VA disability compensation under 38 CFR § 3.4 is a monthly, tax-free payment to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Ratings range from 0% to 100% in 10-point increments (or combined ratings), with 2026 monthly rates ranging from $175.51 (10%, no dependents) to $3,831.30 (100%, no dependents). Additional compensation is available for dependents at ratings of 30% or higher.
Disability compensation is the most heavily used VA benefit, but it's also the most complex to establish. You must prove three things: (1) a current diagnosed disability, (2) an in-service event, injury, or illness, and (3) a nexus — a medical connection between the two. Free help filing disability claims is available from VSOs, VA-accredited claims agents, and AI tools like claim.vet.
Your VA disability rating isn't just a number — it's a system key. The higher your rating, the more other VA benefits open up, expand, or become free. A veteran at 100% P&T (Permanent and Total) has access to a set of benefits that is qualitatively different from a 0% or 10% veteran. We'll return to this at the end, but keep it in mind as you read through each program below.
VA healthcare is one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the United States, serving approximately 9 million veterans annually. Enrollment is governed by 38 CFR § 17.36, which establishes eight priority groups that determine cost-sharing and access.
Your priority group determines whether you pay copays and how much. Here's the breakdown:
Veterans who served in combat after November 11, 1998, are eligible for 5 years of cost-free healthcare for any condition potentially related to their service, regardless of whether they have a service-connected rating. This is called "Enhanced Enrollment" and is specifically designed to catch conditions that may be service-related but haven't yet been formally connected.
VA healthcare is comprehensive. Core services include preventive care, primary care, mental health services, specialty care, urgent and emergency care, inpatient hospital care, prescription drugs, prosthetics and sensory aids, home health care, and long-term care. Mental health services are prioritized — veterans can access same-day mental health care at VA facilities nationwide.
The Mission Act expanded VA's Community Care Network, allowing veterans to see non-VA providers when VA cannot provide timely care, when a veteran lives more than 30 minutes from a VA facility, or when the veteran's treating VA clinician refers them for community care. Community care is billed to VA — the veteran typically pays nothing or the same copay they'd pay at a VA facility.
Enroll online at va.gov/health-care/apply, in person at any VA medical center, or by calling 1-877-222-8387. You need your DD-214 and Social Security number. Veterans with service-connected disabilities are immediately enrolled in Priority Groups 1–3.
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Take the Free Eligibility Quiz →The Post-9/11 GI Bill under 38 CFR § 21.9520 is the most generous education benefit available to veterans. It provides up to 36 months of education support to veterans who served at least 90 days active duty after September 10, 2001. At 100% eligibility, benefits include:
Benefits scale from 40% to 100% based on active duty service length. Veterans who served 36+ months get 100%. You can transfer unused GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent children if you commit to additional service.
Learn more about the GI Bill housing allowance (MHA) and transferring GI Bill to dependents.
The MGIB provides up to 36 months of education benefits to veterans who contributed $1,200 during their first year of service. The maximum monthly benefit in 2026 is $2,246 for full-time enrollment. MGIB is generally less generous than the Post-9/11 GI Bill — most veterans are better served by using Chapter 33 if they're eligible.
VR&E — often called Voc Rehab — serves veterans with service-connected disabilities that create an employment handicap. Unlike the GI Bill, VR&E is needs-based and can extend beyond 48 months in certain circumstances. It covers education, training, job placement, self-employment planning, and independent living services. VR&E participants receive a housing allowance and books/supplies stipend similar to the GI Bill. Free VR&E counseling is available at all VA regional offices.
If you are the spouse or dependent child of a veteran who is 100% permanently and totally disabled, was killed in action, is MIA/POW, or died from a service-connected disability, you may qualify for up to 45 months of education benefits under Chapter 35. Learn more at /blog/chapter-35-dea-benefits-dependents/ on claim.vet.
The VA home loan guaranty under 38 CFR § 36.4300 is one of the most powerful financial tools available to veterans. It allows eligible veterans to purchase a primary residence with:
VA loans do carry a one-time funding fee, which ranges from 1.25% to 3.3% of the loan amount depending on service type and whether it's a first or subsequent use. However, the funding fee is completely waived for veterans who have any service-connected disability rating — even 0%. A veteran with a 10% rating buying a $400,000 home would save $6,400–$13,200 in funding fees.
Veterans with service-connected disabilities also receive waiver of the funding fee on refinances, and surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions are exempt from the funding fee.
A VA loan consistently outperforms conventional and FHA mortgages for eligible veterans. With no PMI and no down payment requirement, a veteran with a 620 credit score can often qualify for better terms than they'd receive on a conventional loan with 20% down. For veterans who can't afford a down payment, the VA loan is often the only path to homeownership. Learn about options for veterans who can't afford closing costs at VA loan affordability resources.
Free VA home loan counseling is available through VA Regional Loan Centers (RLCs) at 1-877-827-3702. HUD-approved housing counselors (find them at hud.gov/find-a-hud-approved-housing-counseling-agency) also provide free VA loan guidance.
VA pension under 38 CFR § 3.3 is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans with limited income and net worth. It is completely separate from VA disability compensation — you do not need a service-connected disability to qualify. To be eligible, you must:
The maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a veteran with no dependents and no special conditions is $18,740 in 2026. The VA reduces your pension dollar-for-dollar by countable income, so the actual payment depends on your other income sources.
Aid and Attendance is an enhancement to VA pension that significantly increases the maximum benefit for veterans who require help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating, hygiene), who are bedridden, or who are patients in a nursing home. The A&A MAPR for a veteran with no dependents in 2026 is $32,729 annually ($2,727/month). This makes A&A a critical benefit for aging veterans in assisted living or with long-term care needs.
Housebound status is a lesser-known pension enhancement for veterans who are substantially confined to their homes due to a permanent disability. The Housebound MAPR is $22,888 annually ($1,907/month) — less than A&A but available for veterans who don't meet the A&A threshold. A veteran cannot receive both A&A and Housebound simultaneously.
A significant industry of unethical financial "advisors" charges veterans thousands of dollars to help them qualify for VA pension by shifting assets to meet the net worth limits. This is unnecessary — VSOs provide pension claims help for free, and many of these arrangements violate VA regulations. Any firm charging upfront fees to help you qualify for pension should be avoided.
The PCAFC under 38 CFR § 71.25 provides a monthly stipend to family caregivers of eligible veterans with serious service-connected injuries who require in-person personal care services for activities of daily living. Following the Caregiver Program Expansion Act of 2018, PCAFC is now open to veterans of all service eras — not just post-9/11 veterans.
The PCAFC stipend is calculated based on:
Beyond the monthly stipend, PCAFC provides: CHAMPVA health insurance for caregivers who have no other health coverage; mental health services and counseling; caregiver training; respite care (temporary relief); and travel benefits for medical appointments.
The veteran must have a serious injury (including mental health conditions) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. The injury must require in-person personal care services for activities of daily living or to prevent harm to the veteran. A VA clinical team evaluates eligibility. Both the veteran and the caregiver must jointly apply.
Every VA Medical Center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator who provides free PCAFC application assistance. You can also reach the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274, or apply online at va.gov/family-member-benefits/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/.
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SGLI provides up to $500,000 in low-cost group life insurance coverage to active duty service members, members of the Ready Reserve and National Guard, and certain other groups. Coverage is automatic (you must actively opt out) and costs $0.06 per $1,000 of coverage per month — about $30/month for maximum coverage. SGLI can be continued as VGLI after separation.
VGLI allows veterans to convert their SGLI coverage to a renewable term life insurance policy after separation. You can apply within 1 year and 120 days of separation. VGLI rates increase with age, and coverage can be increased in $25,000 increments (up to $500,000 total) at five-year age milestones without evidence of good health. Veterans with service-connected disabilities who apply within 240 days of separation are not subject to medical underwriting.
S-DVI (now being phased out — final applications were due December 31, 2022) provided up to $10,000 in life insurance to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Veterans who had existing S-DVI policies retain them. New applications are no longer accepted.
VALife is the replacement for S-DVI, launched in 2023. It provides up to $40,000 in whole life insurance to veterans with any service-connected disability (0% or higher). There is no medical underwriting. Veterans under 81 can apply. Premiums depend on age and coverage amount — at 0% disability, premiums are approximately $42–$56/month for $40,000 coverage (age 40–50). Apply at va.gov/life-insurance/valife/.
All honorably discharged veterans are eligible for free burial in a VA national cemetery. This includes the grave liner, opening and closing of the grave, burial space, perpetual care and maintenance, a government-furnished headstone or marker (engraved at no cost), a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a burial flag. Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans can also be buried in national cemeteries at no cost when space is available.
VA may pay a burial allowance to help cover funeral costs in certain situations:
Veterans and eligible family members buried in private cemeteries can receive a free government-furnished headstone or marker, delivered at no cost to the burial site. The Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is a signed certificate expressing the nation's gratitude for a veteran's service — it can be requested for all honorably discharged veterans who have died, at no cost, by next-of-kin.
Every state maintains its own veterans benefits program that operates independently of — and in addition to — federal VA benefits. State benefits vary significantly, but most states offer:
Most states provide partial or full property tax relief to disabled veterans. Eligibility thresholds and exemption amounts vary widely. Texas, for example, provides 100% property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% P&T. Florida exempts veterans with permanent service-connected disabilities from property taxes entirely. Many states set thresholds at 50%, 70%, or 100% ratings. Check your state's Department of Veterans Affairs for specific rules.
Many states offer free or reduced tuition at state colleges for veterans and their dependents, independent of GI Bill eligibility. Texas's Hazelwood Act provides up to 150 credit hours of tuition waiver at public universities. California's Cal Vet College Fee Waiver covers tuition for dependents of 100% P&T veterans. Florida's Tuition Waiver covers veterans at state universities. These state benefits can stack with federal GI Bill benefits in some cases.
Veterans receive hiring preferences for state government positions in most states. Many states also provide small business preferences for veteran-owned businesses on state contracts, and some offer grants or low-interest loans specifically for veteran entrepreneurs.
Several states maintain their own veterans homes for long-term care, nursing home care, and domiciliary (assisted living) services. These state veterans homes are partially funded by VA but operated by the states. They typically charge rates well below private facilities and provide VA-quality care in a community setting.
Find your state's veterans benefits through your State Department of Veterans Affairs. County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) are often the most accessible local resource — they can help with both state and federal benefits navigation.
Your VA disability rating isn't just the basis for disability compensation — it's the master key to the entire VA benefits ecosystem. Here's how it scales:
The difference between a 70% rating and a 100% P&T rating represents thousands of dollars per month in combined federal and state benefits. Learn more about TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability) and all 100% P&T benefits.
No single organization covers all VA benefit programs with equal expertise. Here's where to go for free help with each:
If you haven't yet established a VA disability rating — or think you may be rated too low — start there. Your rating is the lever that moves everything else. Learn how to increase your VA disability rating, or use claim.vet's free tools to identify which conditions may be ratable based on your service history.
Veterans can access free VA benefits across multiple categories: disability compensation (monthly tax-free payments for service-connected conditions), VA healthcare (free or low-cost medical care), education (Post-9/11 GI Bill, VR&E), home loan guaranty (no down payment, no PMI), VA pension (needs-based for low-income wartime veterans), PCAFC caregiver stipend, VA life insurance (VALife), and burial benefits. Each program has its own eligibility criteria. A VA disability rating often unlocks enhanced access to many of these programs.
Your disability rating is a multiplier for the entire VA benefits system. A 0% rating establishes service connection (important for survivor benefits and home loan fee waivers). A 10%+ rating opens Priority Group 3 healthcare. A 30%+ rating adds dependent compensation. A 50%+ rating gives Priority Group 1 healthcare (no copays). A 100% P&T rating waives VA home loan funding fees, opens free CHAMPVA healthcare for dependents, unlocks Chapter 35 DEA education benefits for dependents, and provides state property tax exemptions in most states.
Enroll online at va.gov/health-care/apply, in person at any VA medical center, or by calling 1-877-222-8387. You'll need your DD-214, Social Security number, and insurance information (if any). Veterans with service-connected disabilities are enrolled immediately in Priority Groups 1–3 with little to no copays. Veterans without service connections can still qualify based on income and other factors. There is no annual enrollment fee for most veterans.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to veterans who served at least 90 days active duty after September 10, 2001. At 100% eligibility, it covers full tuition and fees at in-state public schools (or up to $28,937/year at private schools), a monthly housing allowance based on BAH E-5 with dependents at the school's ZIP code (often $1,500–$3,000/month), and up to $1,000/year for books and supplies. GI Bill benefits scale from 40% to 100% based on service length.
No. The VA home loan guaranty allows eligible veterans to purchase a primary residence with zero down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI), saving $100–$300/month compared to conventional loans. A VA funding fee applies (1.25%–3.3% of the loan amount), but this fee is completely waived for veterans with any service-connected disability rating — including 0%.
VA pension under 38 CFR § 3.3 is a needs-based benefit for low-income wartime veterans (or their surviving spouses). To qualify, a veteran must have served at least 90 days active duty with at least one day during a wartime period AND meet income and net worth limits (net worth limit: $155,356 in 2026). The veteran must also be age 65+, OR permanently and totally disabled from any condition. VA pension is separate from disability compensation — no service-connected disability required.
PCAFC under 38 CFR § 71.25 provides a monthly stipend to family caregivers of eligible veterans with serious injuries who require in-person personal care. The stipend equals the average hourly home health aide wage in the caregiver's area, multiplied by hours of care per week (up to 40). For a caregiver providing 40 hours/week in an average-cost area, the stipend typically ranges $1,200–$2,400/month. PCAFC also provides CHAMPVA health insurance to caregivers without other coverage.
Yes. All honorably discharged veterans are eligible for free burial in a national cemetery, including a grave liner, opening/closing, perpetual care, government headstone or marker, and Presidential Memorial Certificate. Veterans who die from service-connected conditions may receive a burial allowance up to $2,000. Spouses and dependent children can also be buried in national cemeteries at no cost.
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced VA pension benefit for veterans who require help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating) or who are in a nursing home. A&A increases the maximum pension to $2,727/month (2026). You must first qualify for basic VA pension, then demonstrate A&A need. Free help applying is available from any accredited VSO — avoid fee-charging "pension planners."
Free help is available from multiple sources: VSOs (DAV, VFW, American Legion) for disability, pension, and general navigation; your State Department of Veterans Affairs for state benefits; VA Caregiver Support Coordinators for PCAFC; your school's Veterans Certifying Official for GI Bill; VA Regional Loan Centers for home loans. For disability claims specifically, claim.vet provides free AI-guided assistance 24/7.
Editorial Standards: This article was written by Sarah Henley, a veterans benefits navigator covering the full spectrum of VA benefit programs. Content is verified against current 38 CFR regulations and VA.gov guidance. Last reviewed: June 2026. Not legal advice — for representation on your specific claim, talk to a VA-accredited attorney.
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