10% VA Disability Rating
A 10% VA disability rating pays $180.42/month ($2,165.04/year) in 2026, tax-free, to a veteran without dependents. The rate is set by 38 CFR § 3.4 and adjusted annually for COLA. At 10%, veterans unlock 8 federal benefits, including Service-Connected Status, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5), VA Home Loan Eligibility.
10% VA disability — quick facts (2026)
- Monthly rate
- $180.42
- Annual
- $2,165.04
- With family
- Same rate
- TDIU eligible?
- Not yet
- COLA increase
- 2.8%
- Benefits unlocked
- 8
Veteran alone, no dependents
Tax-free under 26 U.S.C. § 104
Dependent allowances begin at 30%
Need single 60% or combined 70%+
2026 adjustment
Cumulative federal benefits
0% Rating
$0.00
per month
Current — 10%
$180.42
$2,165.04/year
20% Rating
$356.66
+$176.24/mo increase
Note: Dependent allowances start at 30%. At 10%, your monthly rate is the same regardless of dependents.
What benefits do I get at 10% VA disability?
8 benefits available at your rating level (cumulative from 0%)
Service-Connected Status
Since 0%Official recognition of disability related to military service — required for all other VA benefits
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5)
Since 0%Enrollment in VA healthcare system. Priority Group 5 — may require copays depending on income
VA Home Loan Eligibility
Since 0%VA-backed mortgage with no down payment, no PMI. Funding fee still applies at 0%
Monthly Compensation
New at 10%Tax-free monthly disability compensation begins at 10%
VA Home Loan Funding Fee Waiver
New at 10%Funding fee completely waived on VA home loans — saves $4,000-$12,000+ on a typical mortgage
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 3)
New at 10%Upgraded to Priority Group 3 — no copays for SC conditions, reduced copays for non-SC care
VR&E Chapter 31
New at 10%Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment — job training, education, resume help. Requires employment handicap assessment
State Property Tax Benefits
New at 10%Many states begin property tax exemptions at 10% — varies significantly by state
At 20% you unlock VR&E Serious Employment Handicap. That's +$176.24/mo more in compensation.
Can I qualify for TDIU at a 10% rating?
TDIU requires a single condition at 60%+ or combined 70%+ with one at 40%+.
How do combined VA disability ratings work?
The VA uses the "whole person theory" — each rating applies to the remaining healthy percentage, not the total. The result is always less than the arithmetic sum, then rounded to the nearest 10% under 38 CFR § 4.25.
“Disabilities will be evaluated on a combined rating from 0 to 100 percent, as provided in the rating schedule, by using the combined ratings table and rounding to the nearest 10 percent.”
Single condition rated at 10%
Multiple 0% conditions do not combine to 10%
What conditions are commonly rated at 10%?
20 conditions have a 10% rating tier in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)
Acne
DC 7828Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting less than 40 percent of the face and neck, or deep acne other than on the face and neck
Acquired hemolytic anemia
DC 7723Requiring one course of immunosuppressive therapy per 12-month period
Agranulocytosis, acquired
DC 7702Requiring continuous medication (e.g., antibiotics) for control; or requiring intermittent use of a myeloid growth factor to maintain ANC greater than or equal to 1500/µl
Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis
DC 6522Without polyps, but with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side
Alopecia areata
DC 7831With loss of all body hair
Anemia, Iron Deficiency (Hypochromic-Microcytic)
DC 7700Iron deficiency anemia: Hemoglobin 9–10 g/dL; symptomatic (fatigue, weakness, exertional dyspnea); requiring regular treatment; no transfusion dependency.
Angioneurotic edema
DC 7118Attacks without laryngeal involvement lasting one to seven days and occurring two to four times a year
Angle-closure glaucoma
DC 6012Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required
Ankle, limited motion of
DC 5271Moderate (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion)
Ankylosing spondylitis
DC 5240Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; o...
Ano, fistula in, including anorectal fistula and anorectal abscess
DC 7335One fistula with drainage and pain, but without abscess
Anorexia nervosa
DC 9520Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms con...
Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
DC 7005Workload of greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or; continuous medication required.
Arthritis due to Trauma (Traumatic Arthritis)
DC 5010Traumatic arthritis with X-ray evidence of arthritis: with occasional painful episodes and no more than slight limitation of motion; or established by X-ray findings, with at least one-half inch or mo...
Asbestosis.
DC 6833FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted
Aspergillosis
DC 6838FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted
Asthma, bronchial
DC 6602FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy
Avitaminosis
DC 6313Confirmed diagnosis with nonspecific symptoms such as: decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness, inability to concentrate and irritability
Bacterial rhinitis
DC 6523With permanent hypertrophy of turbinates and with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side
Barrett's esophagus
DC 7207Documented by pathologic diagnosis with low-grade dysplasia
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 10% VA disability rating pay per month in 2026?
A 10% VA disability rating pays $180.42/month ($2,165.04/year) for a veteran without dependents in 2026. This amount is tax-free under 26 U.S.C. § 104.
Is VA disability compensation taxable?
No. VA disability compensation is fully tax-free under 26 U.S.C. § 104(a)(4). It is excluded from gross income and does not need to be reported on federal or state tax returns. Military retirement pay is separate and may be taxable.
What benefits do I get at 10%?
At 10%, you are eligible for 8 cumulative federal benefits, including Service-Connected Status, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5), VA Home Loan Eligibility. Benefits unlock cumulatively — every benefit available at lower ratings also applies at 10%.
Can I qualify for TDIU at 10%?
TDIU requires a single condition at 60%+ or combined 70%+ with one at 40%+.
What is the difference between a 10% and a 20% VA disability rating?
A 20% rating pays $356.66/month — $176.24/month more than the 10% rate. That difference compounds to $2,114.88/year. At 20%, you also unlock VR&E Serious Employment Handicap.
How do combined VA disability ratings work?
The VA does not add ratings together. Instead, it applies the "whole person" theory: each successive disability is calculated against the remaining healthy percentage. For example, 50% leaves 50% whole; a second 30% rating is 30% of 50% (15%), producing a combined 65%, which rounds to 70% under 38 CFR § 4.25. This means the combined rating is always less than the arithmetic sum.
When does COLA increase VA disability rates?
VA disability rates are adjusted annually based on the Social Security Administration's Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The 2026 rates reflect a 2.8% COLA increase, effective 2025-12-01. COLA changes are applied automatically — no action is needed.
See What You’re Missing at 20%
An increase from 10% to 20% means +$176.24/month. Our engine can analyze your conditions and find the strongest path to a higher rating.
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