The VA rates service-connected disabilities on a scale from 0% to 100% in 10-point increments. Each percentage corresponds to a monthly tax-free payment, and the amount increases with your combined rating. With a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment effective December 1, 2025, the 2026 pay rates are the highest in VA history.
This guide covers the most commonly claimed conditions, their possible rating percentages, what those ratings pay, and how the VA combines multiple ratings.
2026 VA Disability Pay by Rating (Veteran Alone)
These are the monthly compensation amounts for a veteran with no dependents in 2026:
| Rating | Monthly Payment |
|---|
| 10% | $175.51 |
| 20% | $346.95 |
| 30% | $537.42 |
| 40% | $774.16 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 |
| 60% | $1,395.93 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 |
| 80% | $2,044.89 |
| 90% | $2,297.96 |
| 100% | $3,737.85 |
Veterans rated at 30% or higher receive additional monthly payments for qualifying dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents).
How the VA Assigns Ratings
The VA uses the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4) to match conditions to diagnostic codes. Each diagnostic code sets specific rating criteria tied to symptoms and functional loss, not pain alone.
For musculoskeletal conditions, ratings depend on range-of-motion measurements taken at a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. For mental health conditions, ratings depend on occupational and social impairment. The VA does not rate based on your diagnosis alone; it rates the severity of how that condition affects your daily functioning.
VA Disability Ratings by Condition: Full Chart
Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions use the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The rating reflects the degree to which the condition disrupts work, school, and social relationships.
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| PTSD | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% |
| Major Depressive Disorder | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% |
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% |
| Adjustment Disorder | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% |
| Bipolar Disorder | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% |
| Somatic Symptom Disorder | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% |
Rating criteria at a glance:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|
| 10% | Occupational and social impairment when under significant stress; mild or transient symptoms |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency; chronic sleep impairment; depression or anxiety mild |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity; difficulty adapting; flattened affect; near-constant panic |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas: work, school, family relations; suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals |
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment; persistent danger of hurting self or others |
Spine and Back Conditions
Back ratings depend on range-of-motion testing and whether there is neurological involvement such as radiculopathy.
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Lumbosacral Strain (Low Back) | 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 100% |
| Cervical Strain (Neck) | 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100% |
| Degenerative Disc Disease | 10% or 20% (rated by arthritis code) |
| Intervertebral Disc Syndrome | 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% |
| Thoracolumbar Spine | 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 100% |
Lumbar spine (forward flexion) rating criteria:
| Forward Flexion | Rating |
|---|
| More than 60 degrees | 0% |
| Between 30 and 60 degrees | 10% |
| 0 to 30 degrees, or favorable ankylosis | 20% |
| Unfavorable ankylosis (spine locked in bad position) | 40% |
| Favorable ankylosis of entire spine | 50% |
| Unfavorable ankylosis of entire spine | 100% |
Knee and Lower Extremity Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Limitation of Knee Flexion | 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% |
| Limitation of Knee Extension | 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% |
| Patellofemoral Syndrome | 10%, 20%, 30% |
| Meniscus Conditions | 10%, 20%, 30% |
| Total Knee Replacement | 30% minimum for one year post-surgery |
| Plantar Fasciitis | 10%, 20%, 30% |
| Pes Planus (Flat Feet) | 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% |
| Limitation of Ankle Dorsiflexion | 10% or 20% |
Shoulder and Upper Extremity Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Limitation of Arm Elevation (Shoulder) | 20%, 30%, 40% |
| Rotator Cuff Injury | 20%, 30%, 40% |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% |
| Limitation of Elbow Flexion | 20%, 30%, 40% |
| Tennis Elbow / Epicondylitis | 10%, 20% |
Hearing and Ear Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Tinnitus | 10% (maximum schedular rating) |
| Hearing Loss | 0% to 100% (most veterans receive 0-10%) |
Hearing loss ratings use audiometric test results converted to a Roman numeral table under 38 CFR 4.85. The combination of the hearing acuity score and the speech recognition score produces the final rating. Tinnitus has a single rating regardless of severity; its standalone 10% rating is under review by the VA as of 2026, but existing ratings remain protected.
Respiratory and Pulmonary Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Sleep Apnea (with CPAP required) | 50% |
| Sleep Apnea (without treatment required) | 0% or 30% |
| Asthma | 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100% |
| Rhinitis (Sinusitis) | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50% |
| Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100% |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis (inactive) | 0% or 50% |
Neurological Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Migraines | 0%, 10%, 30%, 50% |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | 0% to 100% |
| Sciatic Nerve Paralysis | 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% |
| Radiculopathy (Lower Extremity) | 10%, 20%, 40% |
| Radiculopathy (Upper Extremity) | 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% |
| Peripheral Neuropathy | 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% |
| Epilepsy | 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, or 100% |
| Multiple Sclerosis | 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% |
Cardiovascular Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Hypertension | 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60% |
| Coronary Artery Disease | 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100% |
| Arrhythmia | 10%, 30%, or higher depending on type |
| Heart Failure | 30%, 60%, 100% |
Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes | 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, or 100% |
| Hypothyroidism | 0%, 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100% |
| Obesity (as secondary condition) | Rated by primary condition |
Digestive Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| GERD | 10%, 20%, or 30% |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) | 0%, 10%, or 30% |
| Crohn's Disease | 10%, 30%, or 100% |
| Hemorrhoids | 0%, 10%, or 20% |
Skin Conditions
| Condition | Possible Ratings |
|---|
| Dermatitis / Eczema | 0%, 10%, 30%, 60% |
| Psoriasis | 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60% |
| Scars (Non-superficial) | 0% to 80% based on size, location, and tissue damage |
Cancer
Active malignant cancers receive a 100% rating from the date of diagnosis. The rating continues for six months after the end of active treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery), after which the VA reevaluates based on any residual conditions.
How VA "Combined Ratings" Work
The VA does not simply add your individual ratings together. It uses a formula known as "whole person" math:
- Start with 100% (the "whole person").
- Apply your highest rating first. A 70% rating leaves 30% of the whole person.
- Apply your next rating to that remaining percentage. A 50% rating applied to 30% adds 15 points.
- Round the result to the nearest 10% increment.
Example:
- 70% (PTSD) + 50% (back) + 10% (tinnitus)
- Step 1: 70% leaves 30 remaining.
- Step 2: 50% of 30 = 15. New total: 85.
- Step 3: 10% of 15 = 1.5. New total: 86.5, rounded to 90%.
- Final combined rating: 90% (not 130%).
This is why stacking multiple lower ratings often does not reach 100%. Veterans who believe their combined rating should be higher may apply for an increase or file for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which pays at the 100% rate.
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
TDIU allows veterans to receive 100% compensation even with a lower combined rating if the service-connected disabilities prevent gainful employment. Basic eligibility requirements:
- One disability rated at 60% or more, or
- Two or more disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or more and at least one rated at 40% or more
Veterans must apply on VA Form 21-8940 and submit evidence that their condition prevents full-time employment.
How to Apply for VA Disability Benefits
Step 1: Gather your records.
Collect your service records (DD-214), medical records showing the diagnosis, and a nexus connecting your condition to service. Buddy statements from fellow service members can also support your claim.
Step 2: File a claim.
Submit VA Form 21-526EZ online at va.gov/disability/apply, by mail to your regional VA office, or in person at a VA benefits office. Claims can also be filed through an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) at no cost.
Step 3: Attend your C&P exam.
After filing, the VA typically schedules a Compensation and Pension exam. This exam is used to assess the current severity of your condition. Missing this appointment can result in a denied claim.
Step 4: Receive a rating decision.
The VA issues a rating decision letter explaining the assigned percentage and whether the condition was found service-connected. Processing times vary, but most claims take 90 to 150 days.
Step 5: Appeal if denied or underrated.
If you disagree with the decision, you have three options: request a higher-level review, file a supplemental claim with new evidence, or appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. You have one year from the rating decision to appeal without losing your original effective date.
Tips for Maximizing Your VA Rating
Get a nexus letter. A nexus letter from a treating physician explicitly linking your condition to military service can significantly strengthen a claim, especially for conditions that developed years after service.
Claim secondary conditions. If a service-connected condition causes or aggravates a second condition, the second condition may qualify for secondary service connection. For example, a service-connected knee injury that causes compensatory back pain may result in a secondary back rating.
Document symptom flare-ups. The VA considers "functional loss due to flare-ups" under 38 CFR 4.40. If your condition worsens periodically, documenting those episodes can increase your rating above what a single exam day would suggest.
Review your rating regularly. Conditions change over time. Veterans whose service-connected condition has worsened can file for an increase at any time with supporting medical evidence.
Use the benefits screener at BenefitsUSA.org to check whether your VA rating level may also qualify you for other federal and state assistance programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common VA disability rating?
Tinnitus is the most commonly claimed VA disability, followed by hearing loss, limitation of knee flexion, limitation of range of motion of the ankle, and PTSD. Tinnitus carries a maximum 10% schedular rating.
Can I get a 100% VA disability rating?
Yes. A 100% rating can come from a single condition rated at 100% (such as an active cancer), from a combined rating that rounds to 100%, or through TDIU if disabilities prevent employment.
Does the VA rate every condition separately?
Yes. Each service-connected condition receives its own diagnostic code and rating. The VA then applies the combined ratings formula to calculate your overall disability percentage.
Can my VA rating be reduced?
The VA can reduce a rating if a re-examination shows improvement. However, ratings held for five years or more are considered stabilized and require clear evidence of sustained improvement before reduction. Ratings held for 20 years or more (protected ratings) cannot be reduced below the established level.
What is a 0% rating and does it pay anything?
A 0% rating means the condition is service-connected but not severe enough to produce measurable disability. A 0% rating pays no monthly compensation but makes the veteran eligible for VA health care and other benefits tied to service-connected status.
How long does it take to get a VA disability rating?
The VA targets a processing time of 125 days for standard claims, but actual timelines range from 90 days to over a year depending on claim complexity, exam scheduling delays, and backlog at the regional office.
What is a bilateral factor?
When a veteran has a service-connected disability in both arms, both legs, or both a paired organ, the VA adds a 10% bilateral factor to the combined rating before rounding. This recognizes the added burden of bilateral impairment.
Can I receive VA disability and Social Security Disability (SSDI) at the same time?
Yes. VA disability and SSDI are separate programs with separate eligibility requirements. Receiving one does not reduce or offset the other. Some veterans receive both, which can result in significantly higher combined monthly income.
