VA disability compensation is monthly pay for conditions the VA has linked to your military service. This page is a simple reference for how the VA figures your rating and your pay. We explain the , when applies, and how and effective dates work. We also cover and so you know what to ask for. The VA uses an official table for the math; we break it down in plain language.
This content is educational and not legal or medical advice. For help with your claim, consider (free VSOs or accredited attorneys/agents).
If you are brand new to VA disability, your job is simple: start your claim date, collect the right evidence, go to exams if scheduled, and understand your final rating and payment. The steps below mirror VA's documented process and evidence requirements.
If filing online, the VA states it will recognize the date you started your online application as the date of claim as long as you complete it within 365 days. You generally do not need an intent to file when filing online. If filing with paper forms, the VA encourages using an (VA Form 21-0966) when you are still gathering information. An intent to file sets a potential start date and you generally have 1 year after notifying VA to complete and file the claim; you can have only one active intent at a time.
For an original service-connection claim, VA summarizes the evidence goals: show (1) a current disability, (2) an in-service event/injury/disease, and (3) a link between the two. is written testimony by you or someone who knows about your condition. It can be submitted as a written statement or on specific forms including the Lay/Witness Statement (VA Form 21-10210) and the Statement in Support of Claim (VA Form 21-4138).
If you do not submit evidence (or if more is needed), VA may schedule a claim exam. After the exam, the provider sends a report to VA; VA reviews it with all evidence and makes a decision. You generally cannot get results at the exam or directly from the provider. To request a copy of the final exam report, file a FOIA/Privacy Act request using (including an online request option).
Disability ratings are assigned in 10% increments between 0% and 100%. Multiple ratings are calculated via the (not simple addition), with the final value rounded to the nearest 10%. For payments, the VA publishes official 2026 Veterans disability compensation rates tables (based on rating percentage and dependency status).