Compensation · 2026
80% VA Disability Rating
A 80% VA disability rating pays $2,102.15/month ($25,225.80/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 80%, veterans unlock 22 federal benefits, including Service-Connected Status, VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5), VA Home Loan Eligibility.
Rates effective (opens in a new tab)2.8% COLAPriority Group 1TDIU eligible
- 80% rating, monthly
- $2,102.15
- $25,225.80 a year, veteran alone
- 70%
- $1,808.45
- a month
- 90%
- $2,362.30
- +$260.15 a month
With dependents
How much does a 80% rating pay with dependents?
| Situation | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $2,102.15 | $25,225.80 |
| With spouse | $2,277.15 | $27,325.80 |
| Spouse + 1 child | $2,406.15 | $28,873.80 |
| Spouse + 2 children | $2,493.15 | $29,917.80 |
First child: +$117.00/mo (no spouse) or +$129.00/mo (with spouse) · Each additional child under 18: +$87.00/moSpouse + 2 children assumes both children are under 18. A child age 18 to 23 in a qualifying school program adds more.
Benefits
What benefits do I get at 80% VA disability?
22 benefits available at your rating level (cumulative from 0%)
STATUSSince 0%
Service-Connected Status
Official recognition of disability related to military service — required for all other VA benefits
HEALTHCARESince 0%
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 5)
Enrollment in VA healthcare system. Priority Group 5 — may require copays depending on income
HOUSINGSince 0%
VA Home Loan Eligibility
VA-backed mortgage with no down payment, no PMI. Funding fee still applies at 0%
COMPENSATIONSince 10%
Monthly Compensation
Tax-free monthly disability compensation begins at 10%
HOUSINGSince 10%
VA Home Loan Funding Fee Waiver
Funding fee completely waived on VA home loans — saves $4,000-$12,000+ on a typical mortgage
HEALTHCARESince 10%
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 3)
Upgraded to Priority Group 3 — no copays for SC conditions, reduced copays for non-SC care
EMPLOYMENTSince 10%
VR&E Chapter 31
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment — job training, education, resume help. Requires employment handicap assessment
TAXSince 10%
State Property Tax Benefits
Many states begin property tax exemptions at 10% — varies significantly by state
EMPLOYMENTSince 20%
VR&E Serious Employment Handicap
At 20%+, eligible for VR&E with serious employment handicap — expanded program access and longer entitlement
COMPENSATIONSince 30%
Dependent Compensation
Additional monthly payment for spouse, children, and dependent parents. Amount increases with each rating level above 30%
HEALTHCARESince 30%
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 2)
Upgraded to Priority Group 2 — essentially no wait for enrollment, minimal copays
HEALTHCARESince 30%
VA Dental (SC Conditions)
Dental care for conditions directly related to service-connected disability
FINANCIALSince 40%
Auto/Adaptive Equipment Grant
If disability involves loss or loss of use of a limb — up to $22,541 (2026) for adaptive vehicle equipment
COMPENSATIONSince 40%
TDIU Pathway (Combined)
With a combined rating of 70%+ and at least one condition at 40%, may qualify for TDIU — paid at 100% rate
HEALTHCARESince 50%
VA Healthcare (Priority Group 1)
Highest priority group — first access to VA healthcare, no copays, no enrollment barriers
TAXSince 50%
State Benefits Expansion
Many states offer significant property tax reductions at 50%+. Some states provide free vehicle registration, hunting/fishing licenses
COMPENSATIONSince 60%
TDIU (Single Condition)
Individual Unemployability — if a single SC condition at 60%+ prevents substantially gainful employment, paid at 100% rate without schedular 100%
COMPENSATIONSince 60%
Increased Dependent Rates
Dependent add-on rates increase significantly at 60%
COMPENSATIONSince 70%
TDIU (Combined)
With combined 70%+ and one condition at 40%+, TDIU is available. Monthly benefit jumps to 100% rate ($3,938.58/mo in 2026)
TAXSince 70%
State Full Benefits
Most states with tiered property tax exemptions reach full or near-full exemption at 70%+
COMPENSATIONNew at 80%
Near-Total Compensation
Monthly payment of $2,102.15 (veteran alone). One more increase or secondary condition could reach 90% or 100%
COMPENSATIONNew at 80%
Stronger TDIU Case
At 80%+, TDIU applications are statistically more likely to be granted if employment is limited
Next at 90%
At 90% you unlock Near-Maximum Compensation, Strong TDIU Position. That's +$260.15/mo more in compensation.
Unemployability
Can I qualify for TDIU at a 80% rating?
Eligible for TDIU
Eligible for TDIU with combined 70%+ and at least one condition rated 40%+. If unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, compensated at the 100% rate.
TDIU pays at the 100% compensation rate (see the 100% page for the current 2026 amount) even without a schedular 100% rating.
Combined ratings
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.”
- 1Single condition at 80%
- 270% + 30% = 79% → rounds to 80%
- 360% + 50% = 80%
- 450% + 40% + 20% = 76% → rounds to 80%
Conditions
What conditions are commonly rated at 80%?
19 conditions have a 80% rating tier in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)
DC 6063
Anatomical loss of one eye: 1
In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60)
DC 7207
Barrett's esophagus
With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present:...
DC 7800
Burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck
With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), che...
DC 7355
Celiac disease
Malabsorption syndrome with weakness which interferes with activities of daily living; and weight loss resulting in wasting and nutritional deficiencies; and with systemic manifestations including but...
DC 8105
Chorea, Sydenham's
Severe
DC 7303
Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery
Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months
DC 8913
Epilepsy, diencephalic
Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 3 months over the last year; or more than 10 minor seizures weekly
DC 8912
Epilepsy, Jacksonian and focal motor or sensory
Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 3 months over the last year; or more than 10 minor seizures weekly
DC 8911
Epilepsy, petit mal.
Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 3 months over the last year; or more than 10 minor seizures weekly
DC 8914
Epilepsy, psychomotor
Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 3 months over the last year; or more than 10 minor seizures weekly
DC 7204
Esophageal motility disorder
Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight los...
DC 7205
Esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired
Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight los...
DC 7203
Esophagus, stricture of
Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight los...
DC 5255
Femur, impairment of
With nonunion, with loose motion (spiral or oblique fracture)
DC 7206
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight los...
DC 7356
Gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome
Requiring complete dependence on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or continuous tube feeding for nutritional support
DC 6100
Hearing Loss
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields an 80% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to near-total deafness with zero or near-zero speech discrimination in both ears.
DC 7346
Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia
Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight los...
DC 5254
Hip, flail joint
Hip, flail joint
Quick facts
- Monthly rate
- $2,102.15
- Annual
- $25,225.80
- With family
- $2,493.15
- TDIU eligible?
- Yes
- COLA increase
- 2.8%
- Benefits unlocked
- 22
Veteran alone, no dependents
Tax-free under 26 U.S.C. § 104
Spouse + 2 children under 18, monthly
38 CFR § 4.16, pays at the 100% rate
2026 adjustment
Cumulative federal benefits
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 80% VA disability rating pay per month in 2026?
A 80% VA disability rating pays $2,102.15/month ($25,225.80/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 80%?
At 80%, you are eligible for 22 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 80%.
How much does VA disability pay with a spouse and children at 80%?
At 80%, a veteran with a spouse receives $2,277.15/month. Adding one child raises the rate to $2,406.15/month. Dependent allowances begin at 30% under 38 CFR § 3.4.
Can I qualify for TDIU at 80%?
Eligible for TDIU with combined 70%+ and at least one condition rated 40%+. If unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, compensated at the 100% rate.
What is the difference between a 80% and a 90% VA disability rating?
A 90% rating pays $2,362.30/month — $260.15/month more than the 80% rate. That difference compounds to $3,121.80/year. At 90%, you also unlock Near-Maximum Compensation, Strong TDIU Position.
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.
Sources & Authorities
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
VeteranHQ
See What You’re Missing at 90%
An increase from 80% to 90% means +$260.15/month. Our engine can analyze your conditions and find the strongest path to a higher rating.
Get My Free Analysis