Note: This calculator uses the 2023 VA Disability Pay Rates (effective December 1, 2022) reflecting the 8.7% COLA increase.
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Estimated Monthly Compensation (2023)
$0.00
Rates based on 2023 COLA adjustments.
Understanding VA Compensation Rates for 2023
The 2023 Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rates saw a significant historical adjustment. Effective December 1, 2022, payments increased by 8.7% due to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This was the largest increase in over 40 years, directly impacting the monthly financial support provided to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
How the 2023 Rates Are Calculated
VA disability pay is not a flat salary; it is a tax-free monetary benefit. The amount you receive depends primarily on two factors:
Disability Rating: Assigned from 0% to 100% in 10% increments.
Dependents: For ratings of 30% or higher, additional allowances are added for a spouse, children, and dependent parents.
Veterans with a 10% or 20% rating receive a fixed amount regardless of their family status. The 2023 rates for these tiers are $165.92 and $327.99 respectively.
Dependent Allowances (The "30% Rule")
Once a veteran reaches a 30% combined disability rating, the VA provides additional compensation for eligible dependents. This calculator accounts for the specific 2023 add-ons, which vary by rating tier. For example, the additional amount paid for a child under 18 is lower for a veteran rated at 30% compared to a veteran rated at 100%.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
While this calculator handles the General Rate Table, some veterans qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to severe disabilities such as the loss of use of a limb or organ. The Aid and Attendance (A&A) checkbox in this tool specifically calculates the add-on for a spouse requiring aid, which is distinct from SMC paid directly to the veteran.
2023 Rate Table Breakdown
Here are the base rates (Veteran Alone) for 2023 utilized in our calculation logic:
30%: $508.14
60%: $1,319.65
90%: $2,172.39
100%: $3,621.95
Using the calculator above ensures you account for the complex matrix of dependent add-ons rather than trying to manually sum figures from the VA rate tables.
function toggleDependentFields() {
var rating = parseInt(document.getElementById('vaRating').value);
var dependentSection = document.getElementById('dependentSection');
if (rating >= 30) {
dependentSection.style.display = "block";
} else {
dependentSection.style.display = "none";
}
}
function toggleSpouseFields() {
var status = document.getElementById('maritalStatus').value;
var spouseAAField = document.getElementById('spouseAAField');
if (status === 'married') {
spouseAAField.style.display = "block";
} else {
spouseAAField.style.display = "none";
document.getElementById('spouseAA').checked = false;
}
}
function calculateVARate() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var rating = parseInt(document.getElementById('vaRating').value);
var maritalStatus = document.getElementById('maritalStatus').value;
var spouseAA = document.getElementById('spouseAA').checked;
var childrenUnder18 = parseInt(document.getElementById('childUnder18').value) || 0;
var childrenSchool = parseInt(document.getElementById('childSchool').value) || 0;
var parents = parseInt(document.getElementById('parents').value) || 0;
// 2. Define 2023 Data
// 10% and 20% are flat rates
if (rating === 10) {
displayResult(165.92);
return;
}
if (rating === 20) {
displayResult(327.99);
return;
}
if (rating === 0) {
displayResult(0.00);
return;
}
// Data for 30% – 100%
// Structure: [Base, Spouse, SpouseAA_Addon, ChildUnder18, ChildSchool, Parent]
// Source: VA 2023 Compensation Rates (Effective Dec 1, 2022)
var rates = {
30: { base: 508.14, spouse: 60.00, spouseAA: 57.00, child18: 30.00, childSchool: 97.00, parent: 48.00 },
40: { base: 731.86, spouse: 80.00, spouseAA: 76.00, child18: 40.00, childSchool: 130.00, parent: 64.00 },
50: { base: 1041.82, spouse: 100.00, spouseAA: 95.00, child18: 51.00, childSchool: 162.00, parent: 80.00 },
60: { base: 1319.65, spouse: 120.00, spouseAA: 114.00, child18: 61.00, childSchool: 194.00, parent: 96.00 },
70: { base: 1663.06, spouse: 141.00, spouseAA: 133.00, child18: 71.00, childSchool: 227.00, parent: 113.00 },
80: { base: 1933.15, spouse: 161.00, spouseAA: 153.00, child18: 81.00, childSchool: 259.00, parent: 129.00 },
90: { base: 2172.39, spouse: 181.00, spouseAA: 172.00, child18: 91.00, childSchool: 292.00, parent: 145.00 },
100: { base: 3621.95, spouse: 202.94, spouseAA: 185.08, child18: 100.86, childSchool: 322.25, parent: 160.70 }
};
var currentRate = rates[rating];
if (!currentRate) {
displayResult(0);
return;
}
var totalMonthly = currentRate.base;
// Add Spouse
if (maritalStatus === 'married') {
totalMonthly += currentRate.spouse;
if (spouseAA) {
totalMonthly += currentRate.spouseAA;
}
}
// Add Children Under 18
if (childrenUnder18 > 0) {
totalMonthly += (childrenUnder18 * currentRate.child18);
}
// Add Children School (18-23)
if (childrenSchool > 0) {
totalMonthly += (childrenSchool * currentRate.childSchool);
}
// Add Parents
if (parents > 0) {
totalMonthly += (parents * currentRate.parent);
}
displayResult(totalMonthly);
}
function displayResult(amount) {
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('vaResult');
var amountDiv = document.getElementById('monthlyPayment');
// Format currency
var formatted = amount.toLocaleString('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 2,
maximumFractionDigits: 2
});
amountDiv.innerHTML = formatted;
resultDiv.style.display = "block";
resultDiv.scrollIntoView({behavior: "smooth"});
}