VA Disability Rating Chart
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How the VA Disability Rating Chart Works
The Current VA Disability Rating Chart
Below is the current VA Disability Rating Chart that shows exactly how much you should receive for your VA Disability Rating. This VA Disability Rating Chart shows the rates that went into effect on December 1, 2021.
Note: This VA Disability Rating Chart is ONLY for VA Disability: DoD Disability rates are calculated differently.
How the VA Disability Rating Chart Works
There are number of things you need to understand before you use the VA Disability Rating Chart.
First, every amount you see in the VA Disability Rating Chart is what the VA pays monthly for disability.
These amounts of money are NOT taxable! Woohoo!
Second, the percentages across the top of the VA Disability Rating Chart are the Total Combined VA Disability Rating that you get after combining the ratings for each of your conditions using VA Math. You don’t get separate compensation for each of your conditions: just one payment for your Total Combined VA Disability Rating.
Next, in the VA Disability Rating Chart, you’ll notice that there are a couple factors that can increase the total amount you receive: Children, a Spouse, and Parents.
For you to qualify for any of these increases, these people MUST be your legal dependents. Just because your father is alive and well doesn’t mean you can use him to increase your disability pay. He must be living with you and/or completely dependent on your income. The same must go for your spouse. If they are dependent on your income, they can be figured into your compensation. Basically, if you claim children, parents, or a spouse on your taxes as dependents, they can be used in the VA Disability Rating Chart to increase the amount of your VA Disability.
The rules for Children get a bit complicated. The VA Disability Rating Chart includes only 1 child, but if you have more, you just add a certain amount for each additional child. There are two categories: children under 18, and children 18–23. For children 18–23 to count, they must be single and in school. When calculating in additional children, kids under 18 get one rate, and kids over 18 get another, so the distinction between categories is important.
All the children that are already figured in to some of the ratings (You, 1 Parent & 1 Child, etc.) are under 18. So, if you have only 1 child, but they are over 18, you would take the rate that you would receive without them and then just add the amount for a child 18–23.
For example, Billy has only 1 child, age 22, in school. There are no other dependents. He was given a rating of 30%. He would first find the amount he would receive without his child: $467.39. He would then add the amount for an 18–23 child ($89.00): $467.39 + $89.00 = $556.39.
Basically, if there are no children under age 18, find the rate without the children, and then add them separately. If there is at least 1 child under 18, find the rate with the child, and then add any additional children separately.
There is also a special circumstance for Spouses. If your spouse needs Aid and Attendance, then your rate can be increased. A person needs Aid and Attendance if they have a medical condition that requires regular (not necessarily constant) supervision by another person (i.e. you, a home nurse, family) to perform the Activities of Daily Living. If the spouse is hospitalized or institutionalized, they do not qualify for Aid and Attendance.
If your spouse qualifies for Aid and Attendance, then just add the additional amount to your rate. For example, Betty has a disability rating of 40% and has only one dependent, her husband Bert who needs Aid and Attendance. To figure out her disability amount, she would first find the amount she would receive with a spouse: $747.28. She would then add the amount for Aid and Attendance: $68.00. Her final amount would be $815.28 ($747.28 + $68.00 = $815.28).
Fourth, you’ll notice in the VA Disability Rating Chart that for a 10% and 20% rating, the number and type of dependents do not affect the amount you receive. It’s just one monthly payment, no matter your situation.
Finally, a 0% rating does not get anything, sorry.
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The Current VA Disability Rating Chart
For a more detailed explanation of the >> 2022 VA disability pay rates, click HERE now <<
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FAQs
What is the current VA Disability Rating Chart?
The current VA Disability Rating Chart shows the disability compensation rates that Congress passed on 1 December, 2021. These rates are the amount disabled veteran's receive monthly at the various combined rating percentages for their service-connected disabilities.
How are the rates determined?
Congress designed the rates to reflect the projected amount of lost income that results from a veteran's disability. The rating percentages reflect the severity of the condition, so a 30% rating (they should still be able to work) for a single veteran with no dependents means that $441.35 should cover the economic cost of the disability, while a 100% rating (highly unlikely that they can work) needs $3,146.42.
Do my dependents qualify for disability pay?
Dependents do not qualify for disability in their own right, however, they can increase YOUR overall disability payment since they are dependent on your income. The VA Disability Rating Chart factors in parents, spouses, and children that are legally considered dependents.
How do I know my rating percentage?
After the VA processes your disability claim, they will send you a Rating Decision letter that will detail each condition's individual rating and your Total Combined Rating. Your Total Combined Rating is the rating percentage used to find your payment rate in the chart.
How do I apply to receive my ratings?
To apply, submit a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding the conditions on the claim.
How long does it take to receive my disability benefits?
Brand new claims usually take 3-6 months to process. Once processed, you will start receiving payments in 1-3 months.
How does the VA assign the rating percentages?
The VA follows the rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) to assign rating percentages to conditions. The VASRD gives rating rules for conditions based on their symptoms, treatment options, and the resulting level of disability they cause.
How can I qualify for a higher pay rate?
To qualify for a higher pay level, you have to have your individual condition ratings increased to increase your Total Combined Rating. If the VA assigned an incorrect rating to your conditions, you can appeal their rating decision, providing proof that you qualify for a higher rating. If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim, checking the box for an increased evaluation.
