A little clarity for what comes next
2026 VA Disability Pay Calculator
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Choose your rating, add your household, and see your estimate come together. Change any detail to explore another scenario.
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Dependent additions are included at this rating. Children here are under 18; schoolchild rates and SMC aren’t included.
Estimated monthly compensation
$1,808.45
A monthly estimate for your 70% rating and the household you selected.
Base pay at 70%$1,808.45
Added for your household+$0.00
Tax-free compensation. Rates effective December 1, 2025. Change a detail to see the difference.
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This is an educational estimate. It does not determine service connection, predict a VA decision, or replace an accredited representative.
See every rating tier
Choose a rating to update your estimate. Compare a single veteran with a veteran who has a spouse and 1 child. Effective December 1, 2025. Want a plain reference table instead of a calculator? View the VA pay chart.
| Rating | Single | Spouse + 1 Child |
|---|---|---|
| $180.42 | $180.42 | |
| $356.66 | $356.66 | |
| $552.47 | $666.47 | |
| $795.84 | $947.84 | |
| $1,132.90 | $1,322.90 | |
| $1,435.02 | $1,663.02 | |
| $1,808.45 | $2,074.45 | |
| $2,102.15 | $2,406.15 | |
| $2,362.30 | $2,704.30 | |
| $3,938.58 | $4,318.99 |
A little more clarity
A few things you might be wondering
Start with what’s on your mind. Open a question to dig a little deeper.
When did the 2026 VA disability rates take effect?
The 2026 rates took effect on December 1, 2025 as part of the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The first payment at the new rates was the December benefit, deposited Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Do VA disability payments count as income?
It depends on the program. VA disability compensation is not taxable at the federal or state level. Mortgage lenders generally do count it as qualifying income (in your favor). SSDI is unaffected because it isn't means-tested. Means-tested programs like SSI, however, do count VA compensation when determining eligibility.
When do dependents start adding to my payment?
Dependent additions start at the 30% rating tier. Below 30%, the VA pays the same base rate regardless of household composition.
How are children counted?
The children field in this calculator covers dependents under 18. Qualifying children ages 18–23 attending school use different schoolchild rates and are not included in this field. VA rules may also cover a child who became permanently incapable of self-support before age 18.
Look up a specific rating tier
Want a deeper breakdown for one rating? Jump straight to its dedicated page.
Keep exploring
Zoom out to the years ahead
Explore the long-term picture with estimated cost-of-living growth.
Curious about a specific condition?Explore common service-connected disabilities and their rating criteria.
Service-connected disabilities, by VA's count
How many of each were service-connected among veterans receiving compensation as of September 30, 2025, from the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025). It counts disabilities, not veterans. Each links to how VA rates it.
- Tinnitus (3,583,295)
- Limitation of Flexion of the Leg (Knee) (2,312,985)
- Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (2,026,583)
- Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain (1,791,869)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (1,760,497)
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss (1,690,837)
- Arm, Limitation of Motion (1,385,549)
- Scars Without Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) (1,323,340)
- Migraine (1,300,172)
- Ankle, Limitation of Motion (1,273,110)
- Hypertension (845,750)
- Rhinitis, Allergic or Vasomotor (819,645)
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine (789,092)
- Sleep Apnea Syndromes (763,763)
- Erectile Dysfunction, With or Without Penile Deformity (675,632)
- Flatfoot, Acquired (600,665)
- Dermatitis or Eczema (596,075)
- Knee, Other Impairment of (556,186)
- Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) (542,744)
- Hiatal Hernia (518,630)
- Femoral (Anterior Crural) Nerve Paralysis (474,276)
- Diabetes Mellitus (445,840)
- Foot Injuries, Other (365,775)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (357,156)
- Hemorrhoids (356,424)
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (266,518)
- Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (162,949)
- Varicose Veins (72,271)
- Chronic Conjunctivitis (Nontrachomatous) (53,939)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) (38,073)
- Malaria (18,680)
Multiple conditions? Calculate your combined rating
VA ratings don't add together; they combine. Use our combined rating calculator to see how your individual ratings stack.
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