20% VA Disability Rating
A 20% VA disability rating pays $356.66/month ($4,279.92/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 20%, veterans unlock 9 federal benefits, including Service-Connected Status, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5), VA Home Loan Eligibility.
20% VA disability — quick facts (2026)
- Monthly rate
- $356.66
- Annual
- $4,279.92
- With family
- Same rate
- TDIU eligible?
- Not yet
- COLA increase
- 2.8%
- Benefits unlocked
- 9
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
10% Rating
$180.42
per month
Current — 20%
$356.66
$4,279.92/year
30% Rating
$552.47
+$195.81/mo increase
Note: Dependent allowances start at 30%. At 20%, your monthly rate is the same regardless of dependents.
What benefits do I get at 20% VA disability?
9 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
Since 10%Tax-free monthly disability compensation begins at 10%
VA Home Loan Funding Fee Waiver
Since 10%Funding fee completely waived on VA home loans — saves $4,000-$12,000+ on a typical mortgage
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 3)
Since 10%Upgraded to Priority Group 3 — no copays for SC conditions, reduced copays for non-SC care
VR&E Chapter 31
Since 10%Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment — job training, education, resume help. Requires employment handicap assessment
State Property Tax Benefits
Since 10%Many states begin property tax exemptions at 10% — varies significantly by state
VR&E Serious Employment Handicap
New at 20%At 20%+, eligible for VR&E with serious employment handicap — expanded program access and longer entitlement
At 30% you unlock Dependent Compensation, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 2), VA Dental (SC Conditions). That's +$195.81/mo more in compensation.
Can I qualify for TDIU at a 20% 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 at 20%
Two conditions at 10% each = 19% → rounds to 20%
What conditions are commonly rated at 20%?
20 conditions have a 20% rating tier in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)
Actinomycosis
DC 6822Following moderately advanced lesions, provided there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, etc
Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)
DC 7911One or two crises during the past year, or; two to four episodes during the past year, or; weakness and fatigability, or; corticosteroid therapy required for control
Angioneurotic edema
DC 7118Attacks without laryngeal involvement lasting one to seven days and occurring five to eight times a year, or; attacks with laryngeal involvement of any duration occurring once or twice a year
Ankle, ankylosis of
DC 5270In plantar flexion, less than 30°
Ankle, limited motion of
DC 5271Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion)
Ankle replacement (prosthesis).
DC 5056Minimum rating
Ankylosing spondylitis
DC 5240Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; o...
Ano, fistula in, including anorectal fistula and anorectal abscess
DC 7335Two or more simultaneous fistulas with drainage and pain, but without abscesses
Arm, limitation of motion of
DC 5201Midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45°); 30
Arteriovenous fistula, traumatic
DC 7113Upper extremity
Arthritis due to Trauma (Traumatic Arthritis)
DC 5010Traumatic arthritis of two or more major joints, or two or more minor joint groups, with X-ray evidence and with occasional incapacitating exacerbations.
Astragalectomy
DC 5274Astragalectomy
Avitaminosis
DC 6313With stomatitis, or achlorhydria, or diarrhea
Bladder, Injury of (Residuals)
DC 7517Bladder injury residuals: Frequent urinary urgency and/or frequency requiring voiding every 2-3 hours; mild stress incontinence (with physical activity); post-void dribbling.
Bones, of the lower extremity, shortening of
DC 52752 to 2⁄inches (5.1 cms. to 6.4 cms.) 1 2
Burn scar(s) or scar(s) due to other causes, not of the head, face, or neck, that are associated with underlying soft tissue damage
DC 7801Area or areas of at least 12 square inches (77 sq. cm.) but less than 72 square inches (465 sq. cm.)
Cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of “locking,” pain, and effusion into the joint
DC 5258Cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of “locking,” pain, and effusion into the joint
Chloracne
DC 7829Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting the intertriginous areas (the axilla of the arm, the anogenital region, skin folds of the breasts, or between digits)
Choroidopathy, including uveitis, iritis, cyclitis, or choroiditis
DC 6000With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months
Chronic Cystitis (Urinary Frequency/Incontinence)
DC 7512Urinary frequency: Daytime voiding interval between one and two hours, or; awakening to void three to four times per night. OR voiding dysfunction requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which mu...
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 20% VA disability rating pay per month in 2026?
A 20% VA disability rating pays $356.66/month ($4,279.92/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 20%?
At 20%, you are eligible for 9 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 20%.
Can I qualify for TDIU at 20%?
TDIU requires a single condition at 60%+ or combined 70%+ with one at 40%+.
What is the difference between a 20% and a 30% VA disability rating?
A 30% rating pays $552.47/month — $195.81/month more than the 20% rate. That difference compounds to $2,349.72/year. At 30%, you also unlock Dependent Compensation, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 2), VA Dental (SC Conditions).
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 30%
An increase from 20% to 30% means +$195.81/month. Our engine can analyze your conditions and find the strongest path to a higher rating.
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