2.8% COLA · 2026Priority Group 1TDIU EligibleLast verified: DEC 1, 2026

60% VA Disability Rating

A 60% VA disability rating pays $1,435.02/month ($17,220.24/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 60%, veterans unlock 18 federal benefits, including Service-Connected Status, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5), VA Home Loan Eligibility.

60% VA disability — quick facts (2026)

Monthly rate
$1,435.02

Veteran alone, no dependents

Annual
$17,220.24

Tax-free under 26 U.S.C. § 104

With family
$1,872.94

Spouse + 2 children, monthly

TDIU eligible?
Yes

38 CFR § 4.16 — pays at 100% rate

COLA increase
2.8%

2026 adjustment

Benefits unlocked
18

Cumulative federal benefits

50% Rating

$1,132.90

per month

Current — 60%

$1,435.02

$17,220.24/year

70% Rating

$1,808.45

+$373.43/mo increase

How much does a 60% rating pay with dependents?

SituationMonthlyAnnual
Veteran alone$1,435.02$17,220.24
With spouse$1,566.02$18,792.24
Spouse + 1 child$1,663.02$19,956.24
Spouse + 2 children$1,872.94$22,475.28
Each additional child: +$57.62/mo (no spouse) · +$97/mo (with spouse)

What benefits do I get at 60% VA disability?

18 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

Since 40%

If disability involves loss or loss of use of a limb — up to $22,541 (2026) for adaptive vehicle equipment

TDIU Pathway (Combined)

Since 40%

With a combined rating of 70%+ and at least one condition at 40%, may qualify for TDIU — paid at 100% rate

VA Healthcare (Priority Group 1)

Since 50%

Highest priority group — first access to VA healthcare, no copays, no enrollment barriers

State Benefits Expansion

Since 50%

Many states offer significant property tax reductions at 50%+. Some states provide free vehicle registration, hunting/fishing licenses

TDIU (Single Condition)

New at 60%

Individual Unemployability — if a single SC condition at 60%+ prevents substantially gainful employment, paid at 100% rate without schedular 100%

Increased Dependent Rates

New at 60%

Dependent add-on rates increase significantly at 60%

At 70% you unlock TDIU (Combined), State Full Benefits. That's +$373.43/mo more in compensation.

Can I qualify for TDIU at a 60% rating?

Eligible for TDIU

Eligible for TDIU with a single condition at 60%+. If this condition prevents substantially gainful employment, compensated at the 100% rate.

TDIU pays at the 100% rate ($3,938.58/mo in 2026) even without a schedular 100% rating.

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.
#1

Single condition at 60%

#2

50% + 20% = 60%

#3

40% + 30% = 58% → rounds to 60%

#4

30% + 30% + 20% = 61% → rounds to 60%

What conditions are commonly rated at 60%?

20 conditions have a 60% rating tier in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)

Acquired hemolytic anemia

DC 7723

Requiring immunosuppressive medication 4 or more times per 12-month period

Acromegaly

DC 7908

Arthropathy, glucose intolerance, and hypertension

Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)

DC 7911

Four or more crises during the past year

Agranulocytosis, acquired

DC 7702

Requiring intermittent myeloid growth factors (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or continuous immunosuppressive therapy such a...

Anatomical loss of one eye: 1

DC 6063

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)

Ano, fistula in, including anorectal fistula and anorectal abscess

DC 7335

More than two constant or near-constant fistulas with abscesses, drainage, and pain, which are refractory to medical and surgical treatment

Aortic Aneurysm (Thoracic or Abdominal)

DC 7110

Aortic aneurysm: Moderate to large aneurysm (4.5–5.5 cm) with symptoms (back or abdominal pain) or rapid growth; requiring medical management with beta-blockers; awaiting surgical or endovascular repa...

Aphonia, complete organic

DC 6519

Constant inability to speak above a whisper

Aplastic anemia

DC 7716

Requiring transfusion of platelets or red cells, on average, at least once every three months per 12-month period; or infections recurring, on average, at least once every three months per 12-month pe...

Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)

DC 7005

More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or; workload of greater than 1 MET but not greater than 3 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or;...

Arteriovenous fistula, traumatic

DC 7113

Without heart failure but with enlarged heart, wide pulse pressure, and tachycardia

Asbestosis.

DC 6833

FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation

Aspergillosis

DC 6838

FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation

Asthma, bronchial

DC 6602

FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year) cours...

Avitaminosis

DC 6313

With all of the symptoms listed below, plus mental symptoms and impaired bodily vigor

Benign, minimum

DC 8003

Benign, minimum

Benign, minimum rating

DC 8022

Benign, minimum rating

Beriberi

DC 6314

With cardiomegaly, or; with peripheral neuropathy with footdrop or atrophy of thigh or calf muscles

Bladder, Injury of (Residuals)

DC 7517

Bladder injury residuals: Requiring indwelling urinary catheter; or renal failure secondary to bladder dysfunction; or total urinary incontinence requiring continuous use of absorbent pads.

Blastomycosis

DC 6836

FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 60% VA disability rating pay per month in 2026?

A 60% VA disability rating pays $1,435.02/month ($17,220.24/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 60%?

At 60%, you are eligible for 18 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 60%.

How much does VA disability pay with a spouse and children at 60%?

At 60%, a veteran with a spouse receives $1,566.02/month. Adding one child raises the rate to $1,663.02/month. Dependent allowances begin at 30% under 38 CFR § 3.4.

Can I qualify for TDIU at 60%?

Eligible for TDIU with a single condition at 60%+. If this condition prevents substantially gainful employment, compensated at the 100% rate.

What is the difference between a 60% and a 70% VA disability rating?

A 70% rating pays $1,808.45/month — $373.43/month more than the 60% rate. That difference compounds to $4,481.16/year. At 70%, you also unlock TDIU (Combined), State Full Benefits.

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 70%

An increase from 60% to 70% means +$373.43/month. Our engine can analyze your conditions and find the strongest path to a higher rating.

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