30% VA Disability Rating
A 30% VA disability rating pays $552.47/month ($6,629.64/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 30%, veterans unlock 12 federal benefits, including Service-Connected Status, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5), VA Home Loan Eligibility.
30% VA disability — quick facts (2026)
- Monthly rate
- $552.47
- Annual
- $6,629.64
- With family
- $771.43
- TDIU eligible?
- Not yet
- COLA increase
- 2.8%
- Benefits unlocked
- 12
Veteran alone, no dependents
Tax-free under 26 U.S.C. § 104
Spouse + 2 children, monthly
Need single 60% or combined 70%+
2026 adjustment
Cumulative federal benefits
20% Rating
$356.66
per month
Current — 30%
$552.47
$6,629.64/year
40% Rating
$795.84
+$243.37/mo increase
How much does a 30% rating pay with dependents?
| Situation | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $552.47 | $6,629.64 |
| With spouse | $617.47 | $7,409.64 |
| Spouse + 1 child | $666.47 | $7,997.64 |
| Spouse + 2 children | $771.43 | $9,257.16 |
| Each additional child: +$28.81/mo (no spouse) · +$49/mo (with spouse) | ||
What benefits do I get at 30% VA disability?
12 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
Since 20%At 20%+, eligible for VR&E with serious employment handicap — expanded program access and longer entitlement
Dependent Compensation
New at 30%Additional monthly payment for spouse, children, and dependent parents. Amount increases with each rating level above 30%
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 2)
New at 30%Upgraded to Priority Group 2 — essentially no wait for enrollment, minimal copays
VA Dental (SC Conditions)
New at 30%Dental care for conditions directly related to service-connected disability
At 40% you unlock Auto/Adaptive Equipment Grant, TDIU Pathway (Combined). That's +$243.37/mo more in compensation.
Can I qualify for TDIU at a 30% 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 30%
20% + 10% = 28% → rounds to 30%
Three conditions at 10% = 27% → rounds to 30%
What conditions are commonly rated at 30%?
20 conditions have a 30% rating tier in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)
Acne
DC 7828Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting 40 percent or more of the face and neck
Acquired hemolytic anemia
DC 7723Requiring at least 2 but less than 4 courses of immunosuppressive therapy per 12-month period
Acromegaly
DC 7908Enlargement of acral parts or overgrowth of long bones
Actinomycosis
DC 6822Thereafter, for five years, or to eleven years after date of inactivity
Agranulocytosis, acquired
DC 7702Requiring intermittent myeloid growth factors to maintain ANC greater than 1000/µl; or infections recurring, on average, at least once per 12-month period but less than once every three months pe...
Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis
DC 6522With polyps
Anemia, Iron Deficiency (Hypochromic-Microcytic)
DC 7700Iron deficiency anemia: Hemoglobin 7–8.9 g/dL; significantly symptomatic (severe fatigue, weakness limiting activity, palpitations); requiring IV iron, parenteral therapy, or occasional transfusions.
Ankle, ankylosis of
DC 5270In plantar flexion, between 30° and 40°, or in dorsiflexion, between 0° and 10°
Ankylosing spondylitis
DC 5240Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine
Anorexia nervosa
DC 9520Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with ...
Aphakia
DC 6027Aphakia (absence of the crystalline lens): Unilateral; or Bilateral aphakia not corrected by contact lenses.
Aphakia or dislocation of crystalline lens
DC 6029Minimum (unilateral or bilateral)
Aplastic anemia
DC 7716Requiring transfusion of platelets or red cells, on average, at least once per 12-month period; or infections recurring, on average, at least once per 12-month period
Arm, limitation of motion of
DC 5201Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25° from side; 40
Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
DC 7005Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or; cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X...
Arteriovenous fistula, traumatic
DC 7113Lower extremity
Asbestosis.
DC 6833FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted
Aspergillosis
DC 6838FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted
Asthma, bronchial
DC 6602FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication
Barrett's esophagus
DC 7207Documented by pathologic diagnosis with high-grade dysplasia
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 30% VA disability rating pay per month in 2026?
A 30% VA disability rating pays $552.47/month ($6,629.64/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 30%?
At 30%, you are eligible for 12 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 30%.
How much does VA disability pay with a spouse and children at 30%?
At 30%, a veteran with a spouse receives $617.47/month. Adding one child raises the rate to $666.47/month. Dependent allowances begin at 30% under 38 CFR § 3.4.
Can I qualify for TDIU at 30%?
TDIU requires a single condition at 60%+ or combined 70%+ with one at 40%+.
What is the difference between a 30% and a 40% VA disability rating?
A 40% rating pays $795.84/month — $243.37/month more than the 30% rate. That difference compounds to $2,920.44/year. At 40%, you also unlock Auto/Adaptive Equipment Grant, TDIU Pathway (Combined).
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 40%
An increase from 30% to 40% means +$243.37/month. Our engine can analyze your conditions and find the strongest path to a higher rating.
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