VA Disability Compensation Calculator (2024 Rates)
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Single / Divorced / Widowed
Married
0
1
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Estimated Monthly Payment
$0.00
Based on 2024 COLA rates effective Dec 1, 2023.
Understanding Your VA Compensation Rates
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides tax-free monthly compensation to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The amount you receive is determined primarily by your Combined Disability Rating and, for ratings of 30% or higher, the number of eligible dependents you have.
How the Calculation Works
VA math is unique. This calculator uses the official 2024 pay tables to estimate your benefit. Here are the core components:
Base Rate: This is the amount paid to a single veteran with no dependents based solely on their disability rating percentage.
10% & 20% Ratings: Veterans with these ratings receive a fixed amount regardless of their marital status or number of children. Currently, the 10% rate is approx. $171.23 and the 20% rate is approx. $338.49.
30% – 100% Ratings: Once a veteran reaches a 30% rating, they are eligible for additional compensation for dependents, including spouses, children, and dependent parents.
Dependent Add-Ons
If your rating is 30% or higher, adding dependents significantly increases your monthly payment. The value of each dependent scales with your rating. For example, the additional payment for a spouse is lower for a veteran rated at 30% compared to a veteran rated at 100%.
Spouse: Added if you are legally married. Additional amounts apply if your spouse requires Aid and Attendance (A&A).
Children: Added for children under 18, or children between 18-23 who are enrolled in a qualifying school program.
Parents: Added if you have parents who are financially dependent on you, subject to income limits.
The 2024 COLA Increase
Disability compensation rates are adjusted annually based on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The rates used in this calculator reflect the 3.2% increase effective December 1, 2023, payable starting January 2024.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Note that this calculator estimates standard compensation. Veterans with severe disabilities (such as loss of use of limbs or blindness) may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), which pays rates higher than the standard 100% scheduler rating. SMC requires a specific determination by the VA.
function toggleDependentFields() {
var rating = parseInt(document.getElementById('disabilityRating').value);
var dependentSection = document.getElementById('dependentSection');
// Dependents only apply for 30% and above
if (rating >= 30) {
dependentSection.style.display = 'block';
} else {
dependentSection.style.display = 'none';
}
}
function toggleSpouseFields() {
var status = document.getElementById('maritalStatus').value;
var spouseOptions = document.getElementById('spouseOptions');
if (status === 'married') {
spouseOptions.style.display = 'flex';
} else {
spouseOptions.style.display = 'none';
document.getElementById('spouseAA').checked = false;
}
}
function calculateVARates() {
// Inputs
var rating = parseInt(document.getElementById('disabilityRating').value);
var maritalStatus = document.getElementById('maritalStatus').value;
var childrenUnder18 = parseInt(document.getElementById('childrenUnder18').value) || 0;
var childrenSchool = parseInt(document.getElementById('childrenSchool').value) || 0;
var parents = parseInt(document.getElementById('parents').value);
var spouseAA = document.getElementById('spouseAA').checked;
var totalAmount = 0;
// 2024 Rate Tables (Effective Dec 1, 2023)
// Structure: rating: { base, spouse, spouseAA_add, childUnder18, childSchool, parent }
// Note: These are the "add-on" values calculated as diff between Vet Alone and Vet+Dep
var rates = {
10: { base: 171.23 },
20: { base: 338.49 },
30: { base: 524.31, spouse: 57.00, spouseAA: 54.00, child18: 31.00, childSchool: 100.00, parent: 46.00 },
40: { base: 755.28, spouse: 76.00, spouseAA: 72.00, child18: 41.00, childSchool: 133.00, parent: 61.00 },
50: { base: 1075.16, spouse: 95.00, spouseAA: 91.00, child18: 51.00, childSchool: 167.00, parent: 77.00 },
60: { base: 1361.88, spouse: 114.00, spouseAA: 109.00, child18: 62.00, childSchool: 200.00, parent: 92.00 },
70: { base: 1716.28, spouse: 133.00, spouseAA: 127.00, child18: 72.00, childSchool: 234.00, parent: 107.00 },
80: { base: 1995.01, spouse: 153.00, spouseAA: 145.00, child18: 82.00, childSchool: 267.00, parent: 123.00 },
90: { base: 2241.91, spouse: 172.00, spouseAA: 163.00, child18: 93.00, childSchool: 301.00, parent: 138.00 },
100: { base: 3737.85, spouse: 208.40, spouseAA: 191.14, child18: 103.55, childSchool: 334.49, parent: 166.81 }
};
// Logic
if (rating 0) {
totalAmount += (childrenUnder18 * r.child18);
}
if (childrenSchool > 0) {
totalAmount += (childrenSchool * r.childSchool);
}
// Parent Logic
if (parents > 0) {
totalAmount += (parents * r.parent);
}
}
// Display Result
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
});
document.getElementById('monthlyPayment').innerHTML = formatter.format(totalAmount);
document.getElementById('resultBox').style.display = 'block';
}