VA Compensation Estimator
Estimate your monthly VA disability compensation using 2024 rates. Verify current rates at VA.gov.
Dependents
Children under 18
Children 18+ in approved school
+$131/mo each (flat rate, any rating)
Dependent parents
0, 1, or 2
Estimated Monthly Compensation — 50% Rating
$1,075/mo
$12,900 per year · tax-free
At 50%+ you may qualify for CRDP — receive full retired pay AND VA compensation. Verify with DFAS.
Full Rate Table — Current Dependent Selection
| Rating | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $171 | $2,052 |
| 20% | $338 | $4,056 |
| 30% | $524 | $6,288 |
| 40% | $755 | $9,060 |
| 50% | $1,075 | $12,900 |
| 60% | $1,361 | $16,332 |
| 70% | $1,716 | $20,592 |
| 80% | $1,995 | $23,940 |
| 90% | $2,241 | $26,892 |
| 100% | $3,737 | $44,844 |
Rates shown are 2024 VA compensation rates effective December 1, 2023 (3.2% COLA). Add-ons for additional children, school-age children, dependent parents, and spouse A&A are included. Rates shown do not include SMC (Special Monthly Compensation). These figures are for planning purposes only — your actual rating is determined solely by the VA. Always verify current rates at VA.gov. FinalOut is not affiliated with the VA or any government agency.
How this is calculated
This calculator looks up your monthly payment from the 2024 VA compensation rate table (effective December 1, 2023, reflecting that year's 3.2% COLA) using two inputs: your selected disability rating and your dependent status. Below a 30% rating, dependents do not change your payment — VA only pays additional amounts for dependents at 30% and above. At 30% or higher, the calculator adds a per-additional-child amount for children under 18 beyond the first (already built into the base rate), a flat $131/month for each child 18 or older in an approved school, an Aid & Attendance add-on if you have a spouse who requires it, and a dependent-parent add-on for one or two dependent parents.
If you enter a VA effective date, the calculator estimates retroactive pay by counting the approximate number of months between that date and today and multiplying by your current monthly rate — a rough approximation, since actual retroactive payments are calculated by VA using exact dates and any rate changes in between.
VA does not simply add multiple disability ratings together — it uses a combined ratings formula. Read the VA Disability Compensation guide to see how that combined-rating math works and how to file a claim.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't adding a dependent change my payment below 50%?
VA only pays additional compensation for dependents starting at the 30% rating level. Below 30%, your payment is the same whether or not you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents.
What is the retro pay estimate based on?
It multiplies your current estimated monthly rate by the approximate number of months between the VA effective date you enter and today. It does not account for rate changes (like annual COLA adjustments) that may have applied during that period, so treat it as a rough planning figure rather than an exact amount.
Does this include SMC (Special Monthly Compensation)?
No. This calculator covers standard VA compensation rates and dependent add-ons only. SMC is a separate, higher tier of compensation for specific severe disabilities (such as loss of limb use) and is not modeled here — verify SMC eligibility directly with VA.gov.