40% VA Disability Rating
A 40% VA disability rating pays $795.84/month ($9,550.08/year) in tax-free compensation. Here’s everything that 40% unlocks.
30% Rating
$552.47
per month
Current — 40%
$795.84
$9,550.08/year
50% Rating
$1,132.90
+$337.06/mo increase
Rates with Dependents
| Situation | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $795.84 | $9,550.08 |
| With spouse | $882.84 | $10,594.08 |
| Spouse + 1 child | $947.84 | $11,374.08 |
| Spouse + 2 children | $1,087.79 | $13,053.48 |
Benefits Unlocked at 40%
14 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
Since 30%Additional monthly payment for spouse, children, and dependent parents. Amount increases with each rating level above 30%
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 2)
Since 30%Upgraded to Priority Group 2 — essentially no wait for enrollment, minimal copays
VA Dental (SC Conditions)
Since 30%Dental care for conditions directly related to service-connected disability
Auto/Adaptive Equipment Grant
New at 40%If disability involves loss or loss of use of a limb — up to $22,541 (2026) for adaptive vehicle equipment
TDIU Pathway (Combined)
New at 40%With a combined rating of 70%+ and at least one condition at 40%, may qualify for TDIU — paid at 100% rate
At 50% you unlock VA Healthcare (Priority Group 1), State Benefits Expansion. That's +$337.06/mo more in compensation.
TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability)
Not yet eligible for TDIU as a single condition. Need combined 70%+ with one condition at 40%+ for combined TDIU, or a single condition at 60%+.
How to Reach a 40% Combined Rating
VA uses "whole person theory" — ratings combine using the remaining disability formula, not simple addition.
Single condition at 40%
30% + 20% = 44% → rounds to 40%
30% + 10% + 10% = 43% → rounds to 40%
Conditions Commonly Rated at 40%
20 conditions have a 40% rating tier in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)
Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)
DC 7911Three crises during the past year, or; five or more episodes during the past year
Anatomical loss of one eye: 1
DC 6063In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)
Angioneurotic edema
DC 7118Attacks without laryngeal involvement lasting one to seven days or longer and occurring more than eight times a year, or; attacks with laryngeal involvement of any duration occurring more than twice a...
Ankle replacement (prosthesis).
DC 5056With chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness
Ankylosis of the Ankle
DC 5270Unfavorable ankylosis of the ankle joint: In dorsiflexion, in plantar flexion to 30 degrees, in inversion or eversion.
Ankylosis of the Knee
DC 5256Unfavorable ankylosis of the knee: In flexion between 10 and 45 degrees, or in full extension where extension of only the contralateral knee is affected.
Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Joint
DC 5200Unfavorable ankylosis of the scapulohumeral joint: In abduction between 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
Ano, fistula in, including anorectal fistula and anorectal abscess
DC 7335One or two simultaneous fistulas, with abscess, drainage, and pain
Arteriosclerosis Obliterans (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
DC 7114Claudication on walking between 25 and 100 yards on a level grade at 2 miles per hour, and; trophic changes (thin skin, absence of hair, dystrophic nails) or ankle/brachial index of 0.7 or less.
Arteriovenous fistula, traumatic
DC 7113Upper extremity
Avitaminosis
DC 6313With stomatitis, diarrhea, and symmetrical dermatitis
Bladder, Injury of (Residuals)
DC 7517Bladder injury residuals: Voiding dysfunction requiring 3 or more urinations per hour; moderate stress incontinence requiring use of 2 or more absorbent pads per day; or persistent urinary retention r...
Bones, of the lower extremity, shortening of
DC 52753 to 3⁄inches (7.6 cms. to 8.9 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 30% or more BSA; or superficial scars covering 60% or more BSA; marked functional limitation from extensive contractures.
Cervical Strain
DC 5235Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
Chronic Cystitis (Urinary Frequency/Incontinence)
DC 7512Urinary frequency: Daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or; awakening to void five or more times per night. OR voiding dysfunction requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be ch...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)
DC 6354Symptoms which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level, or; symptoms which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at lea...
Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis
DC 7345Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing minor weight loss and at least two of the following: (1) daily fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, (5) p...
Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine (Spondylosis)
DC 5242Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or; favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
Diabetes Mellitus
DC 7913Requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.
See What You’re Missing at 50%
An increase from 40% to 50% means +$337.06/month. AIDEN can analyze your conditions and find the strongest path to a higher rating.
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