VA Disability Rates 2024 Calculator
Note: Dependent allowances are only available for disability ratings of 30% or higher. Your selection (10% or 20%) will return the single veteran rate regardless of family status.
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Single (No Spouse)
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Yes, spouse requires A&A
Estimated Monthly Payment
$0.00
Rates effective December 1, 2023 (2024 COLA included).
Understanding VA Disability Rates for 2024 with Dependents
The 2024 VA disability rates reflect a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase, effective December 1, 2023. Understanding how these rates are calculated is crucial for veterans, especially those with eligible dependents. This guide breaks down the compensation tiers and how family composition affects your monthly benefit.
The Basics: How the 2024 Rates Work
VA disability compensation is tax-free. The amount you receive is primarily determined by your combined disability rating, which ranges from 0% to 100% in 10% increments.
The 30% Threshold
One of the most critical factors in VA compensation is the 30% rule:
- 10% – 20% Ratings: Veterans receive a flat rate regardless of marital status or number of children. No additional allowances for dependents are provided.
- 30% – 100% Ratings: Veterans become eligible for additional compensation for a spouse, children, and dependent parents.
2024 Base Rates (Veteran Alone)
Before adding dependents, it is helpful to understand the base compensation for a single veteran with no dependents:
| Disability Rating | Monthly Payment (No Dependents) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $171.23 |
| 20% | $338.49 |
| 30% | $524.31 |
| 40% | $755.28 |
| 50% | $1,075.16 |
| 60% | $1,361.88 |
| 70% | $1,716.28 |
| 80% | $1,995.01 |
| 90% | $2,241.91 |
| 100% | $3,737.85 |
Adding Dependents (30% – 100%)
If you have a rating of 30% or higher, the VA provides specific "add-ons" to your monthly check based on your dependents.
1. Spouses
Adding a spouse significantly increases compensation. There is also an additional specialized allowance known as "Aid and Attendance" if your spouse has severe medical needs requiring regular assistance.
2. Children
Children fall into two primary categories for payment purposes:
- Under 18: Standard child rate.
- 18-23 (in school): If the child is attending a qualifying school program, the rate is generally higher than the under-18 rate.
3. Dependent Parents
If you support your parents financially and their income and net worth fall below certain limits, you may claim them as dependents for additional compensation.
Example Calculation
Let's look at a realistic scenario for 2024 to understand the math:
Scenario: A veteran has a 60% rating, is married, has one child under 18, and supports one dependent parent.
- Base (Vet Alone): $1,361.88
- Spouse Add-on (at 60%): +$109.00
- Child Add-on (at 60%): +$61.00
- Parent Add-on (at 60%): +$87.00
- Total Monthly: $1,618.88
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 2024 rates go into effect?
The 2024 rates became effective on December 1, 2023. Veterans should have seen the new amount in their first payment of 2024.
Does the 100% rate include the "K" award or SMC?
The standard calculator above covers regular schedular 100% ratings. Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) codes (like SMC-K, L, M) are separate and based on specific severe disabilities like loss of use of a limb.
Why didn't my payment change when I added a child at 20%?
The VA does not pay extra for dependents if your combined rating is below 30%.
- ";
// 2. Logic Flow
if (rating === 0) {
totalMonthly = 0;
breakdownHtml += "
- No compensation for 0% rating. "; } else if (rating < 30) { // Flat rates for 10% and 20%, NO dependents totalMonthly = vaData.base[idx]; breakdownHtml += "
- Base Rate (Veteran Only): $" + vaData.base[idx].toFixed(2) + " "; if (maritalStatus === 'married' || childUnder18Count > 0 || childSchoolCount > 0 || parentCount > 0) { breakdownHtml += "
- Dependents not included (Rating < 30%). "; } } else { // Ratings 30% – 100% // Base Rate var currentBase = vaData.base[idx]; totalMonthly += currentBase; breakdownHtml += "
- Base Rate (Veteran Alone): $" + currentBase.toFixed(2) + " "; // Spouse Logic if (maritalStatus === 'married') { var spouseRate = vaData.spouse[idx]; totalMonthly += spouseRate; breakdownHtml += "
- Spouse Allowance: +$" + spouseRate.toFixed(2) + " "; if (isSpouseAA) { var aaRate = vaData.spouseAA[idx]; totalMonthly += aaRate; breakdownHtml += "
- Spouse Aid & Attendance: +$" + aaRate.toFixed(2) + " "; } } // Children Logic if (childUnder18Count > 0) { var c18Rate = vaData.childUnder18[idx]; var totalC18 = c18Rate * childUnder18Count; totalMonthly += totalC18; breakdownHtml += "
- Children Under 18 (" + childUnder18Count + " x $" + c18Rate.toFixed(2) + "): +$" + totalC18.toFixed(2) + " "; } if (childSchoolCount > 0) { var schoolRate = vaData.childSchool[idx]; var totalSchool = schoolRate * childSchoolCount; totalMonthly += totalSchool; breakdownHtml += "
- Children 18-23 in School (" + childSchoolCount + " x $" + schoolRate.toFixed(2) + "): +$" + totalSchool.toFixed(2) + " "; } // Parent Logic if (parentCount > 0) { var pRate = vaData.parent[idx]; var totalParent = pRate * parentCount; totalMonthly += totalParent; breakdownHtml += "
- Dependent Parents (" + parentCount + " x $" + pRate.toFixed(2) + "): +$" + totalParent.toFixed(2) + " "; } } breakdownHtml += "