Veterans who have served their country and are living with disabilities as a result of their service are entitled to compensation.
The rates of these benefits vary based on the degree of disability, which is expressed in percentage ratings. In 2024, the compensation rates for veterans with disability ratings ranging from 30% to 100% have been updated to reflect the cost of living adjustments.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns disability ratings in 10% increments (e.g., 10%, 20%, etc.), with higher percentages indicating more severe disabilities and a greater impact on a veteran’s ability to work. Veterans with a 30% or higher disability rating are eligible for additional compensation for dependents, including spouses, children, and parents.
Rate Increases
For 2024, VA disability rates saw an increase due to the annual Cost-Of-Living-Adjustment (COLA). This increase is in line with the Social Security Administration’s announced COLA, which is applied to ensure that inflation does not erode veterans’ benefits.
Monthly payment amounts
The monthly payment amount is determined by the veteran’s disability rating and any qualifying dependents. For example, a veteran with no dependents who has a 30% disability rating would receive a different amount than a veteran with a spouse or child.
Finding your rate
Veterans can find their specific monthly payment amount by referring to the compensation benefits rate tables provided by the VA. These tables are updated yearly and can be accessed through the VA’s official website or through resources like VA Claims Insider.
Veteran disability compensation table
| VA Rating | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran Alone | $171.23 | $338.49 | $524.31 | $755.28 | $1,075.16 | $1,361.88 | $1,716.28 | $1,995.01 | $2,241.91 | $3,737.85 |
| Veteran & 1 Child | $171.23 | $338.49 | $565.31 | $810.28 | $1,144.16 | $1,444.88 | $1,813.29 | $2,106.01 | $2,366.91 | $3,877.22 |
| Veteran & 1 Parent | $171.23 | $338.49 | $574.31 | $821.28 | $1,158.16 | $1,461.88 | $1,833.28 | $2,128.01 | $2,391.91 | $3,905.11 |
| Veteran & Spouse | $171.23 | $338.49 | $586.31 | $838.28 | $1,179.16 | $1,486.88 | $1,861.28 | $2,161.01 | $2,428.91 | $3,946.25 |
| Veteran, 1 Parent, & 1 Child | $171.23 | $338.49 | $615.31 | $876.28 | $1,227.16 | $1,544.88 | $1,930.28 | $2,239.01 | $2,516.91 | $4,044.48 |
| Veteran & 2 Parents | $171.23 | $338.49 | $624.31 | $887.28 | $1,241.16 | $1,561.88 | $1,950.28 | $2,261.01 | $2,541.91 | $4,072.37 |
| Veteran, Spouse, & 1 Child | $171.23 | $338.49 | $632.31 | $899.28 | $1,255.16 | $1,577.88 | $1,968.28 | $2,283.01 | $2,565.91 | $4,098.87 |
| Veteran, Spouse, & 1 Parent | $171.23 | $338.49 | $636.31 | $904.28 | $1,262.16 | $1,586.88 | $1,978.28 | $2,294.01 | $2,578.91 | $4,113.51 |
| Veteran, 2 Parents, & 1 Child | $171.23 | $338.49 | $665.31 | $942.28 | $1,310.16 | $1,644.88 | $2,047.28 | $2,372.01 | $2,666.91 | $4,211.74 |
| Veteran, Spouse, 1 Parent, & 1 Child | $171.23 | $338.49 | $682.31 | $965.28 | $1,338.16 | $1,677.88 | $2,085.28 | $2,416.01 | $2,715.91 | $4,266.13 |
| Veteran, Spouse, & 2 Parents | $171.23 | $338.49 | $688.31 | $970.28 | $1,345.16 | $1,686.88 | $2,095.28 | $2,427.01 | $2,727.91 | $4,280.77 |
| Veteran, Spouse, 2 Parents, & 1 Child | $171.23 | $338.49 | $732.31 | $1,031.28 | $1,421.16 | $1,777.88 | $2,202.28 | $2,549.01 | $2,865.91 | $4,433.39 |
| Additional Children under 18 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $31.00 | $41.00 | $51.00 | $62.00 | $72.00 | $82.00 | $93.00 | $103.55 |
| Children 18-23 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $100.00 | $133.00 | $167.00 | $200.00 | $234.00 | $267.00 | $301.00 | $334.49 |
| Aid and Attendance (A/A) Spouse | $0.00 | $0.00 | $57.00 | $76.00 | $95.00 | $114.00 | $134.00 | $153.00 | $172.00 | $191.14 |
Notes:
- The VA disability pay chart 2024 for each school child are shown separately. They are not included with any other pay rates. All other entries on this chart reflecting a rate for children show the rate payable for children under 18 or helpless. To find the amount payable to a 70% disabled veteran with a spouse and four children, one of whom is over 18 and attending school, take the 70% rate for a veteran with a spouse and 3 children and add the rate for one school child.
- Where the veteran has a spouse, who is determined to require Aid and Attendance (A/A), add the figure shown as “Aid and Attendance (A/A) Spouse” to the amount shown for the proper dependency code. For example, veteran has A/A spouse and 2 minor children and is 70% disabled. Add $134.16 for additional for A/A spouse to the rate for a 70% veteran to calculate the total amount.
Special monthly compensation
Some veterans may qualify for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to specific circumstances such as the need for aid and attendance by another person or a specific disability, like loss of use of one hand or leg. The SMC rates are separate from the regular compensation rates and are designed to provide additional support.
VA fair compensation for veteran disabilities
The VA strives to ensure that veterans receive fair compensation for disabilities incurred during their service. The updated rates for 2024 reflect this commitment, providing financial support based on individual needs and circumstances. Veterans are encouraged to review the latest rate tables or consult with a VA representative to understand their benefits fully.
