2026 VA Disability Compensation

50% VA Disability Pay

A 50% rating reflects significant impairment. Veterans at 50% and above also qualify for VA healthcare priority group 1 in many cases. Use this page to look up exact monthly VA disability pay for the chosen rating, with adjustments for a spouse, children, and dependent parents.

50% — single veteran, no dependents

$1,132.90

$13,594.80/year · tax-free · effective December 1, 2025

50% Pay by Household (2026)

Monthly compensation amounts. Dependent additions apply at 30% and above.

Single (no dependents)$1,132.90
With spouse$1,241.90
With spouse + 1 child$1,322.90
With spouse + 2 children$1,376.90
Single + 1 child (no spouse)$1,205.90

Lower tier

40% VA pay

$795.84 /mo single

Higher tier

60% VA pay

$1,435.02 /mo single

Common questions about 50% VA disability pay

What's the 50% VA disability pay rate for 2026?
For 2026 (effective December 1, 2025), a single veteran rated 50% receives $1,132.90 per month, or $13,594.80 per year. VA disability compensation is tax-free at the federal and state level.
How much does a 50% rated veteran with a spouse and one child receive?
A veteran rated 50% with a spouse and one child receives $1,322.90 per month under the 2026 VA rates.
Is 50% the same as a "combined" rating?
50% can be either a single condition rating or a combined rating across multiple conditions. The VA combines individual ratings using the official combined-ratings formula in 38 CFR 4.25, then pays at the nearest 10% tier (95%+ rounds up to 100%).
Will my 50% rate change in 2027?
The VA adjusts disability rates each year based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), typically effective December 1. The next COLA will be applied to the January 2027 payment.

Combine multiple conditions

If you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA combines them using the official combined-ratings formula. Use our combined rating calculator to see what tier you'd land on.

Open combined rating calculator