VA Disability Compensation
50% VA Disability Pay (2026)
A 50% VA disability rating pays $1,133/month in 2026 for a veteran with no dependents and $1,242/month with a spouse. VA disability compensation is tax-free.
Source: VA.gov disability compensation rates (effective 2025-12-01, 2.5% COLA-adjusted, for 2026).
| Dependent status | Monthly (2026) |
|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $1,133 |
| With spouse | $1,242 |
| Spouse + 1 parent | $1,330 |
| Spouse + 2 parents | $1,418 |
| 1 parent only | $1,221 |
| 2 parents only | $1,309 |
| 1 child only | $1,206 |
| Spouse + 1 child | $1,323 |
| Spouse, 1 child, 1 parent | $1,411 |
| Spouse, 1 child, 2 parents | $1,499 |
| 1 child + 1 parent | $1,294 |
| 1 child + 2 parents | $1,382 |
What a 50% rating means
At 50% and above, your monthly payment increases with your dependents - a spouse, children, and dependent parents each add to the base rate. Aid & Attendance for a spouse who needs daily care adds more. This page shows base + standard dependent amounts; it does not include SMC (Special Monthly Compensation).
Have more than one service-connected condition? The VA does not add ratings together - it combines them with "VA math", so two conditions rated 50% and 30% do not equal 80%.