VA Disability Compensation Rates 2020 (Updated for 2025)
VA Disability Compensation Rates for 2020 increased by about 1.6% from 2019 rates. If the VA decides that a veteran’s disability is related to service, it must then assign a rating percentage. By law, VA may assign a rating of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%. These percentages guide the precise dollar amount VA must pay to a disabled veteran.
Individual v. Combined Ratings, VA Disability Compensation Rates 2020
Combined VA Disability Compensation Rates
A 100% disability compensation rating is the maximum permitted by law. However, what if you have one disability at 70% (such as PTSD) and another disability at 50% (such as sleep apnea)? Does that mean you have a total rating of 120%? Unfortunately, no. To avoid going over the 100% cap, VA uses a Combined Ratings table. Instead of adding your individual ratings, VA combines them using a formula. This is known as “VA math.”
Combined Ratings Table
2020 VA Disability Compensation Rates. In fact, the Combined Ratings table provides that after your conditions are rated, they are all combined using a specific formula. First, the VA considers the most disabling condition – that is, the one with the highest rating – then less disabling conditions in order of severity. Consequently, this method captures the residual efficiency of a veteran with more than one service-connected condition. Because the maximum percentage reflects total impairment, the formula will never result in a rating higher than 100%.
If the combined value ends in a number from 5 through 9, VA rounds up to the next highest multiple of 10. Values that ends in 1 through 4, VA rounds down to the lower multiple of 10. If the combined value ends in 0, then rounding is unnecessary.
Combined Rating Example
For example, a veteran with 70% for PTSD and 50% rating for sleep apnea has a combined value of 85%. An 85% value rounds up to a 90% combined rating. Similarly, for a veteran with a combined value of 84%, rounds down to 80%. A veteran with two separate disabilities rated at 10% each has a combined value of 19%, which rounds up to a 20% combined rating.
A veteran’s combined rating determines his monthly compensation payment. For all combined rating percentages above 0%, VA will make specific monthly payments to the veteran. The higher the disability rating, the higher the monthly compensation VA will pay to the veteran.
How Much are 2020 VA Disability Compensation Rates per Month? (Updates for 2025 below)
VA disability compensation rates depend on your combined rating and how many dependents rely on you for support. All things considered, if you have a 0% rating, then VA will not pay any monthly benefits. As long as you have at least a 30% combined rating percentage, VA will pay a bit extra for every dependent. Altogether, the following 2020 rates break down the monthly benefit VA must pay based on your overall rating percentage:
Veteran with No Dependents
10%
$142.29
20%
$281.27
30%
$435.69
40%
$627.61
50%
$893.43
60%
$1,131.68
70%
$1,426.17
80%
$1,657.80
90%
$1,862.96
100%
$3,106.04
Veteran with Spouse Only (No Children)
10%
$142.29
20%
$281.27
30%
$486.69
40%
$696.61
50%
$979.43
60%
$1,234.68
70%
$1,547.17
80%
$1,795.80
90%
$2,017.96
100%
$3,279.22
Veteran with 1 Child Only
10%
$142.29
20%
$281.27
30%
$469.69
40%
$673.61
50%
$950.43
60%
$1,200.68
70%
$1,507.17
80%
$1,749.80
90%
$1,966.96
100%
$3,221.85
Veteran with Spouse and 1 Child
10%
$142.29
20%
$281.27
30%
$525.69
40%
$747.61
50%
$1,043.43
60%
$1,311.68
70%
$1,636.17
80%
$1,897.80
90%
$2,132.96
100%
$3,406.04
Veteran with Spouse, 1 Child, and 1 Dependent Parent
10%
$142.29
20%
$281.27
30%
$566.69
40%
$802.61
50%
$1,112.43
60%
$1,394.68
70%
$1,733.17
80%
$2,008.80
90%
$2,257.96
100%
$3,545.02
2025 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Veterans who have been assigned a disability rating and are receiving benefits can expect the following tax-free monthly compensation amounts, effective December 1, 2024:
Veterans with no dependents:
10% – $175.51
20% – $346.95
30% – $537.42
40% – $774.16
50% – $1,102.04
60% – $1,395.93
70% – $1,759.19
80% – $2,044.89
90% – $2,297.96
100% – $3,831.30
Veterans with spouse (no children):
30% – $601.42
40% – $859.16
50% – $1,208.04
60% – $1,523.93
70% – $1,908.19
80% – $2,214.89
90% – $2,489.96
100% – $4,044.91
Veterans with spouse and 1 child:
30% – $648.42
40% – $922.16
50% – $1,287.04
60% – $1,617.93
70% – $2,018.19
80% – $2,340.89
90% – $2,630.96
100% – $4,201.35
Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA)
Periodically, VA will re-assess the precise dollar amounts to keep pace with increases in the cost of living. This usually happens at the same time that the Social Security Administration issues a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
Make Sure VA is Paying You Correctly, VA Disability Compensation Rates 2020
If you already have a VA disability rating, don’t assume VA is paying you based on the most current rates. It’s important to periodically review your compensation status to confirm your payments are accurate.
Not sure about your combined rating? You can request a Summary of Benefits from the VA, which outlines your rating and monthly payment amount. Then, compare that information to the latest VA compensation tables to be sure everything matches up.
At Disability Help Group, our experienced advocates can help you review your benefits and fight for the full compensation you’ve earned.
You Can Check the Status of Your Social Security Disability Claim Online
What your application status shows when you check your status online, you can find:
Your re-entry number for your online application or appeal that hasn’t been submitted
The date Social Security received your application or appeal
Your scheduled hearing date and time
The location of your application or appeal including the
address of the office processing your application
If a decision has been made
Understanding Your Status Updates
When you log in, you may see terms like “pending,” “in review,” or “decision made.” Knowing what these statuses mean can help you understand whether Social Security is waiting on medical records, scheduling a hearing, or preparing a decision.
How to Check Your Disability Application Status Online
You must sign into your “my Social Security” account. You cannot check the status of your claim online if you don’t have an account.
Step-by-step instructions:
Select “View Details” to check your application status.
Scroll down to the “Your Benefit Application” section.
How to Create a “my Social Security” Account
Social Security asks for specific information to create an online account. You can only create an account for yourself, you cannot create one for another person.
You will need:
Firstly, A valid email address
Secondly, Your social security number
Thirdly, A U.S. mailing address
You must be at least 18 years old
Tip: Both SSDI and SSI applicants can create an account to track their claims. Your account also allows you to view your earnings history, estimate retirement benefits, and update personal information.
Other Ways to Check Your Application Status
If you cannot access your application online, you can also:
Call your local Social Security office
Call Social Security’s national number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Checking your disability status online is important so you can:
Make sure Social Security has all the paperwork to process your application or receives your medical records
Avoid missing any deadlines to appeal your claim if you are denied
Understand how long it might take to get a decision
Timeline insight:
Initial decisions generally take 3–6 months.
Reconsideration appeals may take 3–5 months.
Hearings with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) can take 9 months to over a year, depending on your location.
Filing For Social Security Disability Online Status
Social Security follows many steps before making a decision on your claim. The process can be overwhelming and frustrating if you don’t know how it works:
You send your disability application to your local Social Security office.
The local office processes your application.
Social Security sends your claim to Disability Determination Services or DDS. Shortly after you have been assigned a claim adjudicator, he or she will contact you and provide paperwork regarding your claim.
Disability Status Online: Reconsideration
If Social Security denies your initial application, you can file an appeal for reconsideration. This is the next step in the disability process and can take several months for a decision.
Disability Status Online: Requesting a Hearing
If Social Security denies your reconsideration appeal, you can request a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
Your case is sent to the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO)
OHO assigns an ALJ and sends you a letter with your hearing date, time, and location
Wait times can vary widely, sometimes taking 9 months to over a year
Benefits of Working with a Disability Advocate
Many people ask, “Do I need an advocate for Social Security Disability?” While you’re not required to have one, having our experienced team on your side can greatly improve your chances of approval. We guide you through every step of the application and appeals process, explain the often-complex Social Security disability rules, and help you gather the right medical records and work history to build a strong claim.
How an experienced disability advocate can help you:
1. Assistance with Social Security Forms
Social Security sends multiple forms requesting information about your daily activities, work history, and medical conditions. Missing or incomplete forms can lead to delays or claim denials. Our team of experienced disability advocates ensure all forms are completed accurately and submitted on time, helping prevent unnecessary setbacks in your claim.
2. Following Up with Social Security
SSA often sends letters indicating missing information or medical records. Our expert disability advocates monitor your claim closely, check its status more thoroughly than an online account or letter, and ensure that all necessary documents are received. This proactive approach helps keep your claim moving and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I check my SSI claim status without a my Social Security account? A: You can call your local SSA office or the national number at 1-800-772-1213.
Q: How long does it take to get Social Security disability benefits after approval? A: Typically, 1–3 months after approval, though it may vary depending on your case.
Q: Can someone else check my disability claim status for me? A: No. Only you can access your online account, though your appointed representative or advocate can contact SSA on your behalf.
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Our team of experienced Social Security Disability advocates knows the ins and outs of SSDI and are ready to fight to help you get the benefits you deserve.
Contact us now for a free consultation and expert guidance on your Social Security Disability claim. CLICK HERE for a FREE case evaluation.
Cervical Neck Fusion and Social Security Disability
Cervical Neck Fusion and Social Security Disability. You may qualify for Social Security disability benefits if you’ve had a cervical neck fusion. However, you must show that you still can’t work. Many different problems can cause neck pain and other symptoms. Typically, degenerative disc disease, whiplash, herniated discs, and arthritis can cause ongoing symptoms. Neck impairments can cause many different symptoms.
These symptoms may include:
Pain
Limited movement of the neck or shoulders
Headaches
Shooting pain down the back or arms
Numbness and/or tingling
Getting Disability For Cervical Neck Fusion
You may qualify for Social Security disability benefits for your cervical neck fusion or impairments. However, you must show that your symptoms are severe. They must cause problems doing normal activities. Additionally, they must keep you from working for at least 12 months.
Social Security provides a listing of impairments, known as the “Blue Book.” The Blue Book provides specific conditions that you must meet to qualify for disability benefits. Social Security doesn’t have a specific listing for a cervical neck fusion. However, they do provide a listing for spinal disorders under 1.04.
To meet Social Security’s listing for your neck problems, you must show that the nerve root or spinal cord has been affected.
Additionally, you must show:
Evidence of nerve root compression, limited movement of your spine, and muscle weakness with loss of feeling or reflexes, or
Spinal arachnoiditis is a painful disorder caused by inflammation that causes you to have to change positions every two hours
Getting Disability If You Don’t Meet The Listing
Many people will not meet the listing for their cervical neck impairments. Fortunately, you can still get disability benefits. Specifically, you need to show that your neck problems limit your functioning and prevent you from working. Social Security assesses your residual functional capacity (RFC.)
Particularly, Social Security considers:
How long you can sit, stand, or walk at one time or in an 8-hour workday
How much weight you can lift or carry
Using your arms and hands for activities such as reaching, pushing, pulling, gripping, or grasping objects
If pain, fatigue, other symptoms, or side effects from medications cause limitations with concentration, persistence, or pace
Cervical Neck Fusion And Social Security Disability
Here’s an example of cervical neck fusion and SSD:
Anne injured her neck in a car accident. She required a cervical spinal fusion surgery. Despite surgery, she continued to have severe pain and difficulty moving her neck. She also still had problems using her hands due to numbness and tingling. Social Security determined that she could not lift or carry more than ten pounds but could sit for six hours. Additionally, Social Security found that she had serious problems using her hands throughout the day. Therefore, she was unable to do even simple seated jobs. As a result, Anne was approved for disability benefits.
Social Security Grid Rules
Social Security uses a chart called the Medical-Vocational Guidelines to evaluate your disability claim. These guidelines are known as the “grid rules”. The grid rules make it easier for older people to win their case. Social Security understands that it may be harder for older people to do new or different work. They will look at the grid rules if your impairments do not meet the conditions under the Social Security medical listings.
Cervical Neck Fusion And The Grid Rules
Here is an example of the grid rules for Cervical Neck Fusion:
Brad, a 57-year-old man previously worked as a janitor. He filed for disability because he developed degenerative disc disease in his neck. He had cervical spine surgery. Unfortunately, he continued to have pain in his neck. His doctor told him he couldn’t lift more than 10 pounds. Social Security found he couldn’t perform the duties required to be a janitor. Under the grid rules, Social Security approved Brad’s claim.
What Medical Evidence Is Needed For Cervical Neck Fusion And Neck Impairments?
You must provide medical evidence to document any problems related to your neck problems. Generally, medical evidence includes your doctor’s treatment notes, test results, and imaging. Most importantly, you should have MRI evidence of your cervical spine.
Also, your doctor should document:
Any pain with movement of your bones or joints
Problems moving your neck
Problems using your hands
Difficulty traveling to places without assistance
Difficulty performing activities of daily living such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, using public transportation, bathing, or getting dressed
What Are RFC Forms?
An RFC form can clearly explain how your conditions impact your functioning. Having your doctor complete an RFC form can be very helpful. After all, they should know more about your health than anyone else. An RFC form should be very detailed. It should indicate all your medical symptoms and conditions. It should also include all of your treatment and any side effects from medications. An experienced disability advocate can provide these forms to you.
Disability Help Group Can Help You
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. If you have already applied for SSI or SSDI, call immediately to make sure your case is still pending and was filed correctly. You may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a free consultation.
Can I get A 100% VA Rating for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disability triggered by a traumatic event. When the average person thinks of a traumatic military event, they often think of combat. However, some military threats come from within our own ranks. Military Sexual Trauma, or MST, refers to experiences of sexual assault or sexual harassment during military service. As of 2025, approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men report experiencing military sexual trauma (MST) when screened by their VA provider.
What Is Military Sexual Trauma (MST)?
Military Sexual Trauma includes any sexual activity where a service member is involved against his or her will. He or she may have been pressured into sexual activities (for example, with threats of negative consequences for refusing to be sexually cooperative or with implied better treatment in exchange for sex), or may have been physically forced into sexual activities.
Other MST experiences include unwanted sexual touching or grabbing; threatening, offensive remarks about a person’s body or sexual activities; and threatening and unwelcome sexual advances.
PTSD is the most common mental health diagnosis related to MST. You may be eligible for VA 100% if your PTSD is due to MST.
Service Connection PTSD due to MST
Before the VA will assign a 100% rating for PTSD due to MST, they must first determine whether it is related to service. In other words, VA must first grant service connection before it will assign a rating.
There are 4 requirements to prove service-connection PTSD due to MST:
Current diagnosis
In-service event, disease or injury
Medical nexus between the first 2 elements
Credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.
The challenge of Proving Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Most victims are not eager to report MST to their superiors. This is especially true if a superior has committed the MST, the VA is well aware of this. Absent an official law enforcement record, how does one prove PTSD due to MST?
The VA looks for credible supporting evidence.
Credible supporting evidence of MST can include:
In-service pregnancy tests or tests for sexually transmitted diseases,
Statements from clergy, family members, and roommates
Evidence of behavior changes following the claimed assault.
Rating PTSD due to MST
After the VA grants service connection for PTSD due to MST, it must determine the correct rating. To do so, the VA consults the Schedule of Ratings.
The Schedule of Ratings breaks down disabilities into different categories. Each category contains groups of medical problems. For example, PTSD due to MST is found in the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Depending on the symptoms, a veteran may receive either 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.
100% Rating: Total occupational and social impairment from PTSD due to MST
Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior
The persistent danger of hurting self or others
Intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene)
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name
70% Rating: Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood
Suicidal ideation
Obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities
Speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant
Near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively
Impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence)
Spatial disorientation
Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene
Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a work-like setting
Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships
50% Rating: Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity
Flattened affect
Circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech
Panic attacks more than once a week
Difficulty in understanding complex commands
Impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks)
Impaired judgment
Impaired abstract thinking
Disturbances of motivation and mood
Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships
30% Rating: Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal)
Depressed mood
Anxiety
Suspiciousness
Panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, and recent events)
10% Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms
Decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress
Symptoms controlled by continuous medication
0% Rating: A mental condition has been formally diagnosed
Symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning
Require continuous medication
You May Be Entitled to VA 100% PTSD due to MST
The type, severity, and duration of a veteran’s symptoms will vary based on a number of factors. For example, race, religion, and sexual orientation can affect the impact of MST. Whether the MST happened once or was repeated over time may affect how long the symptoms last.
If your PTSD due to MST has caused any of the symptoms in the 100% range, then you may be entitled to a VA 100% disability rating.
Call Disability Help Group for a FREE Case Review! If you have more questions about getting a 100% rating for PTSD due to MST, please fill out our information form here or call us at (800) 800-3332. We offer a 100% guaranteed free case review. We will be happy to answer your questions.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, help is available. The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential, and available 24/7 to veterans, service members, and their families.
Call the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
Until 1997, Social Security benefits were paid on the 3rd of each month. That was true whether you were receiving retirement benefits or Social Security disability benefits (SSDI). Now, the date that your disability pay arrives depends on the type of benefit you receive and your birth date.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) processes payments for several different programs. A disabled person may receive SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or both. SSDI benefits are based on your work history, just like your Social Security retirement benefits. SSI is a needs-based program that is administered by the SSA but is funded separately.
Here’s what you can expect if you are receiving SSDI, SSI or both.
SSDI Disability Payment Schedule
If you started receiving SSDI benefits after 1997, your birthday will determine the date you receive your payment. Under the current Social Security disability payment schedule, f your birthday falls between:
1st-10th of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the second Wednesday of every month.
11th-20th of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the third Wednesday of every month.
21st-31st of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
If you received benefits before 1997, your SSDI payment date will be on the third day of the month. It does not matter what day your birthday falls on.
SSI Payment Schedule
While SSDI payment dates are spread throughout the month based on your birth date, all SSI payments are made on the same date: the first day of the month. If you receive both SSI and SSDI, your payments will be made separately.
How Does the SSA Treat Weekends and Holidays?
Since most SSDI payment dates fall on Wednesdays, that payment schedule is generally not disrupted by federal holidays, and those dates obviously never fall on Saturday or Sunday. That’s not true for SSI payments, which are scheduled for the first of the month, nor for those SSDI payments that are made on the third day of the month.
When the first or third day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, those payments are made on the last regular business day before the scheduled payment date. When this happens, the recipient may get two SSI payments or SSDI payments in the same calendar month and then none in the subsequent month. For example, in 2025 SSI recipients will receive one payment on August 1 and another on August 29th. That’s because the 30th and 31s of August fall on Saturday and Sunday, and September 1 is Labor Day.
SSDI and SSI Combined Payments Schedule
If you receive SSDI and SSI payments together, you will receive your SSI payment on the first day of the month and your SSDI payment on the third of the month.
How Long Does it Take to Receive SSDI Payments?
How long it takes to receive your monthly benefits and back pay after you’ve been approved for SSDI benefits varies. Most recipients start getting benefits one to two months after approval, and back pay usually arrives during that same time frame. But, the SSA says it may take three to five months to receive back pay, and some claimants report receiving it within just a few weeks.
If you apply for SSDI immediately upon becoming disabled and your claim is approved quickly, you may have to wait a little longer. That’s because there is a five month waiting period between onset of your disability and the time you become eligible for benefits. So, for example, if you become disabled in January and are approved for benefits in April, you’ll have to wait a few months for your benefits to kick in.
You won’t have to guess at this, though. Your SSDI award letter will include a “date of entitlement,” which is the first month you will be eligible to receive benefits. If you don’t start receiving benefits on schedule, you should contact the SSA for help.
How to Receive Your SSDI and SSI Payments
Social Security offers several ways to send your SSDI or SSI payments.
For example:
Direct Deposit, which is probably the safest way to receive your disability payments since they cannot be lost or stolen if deposited directly into your bank account.
The Direct Express Card program, which credits money directly to a swipe-able card.
SSDI recipients can still receive their payments by mail. It is better to receive payments through one of Social Security’s preferred methods to avoid the possibility of lost or stolen checks. Social Security asks that you not contact them about lost checks until the fourth day after the first of the month. SSI recipients must receive their funds electronically, using one of the two bulleted options above.
Tax on Social Security Benefits
You may have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefit, depending on your income level. In 2025, SSDI income–like Social Security retirement income–is only taxable when the total of your other income plus 50% of your Social Security income exceeds a certain threshold. The applicable cut-offs are:
$25,000 if your tax filing status is single, head of household, qualifying surviving spouse, or married filing separately and have lived apart from your spouse for the full year
$32,000 for married couples filing jointly
$0 for married couples filing separately who lived together at any point during the tax year
SSI income is not taxable.
Social Security doesn’t automatically withhold taxes, but does offer voluntary tax withholding from your benefit. You can choose this option by completing Form W-4V. There are specific percentages to choose from. You can obtain the form from Social Security, request it from the IRS, or ask your representative for a copy.
Generally, you would receive a refund when filing taxes the following year if you opted to voluntarily have taxes withheld and you overpaid.
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Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us here to receive a FREE consultation.
