2019 VA Disability Compensation Rates – Updated Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables
The 2019 VA Disability Compensation Rates are effective as of Dec. 1, 2018. If you receive VA disability pay, you will notice the increased amount in your first check in January 2019. There was a 2.8% increase from 2018, the largest such cost of living adjustment (COLA) since 2012. The government uses the same COLA rates for military retiree pay and several other government benefits.
While 2.8% may not seem like much on the surface, it adds up over time!
2019 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Here are the 2019 VA disability compensation rates.
They are divided into three major sections:
- 10% – 20% (Having dependents doesn’t impact these compensation rates)
- Without Children
- With Children
Having dependents on your VA Disability Claim increases compensation rates for veterans with a disability rating of 30% or greater.
VA Disability Compensation Rates – 10% – 20% (No Dependents)
| Percentage | Rate |
|---|---|
| 10% | $140.05 |
| 20% | $276.84 |
VA Disability Compensation Rates – 30% – 60% Without Children
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $428.83 | $617.73 | $879.36 | $1,113.86 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $479.83 | $685.73 | $964.36 | $1,215.86 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $520.83 | $739.73 | $1,032.36 | $1,297.86 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $561.83 | $793.73 | $1,100.36 | $1,379.86 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $469.83 | $671.73 | $947.36 | $1,195.86 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $510.83 | $725.73 | $1,015.36 | $1,277.86 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $47.00 | $62.00 | $78.00 | $94.00 |
VA Disability Compensation Rates – 70% – 100% Without Children
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $1,403.71 | $1,631.69 | $1,833.62 | $3,057.13 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,522.71 | $1,767.69 | $1,986.62 | $3,227.58 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $1,617.71 | $1,876.69 | $2,109.62 | $3,364.37 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $1,712.71 | $1,985.69 | $2,232.62 | $3,501.16 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,498.71 | $1,740.69 | $1,956.62 | $3,193.92 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,593.71 | $1,849.69 | $2,079.62 | $3,330.71 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $109.00 | $125.00 | $141.00 | $156.32 |
VA Disability Compensation Rates – 30% – 60% With Children
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with Spouse & Child | $516.83 | $735.73 | $1,026.36 | $1,290.86 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $462.83 | $662.73 | $935.36 | $1,181.86 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $557.83 | $789.73 | $1,094.36 | $1,372.86 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $598.83 | $843.73 | $1,162.36 | $1,454.86 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $503.83 | $716.73 | $1,003.36 | $1,263.86 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $544.83 | $770.73 | $1,071.36 | $1,345.86 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $25.00 | $33.00 | $42.00 | $50.00 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) | $82.00 | $109.00 | $136.00 | $164.00 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $47.00 | $62.00 | $78.00 | $94.00 |
VA Disability Compensation Rates – 70% – 100% With Children
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with Spouse & Child | $1,609.71 | $1,867.69 | $2,098.62 | $3,352.41 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $1,482.71 | $1,722.69 | $1,935.62 | $3,171.12 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $1,704.71 | $1,976.69 | $2,221.62 | $3,489.20 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $1,799.71 | $2,085.69 | $2,344.62 | $3,625.99 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,577.71 | $1,831.69 | $2,058.62 | $3,307.91 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $1,672.71 | $1,940.69 | $2,181.62 | $3,444.70 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $59.00 | $67.00 | $76.00 | $84.69 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) | $191.00 | $218.00 | $246.00 | $273.58 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $109.00 | $125.00 | $141.00 | $156.32 |
FOOTNOTES:
a. Rates for each school child are shown separately. They are not included with any other compensation 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, $ 1786.71, and add the rate for one school child, $191.00. The total amount payable is $1977.71.
b. Where the veteran has a spouse who is determined to require A/A, add the figure shown as “additional for 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 $109.00, additional for A/A spouse, to the rate for a 70% veteran with dependency code 12, $1,668.71. The total amount payable is $1,777.71.
About VA Service-Connected Disability Ratings
VA Service-Connected Disability Ratings are awarded to veterans on a case by case basis, based upon illnesses or injuries that occurred or were made worse while the member was performing active duty military service. A disability rating can also be awarded to a veteran who was injured or became disabled after receiving VA health care.
VA Service Connected Disability Compensation is Tax-Free
VA Service Connected Disability Compensation is a tax-free benefit which is paid directly to the veteran on a monthly basis. This income does not need to be reported on federal tax returns. Please check with your individual state tax office to determine if this is reportable at the state level.
How VA Disability Compensation Impacts Retirement Pay
Retired military members who are awarded a service-connected disability rating are entitled to receive their disability compensation from the VA. However, military retirees may experience some differences from non-retired veterans.
VA Disability Offset for Military Retirees
There is a federal law on the books which requires military retirees to waive part of their military retirement pay in order to receive VA disability compensation benefits. Military retirees with a disability rating of 40% or less may have their military retirement pay offset by the amount of disability compensation they receive from the VA. In other words, their retirement pay from DFAS will be decreased by the exact amount of money they receive from the VA.
The end result is the same gross payment. However, the VA compensation is tax-free, resulting in a larger overall net payment.
Concurrent Receipt
Military retirees with a disability rating of 50% or greater may be eligible to receive both their full disability income and the full military retirement pay with no offset. This is called Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP), or concurrent receipt.
Combat Related Special Compensation
There is another program called Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), or CRSC (10 U.S. Code § 1413a).
CRSC Benefits replace the VA disability offset for military retirees with combat-related disabilities, allowing military retirees to receive both their full disability compensation and retirement pay, without any offset. This can be applied even at a VA disability rating of less than 50%.
CRSC is only awarded to military members who have a combat-related disability rating. Members must apply through their branch of service to be awarded CRSC.
Note: Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay and Combat Related Special Compensation are often a source of confusion and contention among many veterans. We recommend working directly with the VA, DFAS, or your branch of service to handle any specific questions or issues you may have with either of these programs.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to answer any specific questions regarding an individual VA disability claim or compensation.
Having Dependents May Impact Your Disability Compensation Payments
Veterans who have a disability rating of 30% or higher may receive increased disability compensation payments from the VA. This does not apply to veterans with a disability rating of 20% or lower.
Veterans must add their dependents to their VA disability claim and inform the VA of any changes to dependency status. This is important any time there is a change such as a marriage, divorce, birth, legal adoption, death, minor entering into the majority, a parent becoming a dependent, or other qualifying changes to dependency status.
Children are no longer eligible to be claimed as a dependent once they reach age 18 unless they are still attending school. To continue receiving benefits for your dependent after they reach age 18, the VA requires the veteran to submit supporting documentation proving the child is attending a qualified school.
Promptly Inform the VA of Changes to Dependents’ Status
The VA will provide back pay from the time you file the paperwork to add a dependent to your claim. However, they may also claw back overpayments you received should you fail to inform the VA that your status has changed. This is important when there is an event that may decrease your compensation, such as a child no longer being eligible for benefits, a divorce, or a death.
You can find historical rates here.
Related Content:
- Why You File Your Veterans Disability Claim (Not Just How)
- How NOT to do it: Applying for VA disability years after military separation
- What Happens After Your VA Disability Claim Has Been Approved
- What The VA Really Does With Your Disability Claim
- IRS denies military retirement “net disability exclusion”
My Dad receives VA disability compensation at the married rate. My Mom argues with him that the VA gives him the extra amount for her, and that he is supposed to give it to her each month. The VA originally and mistakenly approved his claim at the single rate. After sending the VA proof of marriage, they updated his disability compensation to the married rate. They also sent a letter explaining the correction, and the increased amount of disability for being married, which my Mom interprets as “her money” that my Dad should give to her each month. I had found an internet article some time ago, stating the reasons why the extra “married amount” is not money the VA is giving to the spouse, but money for the veteran because they are married. They are elderly and I’m trying to put this to rest to stop the bickering. I would sincerely appreciate it if you could offer an explanation, a link from the VA, or any type of justification I can show to my Mom to prove the VA did not send that letter to tell my Dad he has to give the the “married portion” of his disability each month. Sincerely, Matt
Matt, the VA only says that the additional disability compensation is “to help support your family”.
https://benefits.va.gov/compensation/add-dependents.asp
Veterans have earned (and paid for) the compensation. I’m not aware of any legal requirements on how a married veteran is expected to use their compensation. Your parents might be able to gain more insight by consulting a Veteran Service Officer in their community from the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, or MOAA.
can you claim foster children as dependents?
It doesn’t look like it, Amber, but you’d want to verify that with your state Veterans Affairs office or your foster agency. The state may offer additional benefits that the federal VA does not.
The VA’s website says:
“You can add a dependent if: You have or adopt a child.”
Foster children aren’t mentioned on this page.
https://www.va.gov/disability/add-remove-dependent/
You could also consult a VSO in your community from a local chapter of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the VFW, or even MOAA.
https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/
If my husband was in the military and married with one child when he was discharged and originally awarded his disability but has since divorced her and their child is now over 18 but we have married and had a child of our own, can he still claim the married with one child? He’s been receiving single pay for over 10 years while we’ve been married.
Hello Shannon, veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher can add dependents to their claim. It is the veteran’s responsibility to contact the VA to inform them of changes to their status, including adding or removing dependents. Your husband should contact the VA to ensure his claim is correct, and add or remove any dependents as necessary. This can be done with VA Form 21-686c. You can learn more here.
I wish you and your family the best!
I have a student loan from prior to my military service. Im a disabled vet with 90% rating. Is there a way to decrease or dismiss this student loan?
Good question, Linda, with complicated answers.
If you have federal student loans and you’re working for a government or not-for-profit organization, then you’re eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The definition of that type of organization is very broad. Here’s a fact sheet:
https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Content/Documents/Print/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Part of that process might include Income-Based Repayment with forgiveness after 25 years.
If you’re working in veteran healthcare then there’s a loan repayment program for that education:
https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Content/Documents/Print/edrp_va_vha_flyer_FINAL.pdf
I think the VA also offers its employees a Student Loan Repayment Program. That might require you to actually be employed at the VA.
https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EducationSupport
https://www.va.gov/finance/docs/VA-FinancialPolicyVolumeIIIChapter04.pdf
Finally I’d encourage you to talk with a Veteran Service Officer (at a VA clinic), a Veterans Affairs rep at your local university, and your state’s Veterans Affairs office.
VSOs mainly help process disability compensation claims, but they may also have more detailed information on student loans and can refer you to the right people. The veteran’s reps at university campuses are also connected to the right resources to help you review your loans and figure out your options. And finally, your state Veterans Affairs office can help you with individual state, county, city, or other local programs.
So, I was just informed there is a different payment rate for single, and married with child. I’m currently receiving disability at the single status, when I’ve been married, with children since before I joined the military. Who do I contact to have my status changed, and to get back pay initiated?
You will not get back pay to the time that you got out unless you just got out and its within your 1 year of getting your Notification letter. It states in that letter you are being paid at a single rate, so if your passed that 1 year mark, unfortunately you lost that back pay. You can go onto benefits or call 1800827100 and they can be added over the phone and know right then if you need to upload documents. Again if your are past that 1 year mark, it will take effect the day you contact the VA.
Jesse, the simplest method would be logging in to your eBenefits account and adding your family members.
Since you may be eligible for back pay, you might want to visit your local Veteran Service Officer and figure out how far back the VA will go. They can also add your family members, and they may want to see marriage certificates & birth certificates.
if i die will my wife still get any compensation? 90%, out for 16 years, married 10 years.
No. She will have to apply for her benefit, but there a qualifications to have before shes eligible. Her benefit would alot less than yours.
I am a disabled veteran. I got hurt in 1974 and 1975 and I received a disability rating of 10%.
How can I improve my disability rating? Can you point me in the right direction and the right person?
For starters you need to do an Intent to file. Then you will have 1 year from that date to get th VA Regional office the correct paperwork and then they will start working on your claim for increase.
You can go to the Regional office, any service organization, or your local VAMC to start both. At the VAMC you will talk to a service organization there. Hope this helps
Hector, I’d start by visiting a Veteran Service Officer for a review of what’s been done and what needs to be done. You could start with a copy of your VA claim file (if you have your C-file) and your DD-214 discharge paper, and later add your service & medical records.
You can find a VSO at a local VA clinic or local chapters of the American Legion, the DAV, the VFW, or even MOAA. You might also be able to get help from your state’s veterans benefits agency– state benefits as well as the VA’s federal benefits.
The “Related Content” links up in that post have more information about submitting a claim and updating it.
What qualifies as a dependent parent? My wife’s mother is now living with us.
If you support your parent with the majority of there income, then they can be added.
That’s a tough question, Tom, and I can’t find a straightforward answer. You’ll need to consult a Veteran Service Officer, a JAG, or a lawyer who’s familiar with veteran’s benefits.
Your parent is a dependent when you’re supporting them, but the financial qualifications for additional disability compensation are based on both income and assets. In addition, there’s a separate program of Dependents and Indemnity Compensation for the parents of a deceased veteran. Both are mentioned in the Code of Federal Regulations for Title 38 of U.S. Code:
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=60a4d32d8dc1ba66fef8e80bb5903c04&node=pt38.1.3&rgn=div5#_top
but it’s hard to tell which sections apply to veteran’s disability compensation (with dependent parents) or the surviving parents’ DIC of a deceased veteran.
The basic definition is on the VA’s website:
https://benefits.va.gov/compensation/add-dependents.asp
“Parents, who are in your direct care and whose income and net worth are below the limit set by law.”
A parent’s application is not handled by eBenefits but rather has to be filed with VA Form 21P-509.
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-509-ARE.pdf
Before you spend the time filling out the form, it’s possible that a VSO (or the lawyers) will have the latest guidelines on accounting for the parent’s income & assets.
I didnt see an increase in the 2019 chart. It has the same amount From 2018. Am I missing something
Jorge, what 2018 chart are you comparing the rates to? The rates on this post’s 2019 tables are at least 2.8% higher than the 2018 rates.
In 2018 my VA disability compensation (30% rating, no kids) was $466.15. In 2019 it’s going up to $479.83.
What disability rate are you searching for? How much was your last compensation deposit?
Great roll-up on the 2019 VA compensation and a good over all explanation of how disability works with military retirement. I’m not quite there yet but know some guys who are. I’ll pass it on.
Tyler
My son just got an increase for mental health, many issues they balled together, and went from 30% to 70% that was the only change. He was at 80% disability overall, somehow hes at 90% now????
He also put in a claim for IU? Dont know decision, will it show on ebenefits? Hes still waiting on his ‘package ‘ of paperwork to come in mail. But it’s only been 3 months n he got a decision, he was also told he would be receiving a monthly SMC due to his high mental health issues.
But amt he got in acct today leaves us baffled. ( I help him with finances, Bill’s, medication, appts, etc.)
Any info you can offer???
Hello Lori, Thank you for your comment. This sounds like a situation that warrants individual attention beyond what can be provided via email.
I recommend speaking with someone who can review his specific situation and offer personalized assistance (this is not something we are qualified to provide).
The best thing to do is to contact a veterans benefits counselor at the VA or county VA office, or with a Veterans Service Organization such as the DAV, AMVETS, American Legion, VFW, etc. They have counselors who offer free, individualized claims assistance.
I wish you and your son the best!
Thanks, Tyler!