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VA disability compensation (monthly tax-free payment for service-connected conditions): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next

VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment to veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, set by the VA disability rating and dependents, from $180.42 at 10% to $3,938.58 at 100% for a veteran alone. Apply to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs online, by mail or with an accredited representative.

What VA disability compensation is, in one paragraph

VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who have a current illness or injury that began during service, was made worse by service, or is linked to service even though it appeared later. Some conditions, such as toxic-exposure and certain chronic illnesses, are presumed to be caused by service. VA rates each condition by severity as a percentage, combines the ratings, and pays a fixed monthly amount for the combined rating, more for dependents at 30% and above. No VA page lists an income or asset limit for it. It is federal; California veterans are paid the same as everywhere.

$180.42 to $3,938.58 a month
compensation for a veteran with no dependents, 10% to 100% rating, effective 1 December 2025 (VA, rule:rates_alone)

Who may qualify

All three must be true (rule:service_connection): a current condition, qualifying service (active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training), and a link to service. Presumptive conditions need only the service requirements (rule:presumptive). A discharge other than honorable may bar benefits (rule:discharge).

Combined ratingVeteran alone (monthly)With spouseWith spouse and 1 child
10%$180.42samesame
20%$356.66samesame
30%$552.47$617.47$666.47
40%$795.84$882.84$947.84
50%$1,132.90$1,241.90$1,322.90
60%$1,435.02$1,566.02$1,663.02
70%$1,808.45$1,961.45$2,074.45
80%$2,102.15$2,277.15$2,406.15
90%$2,362.30$2,559.30$2,704.30
100%$3,938.58$4,158.17$4,318.99

Rates are effective 1 December 2025 (rule:rates_alone, rule:rates_spouse, rule:rates_spouse_child). At 10% and 20% dependents do not change the rate (rule:no_dependent_rate_under_30).

How to apply, and what happens after

File online at VA.gov, by mail on VA Form 21-526EZ to the Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444, at a VA regional office, or with an accredited attorney, claims agent or Veterans Service Organization representative (rule:apply). Evidence is not required to file (rule:evidence_optional). An online application started and completed within 365 days keeps its start date (rule:claim_date_365). On paper, an intent to file gives 1 year to finish and can pay back to that date (rule:intent_to_file_1_year).

VA gathers evidence and may schedule a claim exam; do not miss it (rule:claim_exam). VA assigns a rating per condition and a combined rating (rule:rating, rule:combined_rating). After the award, add or remove dependents when your family changes (rule:report_dependents).

To disagree, request a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal (rule:decision_review) within 1 year of the decision letter (rule:review_1_year); a Board decision can go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims within 120 days (rule:court_120_days).

The procedure, stage by stage, as data
JSONThe procedure, stage by stage, as data
12 items
10 keys
"id""stage:discover"
"order"1
"name""Discover"
"what_happens""Veteran learns that a condition caused or worsened by service, including presumptive and toxic-exposure conditions, can be compensated monthly, tax-free, at any income"
"who_acts""Veteran"
"timeline""An intent to file holds the effective date for 1 year (rule:intent_to_file_1_year)"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""Assuming income or a late-appearing condition rules it out"
"model_role""Name the three links to service and the presumptive categories"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:screen_eligibility"
"order"2
"name""Screen eligibility"
"what_happens""Check a current condition, qualifying service, a service link or presumption, and character of discharge"
"who_acts""Model + veteran"
"timeline""Minutes"
"evidence""DD214; diagnosis"
"failure_mode""Not claiming secondary or presumptive conditions"
"model_role""List each condition and its link"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:gather_documents"
"order"3
"name""Gather documents"
"what_happens""VA and private medical records, supporting statements from family or fellow service members; VA reviews DD214 and service treatment records"
"who_acts""Veteran"
"timeline""Any time; evidence not required to file (rule:evidence_optional)"
"evidence""Medical records, buddy statements"
"failure_mode""Waiting to gather everything before filing"
"model_role""Produce an evidence list per condition"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:complete_application"
"order"4
"name""Complete application"
"what_happens""Fill VA Form 21-526EZ online or on paper; online saves the start date"
"who_acts""Veteran or accredited representative"
"timeline""Complete within 365 days of starting online (rule:claim_date_365)"
"evidence""Gathered facts"
"failure_mode""Paper form without an intent to file"
"model_role""Pre-fill a worksheet"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:submit"
"order"5
"name""Submit"
"what_happens""Online, mail to the Claims Intake Center in Janesville, a regional office, fax, or through an accredited representative"
"who_acts""Veteran"
"timeline""Mailed claims get a receipt letter in about a week plus mailing time"
"evidence""Confirmation"
"failure_mode""None"
"model_role""Tell which channel holds the effective date"
"automation_class""B - the veteran signs and submits"
10 keys
"id""stage:interview_verification"
"order"6
"name""Interview / verification"
"what_happens""VA gathers evidence and may schedule a compensation and pension (C&P) claim exam"
"who_acts""VA + examiner"
"timeline""Evidence gathering is usually the longest step"
"evidence""Exam"
"failure_mode""Missing the exam (rule:claim_exam)"
"model_role""Prepare for the exam"
"automation_class""C - the exam is human"
10 keys
"id""stage:decision"
"order"7
"name""Decision"
"what_happens""VA assigns a rating per condition and a combined rating, and mails a decision"
"who_acts""VA"
"timeline""UNKNOWN (VA publishes a monthly average that changes)"
"evidence""Decision letter"
"failure_mode""Not checking each condition's rating"
"model_role""Read the letter; look up the monthly rate"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:issuance_use"
"order"8
"name""Issuance / use"
"what_happens""Monthly tax-free payment at the rate for the combined rating and dependents"
"who_acts""VA"
"timeline""Monthly; rates from 1 December 2025 (rule:rates_alone)"
"evidence""Direct deposit"
"failure_mode""Dependents not added at 30% or higher"
"model_role""Compute the rate from the tables"
"automation_class""D"
10 keys
"id""stage:report_changes"
"order"9
"name""Report changes"
"what_happens""Add or remove dependents after marriage, divorce, birth, a child leaving school or turning 18"
"who_acts""Veteran"
"timeline""Right away (rule:report_dependents)"
"evidence""Dependency claim"
"failure_mode""Overpayment debt from an outdated dependent"
"model_role""Remind on each life change"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:denial_response"
"order"10
"name""Denial response"
"what_happens""Choose Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal for each issue"
"who_acts""Veteran"
"timeline""1 year from the decision letter (rule:review_1_year)"
"evidence""Decision letter; new evidence"
"failure_mode""Letting the year pass"
"model_role""Match the reason to the option"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:appeal_fair_hearing"
"order"11
"name""Appeal / fair hearing"
"what_happens""Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996), Board Appeal (VA Form 10182), then the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims"
"who_acts""Veteran + Board of Veterans' Appeals"
"timeline""1 year; court within 120 days of a Board decision (rule:court_120_days)"
"evidence""Forms, evidence"
"failure_mode""Wrong docket for new evidence"
"model_role""Explain the options; never files"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:overpayment_exit"
"order"12
"name""Overpayment / exit"
"what_happens""Ratings can be re-examined; changes in dependents or rating change the payment; overpayments become debts"
"who_acts""VA"
"timeline""As decided"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""Unreported dependent changes"
"model_role""Explain"
"automation_class""B"

The same facts open other programs

The facts compensation asks for, a disability and the veteran's household, also open the programs below:

References (6)
What this article shares with the graph
JSONWhat this article shares with the graph
6 keys
"program_id""B030"
"graph""california-benefits-graph"
"related_program_ids" 6 items
"B029"
"B025"
"B023"
"B011"
"B013"
"B062"
"related_programs" 6 keys
"B029""VA pension + Aid & Attendance"
"B025""SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)"
"B023""SSI + California SSP"
"B011""Medi-Cal (Medicaid)"
"B013""Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI / QDWI)"
"B062""SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment)"
"triggered_by_events"
"shares_facts_with"

Official addresses

Related pages
Beside
VA Veterans Pension and Aid and Attendance (monthly payment for low-income wartime veterans): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextSocial Security Disability Insurance (SSDI, monthly federal payments for workers who cannot work because of a disability): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextSSI and California SSP (monthly cash for people 65 or older, blind or disabled with very low income): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMedi-Cal (California Medicaid health coverage): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMedicare Savings Programs (the state pays Medicare premiums: QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextSCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment) (paid part-time community service job training for Californians 55 and older): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
References (20)
  1. Eligibility for VA disability benefits — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“VA disability compensation provides tax-free monthly payments.”
  2. Eligibility for VA disability benefits: requirements — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training”
  3. Eligibility for VA disability benefits: presumptive conditions — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition.”
  4. Eligibility for VA disability benefits: discharge — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“you may not be eligible for VA disability benefits.”
  5. Current Veterans disability compensation rates — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“Review 2026 Veterans disability compensation rates.”
  6. Current Veterans disability compensation rates: effective date — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“Effective December 1, 2025”
  7. Current Veterans disability compensation rates: 10% and 20% — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“If you have a 10% to 20% disability rating, you won’t receive a higher rate even if you have a dependent spouse, child, or parent.”
  8. Current Veterans disability compensation rates: COLA — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“We’re required by law to match the percentage of cost-of-living adjustments made to Social Security benefits.”
  9. About disability ratings — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“We assign you a disability rating based on the severity of your service-connected condition.”
  10. About disability ratings: combined rating — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“Calculating your combined disability rating involves more than adding up your individual ratings.”
  11. How to file a VA disability claim — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“File your claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).”
  12. How to file a VA disability claim: one year for evidence — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“We’ll recognize the date you started your application as your date of claim as long as you complete it within 365 days.”
  13. How to file a VA disability claim: evidence not required — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“You don’t have to submit any evidence to support your claim.”
  14. Your intent to file a VA claim — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“After you notify us of your intent to file, you have 1 year to complete and file your claim.”
  15. The VA claim process after you file your claim — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“If we schedule any exams for you, be sure not to miss them.”
  16. Manage dependents for disability, pension, or D.I.C. benefits — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“Or, you may need to remove a dependent from your benefits to avoid overpayment debt.”
  17. Choosing a decision review option — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“you can choose from 3 decision review options to continue your case: a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board Appeal.”
  18. Higher-Level Review — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“within 1 year of our decision on your initial claim or Supplemental Claim”
  19. Board Appeal — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“if you submit your request within 1 year of the decision on your initial claim, Supplemental Claim, or Higher-Level Review”
  20. Board Appeal: Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“You can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims within 120 days from the date on your decision letter”