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VA disability benefits are analyzed annually by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. As a result of rising inflation and rising costs, the VA may determine that rates need to be adjusted based on economic trends.
There was a 5.9% increase in VA payments in 2023, the biggest increase in over 40 years. A high rate of inflation brought on by the pandemic caused the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to increase by 5.9%. The Social Security Administration calculates the COLA annually.
Calculate your VA disability benefits and expected monthly payments using the charts on this page. In the following, we have cross-referenced all numbers with those released by the VA on December 1, 2021, and updated them accordingly.
Check out our blog post if you're interested in increasing your VA disability rating.
2023 VA Disability Pay Chart
You can use the following VA disability pay charts to calculate your VA disability compensation rates based on your marital status and the number of dependents you have.
| 10% – 20% (No Dependents) | |
| Percentage | Rates |
| 10% | $152.64 |
| 29% | $301.74 |
| 70% – 100% Without Children | ||||
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran Alone | $1,529.95 | $1,778.43 | $1,998.52 | $3,332.06 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,659.95 | $1,926.43 | $2,165.52 | $3,517.84 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $1,763.95 | $2,045.43 | $2,299.52 | $3,666.94 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $1,867.95 | $2,164.43 | $2,433.52 | $3,816.04 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,633.95 | $1,897.43 | $2,132.52 | $3,481.16 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,737.95 | $2,016.43 | $2,266.52 | $3,630.26 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $119.00 | $136.00 | $153.00 | $170.38 |
| 30% – 60% With Children | ||||
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran with Child OnlyVeteran with Spouse and Child | $504.39 | $722.28 | $1020.44 | $1,288.03 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $563.39 | $801.28 | $1,118.44 | $1,407.03 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $607.39 | $860.28 | $1,192.44 | $1,496.03 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents, and a Child | $651.39 | $919.28 | $1,266.44 | $1,585.03 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $548.39 | $781.28 | $1,094.44 | $1,377.03 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and a Child | $592.39 | $840.28 | $1,168.44 | $1,466.03 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $27.00 | $36.00 | $46.00 | $55.00 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $89.00 | $119.00 | $149.00 | $178.00 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $51.00 | $68.00 | $86.00 | $102.00 |
| 70% – 100% With Children | ||||
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran with one Child (no spouse and no parents) | $1,615.95 | $1,877.43 | $2,109.52 | $3,456.30 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child (no parents) | $1,754.95 | $2,035.43 | $2,287.52 | $3,653.89 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent, and One Child | $1,858.95 | $2,154.43 | $2,421.52 | $3,802.99 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents, and a Child | $1,962.95 | $2,273.43 | $2,555.52 | $3,952.09 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,719.95 | $1,996.43 | $2,243.52 | $3,605.40 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and a Child | $1,823.95 | $2,115.43 | $2,377.52 | $3,754.50 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $64.00 | $73.00 | $83.00 | $92.31 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $208.00 | $238.00 | $268.00 | $298.18 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $119.00 | $136.00 | $153.00 | $170.38 |
About 2023 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Veterans could receive VA disability compensation in 2022 if they sustained an illness or injury while serving in the military. It is a monthly tax-free payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is also possible for veterans who developed service-connected disabilities after leaving service to claim benefits if those conditions had been exacerbated by their service. Furthermore, veterans with dependents, lost limbs or severe injuries, or a spouse who is disabled may receive additional benefits.
This benefit may be withdrawn anytime, and the end date may be changed. You may request a reexamination of a claim from the VA at any time if you believe your disability has improved or worsened. The VA can change its rating schedule and reexamine your benefit amount anytime. If they have a worse disability, you would want to begin the review yourself for them to receive a higher benefit.
How VA Disability Compensation is Determined
A VA disability compensation application must be submitted first. Benefits aren't guaranteed upon retirement, nor are they automatic. Once a veteran retires or within a specified amount of time after retiring, they are responsible for arranging an appointment with the VA.
According to the VA, your compensation depends on several factors, including your disability rating, how severe your disability is, and how many dependents you have.
The VA Disability Rating System Explained
Based on a scale of 0-100% and a rise of 10% incrementally, the VA uses a disability rating system to assess the severity of your disability. Depending on your rating, you will receive a certain amount of benefits. As part of determining your ratings, the VA will review a combination of service treatment records, VA medical records, and private medical records which directly relate to your disability to determine your rating.
Regardless of whether a condition meets multiple diagnostic codes, you will be rated based on a single diagnostic code per condition. Benefit amounts can be calculated using the combined-rating system if you have more than one disability.
Compensation for Service-Connected Disability
There are numerous types of service-related disabilities, such as chronic back pain, hearing impairments, tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which may not manifest until after active service is over, so veterans may not be eligible for disability compensation until after active service is over. If that is the case, it may be necessary to submit additional documentation on top of medical records to bolster your claim for disability compensation.
Assistance with Claims and Appeals
Veterans can file a claim or appeal and claim agents or Veterans Services Officers (VSOs). As qualified VA claim and appeals professionals, they are well-equipped to answer questions, meet your needs, and assist you in obtaining benefits.
Conclusion
Understanding the 2023 VA Disability Pay Chart is crucial for veterans seeking to maximize their benefits. As inflation and economic trends affect the rates, staying informed ensures they are adequately compensated. By leveraging resources, veterans can successfully navigate these adjustments, asserting their rights and accessing their due benefits.
Applying for cash benefits from Social Security can seem overwhelming for some people. Check out our guide on how to increase your VA disability rating. To help you prepare for VA disability claims, do your research as well. Visit the Disability Help blog for more information.
