A VA disability rating is a percentage rating given to veterans with service-connected medical conditions that represents how much their disability decreases their overall health and ability to function. This rating is used to determine how much disability compensation is paid to a disabled individual each month after they leave active duty service. VA disability ratings can also determine one’s eligibility for other benefits, including VA Health Care, vocational rehabilitation programs, and VALife insurance. The survivors of veterans may be eligible for additional benefits after the veteran passes away if a veteran’s rating was 100% permanent and total for a qualifying amount of time, or if the veteran had a rating of Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability. Note that survivors of servicemembers who pass away from a service-connected condition regardless of overall rating may also be eligible for additional benefits.
For individuals with only one service-connected condition, their disability rating is based on just that condition. However, when leaving the military, individuals can receive multiple disability ratings for various medical conditions. In this case, these ratings are combined to create a “combined VA disability rating” which is then used for benefits calculations. Combined ratings are not simply calculated by adding up individual ratings; there is a specific formula used to determine them.
A rating for a specific disability is provided in increments of 10%. Combined disability ratings cannot exceed 100%. Visit the combined ratings table to learn more about how the VA calculates combined disability ratings.
How are disability ratings determined?
Disability ratings are determined based upon the severity of each disability in question.
To determine the severity of a service-connected disability, the VA requires that the servicemember or veteran attend medical exams and submit supporting documents, including, but not limited to:
- DD Form 214
- VA Form 21-526EZ: Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits
- VA medical, dental, and hospital records
- Private medical, dental, and hospital records
- Service treatment records
- Additional documentation of injuries, illnesses, and/or events that may have contributed to a service-connected disability
- Written statement from the veteran about the disability and the effect it has on their day-to-day life
- Lay or Witness Statements from other individuals about the occurrence of the service-connected disability and the continuing effect it has on the veteran’s day-to-day life
Servicemembers participating in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program must also submit the Separation Health Assessment – Part A Self-Assessment Form.
How are claims submitted?
There are multiple ways to file a disability claim, but two are the most common: (1) by participating in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program and (2) by filing a standard or fully developed claim by submitting an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits directly to the VA.
Benefits Delivery at Discharge
This program allows servicemembers to file their claims for disability benefits between 180 and 90 days prior to separating from service. Servicemembers must have a known separation date within the next 180 to 90 days in order to participate and must be able to attend VA medical exams within 45 days after submitting their claim. By completing their application for disability benefits early, the hope is that there is little delay in receiving a disability rating and compensation, and that servicemembers may receive a decision from the VA within a month of separation. However, there is no guarantee of any specific timeline.
Standard and Fully Developed Claims
Generally, there are two types of disability claims that can be submitted to the VA. How readily available supporting records and evidence are determines which type of claim the veteran can submit.
In a fully developed claim, the veteran has most of, if not all, the relevant medical and health records gathered. This evidence is submitted together with the claim form. The veteran may also authorize the VA to interact with government agencies, health facilities, and other private providers to receive additional records, but it is the veteran’s responsibility to ensure that each provider submits their records promptly to the VA.
After initiating a standard claim, a veteran may need extra time to gather additional evidence or advise the VA from where to request records. The VA may hold off on processing a standard claim until the veteran indicates that all the evidence has been submitted. The veteran has one year from the date the claim form is submitted to provide all evidence.
Fully developed claims may be processed faster than standard claims. When the VA is required to track down any evidence related to a claim, it can slow down the process. It’s normally in the veteran’s best interest to do the heavy lifting and provide all of the records necessary to support their claim.
Note: If a veteran is submitting their initial claim many years after service, their service personnel records and their service treatment records should be held at the Archives or other appropriate record storage facility. The VA has the authority to request records from any federal agency that has these records, however only one request for records at the Archives can be processed at a time.
How to file a claim:
There are five ways to file a disability claim.
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Online using the VA’s website.
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By mail. Veterans can download Form 21-526EZ and send the completed form and any supporting records to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444 -
In person at a regional VA office.
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By fax to 844-531-7818 (domestically) or 248-524-4260 (if international).
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By working with an accredited VSO who can help file the claim on behalf of the veteran.
After filing a claim, veterans may be asked to attend one or more VA-scheduled medical exams. These exams will likely be with contracted private medical providers outside of the VA. It’s important that veterans not miss these appointments; rescheduling can draw out the claims process. If a veteran misses their exam, the claim for the conditions that the exam was to address may be denied. After the claim is submitted and medical exams are completed, it is a matter of waiting for the VA to complete processing of the claim. If the VA needs additional evidence or clarification, they will most often reach out to the veteran via mail. A veteran’s VSO representative will also receive a copy of that correspondence.
Note: As of October 2024, the VA was taking an average of 140.5 days to complete disability claims. However, the amount of time it takes to process any particular claim varies widely depending on a variety of factors.
How much disability compensation is offered?
The VA Disability Compensation program is intended to compensate for loss of wage-earning capacity due to service-connected conditions, not to pay a veteran for their pain and suffering.
The amount of disability compensation offered to veterans depends primarily on the veteran’s disability rating and their number of dependents. Veterans must have combined disability ratings of at least 10% to receive compensation payments. Veterans with combined disability ratings of at least 30% can have an additional sum added to their payment that depends on whether or not they have qualifying dependents (e.g., a veteran with a spouse and a dependent parent will receive more than a veteran with no dependents; a veteran with a spouse and children will receive an additional amount for each dependent child). Monthly payments called Special Monthly Compensation may also be available if a veteran has a severe disability.
Note that disability compensation rates may be negatively adjusted if a veteran is convicted of a felony.
Disability rates are inflation-adjusted each year with a cost-of-living adjustment.
You can view current disability compensation rates here.
Navy Mutual is an accredited Veterans Service Organization, and our VSO representatives are able to help servicemembers and veterans file disability claims. If you need assistance, our team can be reached at 888-298-4442. We will never charge for VSO services.
Navy Mutual Aid Association’s Department of Education and Veteran Services does not endorse or favor any commercial financial product or service or promote the services of any specific financial institution. Further, Navy Mutual Aid Association and its accredited VSO Representatives do not charge or accept a fee or gratuity for representation services rendered to claimants before the Department of Veterans Affairs. 38 C.F.R. §14.628.