2021 VA Disability Pay Chart
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides disability benefits to veterans suffering from conditions that are due to military service. The amount of monthly compensation a veteran receives depends on their combined disability rating, as shown in the 2021 VA Disability Pay Chart below. Importantly, VA disability compensation rates will increase due to the 2021 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
2021 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
The COLA rate for 2021 was announced on October 13, 2020; however, the increase will not go into effect until December 1, 2020. At that point, veterans should see a change in the amount of monthly compensation they receive. While this year’s COLA is lower than it was in 2020 (i.e., 1.3 percent), it will still result in an increase in compensation for veterans.
Additional Compensation for Qualifying Dependents
VA provides additional monthly compensation for veterans with qualifying dependents who have a combined disability rating of 30 percent or higher. Qualifying dependents include the following:
- Minor children under the age of 18
- Children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are still in school
- Spouse
- Dependent parents
The amount of additional compensation varies between dependents (see below).
How We Calculated Figures on the 2021 VA Disability Pay Chart
To calculate the figures listed in the 2021 VA disability pay chart, we looked toward the 2020 compensation rates. By taking 1.3% of the 2020 rate and adding it to that same rating, you are able to calculate the 2021 VA disability pay chart figures. Take a look at how the compensation rates have changed over the years below, based on a single Veteran with no dependents.
| Combined VA Rating | 2021 VA Compensation Rates | 2020 VA Compensation Rates | 2019 VA Compensation Rates |
| 10% | $144.14 | $142.29 | $140.05 |
| 20% | $284.93 | $281.27 | $276.84 |
| 30% | $441.35 | $435.69 | $428.83 |
| 40% | $635.77 | $627.61 | $617.73 |
| 50% | $905.04 | $893.43 | $879.36 |
| 60% | $1,146.39 | $1,131.68 | $1,113.86 |
| 70% | $1,444.71 | $1,426.17 | $1,403.71 |
| 80% | $1,679.35 | $1,657.80 | $1,631.69 |
| 90% | $1,887.18 | $1,862.96 | $1,833.62 |
| 100% | $3,146.42 | $3,106.04 | $3,057.13 |
2021 VA Disability Rates & Pay Chart
To determine the amount of monthly compensation you will receive in 2021, you can reference the VA disability pay chart included below. The amounts listed in the VA disability pay chart are representative of the amount that VA pays monthly for disability benefits.
The percentages in the left-hand column of the pay chart are the combined disability ratings assigned after combining the ratings of each of your conditions. Importantly, you do not receive separate compensation for each of your service-connected conditions. Instead, you receive one monthly payment based on your combined disability rating. Please note that the monthly compensation amount will also vary based on dependent status as indicated above.
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