VA Disability Compensation Calculator (2024)
Use this calculator to estimate your potential monthly VA disability compensation based on your disability rating and dependents. This tool uses the 2024 VA compensation rates.
Understanding VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are a result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. The amount of compensation you receive depends on several factors, primarily your disability rating and the number of dependents you have.
Key Factors Influencing Your Benefit:
- Disability Rating: This is the most significant factor. The VA assigns a disability rating from 0% to 100% in 10% increments, based on the severity of your service-connected conditions. A higher rating generally means a higher monthly payment. If you have multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a "combined rating" system, which is not a simple addition of percentages.
- Dependents: If your disability rating is 30% or higher, you may receive additional compensation for eligible dependents. This includes a spouse, children under 18, children aged 18-23 who are attending school, and dependent parents. The amount added per dependent varies based on your overall disability rating.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): SMC is an additional benefit paid to Veterans with certain severe disabilities or combinations of disabilities. This includes conditions like the loss of a limb, blindness, or the need for Aid & Attendance (A&A) or Housebound status. SMC rates are higher than the standard disability compensation rates and are designed to provide additional support for Veterans with more profound needs.
- Aid & Attendance (A&A): This benefit is for Veterans who require the aid of another person to perform daily living activities (e.g., bathing, feeding, dressing) or are bedridden.
- Housebound Status: This benefit is for Veterans who have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and are substantially confined to their home due to their disability.
How to Use This Calculator:
- Select Your Overall VA Disability Rating: Choose the percentage that the VA has assigned to your service-connected disabilities.
- Indicate Spouse Status: Check the box if you have a spouse.
- Enter Number of Children: Provide the number of children you have under 18, and separately, the number of children aged 18-23 who are currently enrolled in school.
- Enter Number of Dependent Parents: If you have parents who are financially dependent on you, enter the number.
- Check for SMC Eligibility: If you believe you are eligible for Aid & Attendance or Housebound status, check the respective boxes. Note that these typically apply to Veterans with 100% disability ratings or specific severe conditions.
- Click "Calculate Benefit": The estimated monthly compensation will appear below the button.
Important Considerations:
This calculator provides an estimate only based on the 2024 VA disability compensation rates and simplified rules for Special Monthly Compensation. Actual compensation amounts can vary based on specific circumstances, detailed VA regulations, and annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). For official and precise information regarding your VA disability benefits, always consult the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website (VA.gov) or speak directly with a VA representative or accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO).
The combined rating system for multiple disabilities is complex and not fully replicated in this simplified calculator. If you have multiple ratings, your overall rating might be different than a simple sum.
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// 2024 VA Disability Compensation Rates (Monthly)
// Base rates for a single veteran with no dependents
var baseRates = {
"0": 0.00,
"10": 171.23,
"20": 338.49,
"30": 524.31,
"40": 755.28,
"50": 1075.16,
"60": 1361.88,
"70": 1716.28,
"80": 1995.01,
"90": 2241.91,
"100": 3737.85
};
// Dependent additions (only apply for 30% rating or higher)
var dependentAdditions = {
"spouse": {
"30": 58.00, "40": 77.00, "50": 96.00, "60": 115.00, "70": 134.00, "80": 153.00, "90": 172.00, "100": 195.00
},
"childUnder18": {
"30": 29.00, "40": 39.00, "50": 48.00, "60": 58.00, "70": 67.00, "80": 77.00, "90": 86.00, "100": 99.00
},
"childCollege": { // 18-23 in college
"30": 96.00, "40": 128.00, "50": 160.00, "60": 192.00, "70": 224.00, "80": 256.00, "90": 288.00, "100": 325.00
},
"dependentParent": {
"30": 46.00, "40": 61.00, "50": 76.00, "60": 91.00, "70": 106.00, "80": 121.00, "90": 136.00, "100": 155.00
}
};
// Simplified SMC additions (only if 100% rating)
// These are the *differences* from the 100% base rate for a single veteran
// A&A (SMC-L) for single veteran is $4699.00. Difference from 100% base ($3737.85) is $961.15.
// Housebound (SMC-S) for single veteran is $4200.00. Difference from 100% base ($3737.85) is $462.15.
var smcAdditions = {
"AandA": 961.15,
"Housebound": 462.15
};
function calculateVABenefit() {
var disabilityRating = parseInt(document.getElementById("disabilityRating").value);
var hasSpouse = document.getElementById("hasSpouse").checked;
var numChildrenUnder18 = parseInt(document.getElementById("numChildrenUnder18").value);
var numChildrenCollege = parseInt(document.getElementById("numChildrenCollege").value);
var numDependentParents = parseInt(document.getElementById("numDependentParents").value);
var eligibleAandA = document.getElementById("eligibleAandA").checked;
var eligibleHousebound = document.getElementById("eligibleHousebound").checked;
// Input validation and default to 0 for non-numeric or negative inputs
if (isNaN(disabilityRating) || disabilityRating 100 || disabilityRating % 10 !== 0) {
document.getElementById("vaBenefitResult").innerHTML = "Please select a valid VA Disability Rating (0-100% in 10% increments).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(numChildrenUnder18) || numChildrenUnder18 < 0) { numChildrenUnder18 = 0; }
if (isNaN(numChildrenCollege) || numChildrenCollege < 0) { numChildrenCollege = 0; }
if (isNaN(numDependentParents) || numDependentParents = 30) {
var ratingKey = disabilityRating.toString();
if (hasSpouse) {
totalBenefit += dependentAdditions.spouse[ratingKey] || 0;
}
totalBenefit += (dependentAdditions.childUnder18[ratingKey] || 0) * numChildrenUnder18;
totalBenefit += (dependentAdditions.childCollege[ratingKey] || 0) * numChildrenCollege;
totalBenefit += (dependentAdditions.dependentParent[ratingKey] || 0) * numDependentParents;
}
// 3. Add Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) if 100% rating
// A&A takes precedence over Housebound if both are checked
if (disabilityRating === 100) {
if (eligibleAandA) {
totalBenefit += smcAdditions.AandA;
} else if (eligibleHousebound) {
totalBenefit += smcAdditions.Housebound;
}
}
document.getElementById("vaBenefitResult").innerHTML = "
Estimated Monthly VA Disability Compensation:
$" + totalBenefit.toFixed(2) + "This is an estimate based on 2024 VA rates and simplified SMC rules. Actual compensation may vary. Consult VA.gov for official rates and eligibility.";
}