VA Disability Compensation Rates 2020 increased about 1.6% from 2019 rates. If the VA decides that a veteran’s disability is related to service, it must then assign a rating percentage. By law, VA may assign rating of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%. These percentages guide the precise dollar amount VA must pay to a disabled veteran.
Individual v. Combined Ratings, VA Disability Compensation Rates 2020
Combined VA Disability Compensation Rates 2020
A 100% disability compensation rating is the maximum permitted by law. However, what if you have one disability at 70% (such as PTSD) and another disability at 50% (such as sleep apnea)? Does that mean you have a total rating of 120%? Unfortunately, no. To avoid going over the 100% cap, VA uses a Combined Ratings table. Instead of adding your individual ratings, VA combines them using a formula. This is known as “VA math.”
Combined Ratings Table
2020 VA Disability Compensation Rates. In fact, the Combined Ratings table provides that after your conditions are rated, they are all combined using a specific formula. First, the VA considers the most disabling condition – that is, the one with the highest rating – then less disabling conditions in order of severity. Consequently, this method captures the residual efficiency of a veteran with more than one service-connected condition. Because the maximum percentage reflects total impairment, the formula will never result in a rating higher than 100%.
If the combined value ends in a number from 5 through 9, VA rounds up to the next highest multiple of 10. Values that ends in 1 through 4, VA rounds down to the lower multiple of 10. If the combined value ends in 0, then rounding is unnecessary.
Combined Rating Example
For example, a veteran with 70% for PTSD and 50% rating for sleep apnea has a combined value of 85%. An 85% value rounds up to a 90% combined rating. Similarly, for a veteran with a combined value of 84%, rounds down to 80%. A veteran with two separate disabilities rated at 10% each has a combined value of 19%, which rounds up to a 20% combined rating.
A veteran’s combined rating determines his monthly compensation payment. For all combined rating percentages above 0%, VA will make specific monthly payments to the veteran. The higher the disability rating, the higher the monthly compensation VA will pay to the veteran.
How Much are 2020 VA Disability Compensation Rates per Month?
VA disability compensation rates depend on your combined rating and how many dependents rely on you for support. All things considered, if you have a 0% rating, then VA will not pay any monthly benefits. As long as you have at least a 30% combined rating percentage, VA will pay a bit extra for every dependent. Altogether, the following 2020 rates break down the monthly benefit VA must pay based on your overall rating percentage:
Veteran with No Dependents
| 10% | $142.29 |
| 20% | $281.27 |
| 30% | $435.69 |
| 40% | $627.61 |
| 50% | $893.43 |
| 60% | $1,131.68 |
| 70% | $1,426.17 |
| 80% | $1,657.80 |
| 90% | $1,862.96 |
| 100% | $3,106.04 |
Veteran with Spouse Only (No Children)
| 10% | $142.29 |
| 20% | $281.27 |
| 30% | $486.69 |
| 40% | $696.61 |
| 50% | $979.43 |
| 60% | $1,234.68 |
| 70% | $1,547.17 |
| 80% | $1,795.80 |
| 90% | $2,017.96 |
| 100% | $3,279.22 |
Veteran with 1 Child Only
| 10% | $142.29 |
| 20% | $281.27 |
| 30% | $469.69 |
| 40% | $673.61 |
| 50% | $950.43 |
| 60% | $1,200.68 |
| 70% | $1,507.17 |
| 80% | $1,749.80 |
| 90% | $1,966.96 |
| 100% | $3,221.85 |
Veteran with Spouse and 1 Child
| 10% | $142.29 |
| 20% | $281.27 |
| 30% | $525.69 |
| 40% | $747.61 |
| 50% | $1,043.43 |
| 60% | $1,311.68 |
| 70% | $1,636.17 |
| 80% | $1,897.80 |
| 90% | $2,132.96 |
| 100% | $3,406.04 |
Veteran with Spouse, 1 Child, and 1 Dependent Parent
| 10% | $142.29 |
| 20% | $281.27 |
| 30% | $566.69 |
| 40% | $802.61 |
| 50% | $1,112.43 |
| 60% | $1,394.68 |
| 70% | $1,733.17 |
| 80% | $2,008.80 |
| 90% | $2,257.96 |
| 100% | $3,545.02 |
Living Adjustments
Periodically, VA will re-assess the precise dollar amounts to keep pace with increases in the cost of living. This usually happens at the same time that the Social Security Administration issues a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
Make Sure VA is Paying You Correctly, VA Disability Compensation Rates 2020
If you already have a VA rating percentage, then don’t assume that VA is paying you based on the 2020 rates. Periodically, veterans should check their compensation status to ensure the payment is correct. If you are unsure of your combined rating, then ask VA to send you a Summary of Benefits. This letter will include your rating and the monthly dollar amount. Compare VA’s records to the tables listed above.
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