20% VA Disability Rating
A 20% VA disability rating pays $356.66/month ($4,279.92/year) in tax-free compensation. Here’s everything that 20% unlocks.
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.
Benefits Unlocked at 20%
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.
TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability)
TDIU requires a single condition at 60%+ or combined 70%+ with one at 40%+.
How to Reach a 20% Combined Rating
VA uses "whole person theory" — ratings combine using the remaining disability formula, not simple addition.
Single condition at 20%
Two conditions at 10% each = 19% → rounds to 20%
Conditions Commonly Rated at 20%
20 conditions have a 20% rating tier in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)
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 replacement (prosthesis).
DC 5056Minimum rating
Ankylosis of the Ankle
DC 5270Favorable ankylosis of the ankle joint: In plantigrade position (the foot is flat on the ground, at right angle to the leg). This is the optimal functional position.
Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Joint
DC 5200Favorable ankylosis of the scapulohumeral joint: In abduction to 60 degrees and forward flexion to 25 degrees; or with arm at side in the most favorable position.
Ano, fistula in, including anorectal fistula and anorectal abscess
DC 7335Two or more simultaneous fistulas with drainage and pain, but without abscesses
Arteriosclerosis Obliterans (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
DC 7114Claudication on walking more than 100 yards, and; diminished peripheral pulses or ankle/brachial index (ABI) of 0.9 or less.
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 Scars, Not Head, Face, or Neck (Body and Extremities)
DC 7801Burn scars of the body or extremities: Area of deep or unstable scars covering 5–14% BSA; or superficial scars covering 20–39% BSA; moderate functional limitation (contractures affecting ROM).
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
Cervical Strain
DC 5235Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or ...
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)
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...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)
DC 6354Symptoms which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level, or; symptoms which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at...
Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis
DC 7345Chronic liver disease with at least one of the following: (1) intermittent fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, or (5) pruritus
See What You’re Missing at 30%
An increase from 20% to 30% means +$195.81/month. AIDEN can analyze your conditions and find the strongest path to a higher rating.
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