or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU. The VA notes a temporary 100% rating does not qualify. - Space-A military flights for veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated total. - Federal student loan discharge through the total and permanent disability program. - State benefits such as property tax exemptions and tuition waivers, which vary widely by state. ## What does permanent and total (P&T) add? P&T means the VA has decided your total disability is expected to last for life (38 CFR 3.340). It is a separate finding from the 100% number, and it is the one that opens benefits for your family. - Chapter 35 DEA education benefits for your spouse and each child (38 U.S.C. Chapter 35). - CHAMPVA health coverage for your spouse and children, if they are not eligible for TRICARE (38 CFR 17.270). - Dependent ID cards for base access and shopping. - No routine future exams. A 100% rating without P&T does not open Chapter 35 or CHAMPVA. Check your decision letter or your VA benefit summary letter. See [the complete list of 100% VA disability benefits](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-disability-benefits/) for the full breakdown and a family value example. TDIU can open the same doors Veterans paid at the 100% rate through individual unemployability get 100% pay. If the VA also finds the TDIU permanent, the family can qualify for Chapter 35 and CHAMPVA just like a schedular 100% P&T rating. ## What state benefits do disabled veterans get? Every state runs its own programs, and the rules vary a lot. These are the common categories. ### Property tax exemptions Many states reduce or remove property tax on your home at certain ratings. Some start at 10%. Some only apply at 100%, P&T or TDIU. Deadlines are often annual. Check with your county assessor. ### Tuition waivers Many states waive tuition at public colleges for the children or spouse of a 100%, P&T or TDIU veteran. Most require the veteran to meet a residency rule. Check your state veterans agency. ### Licenses, plates and parks Free or reduced vehicle registration, disabled veteran plates, hunting and fishing licenses, and state park passes are common. The rating needed varies by state. State agencies usually ask for your VA benefit summary letter as proof. Make sure the address VA has on file is where you actually live before you download it. ## Which forms go with which benefits? | Benefit | Form | Rating needed | | --- | --- | --- | | Disability compensation or increase | VA Form 21-526EZ | Any | | Add spouse or children | VA Form 21-686c | 30% or more | | Child 18 to 23 in school | VA Form 21-674 | 30% or more | | VA health care | VA Form 10-10EZ | Any | | VR&E (Chapter 31) | VA Form 28-1900 | 10% or more | | TDIU | VA Form 21-8940 | 60% single, or 70% combined with one at 40% | | Chapter 35 DEA | VA Form 22-5490 | 100% P&T or TDIU P&T | | CHAMPVA | VA Form 10-10d | 100% P&T or TDIU P&T | | Clothing allowance | VA Form 10-8678 | Specific devices or skin medications | ## What if your rating does not match what you live with? The rating is set by specific words in the VA rating schedule, 38 CFR Part 4. If your records and your C&P exam never hit those words, the rating stays low, even if your life says otherwise. Start with the free [Field Manual](https://100percentvet.com/field-manual/), which covers what each rating gets you and the five mistakes that keep veterans underrated. If you want the exact criteria for the most common conditions, the [100 Percent Playbook](https://100percentvet.com/playbook/) lays them out in plain English. Want a read on your own record? Get a [Custom Claim Plan](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=143). We review your intake and documents and send a written plan for your conditions, ratings, deadlines and evidence. ## VA benefits by rating FAQ **Does a 0% VA rating get you anything?** No monthly pay, but it confirms service connection, gives commissary and exchange access, and makes you eligible for VALife. If the condition worsens, you file an increase instead of starting over. **At what rating does the VA pay for dependents?** 30%. File VA Form 21-686c to add your spouse and children. The VA does not add them automatically. **What rating gets free VA health care?** At 50% or more you are in Priority Group 1, which the VA says covers care and medications without copays. At 10% or more the VA says you do not pay outpatient or inpatient copays. **Can I use VR&E at 10%?** You can apply at 10%. Entitlement generally requires 20% with an employment handicap, or 10% with a serious employment handicap, under 38 CFR 21.40. **What rating do you need for TDIU?** One condition at 60%, or a combined 70% with one condition at 40%, under 38 CFR 4.16(a). The VA can also consider veterans below those numbers under 4.16(b). **Does 100% automatically mean P&T?** No. P&T is a separate finding that the disability is expected to last for life. Without it, your family does not get Chapter 35 or CHAMPVA. **Do disabled veterans pay property tax?** It depends on your state. Many states offer full or partial exemptions at certain ratings. Check with your county assessor and state veterans agency. **Is VA disability pay taxed?** VA disability compensation is not taxed by the federal government, and most states do not tax it either. --- # VA Disability Pay Chart 2026 URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/ Updated: 2026-09-26 In 2026 a veteran with no dependents gets $180.42 a month at 10%, $1,132.90 at 50%, $1,808.45 at 70% and $3,938.58 at 100%. These rates took effect December 1, 2025, after a 2.8% cost-of-living increase, and first showed up in the January 2026 payment. Below are the full VA tables, copied from va.gov, plus how to add dependents and a worked example. ## TL;DR - 2026 monthly pay for a veteran alone: 10% is $180.42, 30% is $552.47, 50% is $1,132.90, 70% is $1,808.45, 100% is $3,938.58. - Rates are effective December 1, 2025, after a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that matches Social Security. The first payment at the new rate arrived in January 2026. - At 10% and 20%, pay is the same with or without dependents. From 30% up, the VA pays more for a spouse, children and dependent parents (38 U.S.C. 1115). - The VA does not add dependents on its own. File VA Form 21-686c, plus VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 in school. - Special monthly compensation (SMC) is paid on top of, or in place of, these rates for specific losses and needs. ## How much is VA disability pay in 2026? Your monthly amount depends on two things: your combined disability rating and the family members the VA has on file as your dependents. Every number on this page comes from the VA's own rate tables, effective December 1, 2025. If you don't know your combined rating yet, or you want to see what one more condition would do, run your numbers in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## VA disability pay for a veteran with no dependents | Rating | Monthly pay, 2026 | Yearly total | | --- | --- | --- | | 10% | $180.42 | $2,165.04 | | 20% | $356.66 | $4,279.92 | | 30% | $552.47 | $6,629.64 | | 40% | $795.84 | $9,550.08 | | 50% | $1,132.90 | $13,594.80 | | 60% | $1,435.02 | $17,220.24 | | 70% | $1,808.45 | $21,701.40 | | 80% | $2,102.15 | $25,225.80 | | 90% | $2,362.30 | $28,347.60 | | 100% | $3,938.58 | $47,262.96 | At 10% and 20% the VA does not pay a higher rate for a spouse, child or parent. The dependent tables below start at 30%. ## 2026 VA pay with a spouse or parents, no children Find the row that matches your family and the column for your rating. That is your basic monthly rate. | Dependent status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $552.47 | $795.84 | $1,132.90 | $1,435.02 | | With spouse | $617.47 | $882.84 | $1,241.90 | $1,566.02 | | With spouse and 1 parent | $669.47 | $952.84 | $1,329.90 | $1,671.02 | | With spouse and 2 parents | $721.47 | $1,022.84 | $1,417.90 | $1,776.02 | | With 1 parent, no spouse | $604.47 | $865.84 | $1,220.90 | $1,540.02 | | With 2 parents, no spouse | $656.47 | $935.84 | $1,308.90 | $1,645.02 | | Dependent status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $1,808.45 | $2,102.15 | $2,362.30 | $3,938.58 | | With spouse | $1,961.45 | $2,277.15 | $2,559.30 | $4,158.17 | | With spouse and 1 parent | $2,084.45 | $2,417.15 | $2,717.30 | $4,334.41 | | With spouse and 2 parents | $2,207.45 | $2,557.15 | $2,875.30 | $4,510.65 | | With 1 parent, no spouse | $1,931.45 | $2,242.15 | $2,520.30 | $4,114.82 | | With 2 parents, no spouse | $2,054.45 | $2,382.15 | $2,678.30 | $4,291.06 | ## 2026 VA pay with children These rows already include one child. If you have more than one, add the per-child amounts from the next table. | Dependent status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 child only, no spouse or parents | $596.47 | $853.84 | $1,205.90 | $1,523.02 | | 1 child and spouse | $666.47 | $947.84 | $1,322.90 | $1,663.02 | | 1 child, spouse and 1 parent | $718.47 | $1,017.84 | $1,410.90 | $1,768.02 | | 1 child, spouse and 2 parents | $770.47 | $1,087.84 | $1,498.90 | $1,873.02 | | 1 child and 1 parent, no spouse | $648.47 | $923.84 | $1,293.90 | $1,628.02 | | 1 child and 2 parents, no spouse | $700.47 | $993.84 | $1,381.90 | $1,733.02 | | Dependent status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 child only, no spouse or parents | $1,910.45 | $2,219.15 | $2,494.30 | $4,085.43 | | 1 child and spouse | $2,074.45 | $2,406.15 | $2,704.30 | $4,318.99 | | 1 child, spouse and 1 parent | $2,197.45 | $2,546.15 | $2,862.30 | $4,495.23 | | 1 child, spouse and 2 parents | $2,320.45 | $2,686.15 | $3,020.30 | $4,671.47 | | 1 child and 1 parent, no spouse | $2,033.45 | $2,359.15 | $2,652.30 | $4,261.67 | | 1 child and 2 parents, no spouse | $2,156.45 | $2,499.15 | $2,810.30 | $4,437.91 | ## Added amounts: more children and spouse Aid and Attendance Add these to your basic rate. The child amounts are for each child after the first, since the basic rate already covers one. | Rating | Each additional child under 18 | Each additional child over 18 in school | Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 30% | $32.00 | $105.00 | $61.00 | | 40% | $43.00 | $140.00 | $81.00 | | 50% | $54.00 | $176.00 | $101.00 | | 60% | $65.00 | $211.00 | $121.00 | | 70% | $76.00 | $246.00 | $141.00 | | 80% | $87.00 | $281.00 | $161.00 | | 90% | $98.00 | $317.00 | $181.00 | | 100% | $109.11 | $352.45 | $201.41 | Spouse Aid and Attendance is an added amount when your spouse needs help from another person with daily living. It is added whether or not you have children. ## Worked example: how to read the VA pay chart Say you are rated 50%. You are married, you have two children under 18, and a third child who is 19 and enrolled full time in college. - Start with the basic rate. The row "1 child and spouse" at 50% is $1,322.90. That covers your spouse and one child. - Add the second child under 18. At 50% that is $54.00. - Add the child in school. At 50% a child over 18 in a qualifying school program adds $176.00. - Total: $1,322.90 + $54.00 + $176.00 = $1,552.90 a month, or $18,634.80 a year. The same veteran with no dependents on file would get $1,132.90. That is $420 a month left on the table if the family was never added. For the college student, the VA needs VA Form 21-674 as well as the 21-686c. ## What is the 2026 VA COLA? The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is 2.8%. By law, the VA matches the COLA that the Social Security Administration sets for Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration announced the 2.8% increase for 2026 in October 2025. You can check the math yourself. The 2025 rate at 10% was $175.51. Multiply by 1.028 and you get $180.42, the 2026 rate. The 100% rate went from $3,831.30 to $3,938.58 the same way. ## When does the 2026 rate show up in my payment? The new rates are effective December 1, 2025. VA pays compensation for a month after that month ends, so the December 2025 amount arrived in early January 2026. That is why most veterans first saw the raise in January. The same rule affects new awards. Under 38 CFR 3.31, the VA does not pay for any period before the first day of the month after your award becomes effective. If your increase is effective March 10, the higher rate starts April 1. Your effective date is a different question. It is usually the date the VA got your claim, or the day after discharge if you file within one year of leaving active service. An intent to file can lock in an earlier date if you file the full claim within one year (38 CFR 3.155(b)). ## How do I add dependents to my VA disability pay? You need a combined rating of at least 30%. Then file a claim to add them: - VA Form 21-686c for a spouse or a child under 18. - VA Form 21-686c and VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 who is in school full time. - You can also add or remove dependents online at va.gov. Timing matters. The VA says that if you were already at 30% or more when you married, had a child or adopted, and you file within a year of that event, it can pay back to the date of the event. Wait longer, and it may only pay back to the date it got your claim. If both spouses are veterans rated 30% or more, each can get the added amount for the other. Our [VA benefits guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-benefits-guide/) covers the other forms that go with each rating tier. ## What about special monthly compensation (SMC)? SMC is a higher rate paid for specific losses and needs, such as loss of use of a hand or foot, blindness, being housebound, or needing another person's help with daily life. Some SMC levels are added on top of your regular rate. Others replace it with a higher amount. SMC-K, for example, is paid on top of your regular rate for things like loss of use of a creative organ, which includes erectile dysfunction tied to a service-connected condition or its medications. It is one of the most commonly missed benefits. The 2026 SMC tables are on the [VA special monthly compensation rates page](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-monthly-compensation-rates/). ## Is VA disability pay taxed? No. VA disability compensation is not counted as taxable income by the IRS, and you do not report it on your federal return. ## What if my rating is lower than what I live with? The chart only helps if your rating is right. Many veterans are paid at a lower tier because their exam never captured their worst days, or because secondary conditions were never claimed. Start with a [rating gap check](https://100percentvet.com/rating-gap-check/), and see how each tier changes your benefits on the [30%](https://100percentvet.com/30-percent-va-disability-benefits/), [50%](https://100percentvet.com/50-percent-va-disability-benefits/) and [70%](https://100percentvet.com/70-percent-va-disability-benefits/) pages. If your conditions keep you from holding a steady job, [TDIU](https://100percentvet.com/tdiu/) can pay you at the 100% rate while your rating stays lower. ## Sources - [VA: Current veterans disability compensation rates (effective December 1, 2025)](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA: 2025 compensation rates](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/past-rates-2025/) - [VA: Special monthly compensation rates](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-monthly-compensation-rates/) - [VA: Add or remove a dependent](https://www.va.gov/disability/add-remove-dependent/) - [SSA: Social Security announces 2.8 percent benefit increase for 2026](https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2025-10-24.html) - [38 CFR 3.31, commencement of the period of payment](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.31) - [38 CFR 3.155, intent to file](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.155) - [VA: Disability compensation effective dates](https://www.va.gov/disability/effective-date/) - [IRS: Veterans tax information](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/veterans-tax-information-and-services) ## Frequently asked questions **How much is 100% VA disability in 2026?** $3,938.58 a month for a veteran with no dependents, effective December 1, 2025. With a spouse it is $4,158.17. With a spouse and one child it is $4,318.99. **When did the 2026 VA pay raise start?** The 2.8% increase took effect December 1, 2025. Because VA pays for each month after it ends, the first payment at the new rate arrived in early January 2026. **Do I get more money for my spouse at 10% or 20%?** No. The VA pays the same amount at 10% and 20% whether or not you have dependents. Added pay for a spouse, children and parents starts at 30%. **Does the VA add my kids automatically?** No. If you are rated 30% or more, file VA Form 21-686c. For a child 18 to 23 in school full time, also file VA Form 21-674. File within a year of a marriage, birth or adoption to get paid back to that date. **How much more do I get for each extra child?** It depends on your rating. Each additional child under 18 adds $32 a month at 30%, $54 at 50%, $76 at 70% and $109.11 at 100%. A child over 18 in school adds more: $105 at 30% up to $352.45 at 100%. **Will VA disability pay go up in 2027?** VA rates change each year by the same COLA percentage as Social Security. The 2027 amount depends on the Social Security COLA announced in the fall of 2026, and new VA rates have taken effect each December 1. --- # VA Disability Calculator 2026 URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/ Updated: 2026-09-23 The VA does not add your ratings together. It combines them with the "whole person" method in the 38 CFR 4.25 table, then rounds the result to the nearest 10. That is why a 50% and a 30% rating give you 70%, not 80%, and why 100% is harder to reach than the numbers suggest. ## Run your own numbers Enter each rating you have. Mark the ones that affect both arms or both legs so the bilateral factor is applied. The tool shows your combined value, your rounded rating and the 2026 monthly pay for a veteran alone. This calculator uses the VA's own combining method (38 CFR 4.25 and 4.26). Your official combined rating is the one on your VA decision letter. ## How does the VA calculate a combined disability rating? VA math starts from the idea that you are a whole person, 100% efficient. Each rating takes a bite out of whatever efficiency is left, not out of the full 100. The rule lives in 38 CFR 4.25, and the VA publishes the same table on its "About disability ratings" page. Here is the process, step by step: - List your ratings from highest to lowest. - Start with the highest. If it is 50%, you are treated as 50% efficient. - Apply the next rating to what is left. A 30% rating takes 30% of the remaining 50, which is 15. Now you are at 65. - Keep going down the list. Each new rating applies only to the efficiency still left. - Round only once, at the very end, to the nearest number divisible by 10. Values ending in 5 round up. The key point in 38 CFR 4.25(b): the rounding happens one time, after all ratings are combined. You never round in the middle. ## Why does 50% plus 30% equal 70%? This is the example the regulation itself uses. Start with 50%. That leaves 50% efficiency. A 30% disability takes 30% of that 50, which is 15. Your combined value is 65. Under 38 CFR 4.25(a), a combined value ending in 5 rounds up, so 65 becomes 70%. The same rule works against you in other cases. A 40% and a 20% combine to 52 (40 plus 20% of the remaining 60, which is 12). 52 rounds down to 50%. ## How do you combine three or more ratings? Same method, one rating at a time, in order of severity. Take the example in 38 CFR 4.25(a): ratings of 60%, 40% and 20%. - 60 leaves 40% efficiency. 40% of 40 is 16. Combined value: 76. - 76 leaves 24% efficiency. 20% of 24 is 4.8. Combined value: 81 (the table shows 81). - 81 rounds to 80%. That is your combined rating. Notice that the 20% rating only moved the needle about 5 points. The more ratings you already have, the less each new one adds. That is the single biggest reason veterans get stuck at 80% and 90%. ## What do common rating combinations equal? Combined values from the 38 CFR 4.25 table, before and after rounding. No bilateral factor applied. | Individual ratings | Combined value | Final rating | | --- | --- | --- | | 10, 10 | 19 | 20% | | 30, 10 | 37 | 40% | | 40, 20 | 52 | 50% | | 50, 30 | 65 | 70% | | 70, 30 | 79 | 80% | | 60, 40, 20 | 81 | 80% | | 70, 50 | 85 | 90% | | 90, 40 | 94 | 90% | | 90, 50 | 95 | 100% | | 70, 50, 50 | 93 | 90% | ## What is the bilateral factor? The bilateral factor is a small bonus the VA adds when you have compensable ratings on both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. It is in 38 CFR 4.26. Both knees, both feet, both hips, or radiculopathy in both legs are common examples. How it works: - Combine the right and left side ratings the normal way. - Add (not combine) 10% of that combined value. - Treat the result as one rating and combine it with everything else, in order of severity. Under 38 CFR 4.26(c), both sides must be rated at a compensable level (10% or higher). A 10% left knee and a 0% right knee do not trigger it. And under 4.26(d), added in 2023, if leaving a bilateral condition out of the calculation would give you a higher combined rating, the VA must use the more favorable method. ## Bilateral factor worked example Say you are rated 30% for PTSD, 10% for your right knee and 10% for your left knee. Without the bilateral factor: 30 combined with 10 is 37. 37 combined with 10 is 43. 43 rounds down to 40%. With the bilateral factor: - Right knee 10 combined with left knee 10 is 19. - 10% of 19 is 1.9. Add it: 19 plus 1.9 is 20.9, treated as 21. - Now combine 30 and 21. 30 leaves 70% efficiency. 21% of 70 is 14.7. Combined value: 44.7, which is 45. - 45 ends in 5, so it rounds up to 50%. Same three conditions. 40% one way, 50% the other. In 2026 dollars that is $795.84 versus $1,132.90 a month for a veteran alone, a difference of $337.06 a month. If both of your arms or both of your legs are rated, check your code sheet and make sure the bilateral factor shows up. Check your decision letter Your rating code sheet lists each condition, its diagnostic code and its percentage. Run those numbers through the calculator above. If your math and the VA's math do not match, find out why before your one-year window to request a review closes. ## How much does VA disability pay in 2026? Monthly rates effective December 1, 2025, from the VA compensation rates page. Dependents are added starting at 30%, so the spouse column begins there. | Combined rating | Veteran alone | Veteran with spouse | Veteran alone, per year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 10% | $180.42 | Not added below 30% | $2,165.04 | | 20% | $356.66 | Not added below 30% | $4,279.92 | | 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 | | 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 | | 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 | | 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 | | 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 | | 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 | | 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 | | 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 | VA disability compensation is not taxed by the federal government. Rates adjust each December 1 with the cost of living. For children, school children and a spouse who needs aid and attendance, see the full VA rate tables or our [VA benefits by rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-benefits-guide/). ## How much does each 10% step add? The dollar jump between ratings is not even. The last step is by far the largest. | Step | Added per month | Added per year | | --- | --- | --- | | 0% to 10% | $180.42 | $2,165.04 | | 10% to 20% | $176.24 | $2,114.88 | | 20% to 30% | $195.81 | $2,349.72 | | 30% to 40% | $243.37 | $2,920.44 | | 40% to 50% | $337.06 | $4,044.72 | | 50% to 60% | $302.12 | $3,625.44 | | 60% to 70% | $373.43 | $4,481.16 | | 70% to 80% | $293.70 | $3,524.40 | | 80% to 90% | $260.15 | $3,121.80 | | 90% to 100% | $1,576.28 | $18,915.36 | $1,576more per month from 90% to 100%, 2026 $18,915more per year at that one step $176more per month from 10% to 20% The money is only part of it. 100% with a permanent and total finding also opens education benefits for your kids and health coverage for your family. See [the full list of 100% VA benefits](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-disability-benefits/). ## Why is 100% so hard to reach with VA math? Because every new rating applies to a shrinking remainder. At a combined value of 90, you have only 10 points of efficiency left. A new 40% rating adds 4 points and lands you at 94, which still rounds down to 90%. You need a combined value of 95 to round up to 100%, and a 50% rating at that stage is what gets you there (90 combined with 50 is 95). That is why many veterans reach 100% another way: one condition rated at 100%, individual unemployability (TDIU) under 38 CFR 4.16, or a large increase on a condition that is already underrated. We walk through each option in [how to get a 100% VA rating](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-rating/). ## What mistakes throw off the math? - Adding instead of combining. 50 plus 30 plus 20 is not 100. It is 72, which rounds to 70%. - Rounding at every step. 38 CFR 4.25(b) says round once, at the end. - Counting 0% ratings. A 0% service-connected rating adds nothing to the math, though it still matters for other reasons. - Missing the bilateral factor. It only applies to paired extremities or paired skeletal muscles, both rated 10% or more. - Forgetting pyramiding rules. The rule against pyramiding bars rating the same symptoms twice under two codes (38 CFR 4.14), so two diagnoses with identical symptoms may be rated together. If you want the exact rating criteria for the 30 most common conditions, and a printed combined ratings table, that is what [the 100 Percent Playbook](https://100percentvet.com/playbook/) covers. If you are just getting started, the free [Field Manual](https://100percentvet.com/field-manual/) explains VA math in a few pages. Want to know which of your conditions can move you up the next 10%? Get a [Custom Claim Plan](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=143). Send your intake and documents, and we send back a written plan built around your record. ## VA calculator FAQ **How does the VA combine disability ratings?** The VA uses the whole person method in 38 CFR 4.25. Each rating is applied to the efficiency left after the higher ratings, then the final value is rounded once to the nearest 10. **Does 95% round up to 100%?** Yes. Under 38 CFR 4.25(a), combined values ending in 5 round up, so 95 becomes 100%. A combined value of 94 rounds down to 90%. **What is 50% and 30% combined?** The combined value is 65, which rounds up to 70%. This is the example used in 38 CFR 4.25 itself. **What does the bilateral factor add?** It adds 10% of the combined value of your paired extremity ratings before those are combined with your other ratings, per 38 CFR 4.26. Two 10% knees become 21 instead of 19. **How much is 100% VA disability in 2026?** $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025. With a spouse it is $4,158.17. **How much more is 100% than 90%?** $1,576.28 a month in 2026 for a veteran alone, or $18,915.36 a year. It is the largest single step on the scale. **Do 0% ratings count in the calculator?** A 0% rating adds nothing to the combined value. It still confirms service connection, which matters if the condition gets worse later. **Is this calculator official?** It uses the same combining method the VA uses, from 38 CFR 4.25 and 4.26. Your official rating is the one on your VA decision letter and code sheet. --- # How to Get a 100% VA Rating URL: https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-rating/ Updated: 2026-09-23 There are two main ways to be paid at 100%: a combined rating of 100% (a combined value of 95 or more under 38 CFR 4.25), or individual unemployability (TDIU) under 38 CFR 4.16, which pays at the 100% rate when your service-connected conditions keep you from holding a steady job. Secondary conditions, PACT Act presumptives and increase claims are the usual ways veterans close the gap, and a permanent and total finding is what opens family benefits. ## What are the ways to reach 100%? | Path | What it takes | Regulation | | --- | --- | --- | | Schedular 100% (combined) | Combined value of 95 or more after VA math | 38 CFR 4.25, 4.26 | | Single condition at 100% | One condition meets the 100% criteria in the rating schedule | 38 CFR Part 4, 3.340(a) | | TDIU, schedular | One condition at 60%, or 70% combined with one at 40%, and unable to hold substantially gainful work | 38 CFR 4.16(a) | | TDIU, extraschedular | Below the percentages but still unable to work because of service-connected conditions | 38 CFR 4.16(b) | | Temporary total | Hospital stay over 21 days or surgery convalescence for a service-connected condition | 38 CFR 4.29, 4.30 | | SMC | Paid in addition to or above the 100% rate for specific losses or needs | 38 CFR 3.350 | ## How do you get a schedular 100% VA rating? A schedular 100% means your ratings combine to 100% using the whole person method in 38 CFR 4.25. The VA rounds once, at the end, to the nearest 10, and values ending in 5 round up. So a combined value of 95 becomes 100%. A combined value of 94 stays at 90%. Here is why that is hard. At 90% combined, you only have 10 points of "efficiency" left. Each new rating applies to that remainder: - 90 combined with a new 10% rating is 91. Still 90%. - 90 combined with 40% is 94. Still 90%. - 90 combined with 50% is 95. That rounds to 100%. In other words, a veteran at 90% usually needs one more condition rated 50% or higher, or a big increase on a condition already rated, to get there on the numbers alone. Run your own ratings through the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/) to see how close you are. ## Can one condition get you to 100%? Yes. Several diagnostic codes in 38 CFR Part 4 have a 100% level. Mental health conditions rated under the general formula (38 CFR 4.130), certain heart conditions, and some cancers during active treatment are common examples. If one condition meets the 100% criteria, the other ratings do not matter for the combined number. ## What is TDIU and how do you qualify? Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) pays you at the 100% rate when your service-connected conditions keep you from holding a steady job. The VA calls a steady job "substantially gainful employment." Your rating stays where it is. Your pay goes to the 100% rate. The schedular rule, 38 CFR 4.16(a): - One service-connected 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. Under 4.16(a), conditions from a common cause, conditions affecting one body system, and bilateral conditions can be counted as one condition for the 60% and 40% thresholds. That matters. Two knees and a back injury from the same fall, for example, can add up to the single 40% the rule asks for. The extraschedular rule, 38 CFR 4.16(b): if you do not meet the percentages but your service-connected conditions still keep you from working, the VA can refer your case to the Director of Compensation Service for TDIU consideration. Work that does not count. The VA says odd jobs, called marginal employment, do not count as substantially gainful. Under 4.16(a), earned income at or below the poverty threshold for one person is generally marginal, and sheltered work such as a family business with special accommodations can also be marginal. How to file. VA Form 21-8940 is the TDIU application. The VA sends VA Form 21-4192 to your recent employers. Evidence that helps: a treating provider's description of your functional limits (what you can and cannot do, not only "cannot work"), employer statements, and your own work history. TDIU can also be raised as part of an increased rating claim when the record shows you are unable to work (Rice v. Shinseki). TDIU is not a lower tier TDIU pays the same monthly rate as 100%, $3,938.58 for a veteran alone in 2026. If the VA also finds your TDIU permanent, your family can qualify for Chapter 35 and CHAMPVA just like a schedular 100% P&T rating. ## What does permanent and total (P&T) mean? P&T means the VA has found your total disability is "reasonably certain to continue throughout the life" of the veteran (38 CFR 3.340(b)). It is a separate finding from the 100% number, and it decides whether your family qualifies for Chapter 35 education benefits and CHAMPVA health coverage. Signs you have P&T: your decision letter says "permanent and total," it says no future exams are scheduled, or your VA benefit summary letter says you are considered totally and permanently disabled. The reexamination rule helps here. 38 CFR 3.327(b)(2) says the VA generally does not schedule reexams when a disability is static, when it has persisted without material improvement for 5 years or more, or when the veteran is over 55, except in unusual circumstances. ## What does "100% but not P&T" mean? It means you are rated totally disabled, but the VA expects your condition might improve and plans to reexamine you. You get the full 100% monthly pay. Your family does not get Chapter 35 or CHAMPVA yet. A decision that grants 100% but schedules future exams is still a decision, and the P&T question can be the subject of a review request if the evidence shows your condition is static. See [what 100% and P&T each get your family](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-disability-benefits/). Temporary total ratings are different again. A 100% rating for a hospital stay (38 CFR 4.29) or surgery recovery (38 CFR 4.30) has an end date. The VA says a temporary 100% rating does not qualify you for full dental care. ## What is SMC and how does it relate to 100%? Special monthly compensation (SMC) is paid on top of, or above, the regular rates for specific losses or needs. It is in 38 U.S.C. 1114 and 38 CFR 3.350. Two levels come up most often: - SMC-K is added for loss or loss of use of a creative organ, one hand, one foot, or one eye, among other losses. It can be paid at any rating, even alongside a 0% rating. In 2026 it adds $139.87 a month. Erectile dysfunction secondary to a service-connected condition or its medications is a common and often missed SMC-K. - SMC-S (housebound) is paid when you have one condition rated 100% plus other conditions independently rated 60% or more, or when you are permanently housebound because of service-connected conditions (38 CFR 3.350(i)). In 2026 it is $4,408.53 a month for a veteran alone. Higher levels (L through R and T) cover needs like aid and attendance from another person. They are paid above the 100% rate. ## How do veterans raise their combined rating? Most veterans who reach 100% do it through one or more of these. ### Secondary conditions Under 38 CFR 3.310, a condition caused or made worse by a service-connected condition can be service connected too. Radiculopathy from a back condition, depression from chronic pain, and sleep apnea or hypertension linked to other conditions are common examples. Each needs medical evidence of the link. ### Presumptive conditions and the PACT Act For some service and some diseases, the VA presumes the connection (38 CFR 3.307, 3.309, 3.320). The PACT Act added burn pit cancers and illnesses for Gulf War and post 9/11 veterans, plus hypertension and MGUS for Agent Orange exposure. The VA says the expanded eligibility began March 5, 2024. ### Increase claims If a rated condition got worse, file for an increase with VA Form 21-526EZ. The VA rates your current severity against the criteria for your diagnostic code. Describe flare-ups and how the condition limits you on your worst days, accurately. For joints, functional loss and painful motion count (38 CFR 4.40, 4.45, 4.59). ### Staged ratings When a condition's severity changed over the life of a claim, the VA can assign different ratings for different time periods (Hart v. Shinseki). A staged rating can mean back pay at a higher level for part of the period, even if the current rating is lower. The [100 Percent Playbook](https://100percentvet.com/playbook/) includes a Secondary Conditions Map and the rating criteria for the 30 most common conditions, in plain English. ## What mistakes keep veterans from reaching 100%? - Not filing an intent to file. An intent to file (VA Form 21-0966) holds your effective date for one year while you gather evidence (38 CFR 3.155). - Letting a one-year window close. After a decision, you generally have one year to file a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review or Board appeal and keep your effective date (38 CFR 3.2500). Miss it and back pay can be lost. - Ignoring TDIU. Veterans at 70% or 80% who are unable to work often chase schedular 100% for years when TDIU may already fit. - Missing secondaries. Conditions caused by your rated conditions are often never claimed. - Describing your best day at the C&P exam. Examiners measure the rating criteria. If you downplay flare-ups or say "I'm fine," that is what goes in the report. Describe what actually happens, accurately and completely. - Forgetting the bilateral factor. Paired extremity ratings get a bonus under 38 CFR 4.26 that can move you up a full 10%. - Skipping the P&T question. 100% without P&T leaves family benefits on the table. The free [Field Manual](https://100percentvet.com/field-manual/) covers the five mistakes that keep veterans underrated. For what each rating level gets you along the way, see [VA benefits by rating](https://100percentvet.com/va-benefits-guide/). Want to know which path fits your own record? Get a [Custom Claim Plan](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=143). Send your intake and documents, and we send back a written plan for your conditions, ratings, deadlines and evidence. ## 100% VA rating FAQ **Does 95% round up to 100% with the VA?** Yes. Under 38 CFR 4.25, combined values ending in 5 round up, so 95 becomes 100%. A combined value of 94 rounds down to 90%. **Is TDIU the same as 100%?** TDIU pays at the 100% rate, but your rating does not change. If the VA also finds it permanent, family benefits like Chapter 35 and CHAMPVA follow. **What are the TDIU requirements?** One condition at 60%, or a combined 70% with one condition at 40%, plus being unable to hold substantially gainful work because of service-connected conditions (38 CFR 4.16(a)). Veterans below those numbers can be considered under 4.16(b). **Can I work with a 100% VA rating?** With a schedular 100% rating, generally yes, since it is not based on unemployability. With TDIU, substantially gainful work is not allowed, though marginal employment is. **How do I know if I am P&T?** Your decision letter will say permanent and total or that no future exams are scheduled. Your VA benefit summary letter also shows P&T status. **Can the VA reduce a 100% rating?** The VA can reduce a total rating only with evidence of material improvement (38 CFR 3.343). Ratings held 5 years or more get added protection under 38 CFR 3.344. **How long does it take to get to 100%?** It depends on your conditions, your evidence and the VA's workload. No one can promise a timeline or an outcome. **What is SMC-K?** An extra monthly payment, $139.87 in 2026, for loss or loss of use of certain body parts or functions under 38 CFR 3.350(a). It can be added at any rating. --- # 100% VA Disability Benefits URL: https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-disability-benefits/ Updated: 2026-09-23 A 100% VA rating pays $3,938.58 a month tax free in 2026 for a veteran alone, and $4,158.17 with a spouse. Add a permanent and total (P&T) finding and your family can qualify for Chapter 35 education benefits and CHAMPVA health coverage, on top of full VA dental care, state property tax breaks and tuition waivers. Here is the complete list, with who qualifies and where each rule comes from. $3,938per month at 100%, veteran alone, 2026 36 moof Chapter 35 education per eligible dependent $1,574per month DEA, full-time college, 2025 to 2026 ## What benefits come with 100% VA disability? Some benefits need only 100%. Others need the P&T finding too. That difference is the most important line in your decision letter. | Benefit | 100% (or TDIU) | Needs P&T | Governing rule | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly compensation at the 100% rate | Yes | No | 38 U.S.C. 1114(j) | | Full VA dental care | Yes (not temporary 100%) | No | 38 CFR 17.161 | | Chapter 35 DEA for spouse and children | No | Yes | 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, 38 U.S.C. 3501 | | CHAMPVA for spouse and children | No | Yes | 38 U.S.C. 1781, 38 CFR 17.270 | | Dependent ID cards and base privileges | No | Yes | DoD policy | | Space-A military flights | No | Permanent total rating | DoD policy | | Federal student loan TPD discharge | Yes (100% or TDIU) | No | Department of Education | | VA home loan funding fee exemption | Yes (any compensated rating) | No | 38 U.S.C. 3729 | | State property tax and tuition waivers | Varies by state | Often | State law | ## How much is 100% VA disability per month in 2026? These are the VA's rates effective December 1, 2025. VA compensation is not taxed by the federal government. | Family situation at 100% | Monthly | Yearly | | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $3,938.58 | $47,262.96 | | Veteran with spouse | $4,158.17 | $49,898.04 | | Veteran with one child, no spouse | $4,085.43 | $49,025.16 | | Veteran with spouse and one child | $4,318.99 | $51,827.88 | | Each additional child under 18 | add $76.00 | add $912.00 | | Each additional school child over 18 | add $246.00 | add $2,952.00 | | Spouse receiving aid and attendance | add $141.00 | add $1,692.00 | If you are at 90% now, the jump to 100% is $1,576.28 a month for a veteran alone. See how the rest of the scale works in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). Special monthly compensation (SMC) can pay above these amounts, for example SMC-S (housebound) at $4,408.53 a month for a veteran alone, under 38 CFR 3.350. ## What is Chapter 35 DEA and who gets it? Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), also called Chapter 35, pays a monthly benefit to the spouse and children of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability (38 U.S.C. 3501). It also covers survivors of veterans who died of a service-connected disability. Apply with VA Form 22-5490. - How much. For college, the VA's rate for October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 is $1,574 a month full time, $1,244 three-quarter time and $912 half time. Starting October 1, 2026, the full-time rate is $1,621 a month. The money goes to the student, not the school. - How long. Up to 36 months of benefits if you started training on or after August 1, 2018 (45 months if before). - Who. Your spouse and each eligible child. Each one has their own entitlement. ## What changed for Chapter 35 on August 1, 2023? The old rule gave children a window, generally from age 18 to 26. The VA now says that if a child became eligible, turned 18, or finished high school on or after August 1, 2023, the child can use DEA at any age with no time limit. Children who became eligible before that date generally still have up to 8 years to use benefits before turning 26. Spouses had a similar change. If the qualifying event was before August 1, 2023, benefits generally end after 10 years (20 years in some cases). The VA says spouses whose qualifying event was on or after August 1, 2023 have no time limit. Check the VA's DEA page for the rule that fits your dates. ## What is CHAMPVA and who qualifies? CHAMPVA is a VA health coverage program for the spouse and children of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability (38 U.S.C. 1781, 38 CFR 17.270). It also covers survivors in certain cases. It is a cost-sharing program: the VA shares the cost of covered care with you. Apply with VA Form 10-10d. - Your family must not be eligible for TRICARE. Military retiree families usually use TRICARE instead. - Children are covered until 18, or until 23 if enrolled in school, and longer if they became permanently disabled before 18. - At 65, or if eligible for Medicare earlier, the VA says you must have Medicare Part A and Part B to keep CHAMPVA. For a family paying for private insurance, CHAMPVA can be worth thousands a year. ## What other benefits do 100% veterans get? ### Full VA dental care The VA says veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 100%, or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU, may qualify for any needed dental care. A temporary 100% rating, such as a hospital stay, does not qualify. ### VA health care, no copays At 50% or more you are in Priority Group 1. The VA says this removes copays for care and medications. ### Commissary, exchange and Space-A Veterans with any service-connected rating can use the commissary and exchange. Dependents of 100% P&T veterans can get ID cards for base privileges. Veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated total can fly Space-A on military aircraft within set routes. Confirm current rules with the ID card office and Air Mobility Command. ### No VA home loan funding fee The VA says you are exempt from the funding fee if you receive compensation for a service-connected disability. Surviving spouses receiving DIC are exempt too. ### Federal student loan discharge Veterans rated 100% or TDIU can have federal student loans discharged through the Department of Education's total and permanent disability (TPD) program. Many are identified through a VA data match. Check studentaid.gov for current rules and tax treatment. ### Housing grants For specific severe disabilities, not a percentage. For fiscal year 2026 the VA lists up to $126,526 for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and up to $25,350 for Special Home Adaptation (SHA). Apply with VA Form 26-4555. ### Clothing allowance $1,053.19 a year (effective December 1, 2025) if a service-connected prosthetic, orthopedic device or skin medication damages your clothing. Apply with VA Form 10-8678. The VA says you must qualify by August 1 of the year. ### Automobile allowance Up to $27,074.99 (effective October 1, 2025) toward a vehicle for certain service-connected losses, such as loss of use of hands or feet. Apply with VA Form 21-4502. ### VR&E (Chapter 31) Veteran Readiness and Employment can pay for school, training and a monthly allowance (38 CFR Part 21). There is also an independent living track for veterans who are not able to work right now. ### Free national parks pass The America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass is free for all veterans. The Access Pass is free for US citizens and residents with a permanent disability. ### Social Security Social Security disability is a separate program with its own rules. A 100% VA rating does not make you eligible on its own, and SSDI does not reduce VA compensation. ### DIC for survivors If a veteran's death is service connected, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation starts at $1,699.36 a month for a surviving spouse in 2026, plus $421 per child under 18. DIC can also be paid if the veteran was rated totally disabled for 10 years before death (38 U.S.C. 1318). Apply with VA Form 21P-534EZ. ## Do 100% disabled veterans pay property tax? It depends on your state, and sometimes your county. Many states fully or partly exempt a disabled veteran's home. Some well-known examples: - Texas exempts the full value of the homestead for veterans rated 100% or paid at 100% through individual unemployability. - Florida exempts the homestead of veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability. - Virginia exempts the primary residence of veterans rated 100% permanent and total. - Illinois offers a full exemption at 70% or higher, with partial exemptions below that. Rules, deadlines and paperwork change. Verify with your county assessor before you count on it. Most offices ask for your VA benefit summary letter, so make sure the address VA has on file is where you actually live. ## Which states offer free college for children of disabled veterans? Many states waive tuition at public colleges for the children or spouse of a veteran who is 100%, P&T or TDIU. Because DEA pays the student and not the school, a state waiver can often be used alongside it. Examples: - Texas Hazlewood Act: up to 150 credit hours for eligible dependents. The veteran must meet Texas residency rules at entry into service, so moving to Texas later does not qualify. - Florida: scholarship for dependents of veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability. - Illinois: MIA/POW Scholarship for dependents of veterans with a total and permanent disability. - California: CalVet College Fee Waiver, with several plans and different rating and income rules. Residency rules decide most cases. Check with your state veterans affairs agency and the school's veterans office. ## What is 100% P&T worth to a family? An illustration, not a promise. This is a hypothetical 100% P&T veteran with a spouse and two children under 18, using 2026 VA rates and two labeled assumptions. Your numbers will be different. | Benefit | How it is figured | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly compensation | $4,318.99 (spouse and one child) plus $76.00 (second child) = $4,394.99 a month | $52,739.88 a year | | CHAMPVA for spouse and children | Assumption: replaces $500 a month the family would otherwise pay for coverage | about $6,000 a year | | Property tax | Assumption: $300,000 home, 2% tax rate, full exemption state like Texas | about $6,000 a year | | Yearly total | $52,739.88 + $6,000 + $6,000 | about $64,740 a year | | Chapter 35 DEA, two children | 2 children x 36 months x $1,574 full-time rate | $113,328 over their college years | | Chapter 35 DEA, spouse (if used) | 36 months x $1,574 | up to $56,664 | For comparison, the same family at 90% receives $2,704.30 plus $76.00 = $2,780.30 a month, or $33,363.60 a year, and no Chapter 35 or CHAMPVA. The compensation difference alone is $19,376.28 a year. DEA totals assume full-time college at the current rate for all 36 months; rates change every October. State tuition waivers, dental care and the funding fee exemption are not counted. The P&T finding is the family benefit 100% without P&T pays the same monthly amount but does not open Chapter 35 or CHAMPVA. If your conditions are static, have not improved in years, or you are over 55, 38 CFR 3.327 is worth reading. Our guide on [how to get a 100% VA rating](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-rating/) explains P&T and every other path. ## How do you make sure your family gets every benefit? - Download your VA benefit summary letter and confirm whether it says you are totally and permanently disabled. - Add your spouse and children with VA Form 21-686c if they are not already on your award. - Apply for DEA (22-5490) and CHAMPVA (10-10d) for each eligible family member. - Contact your county assessor and state veterans agency about property tax and tuition programs. - Check studentaid.gov for loan discharge and get dependent ID cards through a DEERS office. For every benefit from 0% up, see [VA benefits by rating](https://100percentvet.com/va-benefits-guide/). The free [Field Manual](https://100percentvet.com/field-manual/) covers what changes at 100% and P&T, and the [100 Percent Playbook](https://100percentvet.com/playbook/) includes the Benefits Unlock Checklist with every form. Amounts change each year, so confirm current figures at va.gov. Want to know how close your own record is to 100% and P&T? Get a [Custom Claim Plan](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=143). ## 100% VA benefits FAQ **How much is 100% VA disability in 2026?** $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone, $4,158.17 with a spouse, and $4,318.99 with a spouse and one child, effective December 1, 2025. **Does my family get benefits if I am 100% but not P&T?** You get the added pay for dependents, but Chapter 35 and CHAMPVA require the permanent and total finding. **How much does Chapter 35 pay?** For college, $1,574 a month full time for October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, and $1,621 a month starting October 1, 2026, paid to the student. Most students get up to 36 months. **Is there an age limit for Chapter 35?** For children who became eligible, turned 18 or finished high school on or after August 1, 2023, the VA says there is no age limit. Earlier cases generally must use benefits before age 26. **Does CHAMPVA cost anything?** CHAMPVA is a cost-sharing program, so there can be a deductible and cost share for covered care. It is not available to anyone eligible for TRICARE. **Do 100% veterans get free dental?** The VA says veterans rated 100%, or paid at 100% through TDIU, may qualify for any needed dental care. Temporary 100% ratings do not count. **Do TDIU veterans get the same benefits as 100%?** TDIU pays the 100% rate and qualifies for full dental care. If the TDIU is found permanent, the family can qualify for Chapter 35 and CHAMPVA. **Is 100% VA disability taxable?** VA disability compensation is not taxed by the federal government, and most states do not tax it either. --- # 10 Percent VA Disability Benefits in 2026 URL: https://100percentvet.com/10-percent-va-disability-benefits/ Updated: 2026-09-26 A 10% VA disability rating pays $180.42 a month in 2026, whether or not you have a spouse or children. It also puts you in VA health care Priority Group 3, waives the VA home loan funding fee, and lets you apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment. Here is everything 10% gets you, the rule behind each benefit, and how veterans usually move up from here. ## TL;DR - 10% pays $180.42 a month ($2,165.04 a year), effective December 1, 2025. Dependents do not raise the amount at 10% or 20%. - You are exempt from the VA home loan funding fee if you receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability. - VA health care places 10% and 20% ratings in Priority Group 3. - You can apply for VR&E at 10%. Entitlement at a rating under 20% requires a serious employment handicap (38 CFR 21.40(b)). - Most veterans move up by filing for an increase, claiming secondary conditions under 38 CFR 3.310, or claiming conditions they never filed. ## How much does a 10% VA disability rating pay in 2026? $180.42 a month for 2026 rates, effective December 1, 2025. That is $2,165.04 a year, tax free. The 2026 rate includes a 2.8% cost-of-living increase over the 2025 rate of $175.51. At 10% and 20%, the VA pays the same amount whether you are single or have a spouse, children or dependent parents. Added pay for dependents starts at 30%. | Rating | Monthly pay, 2026 | Yearly | Dependents add pay? | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 10% | $180.42 | $2,165.04 | No | | 20% | $356.66 | $4,279.92 | No | | 30% | $552.47 alone, $617.47 with spouse | $6,629.64 alone | Yes | The full tables for every rating and family size are on our [VA disability pay chart for 2026](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/). ## What benefits come with a 10% VA rating? ### VA home loan funding fee exemption The VA says you do not pay the VA funding fee if you are receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability. At 10% you qualify. For a first-time buyer putting less than 5% down, the fee is 2.15% of the loan, so on a $300,000 loan the exemption saves $6,450. If you already closed on a VA loan and later get a rating with an effective date before your closing date, the VA says you may be eligible for a refund of the fee. ### VA health care, Priority Group 3 The VA's priority groups page places veterans with a service-connected disability rated 10% or 20% in Priority Group 3. Your priority group affects how much, if anything, you pay toward your care. You still need to apply for VA health care with VA Form 10-10EZ if you are not already enrolled. ### Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) The VA says you can apply for VR&E if you have a service-connected rating of at least 10% and did not receive a dishonorable discharge. Getting approved at 10% is harder than at 20%: - Rated 20% or more: you need an employment handicap (38 CFR 21.40(a)). - Rated under 20%: you need a serious employment handicap, meaning your service-connected disability significantly limits your ability to prepare for, get and keep suitable work (38 CFR 21.40(b)). If you were discharged on or after January 1, 2013, the VA says the 12-year time limit on VR&E eligibility does not apply to you. ### Service connection on record Your rating is proof the VA has found a condition service connected. That is the hardest part of any claim, and you keep it. If the condition gets worse, you file for an increase rather than starting over. It is also the anchor for secondary conditions. ### State benefits Many states offer benefits to veterans with a service-connected rating, such as reduced vehicle registration fees, hunting and fishing licenses, or park passes. The rating needed varies widely, and many of the larger programs, like property tax exemptions, start at higher ratings. Check your state veterans agency before you assume you qualify or don't. ## What conditions are commonly rated 10%? Many conditions have a 10% level in the rating schedule. A few examples veterans see often: - Tinnitus. Recurrent tinnitus is rated 10%, and that is the only rating under its code (38 CFR 4.87, DC 6260). You get one 10% rating whether you hear it in one ear, both ears or your head. See our [tinnitus rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-tinnitus/). - Back and knee conditions with painful motion or mild limitation. See the guides for [back pain](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-back-pain/) and [knee pain](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-knee-pain/). - Migraines at the lower frequency levels. See our [migraine rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-migraines/). Tinnitus is a good example of why 10% can be a ceiling for one condition. The only way up is to add or increase other conditions. ## How do veterans move up from a 10% rating? There are three common routes. Most veterans who climb use more than one. - File for an increase. If your condition is worse than when it was rated, file VA Form 21-526EZ for an increase. The new rating depends on the exact criteria in the rating schedule, 38 CFR Part 4, and on what your C&P exam records. - Claim secondary conditions. Under 38 CFR 3.310, a condition caused or made worse by a service-connected condition is also service connected. A knee rated 10% can lead to a hip or back problem from the way you walk. Pain medication can cause stomach problems. These are often never claimed. - Claim conditions you never filed. Many veterans file for one problem and ignore the rest. Check whether any condition falls under a presumptive list, such as the [PACT Act presumptive conditions](https://100percentvet.com/pact-act-presumptive-conditions/). ## How does a second 10% rating combine? VA ratings do not add. They combine using 38 CFR 4.25. The VA applies each rating to what is left of a whole person, then rounds the final number to the nearest 10. - 10% + 10%: The first 10% leaves you 90% "efficient." The second 10% takes 10% of that 90, which is 9. The combined value is 19, which rounds to 20%. Pay goes from $180.42 to $356.66. - 10% + 20%: The 20% leaves 80. The 10% takes 8. The combined value is 28, which rounds to 30%. Pay goes to $552.47, and now dependents count. Try your own mix in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## 10% vs 20% vs 30%: what changes at the next tier? | | 10% | 20% | 30% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly pay (alone) | $180.42 | $356.66 | $552.47 | | More than 10% | n/a | +$176.24 | +$372.05 | | Extra pay for dependents | No | No | Yes | | Health care priority group | 3 | 3 | 2 | | VR&E entitlement | Serious employment handicap | Employment handicap | Employment handicap | | Home loan funding fee | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt | The jump to 30% is the big one for families. A married veteran at 30% gets $617.47 a month, $437.05 more than at 10%. Read what else changes on the [30 percent VA disability benefits](https://100percentvet.com/30-percent-va-disability-benefits/) page. The fastest way to find a second or third rating is usually a secondary condition you already have. Our map lays out the common links by primary condition, with the rule and the evidence each one needs. ## Sources - [VA: 2026 compensation rates](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA: Priority groups](https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/) - [VA: Funding fee and closing costs](https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/) - [VA: VR&E eligibility](https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/eligibility/) - [38 CFR 21.40, VR&E basic entitlement](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-21.40) - [38 CFR 3.310, secondary service connection](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310) - [38 CFR 4.25, combined ratings table](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.25) - [38 CFR 4.87, ear conditions (tinnitus DC 6260)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.87) ## Frequently asked questions **How much is 10% VA disability per month in 2026?** $180.42 a month, effective December 1, 2025. That is $2,165.04 a year. **Do I get more at 10% if I am married or have kids?** No. At 10% and 20%, the VA pays the same amount with or without dependents. Extra pay for a spouse, children or parents starts at a combined 30%. **Does a 10% rating waive the VA home loan funding fee?** Yes. The VA says you are exempt if you receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability. If your rating is later made effective before your loan closed, you may qualify for a refund. **Is 10% VA disability taxable?** No. The IRS says not to include VA disability compensation in your gross income. **Can I use VR&E with a 10% rating?** You can apply. To be entitled at a rating under 20%, the VA must find a serious employment handicap under 38 CFR 21.40(b). **Can a 10% rating be lowered?** The VA can propose a reduction if the evidence shows the condition improved, and it must follow notice rules before it does. Keep treatment records current so your file shows how the condition actually affects you. --- # 30 Percent VA Disability Benefits in 2026 URL: https://100percentvet.com/30-percent-va-disability-benefits/ Updated: 2026-09-26 A 30% VA disability rating pays $552.47 a month in 2026 for a veteran alone, $617.47 with a spouse, and $666.47 with a spouse and one child. 30% is the first rating where the VA pays more for your family. It also moves you to VA health care Priority Group 2. Here is every benefit at 30%, the rule behind it, and how veterans usually move up. ## TL;DR - 30% pays $552.47 a month alone, $617.47 with a spouse and $666.47 with a spouse and one child, effective December 1, 2025. - 30% is where dependents start to count. The VA does not add them for you. File VA Form 21-686c, plus VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 in school. - The VA places 30% and 40% ratings in health care Priority Group 2. - Veterans rated 30% or more can be hired into federal jobs without competing, under 5 U.S.C. 3112. - The next big step is 50%, which pays $1,132.90 alone and moves you to Priority Group 1. ## How much does 30% VA disability pay in 2026? These are the VA's 2026 rates at 30%, effective December 1, 2025, after a 2.8% cost-of-living increase. | Family status at 30% | Monthly pay | Yearly | | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $552.47 | $6,629.64 | | With spouse | $617.47 | $7,409.64 | | With spouse and 1 child | $666.47 | $7,997.64 | | With 1 child only | $596.47 | $7,157.64 | | With spouse and 1 parent | $669.47 | $8,033.64 | | With 1 parent only | $604.47 | $7,253.64 | | Each additional child under 18 | +$32.00 | +$384.00 | | Each additional child over 18 in school | +$105.00 | +$1,260.00 | | Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | +$61.00 | +$732.00 | Example: a married veteran at 30% with two children under 18 gets $666.47 (spouse and one child) plus $32 for the second child, or $698.47 a month. See every combination on the [VA disability pay chart for 2026](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/). ## What benefits come with a 30% VA rating? ### Added pay for dependents Under 38 U.S.C. 1115, veterans rated 30% or more get added compensation for a spouse, children and dependent parents. The VA says it will consider dependents when you first reach 30%, but you still need to give it the paperwork: - VA Form 21-686c for a spouse or a child under 18. - VA Form 21-686c and VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 in school full time. File within a year of a marriage, birth or adoption. The VA says that if you were already at 30% and file within that year, it can pay back to the date of the event. If you wait longer, it may only pay from when it got your claim. If you and your spouse are both veterans rated 30% or more, you can each get the added amount for the other. ### VA health care, Priority Group 2 The VA's priority groups page places veterans with a service-connected disability rated 30% or 40% in Priority Group 2. That is a step up from Priority Group 3 at 10% and 20%. ### VA home loan funding fee exemption The VA says you do not pay the funding fee if you receive compensation for a service-connected disability. For a first-time buyer with less than 5% down, the fee is 2.15% of the loan, so a $300,000 loan saves $6,450. ### Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) At 20% or more, you are entitled to VR&E if the VA finds an employment handicap (38 CFR 21.40(a)). That is an easier bar than the serious employment handicap needed below 20%. VR&E can cover training, school and job help for a career that works with your conditions. ### Federal hiring without competing Federal agencies can appoint veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more under 5 U.S.C. 3112, without a competitive exam (5 CFR 316.402(b)(4)). Your VA rating letter is the proof. ### State benefits Many states offer programs for disabled veterans, such as reduced vehicle fees, license discounts, or property tax relief. The rating each state requires varies a lot, and some programs only start at higher ratings. Check your state veterans agency and county assessor. ## What conditions are commonly rated 30%? A 30% rating can be one condition or several combined. A few single conditions with a 30% level that veterans see often: - PTSD and other mental health conditions at the level of occasional decrease in work efficiency (38 CFR 4.130). See our [PTSD rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-ptsd/). - Migraines with prostrating attacks about once a month over the last several months (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8100). See our [migraine rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-migraines/). - Sleep apnea with persistent daytime sleepiness (38 CFR 4.97, DC 6847). See our [sleep apnea rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-sleep-apnea/). ## How do veterans move up from 30%? - File for an increase when a condition gets worse. The new rating depends on the exact words in the rating schedule and what your C&P exam records. Prepare with our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/). - Claim secondary conditions. Under 38 CFR 3.310, a condition caused or made worse by a service-connected condition is also service connected. PTSD, for example, is often linked to sleep problems, high blood pressure or digestive issues. See [VA secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/). - Claim conditions you never filed, including any on the PACT Act presumptive lists. ## How does another rating combine with 30%? Ratings combine under 38 CFR 4.25. Each new rating applies only to what is left after the ones above it, and the final number rounds to the nearest 10. - 30% + 10%: 30 leaves 70. 10% of 70 is 7. Combined value 37, which rounds to 40%. - 30% + 20%: 20% of 70 is 14. Combined value 44, which rounds to 40%. - 30% + 30%: 30% of 70 is 21. Combined value 51, which rounds to 50%. Run your own numbers in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## 30% vs 40% vs 50%: what changes at the next tier? | | 30% | 40% | 50% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $552.47 | $795.84 | $1,132.90 | | With spouse | $617.47 | $882.84 | $1,241.90 | | With spouse and 1 child | $666.47 | $947.84 | $1,322.90 | | Each additional child under 18 | $32.00 | $43.00 | $54.00 | | Health care priority group | 2 | 2 | 1 | Going from 30% to 50% adds $580.43 a month for a veteran alone, or $656.43 for a veteran with a spouse and one child. The move to Priority Group 1 comes with it. Read what else changes on the [50 percent VA disability benefits](https://100percentvet.com/50-percent-va-disability-benefits/) page. At 30% your family becomes part of your benefits. Our Family Benefits Guide covers every dependent benefit by rating, the forms, and the deadlines that cost families back pay. ## Sources - [VA: 2026 compensation rates](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA: Add or remove a dependent](https://www.va.gov/disability/add-remove-dependent/) - [VA: Priority groups](https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/) - [VA: Funding fee and closing costs](https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/) - [38 CFR 21.40, VR&E basic entitlement](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-21.40) - [5 CFR 316.402, appointment of 30% disabled veterans](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/section-316.402) - [38 U.S.C. 1115, added compensation for dependents](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1115) - [38 CFR 3.310, secondary service connection](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310) - [38 CFR 4.25, combined ratings table](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.25) ## Frequently asked questions **How much is 30% VA disability with a spouse in 2026?** $617.47 a month, effective December 1, 2025. With a spouse and one child it is $666.47. **How do I add my spouse and kids at 30%?** File VA Form 21-686c, online or by mail. For a child 18 to 23 in school full time, also file VA Form 21-674. File within a year of a marriage, birth or adoption to be paid back to that date. **What health care priority group is 30%?** Priority Group 2. The VA places ratings of 30% and 40% there. At 50% or more you move to Priority Group 1. **Do 30% disabled veterans get federal hiring help?** Yes. Agencies can appoint veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more without a competitive exam, under 5 U.S.C. 3112. **Is 30% VA disability taxed?** No. The IRS says not to include VA disability compensation in your gross income. **What is the next rating after 30%?** 40%, which pays $795.84 a month for a veteran alone. Most veterans aim past it to 50%, which pays $1,132.90 and moves you to Priority Group 1. --- # 50 Percent VA Disability Benefits in 2026 URL: https://100percentvet.com/50-percent-va-disability-benefits/ Updated: 2026-09-26 A 50% VA disability rating pays $1,132.90 a month in 2026 for a veteran alone, $1,241.90 with a spouse, and $1,322.90 with a spouse and one child. The biggest change at 50% is health care: the VA places you in Priority Group 1. Military retirees at 50% can also generally receive retired pay and VA pay together. Here is every benefit at 50% and how veterans move up. ## TL;DR - 50% pays $1,132.90 a month alone, $1,241.90 with a spouse and $1,322.90 with a spouse and one child, effective December 1, 2025. - The VA places ratings of 50% or more in health care Priority Group 1, its highest group. - Military retirees rated 50% or more can generally get both retired pay and VA compensation, called Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (10 U.S.C. 1414). - Every 30% benefit still applies: dependent pay, funding fee exemption, VR&E and federal hiring under 5 U.S.C. 3112. - One more 30% rating takes a 50% to a combined 70%, which pays $1,808.45 alone and opens the TDIU 70/40 threshold. ## How much does 50% VA disability pay in 2026? These are the VA's 2026 rates at 50%, effective December 1, 2025, after a 2.8% cost-of-living increase. | Family status at 50% | Monthly pay | Yearly | | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $1,132.90 | $13,594.80 | | With spouse | $1,241.90 | $14,902.80 | | With spouse and 1 child | $1,322.90 | $15,874.80 | | With 1 child only | $1,205.90 | $14,470.80 | | With spouse and 1 parent | $1,329.90 | $15,958.80 | | With 1 parent only | $1,220.90 | $14,650.80 | | Each additional child under 18 | +$54.00 | +$648.00 | | Each additional child over 18 in school | +$176.00 | +$2,112.00 | | Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | +$101.00 | +$1,212.00 | Example: a married veteran at 50% with three children under 18 gets $1,322.90 (spouse and one child) plus $54 for each of the other two, or $1,430.90 a month. See every combination on the [VA disability pay chart for 2026](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/). ## What benefits come with a 50% VA rating? ### VA health care, Priority Group 1 The VA's priority groups page places veterans with a service-connected disability rated 50% or more in Priority Group 1. It is the VA's highest priority group. Your group affects how much, if anything, you pay toward your care, so check the VA's current copay rules for your situation. If you are not enrolled, apply with VA Form 10-10EZ. ### Retired pay and VA pay together (CRDP) Military retirees normally have retired pay reduced by the amount of VA compensation. Under 10 U.S.C. 1414, qualified retirees with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more can receive both, known as Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay. DFAS handles this. Some retirement types have extra rules, so check your retiree account. ### Added pay for dependents Dependents started counting at 30%, and each amount is higher at 50%. File VA Form 21-686c for a spouse or a child under 18, and VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 in school. File within a year of a marriage, birth or adoption to be paid back to that date. ### Benefits carried over from lower ratings - No VA home loan funding fee while you receive VA compensation. - VR&E (Chapter 31) with an employment handicap (38 CFR 21.40(a)). - Federal hiring without competing under 5 U.S.C. 3112, for veterans rated 30% or more. ### State benefits Many states tie property tax relief, license and fee discounts, or other benefits to rating levels, and some start at 50%. The rules vary a lot by state. Check your state veterans agency and county assessor, and use your VA benefit summary letter as proof. ## What conditions are commonly rated 50%? - PTSD and other mental health conditions with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity (38 CFR 4.130). See our [PTSD rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-ptsd/). - Migraines with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, the top rating for migraines (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8100). - Sleep apnea that requires a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP (38 CFR 4.97, DC 6847). See our [sleep apnea rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-sleep-apnea/). If you are struggling right now, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1. ## How do veterans move up from 50%? - File for an increase when a condition gets worse. For mental health, the 70% level is based on deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood (38 CFR 4.130). Prepare with our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/). - Claim secondary conditions under 38 CFR 3.310. Many 50% veterans have conditions caused or worsened by their rated ones that were never claimed. See [PTSD secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/ptsd-secondary-conditions/) and [VA secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/). - Claim conditions you never filed, including any on the [PACT Act presumptive lists](https://100percentvet.com/pact-act-presumptive-conditions/). ## How does another rating combine with 50%? Ratings combine under 38 CFR 4.25, not by adding. A 50% rating leaves 50 of "efficiency." Each new rating takes its percentage of what is left. - 50% + 10%: 10% of 50 is 5. Combined value 55, which rounds up to 60%. - 50% + 20%: 20% of 50 is 10. Combined value 60, which is 60%. - 50% + 30%: 30% of 50 is 15. Combined value 65, which rounds up to 70%. Test your own mix in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## 50% vs 60% vs 70%: what changes at the next tier? | | 50% | 60% | 70% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $1,132.90 | $1,435.02 | $1,808.45 | | With spouse | $1,241.90 | $1,566.02 | $1,961.45 | | With spouse and 1 child | $1,322.90 | $1,663.02 | $2,074.45 | | Each additional child under 18 | $54.00 | $65.00 | $76.00 | | TDIU schedular threshold | No | Yes, if one condition is 60% | Yes, if one condition is 40% or more | | Caregiver program rating floor | No | No | Yes (70% or higher) | Going from 50% to 70% adds $675.55 a month for a veteran alone, or $751.55 for a veteran with a spouse and one child. It also brings you to the TDIU threshold under 38 CFR 4.16(a) if one condition is rated 40% or more. Read more on the [70 percent VA disability benefits](https://100percentvet.com/70-percent-va-disability-benefits/) page and the [TDIU guide](https://100percentvet.com/tdiu/). At 50% your family's benefits are growing. Our Family Benefits Guide lays out every dependent benefit by rating, the forms, and the deadlines that cost families back pay. ## Sources - [VA: 2026 compensation rates](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA: Priority groups](https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/) - [10 U.S.C. 1414, concurrent retirement and disability pay](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/1414) - [VA: Add or remove a dependent](https://www.va.gov/disability/add-remove-dependent/) - [VA: Funding fee and closing costs](https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/) - [38 CFR 4.130, mental disorders rating formula](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.130) - [38 CFR 4.124a, neurological conditions (DC 8100)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a) - [38 CFR 4.97, respiratory conditions (DC 6847)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97) - [38 CFR 4.16, TDIU](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.16) - [38 CFR 4.25, combined ratings table](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.25) ## Frequently asked questions **How much is 50% VA disability in 2026?** $1,132.90 a month for a veteran alone, $1,241.90 with a spouse, and $1,322.90 with a spouse and one child, effective December 1, 2025. **What health care priority group is 50%?** Priority Group 1. The VA places veterans with a service-connected rating of 50% or more in its highest priority group. **Can I get military retired pay and VA pay at 50%?** Generally yes. Under 10 U.S.C. 1414, qualified retirees rated 50% or more receive Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay, so VA compensation no longer reduces retired pay. Some retirement types have extra rules. **What does 50% plus 30% equal in VA math?** 70%. The 30% applies to the 50 left after the first rating, which adds 15, for a combined value of 65. That rounds up to 70%. **Can I get TDIU at 50%?** Not on the schedular route, which needs one condition at 60%, or 70% combined with one condition at 40%. The VA can still consider you under 38 CFR 4.16(b) if your service-connected conditions keep you from steady work. --- # 70 Percent VA Disability Benefits in 2026 URL: https://100percentvet.com/70-percent-va-disability-benefits/ Updated: 2026-09-26 A 70% VA disability rating pays $1,808.45 a month in 2026 for a veteran alone, $1,961.45 with a spouse, and $2,074.45 with a spouse and one child. 70% is also a threshold rating: it can open TDIU, which pays at the 100% rate, and it is the rating floor for the VA's family caregiver program. Here is everything 70% gets you and how veterans move up from here. ## TL;DR - 70% pays $1,808.45 a month alone, $1,961.45 with a spouse and $2,074.45 with a spouse and one child, effective December 1, 2025. - A combined 70% with one condition at 40% or more meets the TDIU threshold (38 CFR 4.16(a)). TDIU pays $3,938.58 alone, $2,130.13 a month more than 70%. - The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers requires a rating of 70% or higher, plus a need for at least 6 months of continuous, in-person personal care. - From 70% up, each additional child under 18 adds $76 a month and each child in school adds $246. - You stay in Priority Group 1 and keep CRDP, the funding fee exemption, VR&E and federal hiring benefits. ## How much does 70% VA disability pay in 2026? These are the VA's 2026 rates at 70%, effective December 1, 2025, after a 2.8% cost-of-living increase. | Family status at 70% | Monthly pay | Yearly | | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $1,808.45 | $21,701.40 | | With spouse | $1,961.45 | $23,537.40 | | With spouse and 1 child | $2,074.45 | $24,893.40 | | With 1 child only | $1,910.45 | $22,925.40 | | With spouse and 1 parent | $2,084.45 | $25,013.40 | | With 1 parent only | $1,931.45 | $23,177.40 | | Each additional child under 18 | +$76.00 | +$912.00 | | Each additional child over 18 in school | +$246.00 | +$2,952.00 | | Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | +$141.00 | +$1,692.00 | The VA's own example uses 70%: a veteran with a spouse and three children under 18, whose spouse receives Aid and Attendance, gets $2,074.45 + $76 + $76 + $141 = $2,367.45 a month. See every rating on the [VA disability pay chart for 2026](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/). ## What benefits come with a 70% VA rating? ### TDIU eligibility on the schedular route Under 38 CFR 4.16(a), a veteran with two or more service-connected conditions meets the TDIU threshold with a combined 70% and at least one condition at 40% or more. A single condition at 60% also qualifies. If your service-connected conditions keep you from holding a steady job that supports you, TDIU pays at the 100% rate while your rating stays at 70%. The rule also lets some conditions count as one when you are trying to reach that 40%, such as conditions of both legs, conditions from one accident, or conditions of one body system. Full details are in our [TDIU guide](https://100percentvet.com/tdiu/). ### Family caregiver program The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers requires the veteran to have a single or combined rating of 70% or higher and to need at least 6 months of continuous, in-person personal care services. There are other eligibility rules. The program is for veterans who truly need another person's help with daily life, not a benefit for every 70% rating. ### Higher dependent amounts The per-child amounts jump at 70%. Each additional child under 18 adds $76 a month, compared with $54 at 50% and $32 at 30%. A child over 18 in school adds $246, compared with $176 at 50%. File VA Form 21-686c, plus VA Form 21-674 for a school-age child 18 to 23. ### Benefits carried over from lower ratings - VA health care Priority Group 1, which the VA assigns at 50% or more. - Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay for qualified military retirees rated 50% or more (10 U.S.C. 1414). - No VA home loan funding fee while you receive VA compensation. - VR&E (Chapter 31) with an employment handicap (38 CFR 21.40(a)). - Federal hiring without competing under 5 U.S.C. 3112. ### State benefits Many states offer property tax relief, fee waivers or other programs to disabled veterans, and some tie the size of the benefit to your rating. Because each state sets its own rules, check with your state veterans agency and county assessor. ## What conditions are commonly rated 70%? Most 70% ratings are several conditions combined. The most common single condition at 70% is a mental health condition, such as PTSD or depression, rated for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood (38 CFR 4.130). See our [PTSD rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-ptsd/). If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself, call the Veterans Crisis Line now: dial 988, then press 1. ## How do veterans move up from 70%? From here, the math gets harder. Each new rating applies only to what is left of the whole person, and the final value rounds to the nearest 10 (38 CFR 4.25). - 70% + 30%: 30% of 30 is 9. Combined value 79, which rounds to 80%. - 70% + 50%: 50% of 30 is 15. Combined value 85, which rounds up to 90%. - 70% + 70%: 70% of 30 is 21. Combined value 91, which rounds to 90%. To reach a schedular 100%, your combined value has to hit 95 or higher, or one condition has to be rated 100%. That is why many veterans at 70% look at two paths at once: - TDIU, if your conditions keep you from steady work. It pays the 100% rate now. - Increases and secondary conditions that could reach a schedular 100% over time. Under 38 CFR 3.310, conditions caused or made worse by your rated conditions are also service connected. See [PTSD secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/ptsd-secondary-conditions/) and [VA secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/). Our guide to [how to get a 100% VA rating](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-rating/) lays out every route. Run your own numbers in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## 70% vs 80%, 90% and 100%: what changes at the next tier? | | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% or TDIU | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $1,808.45 | $2,102.15 | $2,362.30 | $3,938.58 | | With spouse | $1,961.45 | $2,277.15 | $2,559.30 | $4,158.17 | | With spouse and 1 child | $2,074.45 | $2,406.15 | $2,704.30 | $4,318.99 | | More than 70% (alone) | n/a | +$293.70 | +$553.85 | +$2,130.13 | 80% and 90% raise your pay, but the benefit set stays about the same as 70%. The big change is at 100% or TDIU, and especially with a permanent and total finding, which can open Chapter 35 education and CHAMPVA for your family. See [100% VA disability benefits](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-disability-benefits/). At 70% your family has the most to gain from getting the details right. Our Family Benefits Guide covers every dependent benefit by rating, the caregiver program, the forms, and the deadlines that cost families back pay. ## Sources - [VA: 2026 compensation rates](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [38 CFR 4.16, TDIU](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.16) - [VA: Individual Unemployability](https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability/) - [VA: Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers](https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/) - [VA: Priority groups](https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/) - [10 U.S.C. 1414, concurrent retirement and disability pay](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/1414) - [38 CFR 4.130, mental disorders rating formula](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.130) - [38 CFR 4.25, combined ratings table](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.25) - [38 CFR 3.310, secondary service connection](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310) ## Frequently asked questions **How much is 70% VA disability in 2026?** $1,808.45 a month for a veteran alone, $1,961.45 with a spouse, and $2,074.45 with a spouse and one child, effective December 1, 2025. **Can I get TDIU at 70%?** You meet the schedular threshold if at least one of your conditions is rated 40% or more (38 CFR 4.16(a)). You also have to show your service-connected conditions keep you from holding a steady job that supports you. **Does 70% qualify for the VA caregiver program?** It meets the rating requirement. The VA also requires that you need at least 6 months of continuous, in-person personal care services, along with other eligibility rules. **What does 70% plus 30% equal?** 80%. The 30% applies to the 30 left after the 70, which adds 9, for a combined value of 79. That rounds to 80%. **Why is it so hard to get from 70% to 100%?** Because ratings combine instead of add. Each new rating only takes a share of what is left, and you need a combined value of 95 to round up to 100%. TDIU is often the faster route to 100% pay. **Is 70% VA disability taxable?** No. The IRS says not to include VA disability compensation in your gross income. --- # TDIU: How to Get Paid at the 100% Rate URL: https://100percentvet.com/tdiu/ Updated: 2026-09-26 TDIU, also called individual unemployability, pays you at the 100% rate when your service-connected conditions keep you from holding a steady job, even though your rating is lower. In 2026 that is $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone. You generally need one condition at 60%, or a combined 70% with one condition at 40% (38 CFR 4.16(a)). Here is how the rule works and how to file. ## TL;DR - TDIU pays at the 100% rate, $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone in 2026, while your schedular rating stays the same. - The schedular threshold is one service-connected condition at 60% or more, or two or more with one at 40% and a combined 70% or more (38 CFR 4.16(a)). - Below those numbers, the VA should still send a case for extraschedular review if your conditions keep you from working (38 CFR 4.16(b)). - You can still work if it is marginal employment, generally earned income at or below the Census poverty threshold for one person, or protected work like a family business. - File VA Form 21-8940. The VA uses VA Form 21-4192 to get information from your past employers. Age and non-service-connected conditions cannot be counted against you (38 CFR 4.19). ## What is TDIU? TDIU stands for total disability based on individual unemployability. The VA's own name for it is Individual Unemployability. It is a way to be paid as if you were rated 100% when your ratings add up to less, because your service-connected conditions keep you out of steady work. Your rating does not change. The VA's example is a veteran rated 60% for a heart condition who could no longer work. Once the VA granted TDIU, her pay went to the 100% rate, but her rating stayed at 60%. ## How much does TDIU pay in 2026? TDIU pays the same as a 100% rating. These are the 2026 amounts, effective December 1, 2025: | Family status | Monthly pay at the 100% rate | | --- | --- | | Veteran alone | $3,938.58 | | With spouse | $4,158.17 | | With spouse and 1 child | $4,318.99 | | With 1 child only | $4,085.43 | | Each additional child under 18 | +$109.11 | | Each additional child over 18 in school | +$352.45 | | Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | +$201.41 | For a veteran alone rated 70%, that is $2,130.13 more each month than the 70% rate of $1,808.45. See every tier on the [VA disability pay chart for 2026](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/). ## What rating do you need for TDIU? Under 38 CFR 4.16(a), you meet the schedular threshold if either of these is true: - One condition at 60% or more. - Two or more conditions, with at least one at 40% or more, and a combined rating of 70% or more. The rule lets some groups of conditions count as one disability when you are trying to reach the 60% or 40% mark: - Disabilities of one or both arms, or one or both legs, including the bilateral factor. - Disabilities from a common cause or a single accident. - Disabilities of a single body system, such as orthopedic, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular-renal or neuropsychiatric. - Multiple injuries incurred in action. - Multiple disabilities incurred as a prisoner of war. This matters more than most veterans realize. Two knees at 30% and 20%, plus a back condition from the same fall, may be treated as one disability for this test. That can put you over the 40% or 60% line without a new rating. ## Can you get TDIU below 60% or 70%? Yes, but it is a harder road. The VA's stated policy in 38 CFR 4.16(b) is that every veteran who cannot secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation because of service-connected disabilities shall be rated totally disabled. If you do not meet the percentages, the regulation says rating boards should send your case to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular review. The rating board has to include a full statement of your service-connected conditions, work history, education and training, and anything else that bears on whether you can work. The VA's own page also notes that in some cases, such as frequent hospital stays, a veteran may qualify at a lower rating. Your job is to make that record strong enough that the referral is clearly required. ## What does "substantially gainful employment" mean? The question is not whether you can do any work at all. It is whether you can get and keep a job that actually supports you, given your service-connected conditions, your education, your training and your work history. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims set out how to weigh this in Ray v. Wilkie, 31 Vet. App. 58 (2019). The court said the test has two parts. The economic part asks whether the work would pay more than the poverty threshold. The non-economic part asks whether you can actually get and keep that work, looking at your history, education, skill and training, your physical abilities (lifting, bending, sitting, standing, walking, grasping, typing) and your mental abilities (memory, concentration, handling stress, getting along with coworkers, being reliable). Build your evidence around those points. ## Can you work and still get TDIU? Sometimes. Under 38 CFR 4.16(a), marginal employment is not substantially gainful employment. There are two ways work can count as marginal: - Low earnings. Marginal employment generally exists when your earned annual income does not exceed the Census Bureau poverty threshold for one person. That threshold changes each year, so check the current Census figure before you take on work. - Protected work. Even above the threshold, the VA can find work marginal on the facts. The regulation names a family business or sheltered workshop as examples. Think of a relative who lets you come in when you can, or a job with accommodations no normal employer would give. Report work honestly. After a grant, the VA may send VA Form 21-4140, an employment questionnaire, to confirm your status. Answer it accurately and on time. ## Does age count against a TDIU claim? No. Under 38 CFR 4.19, age may not be considered in rating service-connected disability, and unemployability tied to advancing age or unrelated conditions cannot be the basis for TDIU. 38 CFR 3.341(a) says the same thing for TDIU: your service-connected conditions must be enough to keep you from working without regard to advancing age. This cuts both ways. A 67-year-old retiree can get TDIU if the service-connected conditions alone would keep them from working. And the VA cannot deny it by saying "you're retired anyway." But it also means your evidence has to tie the work limits to your service-connected conditions, not to age or other health problems. ## What is an implicit TDIU claim under Rice v. Shinseki? In Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447 (2009), the court held that a request for TDIU is part of a claim for a higher rating when unemployability is raised by the veteran or reasonably raised by the record. You do not always need a separate TDIU claim for the VA to consider it. Why it matters: if your increase claim, exam or treatment notes show you stopped working because of your conditions, the VA should address TDIU as part of that claim. That can protect an earlier effective date. Put the work impact in writing every time you file for an increase, and say plainly that you are also seeking TDIU. ## How do you apply for TDIU? The VA lists two forms on its Individual Unemployability page: - VA Form 21-8940, Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability. You fill this out. It asks for your conditions, your recent work history, your earnings, and your education and training. - VA Form 21-4192, Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits. This goes to your past employers so they can report dates, pay, lost time and why you left. You must already have a service-connected disability. If you don't, file the disability claim first. If you are also claiming an increase or a new condition, file them together so the whole picture is in front of the rater. ## What evidence helps a TDIU claim? The VA says it will review your work and education history and look for evidence that your disability keeps you from holding a steady job. Strong files usually include: - A treating provider's opinion that explains your functional limits, such as how long you can sit, stand or concentrate, how often you miss work, and why. A bare "cannot work" line carries less weight than specific limits with reasons. - Employer statements about missed days, accommodations, write-ups or why you were let go. - Your own statement on VA Form 21-4138, describing your worst days and what happened at your last job, in your own words. - Statements from people who know you on VA Form 21-10210, such as a spouse or former coworker. - A vocational expert opinion, if you can get one, that looks at the Ray factors above. - Social Security disability records, if you get SSDI. They do not bind the VA, but they are evidence the VA should weigh. Before any exam, read our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/). The examiner's description of your work limits often decides the claim. ## What is the difference between TDIU and a 100% schedular rating? | | TDIU | 100% schedular | | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly pay | Same as 100% | 100% rate | | Rating on your code sheet | Stays at your combined rating | 100% | | Work limits | Only marginal employment | No earnings limit tied to the rating type | | Health care | Priority Group 1 | Priority Group 1 | | VA dental | Class IV, any needed dental care | Class IV, any needed dental care | | Employment checks | VA may send Form 21-4140 | None for employment | The VA's priority groups page places veterans it has found unemployable because of service-connected disability in Priority Group 1. Its dental page places veterans paid at the 100% rate through unemployability in Class IV. ## Can TDIU be permanent and total? Yes. The VA can find that your total disability, including one based on unemployability, is reasonably certain to last for life (38 CFR 3.340). When TDIU is also permanent, your spouse and children can qualify for Chapter 35 education benefits and, if they are not eligible for TRICARE, CHAMPVA health coverage. Check your decision letter or benefit summary letter for the words "permanent and total." See [100% VA disability benefits](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-disability-benefits/) for what that opens up. Two more points. Each time the VA grants TDIU, it tells its Veteran Readiness and Employment service so you can be offered a vocational evaluation (38 CFR 3.341(c)). And a TDIU based on one condition, plus other conditions separately rated 60% or more, may support special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, SMC-S (Bradley v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 280 (2008)). ## Should you go for TDIU or push for a 100% rating? If you still want to work more than marginal hours, a schedular 100% is usually the better target, because TDIU limits your earnings. If you cannot work and you are stuck at 70% to 90%, TDIU is often the faster path to 100% pay. Many veterans pursue both: TDIU now, and increases or [secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/) that could reach a schedular 100% later. See [how to get a 100% VA rating](https://100percentvet.com/100-percent-va-rating/) for the rating math. No one can promise a TDIU grant. What you can control is a clear record that ties your work limits to your service-connected conditions. ## Sources - [38 CFR 4.16, total disability ratings based on unemployability](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.16) - [38 CFR 4.19, age in service-connected claims](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.19) - [38 CFR 3.340, total and permanent total ratings](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.340) - [38 CFR 3.341, total disability ratings for compensation](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.341) - [VA: Individual Unemployability](https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability/) - [VA: 2026 compensation rates](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA: Priority groups](https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/) - [VA: Dental care eligibility](https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/dental-care/) ## Frequently asked questions **How much does TDIU pay in 2026?** TDIU pays at the 100% rate: $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone, $4,158.17 with a spouse, and $4,318.99 with a spouse and one child, effective December 1, 2025. **What is the minimum rating for TDIU?** One service-connected condition at 60%, or two or more with one at 40% and a combined 70%, under 38 CFR 4.16(a). Below that, the VA can still grant TDIU through extraschedular review under 38 CFR 4.16(b). **Can I work part time on TDIU?** Only if the work is marginal. That generally means earned income at or below the Census poverty threshold for one person, or protected work such as a family business or sheltered workshop. Report any work to the VA accurately. **Does TDIU change my disability rating?** No. Your combined rating stays the same. Only the pay changes, to the 100% rate. **Can the VA deny TDIU because I am retired or older?** Not because of age. 38 CFR 4.19 bars the VA from considering age, and 38 CFR 3.341(a) requires the decision to be made without regard to advancing age. The question is whether your service-connected conditions alone keep you from steady work. **Do I need a separate TDIU claim?** Not always. Under Rice v. Shinseki, TDIU is part of an increased rating claim when the record raises unemployability. Filing VA Form 21-8940 still makes the request clear and gives the VA the work history it needs. --- # VA Rating for PTSD: 0% to 100% Criteria Explained URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-ptsd/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The VA rates PTSD at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% or 100% under diagnostic code 9411, using one scale for all mental health conditions: the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR 4.130). The rating turns on how much your symptoms hurt your work and your relationships, not on your diagnosis alone. Here is what each level means in plain English, how service connection works, and how to describe your worst days. ## TL;DR - PTSD is rated under diagnostic code 9411 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The possible ratings are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100% (38 CFR 4.130). - The VA rates your level of occupational and social impairment over time, not just how you looked on exam day (38 CFR 4.126(a)). - The symptoms listed at each level are examples, not a checklist. You do not need every symptom, or any specific one (Mauerhan v. Principi). - Service connection needs a diagnosis, a medical link to an in-service stressor, and evidence the stressor happened. Combat, fear of hostile military activity and MST each have special rules (38 CFR 3.304(f)). - If you are in crisis right now, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255. If you are thinking about suicide or hurting yourself, stop reading and reach out now. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential, 24 hours a day: dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. ## How does the VA rate PTSD? The VA puts PTSD under diagnostic code 9411. It does not have its own separate scale. Every mental health condition from depression to anxiety to PTSD is rated with the same General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders in 38 CFR 4.130. That formula asks one core question: how much do your symptoms impair your ability to work and to function socially? The rater looks at how often your symptoms happen, how bad they get, how long they last, how long any good stretches last, and how well you adjust during those good stretches (38 CFR 4.126(a)). The rating must be based on all the evidence in your file, "rather than solely on the examiner's assessment of the level of disability at the moment of the examination" (38 CFR 4.126(a)). One calm hour in a C&P exam room should not define your rating. Social impairment counts, but the VA cannot rate you on social impairment alone (38 CFR 4.126(b)). ## What are the PTSD rating criteria at each level? This table puts the regulation's language in plain English. The official wording is in 38 CFR 4.130, and the "symptoms such as" lists are shortened here. | Rating | Level of impairment (38 CFR 4.130) | Example symptoms named in the rule | | --- | --- | --- | | 0% | Diagnosed, but symptoms don't interfere with work or social life and don't need continuous medication | None required | | 10% | Mild or short-lived symptoms that cut into work only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication | Mild or transient symptoms | | 30% | Occasional drops in work efficiency and periods where you can't do work tasks, while generally functioning with normal routine, self-care and conversation | Depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks weekly or less, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss | | 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity at work and in relationships | Flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, trouble with complex commands, memory problems, impaired judgment, mood and motivation problems, trouble keeping work and social relationships | | 70% | Deficiencies in most areas: work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood | Suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), neglect of hygiene, trouble adapting to stressful circumstances including work, inability to establish and maintain effective relationships | | 100% | Total occupational and social impairment | Gross impairment in thinking or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to do basic daily activities including hygiene, disorientation to time or place, memory loss for your own name, job or close relatives | 2026 monthly pay for a veteran with no dependents is $552.47 at 30%, $1,132.90 at 50%, $1,808.45 at 70% and $3,938.58 at 100%, per the VA's rates effective December 1, 2025. See the full [VA disability pay chart for 2026](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/). ## Do I need every symptom on the list? No. The words "such as" matter. In Mauerhan v. Principi, 16 Vet. App. 436 (2002), the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims held that the listed symptoms are examples of the kind and degree of symptoms at each level. They are not a checklist. Symptoms that are not on the list at all still count. The Federal Circuit added a second rule in Vazquez-Claudio v. Shinseki, 713 F.3d 112 (Fed. Cir. 2013). Ratings are symptom-driven. Your symptoms must cause the level of impairment described for that rating, judged by frequency, severity and duration. What this means for you: the strongest evidence ties each symptom to what it does to your life. "I have nightmares" is weak. "I wake up two or three times a night, most nights, and I have been written up twice this year for falling asleep on shift" shows impact. ## How do you get PTSD service connected? A rating only comes after service connection. Under 38 CFR 3.304(f), you need three things: - A current PTSD diagnosis made under the DSM-5 standard (38 CFR 4.125(a)). - A medical link between your current symptoms and an in-service stressor. - Credible supporting evidence that the stressor happened. The third element is where many claims stall. The regulation eases it in several situations: - Combat. If you engaged in combat with the enemy and the stressor relates to that combat, your own statement can establish the stressor if it fits the circumstances of your service (38 CFR 3.304(f)(2)). - Fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. You do not have to prove you fired a weapon. If a VA or VA-contracted psychiatrist or psychologist confirms the stressor is adequate and your symptoms relate to it, your statement can establish it, as long as it is consistent with the places, types and circumstances of your service. The rule names examples such as IEDs, incoming artillery, rocket or mortar fire, small arms fire and suspected sniper fire (38 CFR 3.304(f)(3)). - Diagnosis in service and former prisoners of war have their own lay-evidence rules (38 CFR 3.304(f)(1) and (f)(4)). - Military sexual trauma and personal assault. Evidence can come from outside your service records (38 CFR 3.304(f)(5)). ## How does the VA handle MST and personal assault claims? Many assaults were never reported. The regulation accounts for that. Under 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5), evidence from sources other than service records can back up your account. Examples in the rule include records from law enforcement, rape crisis centers, counseling centers, hospitals or doctors, pregnancy or STD tests, and statements from family, roommates, fellow service members or clergy. Behavior changes after the event can also count as evidence. These are often called markers. The rule lists examples: a request to transfer, a drop in work performance, substance abuse, depression, panic attacks or anxiety without a clear cause, and unexplained economic or social changes. The VA may not deny an MST-based PTSD claim without first telling you about this kind of evidence and giving you a chance to submit it. VA Form 21-0781, Statement in Support of Claimed Mental Health Disorder(s) Due to an In-Service Traumatic Event(s), is where you describe the event and point the VA to records. The form is optional, but it helps the VA look in the right places. ## How should I describe my worst days? Most veterans undersell their symptoms. The VA rates the frequency, severity and duration of symptoms over time, so your bad days belong in the record. - Be specific. Give counts and time frames: panic attacks per week, hours of sleep, days of work missed in the last year. - Show the effect. Link each symptom to work, family, friends, driving, crowds, anger or self-care. - Describe a typical bad week and your worst days. Say how often the worst days come and how long they last. - Don't exaggerate. Every statement must match your real experience. Accuracy is what makes a statement credible. - Say what you've stopped doing. Quit a job, stopped seeing friends, sleep in a separate room. Our [Statement Template Pack ($97)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=29) walks you through writing a personal statement in your own words, organized around the rating criteria. ## Do buddy statements help a PTSD claim? Yes. People who live and work with you see things you may not notice or may not want to say. Lay witnesses can report what they see and hear. A spouse can describe night sweats, rages or isolation. A former supervisor can describe missed deadlines or blowups at work. A fellow soldier can confirm a stressor event. The VA's form for this is VA Form 21-10210, Lay/Witness Statement. Each person should write only what they personally saw, with rough dates and examples. ## What happens at the PTSD C&P exam? The VA uses a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for PTSD. The VA publishes its DBQs, so you can read the questions before your exam. The examiner asks about your stressor, symptoms, work and relationships. Bring a short written list of your symptoms and how often they happen. Answer about your typical and worst days, not just today. If you have a hard time talking about the event, you can say so. Our [C&P Exam Prep Kit ($47)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=182) covers what the mental health examiner is looking for and how to prepare without scripting your answers. You can also read our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/). ## Can I get 100% for PTSD without meeting the 100% criteria? There are two other paths. If PTSD keeps you from holding a substantially gainful job, you may qualify for total disability based on individual unemployability. A single condition rated 60% or more, or a combined 70% with one condition at 40%, meets the threshold under 38 CFR 4.16(a). See our [TDIU guide](https://100percentvet.com/tdiu/). PTSD also leads to other conditions that can be rated separately. Sleep problems, stomach issues and alcohol use disorder are common examples. See [PTSD secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/ptsd-secondary-conditions/). To see how a new rating would combine with what you have, use the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## Is the VA changing the mental health rating rules? The VA proposed a new mental health rating formula in February 2022. As of September 2026 it has not been finalized. The General Rating Formula in the current 38 CFR 4.130, described above, is the one in effect. If a new formula is adopted, a rating already in effect cannot be reduced solely because the schedule changed unless medical evidence shows actual improvement (38 CFR 3.951(a)). We are an Army Ranger and a combat engineer from a family full of veterans. We built this site to explain the rules straight. We are not the VA, we are not VA-accredited, and we do not file claims for you. No one can promise a rating, and you should be wary of anyone who does. ## Frequently asked questions **Can I be rated for PTSD and depression separately?** Usually not. All mental disorders use the same rating formula, and overlapping symptoms cannot be rated twice (38 CFR 4.14). The VA typically assigns one mental health rating that covers all diagnoses. **Does suicidal ideation mean an automatic 70%?** No rating is automatic. Suicidal ideation is listed as an example symptom at 70% in 38 CFR 4.130, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has held it can support 70% even without a plan or intent. If you are having these thoughts now, dial 988 then press 1. **Do I need combat to get PTSD service connected?** No. Non-combat stressors qualify, including accidents, MST and fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The evidence rules differ by stressor type under 38 CFR 3.304(f). **Will the VA lower my PTSD rating?** The VA can schedule a review exam and propose a reduction if evidence shows sustained improvement. It must follow notice rules before reducing. A rating in effect for 20 or more years is protected from reduction below that level except for fraud (38 CFR 3.951(b)). **Is taking medication a reason for a lower rating?** Symptoms controlled by continuous medication fit the 10% description in 38 CFR 4.130. If you still have significant symptoms while on medication, the rater should look at your actual level of impairment. Tell the examiner what your symptoms are like on medication and what they were like without it. ## Sources - [38 CFR 4.130, Schedule of ratings, mental disorders (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.130) - [38 CFR 4.126, Evaluation of disability from mental disorders (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.126) - [38 CFR 3.304(f), PTSD service connection (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.304) - [38 CFR 3.951, Preservation of disability ratings (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.951) - [VA disability compensation rates (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA Form 21-0781 (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-0781/) - [VA Form 21-10210, Lay/Witness Statement (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-10210/) - [VA public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (va.gov)](https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp) - [Proposed rule: Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Mental Disorders (Federal Register, 2022)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/15/2022-02051/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-mental-disorders) - [Veterans Crisis Line](https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) --- # PTSD Secondary Conditions: What the VA Recognizes URL: https://100percentvet.com/ptsd-secondary-conditions/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The VA can service connect a condition that your service-connected PTSD caused or made worse (38 CFR 3.310). There is no official list of PTSD secondaries. Each one needs a current diagnosis and a medical opinion explaining the link. Common claims include sleep apnea, GERD, IBS, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, migraines and alcohol use disorder. Here is how each link is usually argued and what evidence it takes. ## TL;DR - A secondary condition is service connected if it is "proximately due to or the result of" a service-connected condition, or if a service-connected condition made it worse (38 CFR 3.310(a) and (b)). - You need three things: a current diagnosis, service-connected PTSD, and a medical opinion linking the two by causation or aggravation. - There is no presumptive list of PTSD secondaries. Every claim is decided on its own medical evidence, and none are automatic. - Obesity is not a disability by itself, but it can be an intermediate step between PTSD and a condition like sleep apnea (VAOPGCPREC 1-2017; Walsh v. Wilkie). - Alcohol or drug use disorder caused by PTSD can be compensated as secondary (Allen v. Principi). If you are in crisis, stop here and call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255. It is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day. ## What is a secondary condition? A secondary condition is a disability that came from, or got worse because of, a condition the VA already service connected. The rule is 38 CFR 3.310. Once a secondary condition is granted, the VA treats it as part of the original condition for service connection purposes, and it gets its own rating that combines with your others. Secondary claims matter for PTSD because PTSD affects the whole body. Chronic stress, poor sleep, weight changes and medication side effects can all lead to physical conditions. Those conditions are not paid for under your mental health rating unless the VA grants them. ## Causation vs. aggravation: what's the difference? There are two ways to win a secondary claim, and your evidence should address both. - Causation (38 CFR 3.310(a)). PTSD, or treatment for it, caused the new condition. - Aggravation (38 CFR 3.310(b)). The condition may have its own cause, but PTSD made it worse beyond its natural progress. The aggravation rule comes from Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 439 (1995) (en banc), and is now written into 3.310(b). On an aggravation grant, the VA pays only for the added disability. It sets a baseline level of severity from medical evidence, then subtracts that baseline and any natural progression from your current level (38 CFR 3.310(b)). Early medical records that show how the condition looked before it worsened help set a fair baseline. A VA opinion that only answers "did PTSD cause this?" and skips "did PTSD make it worse?" is incomplete. That gap is a common reason to ask for a Higher-Level Review or file a supplemental claim with a new opinion. ## What conditions are commonly claimed secondary to PTSD? The table below lists common claims and the usual theory. It is not a VA list, and it does not mean any claim will be granted. The medical link has to be made by a qualified clinician who reviews your records. | Condition | Usual theory | Key evidence | | --- | --- | --- | | Obstructive sleep apnea | Aggravation, or obesity as an intermediate step | Sleep study diagnosis, weight history, medical opinion addressing both causation and aggravation | | GERD | Stress-related worsening, or side effects of PTSD medications | GI diagnosis, medication list and timeline, medical opinion | | IBS | Stress and anxiety affecting the gut | GI diagnosis, symptom log, medical opinion | | Hypertension | Aggravation by chronic stress, or medication effects | Blood pressure readings over time, diagnosis, medical opinion | | Erectile dysfunction | Side effects of PTSD medications, or the psychological effects of PTSD | Diagnosis, medication history, medical opinion | | Migraines | Aggravation by stress and poor sleep | Diagnosis, headache log, medical opinion | | Alcohol or drug use disorder | Self-medicating PTSD symptoms | Diagnosis, treatment records, medical opinion on cause | ## Can sleep apnea be secondary to PTSD? It can be, but it is one of the most contested secondary claims. It is not automatic, and there is no presumption. Most successful claims rely on a medical opinion that explains how PTSD aggravated the sleep apnea, or how PTSD led to weight gain that then led to or worsened the sleep apnea. A bare statement that "PTSD causes sleep apnea" without reasoning carries little weight. The rating side matters too. Under the current 38 CFR 4.97, DC 6847, sleep apnea that requires a CPAP is rated 50%. The VA has proposed changes to those criteria that are not final as of September 2026. Details are on our [VA rating for sleep apnea](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-sleep-apnea/) page. ## How does obesity work as an intermediate step? The VA's General Counsel held in VAOPGCPREC 1-2017 that obesity is not a disability on its own. It can, however, be an "intermediate step" between a service-connected condition and a secondary one. The adjudicator asks three questions: - Did the service-connected condition cause the weight gain that resulted in obesity? - Was the obesity a substantial factor in causing the claimed condition? - Would the claimed condition have occurred without the obesity caused by the service-connected condition? In Walsh v. Wilkie, 32 Vet. App. 300 (2020), the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims held that aggravation also applies here. If PTSD, or the medication used to treat it, aggravated your obesity, and that obesity led to a condition like sleep apnea, hypertension or knee problems, the VA must consider that theory when it is raised. A medical opinion should address each step with reasons. ## Can alcohol use disorder be secondary to PTSD? Yes. Federal law bars compensation for disability that results from a veteran's own willful misconduct or alcohol or drug abuse. The Federal Circuit carved out an important exception in Allen v. Principi, 237 F.3d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 2001). An alcohol or drug abuse disability can be compensated when it is secondary to, or a symptom of, a service-connected disability like PTSD. The evidence must clearly show the substance use disorder came from the PTSD, not the other way around. Treatment notes that document drinking to sleep, to quiet nightmares or to cope with symptoms, along with a medical opinion, are the usual building blocks. Because alcohol use disorder is a mental condition, the VA often folds it into your single mental health rating instead of rating it separately. It can also be the link to physical conditions it causes, such as liver disease. ## What about insomnia, anxiety or depression with PTSD? These are usually not separate ratings. The mental health formula already includes chronic sleep impairment, anxiety and depressed mood (38 CFR 4.130). Rating the same symptoms twice is called pyramiding, and 38 CFR 4.14 prohibits it. If you have PTSD and depression, the VA will usually assign one mental health rating that accounts for both. The better move is to make sure your single mental health rating reflects all of your symptoms. See our [VA rating for PTSD](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-ptsd/) guide. ## What evidence does a PTSD secondary claim need? - Service-connected PTSD. The primary condition must already be service connected, or claimed at the same time. - A current diagnosis of the secondary condition from a medical provider. - A medical nexus opinion that addresses both causation and aggravation, uses the "at least as likely as not" standard, and explains its reasoning with reference to your records and medical literature. - Timeline evidence. When PTSD symptoms started, when the new condition appeared, weight changes, and medication start dates. - Your own statement describing how the conditions interact in your daily life. The clinician writes the opinion independently after reviewing your records. Do not ask a doctor to sign a pre-written conclusion. An opinion is only as strong as its reasoning. Our [Secondary Conditions Map ($37)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=186) lays out common secondary links by primary condition, the theory usually argued, and the records to gather before you ask for a medical opinion. ## How do secondary ratings affect my combined rating? Each granted secondary condition gets its own rating that combines with your others under 38 CFR 4.25. VA math is not simple addition, so a new 10% or 30% can move you less or more than you expect. Run it through the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). For secondaries beyond PTSD, see our broader [VA secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/) guide. We are an Army Ranger and a combat engineer from a family full of veterans. We are not the VA, we are not VA-accredited, and we do not file claims for you. We explain the rules so you can build the strongest honest claim your evidence supports. No one can promise a rating. ## Frequently asked questions **Is there an official VA list of PTSD secondary conditions?** No. Secondary service connection under 38 CFR 3.310 is decided case by case on medical evidence. Presumptive lists exist for toxic exposures and certain service, not for PTSD secondaries. **Can I file a secondary claim before PTSD is service connected?** You can file both at the same time. The secondary claim cannot be granted unless the PTSD claim is granted. Filing both together can help protect your effective date. **Does a medication side effect count as secondary?** It can. A condition that results from treatment of a service-connected disability can be service connected under 38 CFR 3.310(a). You still need a diagnosis and a medical opinion tying the condition to that medication. **Can erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD lead to extra pay?** If service connected, ED is often rated 0%, but loss of use of a creative organ can qualify for special monthly compensation at the K level under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k). That is paid on top of your regular rate. **What if the VA exam only addressed causation?** An opinion that ignores aggravation when it was raised is inadequate. You can raise that error in a Higher-Level Review, or submit a new opinion that addresses aggravation with a Supplemental Claim. ## Sources - [38 CFR 3.310, Secondary service connection (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310) - [38 CFR 4.130, Mental disorders rating formula (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.130) - [38 CFR 4.14, Avoidance of pyramiding (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.14) - [38 CFR 4.97, DC 6847 sleep apnea (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97) - [38 CFR 4.25, Combined ratings table (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.25) - [38 U.S.C. 1114, Rates of wartime disability compensation (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1114) - [Board decision applying Allen v. Principi, 237 F.3d 1368 (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/vetapp22/Files3/22018714.txt) - [Board decision applying Walsh v. Wilkie and VAOPGCPREC 1-2017 (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/vetapp25/Files3/A25026636.txt) - [Veterans Crisis Line](https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) --- # VA Rating for Sleep Apnea: 2026 Criteria and Proposed Changes URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-sleep-apnea/ Updated: 2026-09-26 Right now the VA rates sleep apnea under diagnostic code 6847 at 0%, 30%, 50% or 100% (38 CFR 4.97). If your doctor prescribes a CPAP or similar breathing device, the current rule supports 50%. The VA proposed replacing these criteria in 2022, but as of September 2026 that change is not final. Here is what is in effect today, what the proposal would do, and how sleep apnea gets service connected, including secondary to PTSD. ## TL;DR - Current DC 6847 ratings: 0% for documented sleep-disordered breathing without symptoms, 30% for persistent daytime sleepiness, 50% if you require a breathing device such as a CPAP, 100% for chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention, cor pulmonale, or a tracheostomy (38 CFR 4.97). - The VA's 2022 proposed rule would rate by how well treatment works, with levels of 0%, 10%, 50% and 100%. It has not been finalized as of September 2026. - If a new schedule is adopted, a rating already in effect cannot be reduced just because the schedule changed, unless medical evidence shows real improvement (38 CFR 3.951(a)). - Sleep apnea is not a PACT Act presumptive condition. It needs direct or secondary service connection with medical evidence. - Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is possible but not automatic. It usually needs a medical opinion on aggravation or on obesity as an intermediate step. ## What are the current VA rating criteria for sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is rated under diagnostic code 6847, Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed), in the respiratory schedule at 38 CFR 4.97. These criteria date from 1996 and are the ones in effect as of September 2026. | Rating | Current criteria (38 CFR 4.97, DC 6847) | 2026 monthly pay, veteran alone | | --- | --- | --- | | 0% | Asymptomatic but with documented sleep-disordered breathing | $0 | | 30% | Persistent daytime hypersomnolence (ongoing daytime sleepiness) | $552.47 | | 50% | Requires use of a breathing assistance device such as a continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine | $1,132.90 | | 100% | Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention, or cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy | $3,938.58 | Pay figures are the VA's rates effective December 1, 2025. Note there is no 10% level under the current code. Your combined rating, not a single condition, sets your monthly pay. See the [2026 VA pay chart](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/) and the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## Does a CPAP automatically get 50%? The current text rates 50% when sleep apnea "requires use of" a breathing assistance device. The VA looks for a sleep study diagnosis and a medical prescription for the device. Keep your sleep study report and the prescription or order for your CPAP, BiPAP or similar device. If you stopped using it, tell your doctor why. Mask problems, claustrophobia and other barriers belong in your records. No rating is automatic. The VA first has to find the sleep apnea service connected, and that is the harder step for most veterans. ## Has the VA changed the sleep apnea rating rules? Not yet. On February 15, 2022, the VA published a proposed rule to revise the ear, nose, throat, audiology and respiratory schedules. It would move away from rating by the type of treatment and toward rating by how well treatment works. The proposed DC 6847 reads, in summary: | Proposed rating | Proposed criteria (2022, not final) | | --- | --- | | 0% | Asymptomatic with or without treatment | | 10% | Incomplete relief with treatment, as shown by sleep study | | 50% | Treatment ineffective (by sleep study), or unable to use treatment due to comorbid conditions, without end-organ damage | | 100% | Treatment ineffective (by sleep study), or unable to use treatment due to comorbid conditions, with end-organ damage | Under the proposal, a CPAP that works well would point toward 0%, not 50%. The VA published a supplemental proposal in September 2024 adding a code for constrictive bronchiolitis, but it did not finalize the sleep apnea changes. As of September 2026, the Federal Register shows no final rule, and the eCFR still carries the 1996 criteria. The VA has not announced an effective date. Anyone who tells you a firm date is guessing. ## What happens to my claim if the rules change? Here is what the regulations say today: - Existing ratings are protected. A change to the rating schedule is not grounds to reduce a rating in effect on the date of the change unless medical evidence shows the condition actually improved (38 CFR 3.951(a); 38 U.S.C. 1155). - The current criteria apply now. A claim decided today is decided under the current DC 6847. - The final rule will set the terms. When the VA publishes a final rule, it will state the effective date and how it applies to claims pending on that date. Generally, new criteria are not applied to any period before their effective date, so time before that date is rated under the old criteria. If you have symptoms and a diagnosis now, waiting does not help you. An intent to file (VA Form 21-0966) can also hold your effective date for up to one year while you gather evidence (38 CFR 3.155). ## How do you get sleep apnea service connected? There are three common routes. Each needs a sleep study diagnosis. - Direct. Symptoms began in service. Evidence can include in-service notes about snoring, fatigue or witnessed apneas, and buddy statements from people who bunked with you. VA Form 21-10210 is the Lay/Witness Statement. - Secondary. A service-connected condition caused or aggravated your sleep apnea (38 CFR 3.310). Common primaries include PTSD, sinus and nasal conditions, and conditions whose treatment led to weight gain. - Aggravation of a preexisting condition. Rare, and it depends on your entrance exam. Sleep apnea is not on the PACT Act presumptive list. The VA's respiratory presumptives for burn pit and particulate exposure cover conditions like asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. See [PACT Act presumptive conditions](https://100percentvet.com/pact-act-presumptive-conditions/). ## Can sleep apnea be secondary to PTSD? It can, but you should know going in that this is a contested claim. There is no presumption and no automatic link. The two theories usually argued are: - Aggravation. PTSD made existing sleep apnea worse (38 CFR 3.310(b)). The opinion should explain how, based on your records. - Obesity as an intermediate step. PTSD or its medications caused or aggravated weight gain, and that weight gain was a substantial factor in the sleep apnea (VAOPGCPREC 1-2017; Walsh v. Wilkie, 32 Vet. App. 300 (2020)). Either way you need a medical opinion from a qualified clinician who reviews your records and writes independently, using the "at least as likely as not" standard and explaining the reasoning. An opinion that addresses causation but skips aggravation is incomplete. More detail is on our [PTSD secondary conditions](https://100percentvet.com/ptsd-secondary-conditions/) page. Our [Secondary Conditions Map ($37)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=186) shows the secondary links usually argued for sleep apnea and what records to pull before you ask for an opinion. ## What should I bring to a sleep apnea C&P exam? - Your sleep study report with the diagnosis. - The prescription or order for your CPAP or other device, and any compliance data. - Notes on daytime sleepiness: dozing while driving, at work or in meetings. - A list of other service-connected conditions you believe affect your sleep apnea. The VA publishes a Sleep Apnea Disability Benefits Questionnaire, so you can see what the examiner fills out. Our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/) cover how to prepare. We are an Army Ranger and a combat engineer from a veteran family. We are not the VA, we are not VA-accredited, and we do not file claims. We explain the rules as written so you can make your own call. No one can promise a rating. ## Frequently asked questions **Is the VA still giving 50% for sleep apnea with a CPAP in 2026?** Yes, under the criteria in effect as of September 2026. DC 6847 in 38 CFR 4.97 rates 50% when sleep apnea requires a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP. Service connection is still required. **When will the new sleep apnea rules take effect?** No date has been set. The changes were proposed in February 2022 and are not final. A final rule would be published in the Federal Register with its effective date. **Will my 50% sleep apnea rating be cut if the rules change?** Not because of the schedule change alone. Under 38 CFR 3.951(a), a readjustment of the rating schedule cannot reduce a rating in effect on that date unless medical evidence shows the condition actually improved. **Is sleep apnea presumptive for Gulf War or burn pit veterans?** No. Sleep apnea is not on the PACT Act presumptive list. It needs direct or secondary service connection with medical evidence. **Can I get sleep apnea and PTSD rated separately?** Yes, if sleep apnea is service connected, it is rated under DC 6847 and combined with your mental health rating. The VA will not pay twice for the same symptom, so the ratings must rest on different symptoms (38 CFR 4.14). ## Sources - [38 CFR 4.97, DC 6847 Sleep apnea syndromes (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97) - [38 CFR 3.951, Preservation of disability ratings (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.951) - [38 CFR 3.310, Secondary service connection (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310) - [38 CFR 3.155, Intent to file (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.155) - [Proposed rule: ENT, audiology and respiratory schedule (Federal Register, Feb. 15, 2022)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/15/2022-02049/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-ear-nose-throat-and-audiology-disabilities-special-provisions) - [Supplemental proposed rule (Federal Register, Sept. 12, 2024)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/12/2024-20542/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-ear-nose-throat-and-audiology-disabilities-special-provisions) - [VA disability compensation rates (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (va.gov)](https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp) - [VA Form 21-10210 (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-10210/) --- # VA Rating for Tinnitus: The 10% Rule and What Comes After URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-tinnitus/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The VA rates recurrent tinnitus at 10% under diagnostic code 6260, and 10% is the maximum. You get one rating whether the ringing is in one ear, both ears or your head (38 CFR 4.87). Hearing loss is rated separately under DC 6100. The bigger value often comes from conditions tinnitus causes or worsens, like sleep problems, anxiety or migraines. Here is how it all works, and what the VA has proposed to change. ## TL;DR - Recurrent tinnitus is rated 10% under DC 6260. That is the only rating level for this code (38 CFR 4.87). - Note (2) to DC 6260: only a single rating is assigned, whether the sound is in one ear, both ears or in the head. The Federal Circuit upheld this in Smith v. Nicholson (2006). - Hearing loss is rated separately under DC 6100 and can be combined with tinnitus (38 CFR 4.87, Note (1)). - Conditions caused or worsened by tinnitus, such as anxiety or migraines, can be claimed as secondary under 38 CFR 3.310 with medical evidence. - The VA proposed in 2022 to eliminate DC 6260. As of September 2026 that is not final, and existing ratings are protected by 38 CFR 3.951(a). ## What is the VA rating for tinnitus? Tinnitus is ringing, buzzing, hissing or roaring you hear when there is no outside sound. The VA rates recurrent tinnitus under diagnostic code 6260 in 38 CFR 4.87. There is one rating level: 10%. In 2026, a 10% combined rating pays $180.42 a month, per the VA's rates effective December 1, 2025. At 10% and 20% there is no added pay for dependents. See the [2026 pay chart](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/) and [what a 10% rating gets you](https://100percentvet.com/10-percent-va-disability-benefits/). ## Can I get 10% for each ear? No. Note (2) to DC 6260 says the VA assigns "only a single evaluation for recurrent tinnitus, whether the sound is perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head." The VA added that note in 2003. Veterans challenged it, and in Smith v. Nicholson, 451 F.3d 1344 (Fed. Cir. 2006), the Federal Circuit upheld the single rating. Note (3) adds one more limit. Objective tinnitus, a sound other people can hear with a definable cause, is not rated under DC 6260. It is rated as part of the condition causing it. ## Is hearing loss rated separately from tinnitus? Yes. Note (1) to DC 6260 lets the VA combine a separate tinnitus rating with a rating for hearing loss (DC 6100), peripheral vestibular disorders (DC 6204), or another code. The one exception is when tinnitus is itself what supports the rating under that other code, such as Meniere's syndrome (DC 6205). Hearing loss has its own threshold. For VA purposes, impaired hearing counts as a disability only when one of these is true (38 CFR 3.385): - The auditory threshold at any of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hz is 40 decibels or greater, or - The thresholds at three or more of those frequencies are 26 decibels or greater, or - Your speech recognition score on the Maryland CNC test is below 94%. Hearing loss is then rated by a formula using the puretone average and speech scores (38 CFR 4.85). Many veterans get service connection for hearing loss at 0%. That still matters, because the rating can go up if your hearing gets worse, and it can support secondary claims. ## How do you prove tinnitus is service connected? Tinnitus is one of the few conditions where your own account carries real weight. You are competent to say you hear ringing, because it is something you experience directly. The VA still needs to connect it to service. - In-service noise exposure. Weapons fire, explosions, aircraft, vehicles, generators, flight lines, engine rooms. - When it started. Tell the VA when you first noticed it, and whether it has continued since. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims held in Fountain v. McDonald, 27 Vet. App. 258 (2015), that tinnitus, at least where there is evidence of acoustic trauma, is an organic disease of the nervous system, a chronic disease under 38 CFR 3.309(a). That allows continuity of symptoms since service to help prove the link. - Buddy statements. People who served with you can confirm the noise you worked around. VA Form 21-10210 is the Lay/Witness Statement. ## Does my MOS prove noise exposure? It can help a lot. The VA keeps a Duty MOS Noise Exposure Listing that rates each military job's probability of hazardous noise exposure as highly probable, moderate or low. If your job is listed as highly probable, the VA generally concedes you were exposed to hazardous noise in service. Infantry, artillery, armor, combat engineer and many aviation and maintenance jobs fall into that group. A moderate or low listing does not end your claim. It means you need to show the actual noise you were exposed to, through your statement, buddy statements, deployment records or awards that show combat. For combat veterans, 38 U.S.C. 1154(b) lets your own account of combat events establish what happened when it is consistent with the circumstances of your service. ## What conditions can be secondary to tinnitus? Since 10% is the ceiling for tinnitus itself, the next question is what tinnitus has done to the rest of your life. Under 38 CFR 3.310, a condition caused or aggravated by service-connected tinnitus can be service connected. Claims that are often argued include: - Anxiety or depression. Constant noise can wear on mood and sleep. If granted, it is rated under the mental health formula in 38 CFR 4.130, the same scale used for [PTSD](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-ptsd/). - Migraines or headaches. Some veterans report that tinnitus flares trigger or worsen headaches. Migraines are rated under DC 8100. See our [VA rating for migraines](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-migraines/) guide. - Sleep disturbance. Usually folded into a mental health rating, not rated alone, because chronic sleep impairment is already part of that formula. None of these are automatic. Each needs a diagnosis and a medical opinion that explains how tinnitus caused or aggravated the condition. The opinion should address both causation and aggravation. The [Secondary Conditions Map ($37)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=186) shows common secondary links for tinnitus and hearing loss and the records to gather first. ## Is the VA changing how tinnitus is rated? It has proposed to. In a proposed rule published February 15, 2022, the VA said it would delete DC 6260 and rate tinnitus only as part of an underlying condition, such as hearing loss (DC 6100), a vestibular disorder, Meniere's syndrome or a traumatic brain injury. As of September 2026, that change is not final. The Federal Register shows no final rule, and the current eCFR still contains DC 6260 with its 10% rating. The VA itself stated in the proposal that the change would not affect veterans already service connected for tinnitus under DC 6260, whose ratings are protected by 38 CFR 3.951(a). If you have tinnitus related to service, the current rules are the ones that apply to your claim today. ## What happens at a tinnitus and hearing loss exam? The VA uses a Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Disability Benefits Questionnaire, which the VA publishes. A state-licensed audiologist tests your hearing with a puretone audiometry test and the Maryland CNC speech test. The examiner asks when your tinnitus started and what noise you were exposed to in and after service. Be ready to explain your in-service noise in detail and when you first noticed the ringing. Be accurate about noise exposure after service too. Our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/) cover general exam preparation. We are an Army Ranger and a combat engineer from a family of veterans, and we have heard the ringing too. We are not the VA, we are not VA-accredited, and we do not file claims for you. We explain the rules as written. No one can promise a rating. ## Frequently asked questions **Is 10% the highest VA rating for tinnitus?** Yes. DC 6260 has one rating level, 10%, under 38 CFR 4.87. Higher combined ratings come from hearing loss or from secondary conditions rated under their own codes. **Can I get tinnitus rated in both ears?** No. Note (2) to DC 6260 allows a single rating whether the sound is in one ear, both ears or the head. The Federal Circuit upheld that rule in Smith v. Nicholson, 451 F.3d 1344 (2006). **Do I need a hearing test to get tinnitus service connected?** Tinnitus is mainly shown by your own report, since no test measures it directly. The VA will usually order an audiology exam anyway to evaluate hearing loss and get an opinion on whether tinnitus relates to service. **Will I lose my tinnitus rating if the VA deletes DC 6260?** The change is only proposed. The VA stated it would not affect veterans already service connected under DC 6260, and 38 CFR 3.951(a) bars reductions based only on a schedule change unless the condition improved. **Is tinnitus a PACT Act presumptive condition?** No. Tinnitus is service connected through in-service noise exposure or as secondary to another condition. See our [PACT Act presumptive conditions](https://100percentvet.com/pact-act-presumptive-conditions/) page for what is on that list. ## Sources - [38 CFR 4.87, Schedule of ratings, ear, DC 6260 and notes (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.87) - [38 CFR 4.85, Evaluation of hearing impairment (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.85) - [38 CFR 3.385, Disability due to impaired hearing (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.385) - [38 CFR 3.309(a), Chronic diseases (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.309) - [38 CFR 3.310, Secondary service connection (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310) - [38 CFR 3.951, Preservation of disability ratings (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.951) - [38 U.S.C. 1154, Combat veterans (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1154) - [Proposed rule: ENT and audiology schedule (Federal Register, Feb. 15, 2022)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/15/2022-02049/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-ear-nose-throat-and-audiology-disabilities-special-provisions) - [Board decision applying Smith v. Nicholson, 451 F.3d 1344 (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/vetapp25/Files4/A25034700.txt) - [VA disability compensation rates (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (va.gov)](https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp) --- # VA Rating for Migraines: 0% to 50% Criteria Explained URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-migraines/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The VA rates migraines under diagnostic code 8100 at 0%, 10%, 30% or 50% (38 CFR 4.124a). The rating depends on how often you have "prostrating" attacks, the kind that force you to stop and lie down. 50% requires very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks "productive of severe economic inadaptability," which does not mean you have to be unemployed. Here are the criteria as of September 2026, what the key words mean, and why a headache log matters so much. ## TL;DR - DC 8100 ratings: 0% for less frequent attacks, 10% for prostrating attacks averaging one every 2 months, 30% for prostrating attacks averaging once a month, 50% for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability (38 CFR 4.124a). - "Prostrating" is not defined in the regulation. VA decisions commonly use dictionary meanings like "extreme exhaustion or powerlessness." - Severe economic inadaptability does not require unemployment. "Productive of" can mean producing or capable of producing (Pierce v. Principi, 18 Vet. App. 440 (2004)). - As of September 2026, DC 8100 has not been amended. The VA's 2024 neurological proposal is not final. - A consistent headache log is often the strongest evidence of frequency and severity. ## What are the VA rating criteria for migraines? Migraines are rated under diagnostic code 8100 in the neurological schedule, 38 CFR 4.124a. Other headache types, such as tension or cluster headaches, are often rated by analogy to this code. Here is the current text, as of the eCFR dated September 24, 2026: | Rating | DC 8100 criteria (38 CFR 4.124a) | 2026 monthly pay, veteran alone | | --- | --- | --- | | 0% | With less frequent attacks | $0 | | 10% | With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over the last several months | $180.42 | | 30% | With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months | $552.47 | | 50% | With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability | $1,132.90 | Pay figures are the VA's rates effective December 1, 2025, for a single 10%, 30% or 50% combined rating. Your real payment depends on all your ratings combined. Run the numbers in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/) or see the [2026 pay chart](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-pay-chart-2026/). ## What does "prostrating" mean to the VA? The rating code does not define it, and neither has the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Board decisions commonly cite dictionary definitions: "utter physical exhaustion or helplessness," or "extreme exhaustion or powerlessness." In Johnson v. Wilkie, 30 Vet. App. 245 (2018), the Court read "characteristic prostrating attacks" as migraine attacks that typically produce powerlessness or a lack of vitality. In plain terms, a prostrating attack is one that stops you. You have to quit what you are doing, go somewhere dark and quiet, and lie down until it passes. A headache you can work through with an aspirin usually does not qualify. Johnson also held the DC 8100 levels are successive. To get 50%, you have to meet the 30% level too. ## What is "severe economic inadaptability"? This phrase is the biggest hurdle for 50%, and it is often misread. In Pierce v. Principi, 18 Vet. App. 440 (2004), the Court held two things: - "Productive of" means producing or capable of producing. Your migraines do not have to have already cost you a job. They must be capable of producing severe economic inadaptability. - Economic inadaptability is not unemployability. Requiring a veteran to be unable to work would blur the line with total disability based on individual unemployability, which has its own rules under 38 CFR 4.16. So you can hold a full-time job and still meet the 50% standard. Evidence that helps includes missed work days, leaving early, lost leave, warnings about attendance, reduced hours, turning down promotions or shifts, or changing to a job that tolerates absences. A statement from a supervisor or coworker can confirm what happens when an attack hits at work. If your migraines do keep you from working, see our [TDIU guide](https://100percentvet.com/tdiu/). The schedular TDIU threshold is one condition at 60% or more, or a combined 70% with one condition at 40% or more (38 CFR 4.16(a)). Migraines alone max out at 50%, so they usually count toward the combined path. ## Does medication lower my migraine rating? It should not, by itself. DC 8100 does not mention medication. In Jones v. Shinseki, 26 Vet. App. 56 (2012), the Court held that when a diagnostic code is silent about medication, the VA may not deny a higher rating based on the relief medication provides. Board decisions have applied Jones to migraines. In February 2026, the VA published an interim final rule amending 38 CFR 4.10 on how medication affects ratings. Ten days later, on February 27, 2026, the VA rescinded it and restored the prior text. The rule that was briefly published is not in effect. Tell the examiner what your attacks are like on medication and what they were like before it. If you take preventive medication and still have prostrating attacks, say so. ## Has the VA changed the migraine rating criteria? Not as of September 2026. The VA published a proposed rule on November 12, 2024, to update the neurological schedule. That proposal is not final, and its regulatory text for DC 8100 keeps the same four-level wording. The current eCFR text of 38 CFR 4.124a, shown in the table above, is what the VA applies today. If the VA ever changes DC 8100, a rating in effect on that date cannot be reduced based only on the schedule change unless medical evidence shows your condition actually improved (38 CFR 3.951(a)). ## Why does a headache log matter so much? DC 8100 is based on frequency over the last several months. The VA needs to see how often you have prostrating attacks and how long they last. Medical records rarely capture that, because most people do not go to the doctor for each migraine. Your own records fill the gap. For each attack, write down: - The date, start time and how long it lasted. - Whether you had to stop and lie down, and for how long. - Symptoms: light or sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, vision changes. - Medication taken and whether it helped. - Work impact: missed shift, left early, couldn't function at your desk. Keep the log for several months and write entries as it happens, not from memory later. An honest, consistent log is credible. A log that looks built for the claim is not. Our [Symptom and Flare-Up Logbook ($19)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=190) gives you a ready layout that matches what DC 8100 measures. ## How do you get migraines service connected? - Direct. Headaches started or were treated in service. Service treatment records, sick call notes and buddy statements help. - Secondary. A service-connected condition caused or aggravated them (38 CFR 3.310). Commonly argued primaries include neck conditions, [PTSD](https://100percentvet.com/ptsd-secondary-conditions/), [tinnitus](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-tinnitus/) and sleep apnea. Each needs a medical opinion. - After a TBI. Migraines with their own diagnosis are rated separately under DC 8100, not folded into the TBI residuals table (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8045). ## What happens at a headache C&P exam? The examiner fills out the VA's Headaches (including Migraines) Disability Benefits Questionnaire, which the VA publishes. Expect questions about how often you have prostrating attacks, how long they last, and how they affect work. Bring your log. Describe a typical attack and your worst ones, and do not minimize. See our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/). We are an Army Ranger and a combat engineer from a veteran family. We are not the VA, we are not VA-accredited, and we do not file claims for you. We explain the rules as written. No one can promise a rating. ## Frequently asked questions **What is the highest VA rating for migraines?** 50% under DC 8100 (38 CFR 4.124a). Higher combined ratings come from other conditions, or through TDIU if migraines and other conditions keep you from working. **Do I have to be unemployed for a 50% migraine rating?** No. Pierce v. Principi held that severe economic inadaptability is not the same as unemployability, and that the attacks need only be capable of producing it. **How many migraines a month for 30%?** 30% requires characteristic prostrating attacks averaging once a month over the last several months. Attacks you can work through generally do not count toward that number. **Are the migraine rating rules changing in 2026?** No change is in effect as of September 2026. The November 2024 neurological proposal is not final, and its proposed text keeps the current DC 8100 levels. **Can tension headaches be rated under the migraine code?** Often, yes. Headache conditions without their own code are commonly rated by analogy to DC 8100, using the same frequency and prostration criteria. ## Sources - [38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings, neurological conditions, DC 8100 (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a) - [38 CFR 4.16, Total disability based on unemployability (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.16) - [38 CFR 3.310, Secondary service connection (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310) - [38 CFR 3.951, Preservation of disability ratings (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.951) - [Board decision applying Pierce v. Principi, Johnson v. Wilkie and Jones v. Shinseki (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/vetapp25/Files3/A25023837.txt) - [Proposed rule: Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders (Federal Register, Nov. 12, 2024)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/12/2024-25665/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-neurological-conditions-and-convulsive-disorders) - [Interim final rule: Evaluative Rating, Impact of Medication (Federal Register, Feb. 17, 2026)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/17/2026-03068/evaluative-rating-impact-of-medication) - [Rescission of that interim final rule (Federal Register, Feb. 27, 2026)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/27/2026-03940/rescission-of-interim-final-rule-evaluative-rating-impact-of-medication) - [VA disability compensation rates (va.gov)](https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) - [VA public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (va.gov)](https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp) --- # VA Rating for Back Pain: How the Spine Formula Works in 2026 URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-back-pain/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The VA rates most back conditions by how far you can bend forward. For the lower and mid back (the thoracolumbar spine), forward flexion over 60 but not over 85 degrees is 10%, over 30 but not over 60 degrees is 20%, and 30 degrees or less is 40%. Ankylosis (a fused spine) is rated at 40%, 50% or 100%. Nerve pain down the leg is rated separately. Here is how it works and how to get an accurate exam. ## TL;DR - Back conditions are rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine in 38 CFR 4.71a. Thoracolumbar ratings are 10%, 20%, 40%, 50% and 100%. - The key measurement is forward flexion: 30 degrees or less is 40%, over 30 up to 60 is 20%, over 60 up to 85 is 10%. Normal is 90 degrees. - Sciatica or radiculopathy is rated on its own, usually under DC 8520 (sciatic nerve) at 10% to 80% per leg, on top of the back rating (Note 1 to the spine formula). - Disc disease with nerve root involvement (DC 5243) can instead be rated on incapacitating episodes: 10% to 60%, but only for bed rest prescribed by a physician. - The exam must account for pain, flare-ups and repeated use (38 CFR 4.40, 4.45, 4.59; DeLuca, Correia, Sharp). A written flare-up log helps you describe them accurately. ## How does the VA rate back pain? The VA does not rate back pain by how much it hurts on a scale of 1 to 10. It rates by what your spine can do. Most back diagnoses, including strain, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, fusion, and degenerative arthritis or disc disease, fall under diagnostic codes 5235 to 5243 in 38 CFR 4.71a. All of those codes use one rating formula. It applies "with or without symptoms such as pain (whether or not it radiates), stiffness, or aching." That means the numbers on the goniometer drive the rating, but pain still matters because it can limit how far you move. The VA rates the lower and mid back (thoracolumbar spine) and the neck (cervical spine) as separate disabilities, unless both are fused in an unfavorable position (Note 6). ## What are the VA ratings for the lower back? Here is the thoracolumbar part of the General Rating Formula, from 38 CFR 4.71a. You only need to meet one of the listed findings in a row to qualify for that rating. | Rating | Thoracolumbar spine findings | | --- | --- | | 10% | Forward flexion greater than 60 but not greater than 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 but not greater than 235 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness that does not cause an abnormal gait or spinal contour; or a vertebral body fracture with loss of 50% or more of its height | | 20% | Forward flexion greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to cause an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour (scoliosis, reversed lordosis, abnormal kyphosis) | | 40% | Forward flexion 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine | | 50% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine | | 100% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine | Normal forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine is 0 to 90 degrees. Normal extension is 0 to 30 degrees, and normal side bending and rotation are 0 to 30 degrees each way. The combined range of motion adds all six movements. Normal combined motion is 240 degrees (Note 2). Each measurement is rounded to the nearest 5 degrees (Note 4). Past 40%, there is no higher rating based on range of motion alone. The 50% and 100% levels require ankylosis, which means the spine is fixed in place. ## What about the neck? The same formula rates the cervical spine with different numbers. Forward flexion of the neck greater than 30 but not greater than 40 degrees is 10%. Greater than 15 but not greater than 30 degrees is 20%. Fifteen degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, is 30%. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine is 40% (38 CFR 4.71a). Normal neck flexion is 0 to 45 degrees. ## Is sciatica or radiculopathy rated separately? Yes. Note 1 to the spine formula tells the VA to rate "any associated objective neurologic abnormalities" separately under the right diagnostic code. That includes nerve pain, numbness or weakness in the legs, and bowel or bladder problems. Radiculopathy down the leg is usually rated under DC 8520, the sciatic nerve, in 38 CFR 4.124a. Each leg is rated on its own: | DC 8520 level | Rating | | --- | --- | | Mild incomplete paralysis | 10% | | Moderate incomplete paralysis | 20% | | Moderately severe incomplete paralysis | 40% | | Severe incomplete paralysis, with marked muscular atrophy | 60% | | Complete paralysis (foot dangles and drops) | 80% | When both legs have a compensable rating, the bilateral factor in 38 CFR 4.26 adds 10% of their combined value before everything else is combined. Many veterans rated for their back never get the leg ratings because nobody asked about the nerve symptoms. See our [secondary conditions guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/) for how these links work. ## How does the IVDS incapacitating episode formula work? Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) has its own code, DC 5243. Since the 2021 update to the musculoskeletal rules, the VA assigns DC 5243 only when there is a disc herniation with compression or irritation of the nerve root. Other disc diagnoses go under DC 5242. IVDS can be rated under the General Rating Formula or under the incapacitating episode formula, whichever gives the higher result once all ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25. | Total incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months | Rating | | --- | --- | | At least 1 week but less than 2 weeks | 10% | | At least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks | 20% | | At least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks | 40% | | At least 6 weeks | 60% | The catch is the definition. An incapacitating episode is a period of acute symptoms "that requires bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician" (Note 1 to the IVDS formula). Days you stayed in bed on your own do not count. If a doctor orders bed rest, make sure it is written in your records with the dates. [Track flare-ups and bed rest days with the Symptom and Flare-Up Logbook ($19)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=190), so your dates and details are on paper before the exam. ## How does pain affect a back rating? (DeLuca, 4.40, 4.45, 4.59) Range of motion is not just where the joint stops. It is where you can actually use it. Three rules make the VA look at real function: - 38 CFR 4.40 says functional loss can be due to pain, and "a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled." - 38 CFR 4.45 lists weakened movement, excess fatigability, incoordination, and pain on movement as factors to check. - 38 CFR 4.59 says painful motion is a key factor, and joints should be tested for pain on active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing. In DeLuca v. Brown, 8 Vet. App. 202 (1995), the court held that ratings must account for functional loss from pain, weakness, fatigability and incoordination, including during flare-ups and after repeated use. Mitchell v. Shinseki, 25 Vet. App. 32 (2011), added that pain alone is not the same as functional loss, but the examiner must address flare-ups and repetitive use. In Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), the court held that an exam must include the testing in 4.59: active and passive motion, weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing. An exam without it can be inadequate. ## What if my back is worse during flare-ups? (Sharp v. Shulkin) Most exams happen on an average day. Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017), says an examiner who does not see you during a flare-up must still estimate the extra loss of motion during flare-ups. The examiner should use your own description to do it, or explain why an estimate is not possible. That puts weight on what you say. Be ready to answer clearly: - How often do flare-ups happen (per week or month)? - How long does each one last? - What sets them off (lifting, sitting, driving, weather)? - What can you not do during one (bend to tie shoes, sit through a shift, pick up a child)? - About how far can you bend forward during one compared with today? A log kept over a few months answers these with dates instead of guesses. Describe your real worst days accurately and completely. Do not add to them. The goal is an exam that reflects how your back actually works. ## How does a C&P range of motion exam work? The examiner uses a goniometer, a hinged ruler that measures joint angles in degrees. For the back you stand and bend forward, lean back, bend to each side and twist to each side. The examiner records each angle and where pain begins. The exam form also asks the examiner to test after repeated use, to see if you lose motion. Tell the examiner when pain starts. Stop when pain stops you. Do not push through pain to reach a number, and do not stop short of what you can do. The examiner fills out the Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire. Our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/) page covers the full exam, how to get a copy, and what makes an exam inadequate. ## What should I bring to a back exam? - A short list of your flare-ups over the last few months: dates, length, and what you could not do. - Dates of any physician-prescribed bed rest. - A list of devices you use: brace, cane, TENS unit. - Notes on leg symptoms: numbness, tingling, weakness, which leg, how often. - A personal statement or buddy statement already sent to the VA, if you have one. Want to see what a new back rating would do to your combined rating? Run it in the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). If your back keeps you from working, read about [TDIU](https://100percentvet.com/tdiu/). ## Frequently asked questions **What is the most common VA rating for back pain?** The VA does not publish a single number, but 10%, 20% and 40% are the range-of-motion levels under the spine formula. Which one fits depends on your forward flexion and combined range of motion at the exam (38 CFR 4.71a). **Can I get a separate rating for sciatica?** Yes. Note 1 to the spine formula requires neurologic problems to be rated separately. Leg radiculopathy is usually rated under DC 8520 at 10% to 80% per leg, based on how severe it is. **Does bed rest count if my doctor did not order it?** Not for the IVDS incapacitating episode formula. It counts only when a physician prescribes the bed rest and treats you. Self-directed rest can still be described as part of your flare-ups. **What is the highest VA rating for the back based on motion?** 40% for the thoracolumbar spine, at 30 degrees or less of forward flexion. The 50% and 100% levels require unfavorable ankylosis. IVDS can reach 60% under the incapacitating episode formula. **What if the examiner did not ask about flare-ups?** An exam that skips flare-ups or the 4.59 testing may be inadequate under Sharp, Correia and Barr v. Nicholson. You can point this out in a Higher-Level Review or submit new evidence in a Supplemental Claim. ## Sources - [38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71a) - [38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520 (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.124a) - [38 CFR 4.40, Functional loss (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.40) - [38 CFR 4.45, The joints (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.45) - [38 CFR 4.59, Painful motion (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.59) - [38 CFR 4.26, Bilateral factor (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.26) - [VA claim exam (C&P exam), va.gov](https://www.va.gov/disability/va-claim-exam/) --- # VA Rating for Knee Pain: Codes, Degrees and Separate Ratings URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-knee-pain/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The VA rates knee pain mainly by how far the knee bends (DC 5260) and straightens (DC 5261), plus any instability (DC 5257), meniscus problems (DC 5258 or 5259), or a replacement (DC 5055). Flexion limited to 45 degrees is 10%, to 30 degrees is 20%, and to 15 degrees is 30%. One knee can carry more than one rating when the symptoms do not overlap. Here is how each code works in 2026. ## TL;DR - Knee codes are DC 5256 to 5263 in 38 CFR 4.71a. Limited flexion (5260) pays 10% at 45 degrees, 20% at 30 degrees, 30% at 15 degrees. - Limited extension (5261) pays 10% at 10 degrees up to 50% at 45 degrees. VA General Counsel opinion 9-2004 allows separate flexion and extension ratings for the same knee. - Since February 7, 2021, instability (5257) is rated 10%, 20% or 30% based on the type of ligament damage and whether a provider prescribed a brace or an assistive device. - Painful motion earns at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint (38 CFR 4.59). For the knee, that is 10%. - A total knee replacement (5055) is 100% for 4 months after the initial one-month convalescence rating, then at least 30%. Two rated knees get the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26). ## How does the VA rate knee pain? The VA rates the knee by what it can and cannot do. The main tools are range of motion, stability, and specific injuries like cartilage damage. All knee codes are in 38 CFR 4.71a under "The Knee and Leg." For VA purposes, normal knee motion is 0 degrees of extension (fully straight) to 140 degrees of flexion (38 CFR 4.71, Plate II). The ratings kick in as you lose motion in either direction. ## What are the VA ratings for knee flexion and extension? Flexion is bending the knee. Extension is straightening it. They are rated under different codes. | DC 5260: flexion limited to | Rating | DC 5261: extension limited to | Rating | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 60 degrees | 0% | 5 degrees | 0% | | 45 degrees | 10% | 10 degrees | 10% | | 30 degrees | 20% | 15 degrees | 20% | | 15 degrees | 30% | 20 degrees | 30% | | | | 30 degrees | 40% | | | | 45 degrees | 50% | Extension is measured as how far the knee is from straight. A knee that stops 10 degrees short of straight has extension limited to 10 degrees. ## Can I get separate ratings for the same knee? Yes, when each rating covers a different problem. The rule against pyramiding (38 CFR 4.14) only bars rating the same symptom twice. Three sources open the door: - VAOPGCPREC 23-97 and 9-98. VA's General Counsel held that a knee with arthritis and instability can be rated separately under DC 5003 or the motion codes and under DC 5257. Opinion 9-98 adds that painful motion under 38 CFR 4.59 can support the arthritis rating even when measured motion is not compensable. - VAOPGCPREC 9-2004. Limited flexion (5260) and limited extension (5261) of the same knee can be rated separately. - Lyles v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 107 (2017). The court held those opinions are not the only combinations allowed. Other knee codes, such as a meniscus rating under 5258 alongside a motion rating, can be assigned separately as long as the symptoms do not overlap. In practice, the VA often assigns one knee rating and stops. If your exam shows both limited bending and limited straightening, or instability plus painful motion, check whether each one was rated. ## How is knee instability rated under DC 5257? The VA rewrote DC 5257 in its musculoskeletal update effective February 7, 2021. The old "slight, moderate, severe" labels are gone. Ratings now depend on the ligament damage and on what a medical provider prescribed. | Rating | Recurrent subluxation or instability (ligament) | | --- | --- | | 10% | Sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or complete tear (repaired, unrepaired, or failed repair) causing persistent instability, with no prescription for a brace or assistive device | | 20% | (a) Sprain, incomplete tear, or repaired complete tear causing persistent instability, with a prescribed brace and/or assistive device; or (b) unrepaired or failed repair of a complete tear causing persistent instability, with a prescribed assistive device or brace | | 30% | Unrepaired or failed repair of a complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, with a prescribed assistive device (cane, crutches, walker) and a brace | DC 5257 now also covers patellar (kneecap) instability. It pays 10% with recurrent instability and no prescribed device, 20% after surgical repair with a prescribed brace, cane or walker, and 30% after surgical repair with a prescribed brace plus a cane or walker. The word "prescribes" matters. A brace you bought at the pharmacy on your own does not meet the 20% or 30% criteria. If your provider tells you to use a brace or cane, ask that it be written in your record. ## How are meniscus tears rated? (DC 5258 and 5259) - DC 5258, 20%: semilunar cartilage (meniscus) dislocated, with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion (fluid) into the joint. - DC 5259, 10%: meniscus removed, and still symptomatic. Under Lyles, a meniscus rating can sit alongside a motion rating when the symptoms are different. Locking and effusion are not the same as limited flexion. ## What does 38 CFR 4.59 painful motion do for a knee? Section 4.59 says the VA intends "to recognize actually painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint." For the knee, the minimum compensable rating is 10%. So a knee that bends to 130 degrees with pain may still qualify for 10%, even though 130 degrees is far from the 45 degrees in DC 5260. The court has held 4.59 is not limited to arthritis (Burton v. Shinseki, 25 Vet. App. 1 (2011)). Section 4.59 also sets the testing standard. Joints should be tested for pain on active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing, and against the opposite knee if it is undamaged. Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), made that testing a requirement for an adequate exam. DeLuca v. Brown and Sharp v. Shulkin require the examiner to consider flare-ups and repeated use. Our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/) explain how to describe flare-ups accurately. [Get the C&P Exam Prep Kit ($47)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=182) to prepare for the knee exam, with checklists tied to what the examiner has to record. ## How is a knee replacement rated? (DC 5055) | DC 5055 stage | Rating | | --- | --- | | 4 months following implantation of prosthesis or resurfacing | 100% | | Total replacement with chronic residuals of severe painful motion or weakness | 60% | | Intermediate residuals | Rated by analogy to DC 5256, 5261 or 5262 | | Minimum, total replacement only | 30% | The 4-month 100% period starts after the one-month total rating for convalescence under 38 CFR 4.30 (Note 5). Before 2021, the 100% period was one year, so older guides may show outdated numbers. A partial resurfacing has no minimum after the 100% period and is rated under DCs 5256 to 5262. ## What are the other knee codes? - DC 5256, ankylosis (knee frozen in place): 30% to 60%, based on the angle. - DC 5262, tibia and fibula: nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace is 40%. Malunion is rated under the knee or ankle codes. Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) are rated 0% to 30%. - DC 5263, genu recurvatum: 10% for an acquired, traumatic backward bend of the knee with objectively shown weakness. - DC 5003, degenerative arthritis: rated on limitation of motion. When motion is not compensable, it pays 10% per major joint with painful or limited motion. ## How does the bilateral factor work for two knees? When both legs have a compensable disability, 38 CFR 4.26 combines the two ratings, then adds 10% of that value. Example: 10% right knee and 10% left knee combine to 19%. Add 1.9 (10% of 19) and you get 20.9, which is treated as 21 in the rest of the math. That same rule applies to a knee on one side and a hip or ankle on the other. Plug your numbers into the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). Knee problems also lead to secondary claims for the hip, back, or the other knee. See the [secondary conditions guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/) and the [back pain rating guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-back-pain/). ## Frequently asked questions **What is the VA rating for knee pain with full range of motion?** A painful knee can still qualify for 10%, the minimum compensable rating for the joint, under 38 CFR 4.59. The pain must be documented, for example by the examiner noting pain on motion. **Can I get two ratings for one knee?** Yes, if the symptoms are different. Flexion and extension can be rated separately (VAOPGCPREC 9-2004), instability can be rated with arthritis or motion loss (VAOPGCPREC 23-97, 9-98), and Lyles v. Shulkin allows other combinations that do not overlap. **Do I need a prescribed brace for a higher instability rating?** For 20% or 30% under DC 5257, yes. The current text requires that a medical provider prescribe a brace, an assistive device, or both. Without a prescription, persistent instability rates 10%. **How long is the 100% rating after a knee replacement?** Four months under DC 5055, starting after the one-month convalescence rating under 38 CFR 4.30. After that, a total replacement is rated at least 30%. **What is normal knee range of motion for the VA?** 0 degrees of extension to 140 degrees of flexion, per Plate II in 38 CFR 4.71. ## Sources - [38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71a) - [38 CFR 4.71, Measurement of joint motion, Plate II (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71) - [38 CFR 4.59, Painful motion (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.59) - [38 CFR 4.26, Bilateral factor (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.26) - [38 CFR 4.14, Avoidance of pyramiding (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.14) - [Musculoskeletal final rule, 85 FR 76453, effective Feb. 7, 2021 (Federal Register)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/30/2020-25450/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-musculoskeletal-system-and-muscle-injuries) - [VA claim exam (C&P exam), va.gov](https://www.va.gov/disability/va-claim-exam/) --- # VA Secondary Conditions: How Secondary Service Connection Works URL: https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/ Updated: 2026-09-26 A secondary condition is a disability caused or made worse by a condition the VA already rates. Under 38 CFR 3.310, it gets service connected and rated on its own. You need three things: a current diagnosis, a service-connected primary condition, and a medical opinion that the link is "at least as likely as not." Here is how the rule works, the chains veterans most often claim, and what evidence the VA looks for. ## TL;DR - 38 CFR 3.310(a): a disability "proximately due to or the result of" a service-connected condition is itself service connected. - 38 CFR 3.310(b): if a service-connected condition makes a non-service-connected one worse, the VA rates the added severity above a medical baseline. - You need a diagnosis, a service-connected primary, and a medical nexus opinion that it is at least as likely as not (50% or more) that the primary caused or worsened the secondary. - An opinion that only addresses causation and skips aggravation is inadequate (El-Amin v. Shinseki, 26 Vet. App. 136 (2013)). - Common chains: knee to hip or back, back to radiculopathy, PTSD to sleep apnea or hypertension, diabetes to neuropathy. Each one still needs medical evidence in your file. ## What is a secondary condition for VA disability? A secondary condition is a disability that grew out of a condition you are already service connected for. You do not have to show it started in service. You show it came from, or got worse because of, the primary condition. The rule is 38 CFR 3.310(a): "disability which is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury shall be service connected." Once granted, the secondary condition "shall be considered a part of the original condition," and it gets its own rating that combines into your total. A primary condition rated at 0% still counts. It is service connected, so it can support a secondary claim. ## What is the difference between causation and aggravation? There are two ways to win a secondary claim. You should argue both when the facts support it. - Causation (3.310(a)). The service-connected condition caused the new one. Example: a bad knee changed how you walk for years, and a doctor finds that caused your hip condition. - Aggravation (3.310(b)). You had a condition that was not from service, and a service-connected condition made it worse beyond its natural progress. The courts built this rule before it was written into 3.310. In Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 439 (1995) (en banc), the court held that secondary service connection covers aggravation of a non-service-connected condition. In El-Amin v. Shinseki, 26 Vet. App. 136 (2013), the court held that a VA opinion addressing only causation, not aggravation, is not adequate. ## What is the baseline rule for aggravation? For an aggravation claim, the VA only pays for the added severity. Section 3.310(b) says the VA will not concede aggravation unless the baseline level of severity is shown by medical evidence: - created before the aggravation started, or - the earliest medical evidence created between the start of aggravation and the evidence showing your current severity. The VA then rates the baseline and the current level under the rating schedule and subtracts the baseline and any natural progress. What is left is the rating you receive for the aggravation. This makes old treatment records valuable. Gather them early. ## What are the most common secondary condition chains? These are chains veterans often claim. None of them is automatic. Each one depends on your diagnosis, your records, and a medical opinion about your case. | Service-connected primary | Secondary conditions often claimed | Where to read more | | --- | --- | --- | | Knee condition | Hip condition, low back condition, the other knee (from favoring one side) | Knee ratings | | Back condition | Radiculopathy (sciatica) in one or both legs, bowel or bladder problems | Back ratings | | PTSD | Sleep apnea, GERD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (including from medication side effects) | PTSD secondary conditions | | Tinnitus | Migraines, anxiety or depression | Tinnitus ratings | | Type 2 diabetes | Peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, eye conditions | Your treating provider | Side effects of treatment count too. If a medication for a service-connected condition caused a new problem, that can be a secondary claim under 3.310(a). Timing does not defeat a secondary claim. In Frost v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 131 (2017), the court held that a secondary condition can be service connected even if it started before the primary condition was service connected. Some links are already written into the regulation. Under 3.310(c) and (d), certain heart conditions after leg amputations, and certain conditions after a moderate or severe TBI (such as Parkinsonism and unprovoked seizures), are presumed secondary in the absence of clear evidence to the contrary. [Get the Secondary Conditions Map ($37)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=186) to see which secondaries to screen for from each primary condition and what evidence each one needs. ## What evidence do you need for a secondary claim? Every secondary claim rests on three elements: - A current diagnosis of the secondary condition from a medical provider. For sleep apnea, that usually means a sleep study. For radiculopathy, it may mean a nerve test or a documented neurologic exam. - A service-connected primary condition. Check your rating decision or code sheet to confirm it is service connected. - A medical nexus opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" (a 50% or greater probability) that the primary caused or aggravated the secondary. The nexus opinion is where most secondary claims win or lose. A strong opinion rests on an accurate history of your records and explains its reasoning. The court said most of an opinion's weight comes from that reasoning (Nieves-Rodriguez v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 295 (2008)). A good opinion also addresses both causation and aggravation. The clinician must review your records and write the opinion in their own words. Nobody should hand a doctor a finished opinion to sign. What you can do is give the clinician an organized packet: the relevant records with page numbers, a timeline, and the legal standard the opinion needs to address. ## What else helps a secondary claim? - Your own statement (VA Form 21-4138) describing when the new symptoms started and how they relate to the primary condition. Write only what you actually experienced. - Buddy statements (VA Form 21-10210) from people who saw the change, like a spouse who noticed you started snoring and stopping breathing at night. - Treatment records that mention the connection, such as a provider noting an altered gait from a knee injury. ## How do you file a secondary claim? File on VA Form 21-526EZ, online or by mail, and list the condition as secondary to the service-connected one. Name the primary condition clearly. If you are not ready to file, an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) holds your possible effective date for one year (38 CFR 3.155). If the VA schedules a C&P exam, go to it. Our [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/) explain how to prepare and how to spot an inadequate opinion. To see how a new secondary rating would change your total, use the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). ## Frequently asked questions **Can a 0% service-connected condition support a secondary claim?** Yes. A 0% rating still means the condition is service connected, which is what 38 CFR 3.310 requires. **Do I need a doctor's opinion for a secondary claim?** In most cases, yes. The VA needs medical evidence linking the two conditions. The VA may order its own opinion at a C&P exam, and you can also submit an opinion from your own licensed provider. **What does "at least as likely as not" mean?** It means a 50% or greater probability. The opinion does not need to be certain. It needs to show the link is at least as likely as not, with reasoning. **What if the VA denied my secondary claim?** Read the denial for the missing element. If the VA opinion ignored aggravation, that can be an error under El-Amin. You can request a Higher-Level Review, file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, or appeal to the Board. Filing within one year of the decision protects your effective date (38 CFR 3.2500). **Does a secondary rating combine with the primary?** Yes. It is rated on its own and combined with your other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25, unless it overlaps the same symptoms already rated (38 CFR 4.14). ## Sources - [38 CFR 3.310, Secondary service connection (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.310) - [38 CFR 3.155, Intent to file (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.155) - [38 CFR 3.2500, Review of decisions (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.2500) - [38 CFR 4.25, Combined ratings table (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.25) - [38 CFR 4.14, Avoidance of pyramiding (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.14) - [How to file a VA disability claim, va.gov](https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/) - [Your intent to file a VA claim, va.gov](https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/) --- # PACT Act Presumptive Conditions: Full List and Covered Locations URL: https://100percentvet.com/pact-act-presumptive-conditions/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The PACT Act, signed August 10, 2022, lets the VA presume that certain cancers and breathing illnesses came from burn pits and other toxic exposures, if you served in a covered location. For Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans, that covers 11 types of cancer, 12 illnesses such as asthma, COPD and chronic sinusitis, and blood and bladder cancers added in 2025. It also added hypertension and MGUS for Agent Orange and five new Agent Orange locations. Here is the full list and how to file. ## TL;DR - A presumptive condition means you do not need a medical opinion linking it to service. You need a diagnosis and qualifying service (38 U.S.C. 1120). - Gulf War locations count on or after August 2, 1990. Post-9/11 locations (Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen) count on or after September 11, 2001, including the airspace above them. - Since 2025, the VA also presumes bladder and ureter cancers (38 CFR 3.320a) and acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas including MGUS, myelodysplastic syndromes and myelofibrosis (38 CFR 3.320b) for these veterans. - Agent Orange now covers hypertension and MGUS, plus Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Atoll for set dates. - The special window to backdate PACT Act benefits to August 10, 2022 closed August 14, 2023. Today, file an Intent to File to protect your start date for one year. ## What is a PACT Act presumptive condition? Normally, to service connect a condition you need three things: a diagnosis, an event in service, and a medical opinion linking them. A presumptive condition removes the hardest part. If you have a listed condition and a qualifying period of service, the VA presumes the link. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act became law on August 10, 2022. It wrote a new list of burn pit and toxic exposure presumptives into 38 U.S.C. 1120 and expanded the Agent Orange rules in 38 U.S.C. 1116. Some parts phased in over time. The last phase took effect October 1, 2025, so the full list now applies to everyone. ## Which locations and dates qualify for burn pit presumptives? You must have served in one of these places on or after the date shown. The airspace above each location counts too. | Service era | Start date | Covered locations | | --- | --- | --- | | Gulf War era | On or after August 2, 1990 | Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, United Arab Emirates (and the rest of the Southwest Asia theater, including the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Red Sea) | | Post-9/11 | On or after September 11, 2001 | Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen | The water areas come from the VA's definition of the Southwest Asia theater of operations in 38 CFR 3.317(e)(2). Your DD-214, deployment orders, or personnel records usually show where you served. ## Which cancers are presumptive under the PACT Act? These cancers are listed in 38 U.S.C. 1120(b) for covered veterans: - Brain cancer - Gastrointestinal cancer of any type - Glioblastoma - Head cancer of any type - Kidney cancer - Lymphoma of any type - Melanoma - Neck cancer of any type - Pancreatic cancer - Reproductive cancer of any type - Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type ## Which illnesses are presumptive under the PACT Act? - Asthma diagnosed after service - Chronic bronchitis - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - Chronic rhinitis - Chronic sinusitis - Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis - Emphysema - Granulomatous disease - Interstitial lung disease (ILD) - Pleuritis - Pulmonary fibrosis - Sarcoidosis ## What conditions were added after 2022? The PACT Act let the VA add conditions by regulation. In January 2025 it did: | Regulation | Added conditions | Effective | | --- | --- | --- | | 38 CFR 3.320a | Urinary bladder cancer; ureter cancer (including the ureteric orifice and urachus) | January 2, 2025 | | 38 CFR 3.320b | Acute leukemias; chronic leukemias; multiple myelomas, including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS); myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); myelofibrosis | January 10, 2025 (interim final rule) | Both rules cover the same Gulf War and post-9/11 locations listed above. An older rule, 38 CFR 3.320, also presumes asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, and nine rare respiratory cancers for these veterans. The VA can still rebut a presumption with affirmative evidence, for example evidence that a condition came from something after service. Gulf War veterans should also know about 38 CFR 3.317. It covers undiagnosed illnesses and chronic multisymptom illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and functional GI disorders. The regulation currently requires them to show up to 10% or more by December 31, 2026, unless they began during service in the theater. ## What changed for Agent Orange? The PACT Act added two conditions to the Agent Orange list: - High blood pressure (hypertension) - Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) It also added these locations and dates, per the VA: | Location | Dates | | --- | --- | | Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand | January 9, 1962, to June 30, 1976 | | Laos | December 1, 1965, to September 30, 1969 | | Cambodia (Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province) | April 16, 1969, to April 30, 1969 | | Guam or American Samoa, or their territorial waters | January 9, 1962, to July 31, 1980 | | Johnston Atoll, or a ship that called there | January 1, 1972, to September 30, 1977 | These add to the long-standing Agent Orange presumptives in 38 CFR 3.309(e), such as type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer and respiratory cancers. ## What is the toxic exposure screening? The VA says every veteran enrolled in VA health care will get an initial toxic exposure screening and a follow-up at least once every 5 years. The screening asks about exposures in service. It is not a claim and does not decide benefits, but it puts your exposure history in your VA record. The VA also expanded health care eligibility to toxic-exposed veterans starting March 5, 2024. ## Can PACT Act benefits still be backdated to August 2022? No, not through the special window. Veterans who filed a claim or an Intent to File by August 14, 2023 could have benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. The VA extended the original August 9 deadline to August 14 after technical problems on VA.gov. That window is closed. What still protects you today is the Intent to File. Submitting VA Form 21-0966, or starting a claim online, sets a possible start date. You then have one year to file the full claim (38 CFR 3.155). If you think you have a PACT Act condition, file the Intent to File now, even if you are still gathering records. ## How do you file a PACT Act claim? - Confirm your service location and dates. Pull your DD-214 and any deployment records. - Confirm the diagnosis. The condition must be diagnosed by a medical provider. For asthma, it must be diagnosed after service. - Submit an Intent to File to lock in a possible start date. - File VA Form 21-526EZ online or by mail. Name the condition and say you are claiming it under the PACT Act based on your service location. - Previously denied? The VA says to file a Supplemental Claim so it can review your case again under the new law. Presumptive conditions can also lead to secondary claims. For example, service-connected diabetes can support claims for neuropathy. See our [secondary conditions guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/). If you have a C&P exam, read the [C&P exam tips](https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/). To see how a new rating changes your total, use the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/), and check what each rating level unlocks in the [VA benefits guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-benefits-guide/). Need help putting your statement into words? [Get the Statement Template Pack ($97)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=29) for personal and buddy statement templates you fill in with your own experience. ## Frequently asked questions **Do I need a nexus letter for a PACT Act condition?** Not if the condition is on the presumptive list and you served in a covered location during the covered dates. The presumption replaces the nexus. You still need a current diagnosis. **Does the PACT Act cover veterans who were never near a burn pit?** The presumption is based on location and dates, not on proving you stood near a burn pit. If you served in a covered location during the covered period, exposure is presumed unless there is affirmative evidence you were not exposed. **Is hypertension a PACT Act condition for burn pit veterans?** Hypertension was added for Agent Orange exposure, not for burn pit exposure. A Gulf War or post-9/11 veteran can still claim hypertension on a direct or secondary basis with medical evidence. **Is it too late to file a PACT Act claim?** No. There is no deadline to file. Only the special backdating window to August 10, 2022 has passed. Your effective date is generally the date of your Intent to File or claim. **My claim was denied before 2022. Can I try again?** Yes. If the condition is now presumptive, file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995). The VA says it will review the case again. ## Sources - [The PACT Act and your VA benefits, va.gov](https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/) - [38 U.S.C. 1120, Burn pit presumptions (uscode.house.gov)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section1120&num=0&edition=prelim) - [38 CFR 3.320, Fine particulate matter (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.320) - [38 CFR 3.320a, Bladder and ureter cancers (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.320a) - [38 CFR 3.320b, Leukemias, multiple myelomas, MDS, myelofibrosis (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.320b) - [38 CFR 3.309, Presumptive diseases (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.309) - [38 CFR 3.317, Persian Gulf veterans (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.317) - [Your intent to file a VA claim, va.gov](https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/) - [VA extends PACT Act backdating deadline to August 14, 2023, va.gov](https://www.va.gov/wichita-health-care/stories/va-extends-deadline-through-monday-for-veterans-and-survivors-to-apply-for-pact-act-benefits-backdated-to-august-10-2022/) --- # C&P Exam Tips: How to Prepare for Your VA Claim Exam URL: https://100percentvet.com/cp-exam-tips/ Updated: 2026-09-26 A C&P exam is the VA's medical exam for your claim. The examiner fills out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) that the rater uses to decide your rating. The best preparation is simple: know what the DBQ for your condition measures, describe your real symptoms and your worst days accurately, explain your flare-ups, and stop range of motion testing where pain stops you. Here is how to prepare, and what to do if the exam goes wrong. ## TL;DR - The examiner records findings on a DBQ. The examiner does not decide your claim or your rating. A VA rater does. - Describe how often, how long and how badly your symptoms hit, including flare-ups. Under Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017), the examiner must estimate flare-up limits from your description or explain why not. - Be accurate. Do not play it down and do not exaggerate. Your records and your statements should tell the same story. - Get a copy of the exam with VA Form 20-10206. If it is missing required testing or reasoning, it may be inadequate (Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007)). - Missing an exam without good cause can get an increase claim denied, or an original claim decided on the existing record (38 CFR 3.655). ## What is a C&P exam? A compensation and pension (C&P) exam, also called a VA claim exam, helps the VA decide whether your condition is service connected and how to rate it. A VA provider or a VA contract provider does the exam. The VA says contract examiners follow the same training and licensing standards as VA providers. The exam can take 15 minutes or more than an hour, depending on how many conditions you claimed. The examiner will not treat you, prescribe medicine, or tell you the result. The VA reimburses travel to and from the exam. ## What is a DBQ? A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is a form built around the rating criteria for a type of condition. There are DBQs for the back, knees, mental disorders, sleep apnea, headaches, hearing and many others. The examiner's answers on the DBQ often line up with the rating levels in 38 CFR Part 4. That is the most useful thing to know before an exam. If you read the rating criteria for your condition first, you will know what the examiner needs to learn from you. For examples, see our guides to [back ratings](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-back-pain/), [knee ratings](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-knee-pain/) and [PTSD ratings](https://100percentvet.com/va-rating-for-ptsd/). ## How should I prepare for a C&P exam? - Read the rating criteria for each condition you claimed, so you know what the exam measures. - Review your own records. Know your diagnoses, treatment dates, surgeries and medications. - Send new private records before the exam. The VA asks that you upload them through the claim status tool, your representative, or your regional office. - Write a short symptom summary for yourself: frequency, duration, severity, and what you cannot do. - Keep a log for a few weeks or months before the exam, with dates of flare-ups, missed work, and bad days. - Plan your trip. Arrive early. If you need someone to drive you because of your condition, that is worth noting. The VA says you do not need to bring anything to the exam. Still, a one-page summary helps you remember details when you are nervous. You can bring your log, a list of medications, and copies of statements you already sent in. [Get the C&P Exam Prep Kit ($47)](https://100percentvet.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=182) for condition-by-condition checklists, a symptom summary template, and a post-exam review sheet. ## How do I describe my worst days honestly? Many veterans play down their symptoms out of habit. Others worry they will not be believed and overstate them. Both hurt you. The goal is an exam that matches your real life. - Describe a typical day and a bad day. Say how many bad days you have in a week or month. - Use specifics. "I can sit about 20 minutes before I have to stand" is more useful than "sitting hurts." - Talk about function. Work, sleep, driving, chores, family, and time with other people. - Do not guess or add. If you are not sure, say so. An examiner who sees your statements contradict your records may give them less weight. Written statements help too. A personal statement (VA Form 21-4138) and buddy statements (VA Form 21-10210) from people who see you every day can back up what you tell the examiner. Write only what you and they actually experienced. ## How do flare-ups work at a C&P exam? Most exams happen on an ordinary day. The rules still require the examiner to consider how you do during flare-ups and after repeated use (38 CFR 4.40 and 4.45; DeLuca v. Brown, 8 Vet. App. 202 (1995); Mitchell v. Shinseki, 25 Vet. App. 32 (2011)). In Sharp v. Shulkin, the court held that an examiner who is not seeing a flare-up must still estimate the extra limitation during one, using your description and the other evidence. If the examiner cannot estimate it, the examiner has to explain why. So be ready to say how often flare-ups happen, how long they last, what triggers them, and what you cannot do during them. ## What should I do during range of motion testing? For joints and the spine, the examiner measures motion with a goniometer. Section 4.59 says joints should be tested for pain on active and passive motion, weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing, and against the opposite joint if it is undamaged. Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), made that testing part of an adequate exam. - Move until pain stops you, then stop. Tell the examiner where the pain started. - Do not push past pain to reach a bigger number. Do not stop short of what you can do. - If repeated movements make it worse, say so. - After the exam, write down what you were asked to do and what was not tested. ## How do I get a copy of my C&P exam? The VA says you can request your exam results with VA Form 20-10206, the Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act request. You can submit it online, by mail, or at a regional office. Exams done at a VA medical center may also show up in your VA health records. Read the whole report. Check the facts: your history, dates, and what you said. Check that every required test was done and that each opinion gives reasons. ## What makes a C&P exam inadequate? Once the VA gives you an exam, it must be adequate (Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007)). Red flags: | Red flag | Rule or case | | --- | --- | | Opinion with a conclusion but no reasoning | Nieves-Rodriguez v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 295 (2008); Stefl v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 120 (2007) | | Opinion based on wrong facts, such as missed in-service records | Reonal v. Brown, 5 Vet. App. 458 (1993) | | Negative opinion that relies only on no in-service treatment and ignores your statements | Dalton v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 23 (2007) | | No active and passive, weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing testing | 38 CFR 4.59; Correia | | Flare-ups skipped, or "cannot say without speculation" with no explanation | Sharp; DeLuca | | Secondary opinion that addresses causation but not aggravation | El-Amin v. Shinseki, 26 Vet. App. 136 (2013) | If a decision relied on an inadequate exam, you can raise it in a Higher-Level Review, add new evidence in a Supplemental Claim, or appeal to the Board. Filing within one year of the decision keeps your effective date protected (38 CFR 3.2500). ## What happens if I miss my C&P exam? Under 38 CFR 3.655, if you miss an exam without good cause: - For an original compensation claim, the VA rates it on the evidence already in the file. - For a claim for increase, a supplemental claim for a benefit previously denied, or another original claim, the claim is denied. - For a reexamination on a current rating, the VA sends a notice proposing to stop or reduce payment, and you get 60 days to respond. Good cause includes illness, hospitalization, or a death in the immediate family. The VA's exam page says you can reschedule once per exam within 5 days of the original date by calling the examiner's office, and that the VA will reschedule for good cause. If you cannot make it, call before the appointment and keep a record of the call. If an exam brings up hard memories and you are in crisis, stop and reach the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Want to see what a rating change would do to your total? Use the [VA disability calculator](https://100percentvet.com/va-disability-calculator/). For secondary claims, see the [secondary conditions guide](https://100percentvet.com/va-secondary-conditions/). ## Frequently asked questions **Does the C&P examiner decide my rating?** No. The examiner records findings and, when asked, gives medical opinions. A VA rater reviews the exam and the rest of your file and decides the rating. **Should I take my pain medication before the exam?** Take your medication as prescribed. Tell the examiner what you took and how it affects your symptoms. The goal is an accurate picture, not a staged one. **Can I bring someone with me to the exam?** Policies vary by exam site. Ask the office when you confirm the appointment. A written buddy statement sent to the VA before the exam is a reliable way to add another person's account. **How do I get my C&P exam results?** Submit VA Form 20-10206, the Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act request. The VA accepts it online, by mail, or at a regional office. **What if my exam was too short or the examiner did not test me?** Length alone does not make an exam inadequate. Missing required testing, missing flare-up estimates, or opinions with no reasoning can. Get a copy, compare it to the DBQ and 38 CFR Part 4, and raise the gaps in a decision review. ## Sources - [VA claim exam (C&P exam), va.gov](https://www.va.gov/disability/va-claim-exam/) - [VA Form 20-10206, FOIA or Privacy Act request, va.gov](https://www.va.gov/forms/20-10206/) - [38 CFR 3.655, Failure to report for VA examination (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.655) - [38 CFR 3.326, Examinations (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.326) - [38 CFR 4.40, Functional loss (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.40) - [38 CFR 4.45, The joints (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.45) - [38 CFR 4.59, Painful motion (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.59) - [38 CFR 3.2500, Review of decisions (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/section-3.2500) - [VA decision reviews, va.gov](https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/) --- # Straight answers, plain English URL: https://100percentvet.com/faq/ Updated: 2026-09-26 The questions veterans ask us most: about the Custom Claim Plan, about the Playbook and about how the VA rates you. Still have a question? Email [contact@100percentvet.com](mailto:contact@100percentvet.com). ## About the Playbook **What is the 100 Percent Playbook?** It is a nine-module education course on how the VA rates disabilities. It covers the rating criteria for 30 common conditions, secondary conditions, statements, the C&P exam, deadlines and review lanes, TDIU, P&T and SMC, benefits by rating level, a rating calculator and lifetime updates. **How do I get it after I buy?** Your download links appear on the order confirmation page and in an email sent right after checkout. The Playbook and every guide download today. Your Custom Claim Plan follows within 5 to 7 business days of your intake. **How much does it cost, and can I pay over time?** $750 one time. You can also pay over time with Affirm or Klarna at checkout, subject to lender approval. **How is the Playbook different from the Custom Claim Plan?** The Custom Claim Plan is a written plan built from your own intake and documents, and the Playbook comes with it. The Playbook is the full rulebook: the criteria for 30 conditions, statements, the C&P exam and every deadline, so you can work any claim yourself. **What is your refund policy?** Our 14 day money back guarantee: do the steps, let us review your work with you, and if it still did not help, you get a full refund. If a file will not open or is missing content, we fix it or refund it. [Refund policy](https://100percentvet.com/refund-policy/). **What is the Template Pack?** Included with your Custom Claim Plan: 12 condition-specific, fill-in-the-blank worksheets and annotated examples for the 21-4138 personal statement and 21-10210 buddy statement. The Playbook already includes examples; the pack goes deeper. It is also sold on its own on our [guides page](https://100percentvet.com/guides/). **Can I buy a single guide?** Yes. Every guide is included in the Custom Claim Plan, and each one is also sold on its own: the Statement Template Pack, C&P Exam Prep Kit, TDIU Guide, Secondary Conditions Map, Family Benefits Guide, Symptom and Flare-Up Logbook and Veteran Student Loan Discharge Guide. [See all guides and prices](https://100percentvet.com/guides/). ## About VA ratings **Why don't my ratings add up?** The VA combines ratings against your remaining efficiency instead of adding them. A 50 and a 30 combine to 65, which rounds to 70, not 80. **What is an Intent to File?** VA Form 21-0966, or an intent to file submitted online or by phone, tells the VA you plan to file. If you submit a complete claim within one year and it is granted, your effective date can go back to the intent to file date. **What is a secondary condition?** A condition caused or made worse by a condition that is already service connected, under 38 CFR 3.310. It needs a current diagnosis, the service-connected condition and a medical link between the two. **What is TDIU?** Total disability based on individual unemployability pays at the 100 percent rate when service-connected conditions keep you from holding substantially gainful work. The usual threshold is one condition at 60 percent, or a combined 70 percent with one condition at 40 percent, and it is claimed on VA Form 21-8940. **What does P&T mean?** Permanent and total means the VA does not expect your total disability to improve. It can open Chapter 35 education benefits for dependents and, for families not eligible for TRICARE, CHAMPVA health coverage. **I disagree with my decision. What are my options?** You can file a Supplemental Claim (20-0995) with new and relevant evidence, request a Higher-Level Review (20-0996) with no new evidence, or appeal to the Board (10182). Filing within one year of the decision generally protects your effective date. ## About the Custom Claim Plan **What is in a Custom Claim Plan?** A written plan for your own record: where each condition sits against the rating criteria, secondaries worth a closer look, the deadlines running on your decisions and the evidence to gather next. **What do I send you?** Your intake answers plus your DD-214, rating decision letters, code sheet and any treatment records you have. Black out your Social Security number first. **How do you keep my documents safe?** Uploads go to a locked, non-public folder that only our team can open, and we keep your details out of email subject lines. You can add or delete files in your members portal any time. **How fast do I get my plan?** Within 5 to 7 business days after we receive your complete intake. Add Rush Delivery at checkout and your plan arrives within 48 hours after we receive your complete intake. **Can we go over my plan together?** Yes. Add White Glove VIP at checkout for a live 1:1 Zoom session. When your plan is ready, we email you to schedule the call. **Who files my claim?** You do, on VA.gov or by mail, with your plan in hand. If you work with a VSO or attorney, bring them your plan and they can file it for you. **Who is behind 100 Percent Vet?** A veteran family: an Army Ranger and a combat engineer. Everyone in our family deployed, and we built this company after working through our own VA claims. **What if I am struggling right now?** Please reach out now. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or text 838255. It is free, confidential and open 24/7.