VA Disability Compensation Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your potential monthly VA disability compensation based on your disability rating and number of dependents. Please note that these rates are illustrative and based on general 2024 figures; actual VA compensation rates can vary and are subject to change annually by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Understanding VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are a result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. The amount of compensation you receive depends on several factors, primarily your disability rating and the number of qualifying dependents you have.
Disability Rating
Your disability rating is a percentage assigned by the VA, ranging from 0% to 100%, in increments of 10%. This rating reflects the severity of your service-connected condition(s) and how much they impact your earning capacity. A higher rating generally means a higher compensation amount. If you have multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a "combined rating" system, which is not a simple addition of percentages but a more complex calculation designed to avoid overstating the total impact.
Dependents and Compensation
For Veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher, additional compensation is provided for qualifying dependents. These dependents can include:
- A spouse
- Children under the age of 18
- Children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school
- Children who are permanently incapacitated and unable to support themselves (helpless children)
- Dependent parents
The additional amount for each dependent varies based on your disability rating. Veterans with a rating below 30% do not receive additional compensation for dependents.
How the Calculator Works
This calculator uses a simplified set of VA compensation rates, generally reflecting 2024 figures, to provide an estimate. It takes your disability rating, marital status, and the number of children and dependent parents into account. The calculation logic applies a base rate for your disability and then adds specific amounts for each dependent, if your rating is 30% or higher.
Important Considerations
- Annual Changes: VA compensation rates are adjusted annually, typically based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The rates used in this calculator are illustrative and may not be the exact current official rates.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): This calculator does not account for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), which is an additional benefit paid to Veterans with certain severe disabilities or combinations of disabilities.
- Aid and Attendance/Housebound: Additional benefits for Aid and Attendance or Housebound status are also not included in this basic calculation.
- Official Source: For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official Department of Veterans Affairs website or consult with a VA representative or accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO).
This tool is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for official VA determinations.
.va-compensation-calculator {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
padding: 25px;
border-radius: 10px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
max-width: 700px;
margin: 30px auto;
color: #333;
}
.va-compensation-calculator h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 20px;
font-size: 1.8em;
}
.va-compensation-calculator h3 {
color: #34495e;
margin-top: 25px;
margin-bottom: 15px;
font-size: 1.4em;
}
.va-compensation-calculator p {
line-height: 1.6;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.va-compensation-calculator .form-group {
margin-bottom: 18px;
}
.va-compensation-calculator label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #555;
}
.va-compensation-calculator input[type="number"],
.va-compensation-calculator select {
width: calc(100% – 20px);
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 1em;
box-sizing: border-box;
transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
}
.va-compensation-calculator input[type="number"]:focus,
.va-compensation-calculator select:focus {
border-color: #007bff;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.25);
}
.va-compensation-calculator small {
display: block;
margin-top: 5px;
color: #777;
font-size: 0.85em;
}
.va-compensation-calculator .calculate-button {
display: block;
width: 100%;
padding: 15px;
background-color: #28a745;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 1.1em;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.va-compensation-calculator .calculate-button:hover {
background-color: #218838;
transform: translateY(-2px);
}
.va-compensation-calculator .result-container {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #e9f7ef;
border: 1px solid #d4edda;
border-radius: 8px;
text-align: center;
}
.va-compensation-calculator .result-output {
font-size: 2.2em;
font-weight: bold;
color: #28a745;
margin-top: 15px;
}
.va-compensation-calculator .calculator-article {
margin-top: 40px;
border-top: 1px solid #eee;
padding-top: 30px;
}
.va-compensation-calculator .calculator-article ul {
list-style-type: disc;
margin-left: 20px;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.va-compensation-calculator .calculator-article li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
line-height: 1.5;
}
function calculateVACompensation() {
var disabilityRating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("disabilityRating").value);
var maritalStatus = document.getElementById("maritalStatus").value;
var numChildren = parseInt(document.getElementById("numChildren").value);
var numParents = parseInt(document.getElementById("numParents").value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(disabilityRating) || disabilityRating 100) {
document.getElementById("compensationResult").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid disability rating (0-100).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(numChildren) || numChildren < 0) {
document.getElementById("compensationResult").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid number of children (0 or more).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(numParents) || numParents 2) {
document.getElementById("compensationResult").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid number of dependent parents (0, 1, or 2).";
return;
}
// Round disability rating to nearest 10 for lookup
var roundedRating = Math.round(disabilityRating / 10) * 10;
if (roundedRating 0) roundedRating = 10; // VA rates start at 10%
if (roundedRating > 100) roundedRating = 100; // Cap at 100%
// Simplified, illustrative VA compensation rates (approx. 2024 figures)
// These are not the exact official rates but are representative for demonstration.
var baseRates = {
"0": 0, "10": 171.23, "20": 338.49, "30": 524.31, "40": 755.00,
"50": 1075.16, "60": 1361.88, "70": 1716.28, "80": 1995.01,
"90": 2241.91, "100": 3737.85
};
// Add-on rates for 30% and above (per dependent, per rating)
var dependentAddons = {
"30": { "spouse": 55, "child": 28, "parent": 45 },
"40": { "spouse": 70, "child": 35, "parent": 55 },
"50": { "spouse": 85, "child": 42, "parent": 65 },
"60": { "spouse": 100, "child": 50, "parent": 75 },
"70": { "spouse": 115, "child": 57, "parent": 85 },
"80": { "spouse": 130, "child": 65, "parent": 95 },
"90": { "spouse": 145, "child": 72, "parent": 105 },
"100": { "spouse": 195, "child": 98, "parent": 145 }
};
var monthlyCompensation = 0;
// Get base compensation for the rating
if (baseRates[roundedRating]) {
monthlyCompensation = baseRates[roundedRating];
} else {
document.getElementById("compensationResult").innerHTML = "Invalid disability rating for calculation.";
return;
}
// Add dependent compensation for ratings 30% and above
if (roundedRating >= 30 && dependentAddons[roundedRating]) {
var currentAddons = dependentAddons[roundedRating];
if (maritalStatus === "married") {
monthlyCompensation += currentAddons.spouse;
}
monthlyCompensation += (numChildren * currentAddons.child);
monthlyCompensation += (numParents * currentAddons.parent);
}
document.getElementById("compensationResult").innerHTML = "$" + monthlyCompensation.toFixed(2);
}