70% VA Disability Rating (2026): Monthly Pay and Benefits
A 70 percent VA disability rating pays $1,808.45 a month to a veteran with no dependents in 2026, one of the fixed federal rates the Department of Veterans Affairs publishes each year under its combined-ratings regulations. Adding a spouse, a child, or a dependent parent raises that base amount.
This page covers the federal VA disability compensation system under Title 38 of the U.S. Code and 38 CFR Part 4. It does not address state veteran benefits, which vary by state. For the full set of rating levels, see the VA Disability Ratings hub. The exact payment depends on how the underlying disabilities combine to reach 70% and which dependents are on file; the free VA disability calculator runs the combined-ratings math and shows the 2026 payment for any combination.
2026 VA Disability Pay at the 70% Rating
VA sets one base monthly payment for every combined rating divisible by 10, then adds a fixed amount for each dependent listed on the award. At 70%, the base payment is $1,808.45 with no dependents. Adding a spouse raises it to $1,961.45. A veteran with a spouse and one child receives $2,074.45, and a veteran with one child but no spouse receives $1,910.45. These figures reflect the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment VA applied on December 1, 2025, the same percentage as that year's Social Security COLA. VA does not vary payment by dependents at the 10% or 20% rating; dependent add-ons begin at 30%.
| Dependent status | Monthly payment (70%, effective Dec. 1, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $1,808.45 |
| Veteran with spouse | $1,961.45 |
| Veteran with spouse and 1 child | $2,074.45 |
| Veteran with 1 child, no spouse | $1,910.45 |
| Each additional child under 18 | + $76.00 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | + $141.00 |
The "with spouse" and "with 1 child" columns above already include one dependent; the added-amount rows apply only to a second child or to a spouse who separately qualifies for Aid and Attendance.
How Veterans Reach a 70% Combined Rating
VA does not add disability percentages together. Under , VA arranges each service-connected disability from most to least severe and combines them so that every additional disability is applied against the veteran's remaining, undisabled capacity rather than the whole. The regulation's own example combines a 50% disability with a 30% disability to produce a raw value of 65%, which is then converted to the nearest number divisible by 10, with values ending in 5 rounded up. That combination becomes a final 70% rating. A single disability rated at 70% also reaches the level directly, as does any combination whose raw combined value lands between 65% and 74% before final rounding.
The free VA disability calculator runs this same combination-and-rounding sequence automatically, including the bilateral factor under for disabilities affecting paired limbs. For a full walkthrough of the formula with more worked examples, see how VA math works.
The 70% Rating Is the TDIU Gateway
A combined 70% rating is also the schedular gateway to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU. Under (a), a veteran whose disabilities combine to 70% or more, with at least one single disability rated 40% or higher, qualifies for TDIU consideration when the service-connected disabilities prevent the veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment. (A single disability rated 60% or higher qualifies on its own, without the combined 70% threshold.) A veteran approved for TDIU is paid at the same monthly rate as a 100% schedular rating, currently $3,938.58 with no dependents, even though the underlying combined rating stays at 70%.
TDIU is not automatic at 70%. VA still requires evidence that service-connected disabilities, not age, education, or the broader job market, prevent substantially gainful work. See TDIU and individual unemployability for what that evidence typically includes.
What a 70% Rating Unlocks Beyond the Monthly Check
A 70% rating affects more than the compensation check. VA sorts enrolled veterans into health care priority groups, and any veteran with a service-connected disability rated 50% or higher, which includes every veteran rated at 70%, is placed in Priority Group 1, VA health care's highest enrollment tier. Priority Group 1 provides access to the full VA medical benefits package, including mental health services, generally without the copayments some lower-priority veterans owe for certain care. A 70% rating alone does not automatically trigger TDIU, Special Monthly Compensation, or Dependents' Educational Assistance; each of those depends on separate eligibility rules described on their own pages.
70% vs. 80%, 90%, and 100% VA Disability
The gap between 70% and 100% is larger in dollars than the percentages alone suggest. A veteran with no dependents receives $1,808.45 at 70%, $2,102.15 at 80%, $2,362.30 at 90%, and $3,938.58 at 100%, a jump of more than $1,576 between 90% and 100% alone. Reaching 100% through the combined-ratings formula also gets harder at each step, since every additional disability is applied against a smaller remaining share of capacity. Veterans who meet the TDIU thresholds described above receive the 100% payment rate without a 100% schedular rating.
| Rating | Veteran alone, monthly (2026) |
|---|---|
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
For the dependent-status breakdown and benefits detail at the higher levels, see 80% VA disability and 100% VA disability benefits.
How to Increase a 70% VA Disability Rating
VA offers several ways to seek a higher rating after 70% is assigned, and each has different evidence requirements. A veteran whose service-connected condition has objectively worsened can file a claim for increased disability compensation, supported by current medical evidence documenting the worsening and its effect on daily functioning or work. A veteran with a new condition caused or aggravated by an existing service-connected disability, such as a joint condition that develops from an altered gait, can file a secondary service-connected claim. If VA previously denied a claim and the veteran has new and relevant evidence VA has not yet considered, the correct vehicle is a supplemental claim under .
If VA denies an increased or secondary claim, the veteran can request further review rather than starting over. See how to appeal a VA rating decision for the decision-review options and timelines.
Disagree with your VA rating or decision? Talk to a VA-accredited attorney
If VA denied your claim or rated you lower than you expected, a VA-accredited attorney can review the decision for free. By federal law, accredited representatives may only charge a fee after VA issues an initial decision, usually a percentage of back pay if you win; federal rules presume a fee of 20% or less of past-due benefits to be reasonable. Filing an initial claim yourself is always free at va.gov. Submitting this form is a referral to an independent, VA-accredited attorney or firm, not representation by RecordingLaw.com.
This article provides general information about VA disability compensation and is not legal advice. It does not create a representative relationship, and RecordingLaw.com is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Filing an original disability claim is free and can be done directly at VA.gov; no accredited representative may charge a fee for an undecided initial claim under . Rates and rules described above were verified against VA.gov and the Code of Federal Regulations in July 2026 and are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 70% VA disability pay in 2026?
A veteran with no dependents receives $1,808.45 a month at the 70% rating, effective December 1, 2025. The amount rises with dependents: $1,961.45 with a spouse, $2,074.45 with a spouse and one child, and $1,910.45 with one child and no spouse.
How can two disabilities combine to a 70% VA rating?
VA combines disabilities under 38 CFR § 4.25 by applying each additional rating against the veteran's remaining capacity, not by adding percentages. The regulation's own example combines a 50% and a 30% disability into a raw value of 65%, which rounds up to a final 70%.
What is TDIU, and how does it relate to a 70% rating?
TDIU, or Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, lets VA pay a veteran at the 100% rate without a 100% schedular rating. Under 38 CFR § 4.16(a), a combined rating of 70% with at least one disability rated 40% or higher meets the schedular threshold, if the veteran cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment because of service-connected disabilities.
Is VA disability compensation taxable?
No. VA disability compensation is excluded from federal taxable income under IRS rules, and it is not reported as income on a federal tax return.
How often does the 70% VA disability rate change?
VA disability rates typically change once a year, effective December 1, using the same cost-of-living adjustment percentage Social Security applies. The rate did not change again mid-year for 2026.
Does a 70% VA rating affect VA health care priority?
Yes. Any veteran with a service-connected rating of 50% or higher, including 70%, is placed in VA health care's Priority Group 1, the highest enrollment tier, with access to the full VA medical benefits package.
Updates
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Code of Federal Regulations Title 38
§ 14.636Payment of fees for representation by agents and attorneys in proceedings before Agencies of Original Jurisdiction and before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.In forcecited in 5 of our articles
(a) Applicability of rule. The provisions of this section apply to the services of accredited agents and attorneys with respect to benefits under laws administered by VA in all proceedings before the agency of original jurisdiction or before the Board of Veterans' Appeals regardless of whether an appeal has been initiated. (b) Who may charge fees for representation. Only accredited agents and attorneys may receive fees from claimants or appellants for their services provided in connection with representation. Recognized organizations (including their accredited representatives when acting as such) and individuals recognized under § 14.630 of this part are not permitted to receive fees. An agent or attorney who may also be an accredited representative of a recognized organization may not receive such fees unless he or she has been properly designated as an agent or attorney in accordance with § 14.631 of this part in his or her individual capacity as an accredited agent or attorney. (c) Circumstances under which fees may be charged.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 51 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2026
Leading cases: Mariella B. Mason v. Eric K. Shinseki (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2012, 26 Vet. App. 1) · Cameron v. McDonough (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 2021, 1 F.4th 992) · Mark R. Lippman v. Eric K. Shinseki (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2009, 23 Vet. App. 243)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: 80% VA Disability Rating (2026): Monthly Pay and Benefits, How to Appeal a VA Rating Decision: The Three Review Lanes (2026), VA Claim Sharks: The Fee Rules, the Law, and How to Verify Anyone (2026)
§ 3.2501Supplemental claims.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
Except as otherwise provided, a claimant or his or her authorized representative, if any, who disagrees with a prior VA decision may file a supplemental claim (see § 3.1(p)(2)) by submitting in writing or electronically a complete application (see § 3.160(a)) on a form prescribed by the Secretary any time after the agency of original jurisdiction issues notice of a decision, regardless of whether the claim is pending (see § 3.160(c)) or has become finally adjudicated (see § 3.160(d)). If new and relevant evidence is presented or secured with respect to the supplemental claim, the agency of original jurisdiction will readjudicate the claim taking into consideration all of the evidence of record. If new and relevant evidence is not presented or secured, the agency of original jurisdiction will issue a decision finding that there was insufficient evidence to readjudicate the claim. In determining whether new and relevant evidence is presented or secured, VA will consider any VA treatment records reasonably identified by the claimant and any evidence received by VA after VA issued notice of a decision on the claim and while the evidentiary record was closed (see 3.103(c)).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 245 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2026
Leading cases: Marvin L. Loyd v. Douglas A. Collins (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2025) · Grayson H. Williams v. Denis McDonough (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2024) · Everett W. Cook v. Denis McDonough (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2023)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 4.16Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual.In forcecited in 7 of our articles
(a) Total disability ratings for compensation may be assigned, where the schedular rating is less than total, when the disabled person is, in the judgment of the rating agency, unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities: Provided That, if there is only one such disability, this disability shall be ratable at 60 percent or more, and that, if there are two or more disabilities, there shall be at least one disability ratable at 40 percent or more, and sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more. For the above purpose of one 60 percent disability, or one 40 percent disability in combination, the following will be considered as one disability: (1) Disabilities of one or both upper extremities, or of one or both lower extremities, including the bilateral factor, if applicable, (2) disabilities resulting from common etiology or a single accident, (3) disabilities affecting a single body system, e.g. orthopedic, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular-renal, neuropsychiatric, (4) multiple injuries incurred in action, or (5) multiple disabilities incurred as a prisoner of war.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 739 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2026
Leading cases: Dingess - Hartman v. Nicholson (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2006, 19 Vet. App. 473) · Sterling T. Rice v. Eric K. Shinseki (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2009, 22 Vet. App. 447) · Fugo v. Brown (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 1993, 6 Vet. App. 40)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: VA Disability Benefits (2026): Ratings, Pay Rates, and How Claims Work, 100% VA Disability (2026): Pay Rates and the Full Benefits List, 90% VA Disability Rating (2026): Pay and the Gap to 100%
§ 4.25Combined ratings table.In forcecited in 10 of our articles
Table I, Combined Ratings Table, results from the consideration of the efficiency of the individual as affected first by the most disabling condition, then by the less disabling condition, then by other less disabling conditions, if any, in the order of severity. Thus, a person having a 60 percent disability is considered 40 percent efficient. Proceeding from this 40 percent efficiency, the effect of a further 30 percent disability is to leave only 70 percent of the efficiency remaining after consideration of the first disability, or 28 percent efficiency altogether. The individual is thus 72 percent disabled, as shown in table I opposite 60 percent and under 30 percent. (a) To use table I, the disabilities will first be arranged in the exact order of their severity, beginning with the greatest disability and then combined with use of table I as hereinafter indicated. For example, if there are two disabilities, the degree of one disability will be read in the left column and the degree of the other in the top row, whichever is appropriate. The figures appearing in the space where the column and row intersect will represent the combined value of the two.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 229 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2026
Leading cases: Ellis C. Smith, Claimant-Appellee v. R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 2006, 451 F.3d 1344) · Gazelle v. Shulkin (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 2017, 868 F.3d 1006) · Benny R. Roper v. R. James Nicholson (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 2006, 20 Vet. App. 173)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: How Does VA Math Work? Combined Ratings Explained (with Examples), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): VA Pay Above 100% (2026), TDIU: How VA Unemployability Pays at the 100% Rate (2026)
§ 4.26Bilateral factor.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, when a partial disability results from disease or injury of both arms, or of both legs, or of paired skeletal muscles, the ratings for the disabilities of the right and left sides will be combined as usual, and 10 percent of this value will be added (i.e., not combined) before proceeding with further combinations, or converting to degree of disability. The bilateral factor will be applied to such bilateral disabilities before other combinations are carried out and the rating for such disabilities including the bilateral factor in this section will be treated as one disability for the purpose of arranging in order of severity and for all further combinations. For example, with disabilities evaluated at 60 percent, 20 percent, 10 percent and 10 percent (with the two 10 percent evaluations being bilateral disabilities), the order of severity would be 60, 21 and 20. The 60 and 21 combine to 68 percent and the 68 and 20 combine to 74 percent, converted to 70 percent as the final degree of disability. (a) Definitions.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ecfr.gov
Cited in 15 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2026
Leading cases: Gregory v. United States (United States Court of Federal Claims 2020) · Guillory v. Dept. Of Veterans Affairs (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 2012, 669 F.3d 1314) · Nat'l Org. of Veterans' Advocates, Inc. v. Sec'y Affairs (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 2019, 927 F.3d 1263)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
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Sources and References
- VA.gov, Current Veterans disability compensation rates (effective Dec. 1, 2025)(va.gov).gov
- 38 CFR § 4.25, Combined ratings table (eCFR)(ecfr.gov).gov
- 38 CFR § 4.16, Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability (eCFR)(ecfr.gov).gov
- VA.gov, VA health care priority groups(va.gov).gov
- VA.gov, Types of disability claims and when to file (increased and secondary service-connected claims)(va.gov).gov
- VA.gov, Supplemental claims overview(va.gov).gov
- 38 CFR § 3.2501, Supplemental claims (Cornell Legal Information Institute)(law.cornell.edu)
- IRS Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities (VA disability compensation exclusion)(irs.gov).gov
- 38 CFR 14.636, Payment of fees for representation by agents and attorneys(law.cornell.edu)