KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Your disability rating drives most of the rest. A rating of 10% or higher waives the VA loan funding fee (2.15% on a first-use, no-down-payment loan), and 50% or higher places you in health care Priority Group 1 with no copays.
- VA disability pay rose 2.8% on December 1, 2025, running from $180.42 a month at 10% to $3,938.58 at 100% for a veteran with no dependents.
- The PACT Act (Public Law 117-168, signed August 10, 2022) added presumptive conditions for burn pit, Agent Orange, radiation, and Gulf War service, so a listed diagnosis plus qualifying service needs no nexus letter.
- VA is waiving VGLI premiums for November 2026 through January 2027, automatically, for any policy active on November 1, 2026. Canceling or lapsing on or before October 31 forfeits it.
- VA reported an average of 78.6 days to decide a disability claim at the end of May 2026, down from 141.5 days in January 2025. Accredited VSO help with filing is free.
- VA Disability Compensation
- VA Healthcare
- Education and Training Benefits
- VA Home Loans
- Life Insurance
- Burial and Memorial Benefits
- Benefits for Spouses and Dependents
- State Veteran Benefits
- How to Apply for VA Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions
A single VA disability rating can pay anywhere from $180.42 to $3,938.58 a month in 2026, waive the 2.15% funding fee on a VA loan, and raise your health care priority group. It is the benefit most veterans start with and the one that unlocks the rest, but it is only one of six programs, and each has its own application. This page maps all of them: what each pays or covers, who qualifies, where to apply, and which of our in-depth guides to read next.
VA Disability Compensation
Disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for veterans with service-connected conditions — injuries or illnesses incurred or aggravated during active duty. Your rating (expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%) determines your monthly payment amount and unlocks access to many other benefits.
2026 monthly rates (single veteran, no dependents):
TRENDING: See Today’s VA Loan Rates
| Rating | Monthly Payment | Key Benefits Unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| 10%–20% | $180–$357/mo | Health care Priority Group 3, funding fee waiver at 10%+, VR&E eligibility (20%, or 10% with a serious employment handicap) |
| 30%–40% | $552–$796/mo | Extra pay for dependents starts at 30%, Priority Group 2 |
| 50%–60% | $1,133–$1,435/mo | Priority Group 1 (no copays), TDIU possible at 60% from a single disability |
| 70%–90% | $1,808–$2,362/mo | TDIU eligibility at a combined 70% with one disability at 40%+, state property tax breaks that often scale with rating |
| 100% (P&T) | $3,939/mo | Highest schedular rate, DEA and CHAMPVA for dependents, SMC possible |
Rates increase with dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents). All disability compensation is tax-free at the federal level and in all 50 states.
In-depth guides by rating:
- 40% VA Disability Rating
- 50% VA Disability Rating: Pay, Benefits, and VR&E
- 70% VA Disability Rating: Pay, TDIU Eligibility, and Benefits
- 80% VA Disability Rating
- 100% VA Disability Rating
- VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- VA Disability Calculator and Pay Rates
- 2026 VA Disability Payment Schedule
- VA Disability Ratings Guide
- How to File a VA Disability Claim
- VA Presumptive Conditions List (PACT Act)
- VA Secondary Conditions
- Service Animals for Veterans
- TDIU Eligibility and How to Apply
- VA Appeals: Higher-Level Review vs. Supplemental Claim vs. Board Appeal
- VA Clothing Allowance (2026 Rate)
- VA Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment
VA Healthcare
VA healthcare is available to veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, you generally need 24 continuous months of service or the full period you were called to active duty, with exceptions for hardship, early-out, and service-connected disability discharges. Your enrollment priority group (1–8) is then determined primarily by your disability rating and income. Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or higher receive Priority Group 1 — no copays for VA care. Veterans with no disability rating are placed in lower priority groups based on income.
The VA healthcare system includes medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), and the MISSION Act community care program that allows eligible veterans to see private providers at VA expense when wait times or distance standards aren’t met.
Healthcare benefit guides:
- TRICARE Plans Compared (active duty and retirees)
- TRICARE Costs 2026
- Military Dental and Vision Benefits
- CHAMPVA Benefits Guide
- CHAMPVA vs TRICARE
- VA MISSION Act: Community Care Guide
- VA Dental Eligibility Classes
- Housing for Homeless Veterans (HUD-VASH, SSVF)
Education and Training Benefits
The GI Bill is the most widely used education benefit, covering tuition, housing, and books at approved schools. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the primary program for most veterans who served after September 10, 2001. It covers up to 100% of in-state tuition at public schools, plus a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) based on BAH rates at your school’s location.
Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) provides education and training specifically for veterans with service-connected disabilities that create employment barriers. It can be used in addition to or instead of the GI Bill.
Education benefit guides:
VA Home Loans
The VA home loan guarantee is one of the most financially significant benefits available to veterans. Eligible veterans can purchase a home with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and typically lower interest rates than conventional mortgages. The VA guarantees a portion of each loan made by a VA-approved private lender, which is what enables the favorable terms.
The benefit can be used multiple times. Veterans with full entitlement have no VA-imposed loan limit with zero down payment. The primary upfront cost is the VA funding fee (2.15% for first-time use with no down payment), which veterans with service-connected disability ratings of 10% or higher are exempt from paying.
VA home loan guides:
- VA Loan Overview: Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Apply
- VA Loan Calculator
- VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- VA Loan Funding Fee
- VA Loan Disqualifiers: What Can Get You Denied
- VA Loan Spouse and Surviving Spouse Eligibility
- VA IRRRL (Streamline Refinance) Guide
- VA Cash-Out Refinance Guide
- VA Loan Assumption Guide
- VA Loans for New Construction
- Credit Repair for a VA Loan
Life Insurance
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides low-cost term coverage while on active duty. When you separate, SGLI converts to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) — but the conversion decision deserves careful thought. VGLI rates increase significantly with age, and private policies may offer better value for many veterans, especially those who are healthy.
VGLI premium holiday: VA is suspending VGLI premiums for three months, November 2026 through January 2027. It applies automatically to any policy that is active on November 1, 2026, and your coverage stays in force. The holiday covers VGLI only, not SGLI, Family SGLI, or VALife. If you’re weighing a switch to private coverage, note that canceling or lapsing on or before October 31, 2026 forfeits it. See VA’s VGLI premium holiday FAQ for the details.
Life insurance guides:
- Life Insurance for Veterans and Military Families
- VGLI vs. Private Life Insurance: Which Is Right for You?
- Life Insurance Calculator
- Life Insurance Comparison and Life Insurance Quotes
Burial and Memorial Benefits
The VA provides burial and memorial benefits for eligible veterans, including burial in a national cemetery at no cost, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a burial flag. Veterans may also qualify for a burial allowance to help cover funeral costs — up to $2,000 for a service-connected death, or up to $1,002 for a non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2025. VA adjusts the non-service-connected amounts each October 1.
National cemeteries are run by VA’s National Cemetery Administration, and burials are scheduled through the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. Space is not guaranteed at all locations — families should contact the cemetery directly when planning. Surviving spouses of veterans buried in national cemeteries are eligible for burial alongside the veteran at no additional cost.
The burial allowance is a flat reimbursement, not full coverage, and it usually falls well short of a typical funeral bill. Many veterans consider final expense insurance to cover the gap. See our free Veteran Will and Burial Guide for a planning resource that covers VA burial benefits, a family information guide, and a will worksheet.
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Benefits for Spouses and Dependents
Military spouses and dependents have access to a significant range of benefits both during service and after a veteran’s death. Key programs include:
- CHAMPVA: Health insurance for dependents of veterans rated permanently and totally disabled, or who died from a service-connected disability. See the CHAMPVA Benefits Guide.
- DEA (Chapter 35): Education assistance for spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled or who died from service-connected causes.
- DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation): Monthly tax-free payments to surviving spouses and dependents of service members who died in the line of duty or from service-connected conditions. See the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Guide.
- Surviving Spouse VA Home Loan: Qualifying surviving spouses have their own VA home loan eligibility, including full exemption from the funding fee. See the VA Loan Spouse Eligibility guide.
- TRICARE: Healthcare coverage for active duty families and retirees. See TRICARE Plans Compared.
For a full overview of what’s available to military spouses specifically, see our VA Benefits for Spouses of Veterans guide.
State Veteran Benefits
Every state offers benefits on top of federal VA programs. The most financially significant are typically property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and military retirement pay income tax exclusions. Texas and Florida have no state income tax, Wisconsin does not tax military retirement pay, and Virginia lets military retirees subtract up to $40,000 of retirement pay — each can save qualifying veterans thousands of dollars annually when combined with strong property tax programs.
State benefits are administered independently of the VA and require separate applications through state veterans agencies or county offices. Federal VA disability ratings are the most common eligibility trigger for state property tax programs.
Browse state-specific guides:
- Texas Veteran Benefits
- Florida Veteran Benefits
- California Veteran Benefits
- Virginia Veteran Benefits
- North Carolina Veteran Benefits
- Georgia Veteran Benefits
- New Jersey Veteran Benefits
- Kentucky Veteran Benefits
- Indiana Veteran Benefits
- Hawaii Veteran Benefits
- View all state guides →
How to Apply for VA Benefits
Each VA benefit requires a separate application — there is no single form that covers all programs. Here’s where to start for the most common benefits:
Disability compensation: File a claim online at VA.gov, through a VSO, or by mail using VA Form 21-526EZ. Gather your service records, medical records, and any buddy statements before filing. See our step-by-step disability claim guide.
VA healthcare: Apply online at VA.gov/health-care/apply or in person at your nearest VA medical center. Income doesn’t disqualify you — once you meet the service and discharge requirements above, the enrollment system assigns your priority group by disability rating and income.
GI Bill education benefits: Apply at VA.gov/education. Your school’s VA certifying official handles the enrollment certification once you’re approved.
VA home loan COE: Your lender can pull your Certificate of Eligibility electronically in minutes through VA’s WebLGY system. You can also request one yourself at VA.gov or by mail using VA Form 26-1880. See our COE guide for full details.
Working with a VSO: Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — including the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and others — provide free claims assistance. VSO representatives are accredited by the VA and can help you avoid common filing errors on disability claims. Locate a VSO at VA.gov/vso. Your county Veterans Service Officer also provides free assistance with both state and federal benefits.
KEEP READING
The step-by-step enrollment process behind the priority groups described above.
First-Time VA Home Buyer Guide →
Using the home loan benefit for the first time? Start here, from pre-approval to closing.
How VA turns your conditions into the 0–100% rating that drives the benefits on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Entitlement depends on your discharge status, service length, and disability status. Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable can generally apply for VA healthcare enrollment, disability compensation (if you have service-connected conditions), education benefits (if you have remaining GI Bill eligibility), and home loan benefits. Benefits that require a disability rating — such as priority healthcare enrollment, funding fee waivers, and many state property tax programs — become accessible once you file a disability claim and receive a rating. Start at VA.gov for an eligibility overview.
No — many VA benefits do not require a disability rating. VA healthcare enrollment is available to most veterans regardless of disability status (though priority group and copay structure differ). GI Bill education benefits are based on service, not disability. VA home loan benefits are based on service eligibility. However, a disability rating significantly expands what you can access: monthly compensation, priority healthcare, funding fee exemption, and most state property tax programs all require a rating. If you have any service-connected condition, filing a disability claim should be a priority.
It depends on the benefit and how complete your file is. VA reported an average of 78.6 days to decide a disability claim at the end of May 2026, down from 141.5 days in January 2025, but claims that need a C&P exam or outside records take longer, and appeals take longer still. VA healthcare enrollment can be completed in days to weeks. Working with a VSO, submitting a complete evidence package upfront, and using the Fully Developed Claim process can help speed up disability decisions.
Yes. VA disability compensation and Social Security disability or retirement benefits are separate programs that can be received simultaneously. VA disability pay does not reduce Social Security benefits, and Social Security does not reduce VA compensation. Veterans rated 100% P&T may also qualify for expedited processing of a Social Security disability claim. Don’t confuse this with “concurrent receipt,” which is a different topic: it covers military retired pay and VA disability compensation together. See our CRSC vs CRDP guide.
VA disability compensation is tax-free at the federal level and in all 50 states. DIC payments, CHAMPVA benefits, and GI Bill housing allowances are also non-taxable. Military retirement pay is generally taxable federally, though many states offer full or partial exemptions — see our state benefits guides above for details. VA home loan benefits (no down payment, no PMI) are not income and are not taxable.
No. VA applies it automatically. If your VGLI coverage is active on November 1, 2026, you owe no premiums for November 2026, December 2026, or January 2027, and your coverage stays in force. If you already paid ahead for those months, you can get a credit toward future bills or request a refund. The holiday covers VGLI only, not SGLI, Family SGLI, or VALife, and you lose it if your policy is canceled or lapses on or before October 31, 2026.
This article is provided by USMilitary.org, an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. For official applications and benefit determinations, visit VA.gov.
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