Understanding the VA Pay Chart for 2024

Here’s how to navigate the 2024 VA pay chart to see what your monthly compensation should be based on your disability rating and dependents.

Summary

• The 2024 VA pay chart provides compensation rates based on a veteran’s combined disability rating and dependents.
• Having dependents only affects compensation for veterans with disability ratings of 30% or higher.
• Veterans with disability ratings over 20% may qualify for extra VA disability benefits based on the number and type of dependents they have.
• Additional compensation for children, full-time students, and spouses eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits can significantly increase monthly payments.
• Veterans should establish their effective date quickly to qualify for back pay benefits following a VA claim denial.
• The 2024 VA pay chart rates include a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment for disability benefits.

The 2024 VA pay chart sets the compensation rates for veteran disability claims, but it can be difficult to determine what your monthly payment will be, and whether or not you need to file an appeal for additional benefits.

At VetLaw, our veteran disability benefits denial attorneys are all about simplifying the VA appeals experience for our clients. We’ll work closely with you to figure out what your VA disability claim is worth.

Our team can guide you through the 2024 disability claims process to help you secure the VA disability benefits you have earned based on your service-connected disability. Get in touch with us to schedule a free consultation by calling (855) 795-0281 or filling out an online contact form.

How the 2024 VA Pay Chart Works

Start by locating your combined VA disability rating along the top of the 2024 VA pay chart. You can use our VA rating calculator to see what your current combined rating should be if you are unsure. Then, you need to factor in your dependent parents, children, or spouse. 

If your combined VA disability rating is 10% or 20%, your dependents do not impact your 2024 VA disability compensation rate.

That is to say, it doesn’t matter if you have two dependent children under 18 and a dependent parent- if you have a 10% or 20% rating, you will have the same compensation rate as a single veteran with no dependent parents or children. 

However, once you have a 30% combined rating or higher, the VA offers a higher rate of monthly compensation based on the dependents you have. Looking at the VA pay chart, find where your combined VA disability rating column intersects with the row that most closely matches the combination of dependents you are claiming. 

Now, you have your basic monthly disability compensation rate. For some veterans, this is the final step in determining how much disability compensation they are entitled to each month from the VA.

Determining Added Amounts to Basic Disability Compensation

However, you may have more than one child with a dependent status or your spouse may be eligible for an additional level of VA disability compensation.

How to Find Compensation Rates for an Additional Child, Adult Child With Dependent Status, or Spouse Receiving Aid

If that is the case, then you need to look at the separate chart that details the disability compensation rates for additional dependents and Aid and Attendance benefits for spouses to see what your total monthly VA disability pay will be.

As with the main 2024 VA pay chart, start by locating your combined VA disability rating at the top. Next, find the condition that applies to your claim in the left-hand column. These conditions can be an additional child under 18, young adult with a dependent status, or spouse receiving aid. 

Find where that row intersects with your combined rating column. Add the amount inside that box to your basic monthly compensation for 2024 VA disability pay. You may have to repeat this process to cover multiple additional dependent children.

Average 2024 VA Disability Payments for Additional Dependents

Under the 2024 VA pay chart, for each additional child under 18, veterans can receive an extra $31 to $103.55 per dependent based on their VA disability rating.

Additional benefits for dependents who are full-time students aged 18 to 23 range from $100 to $334.49 per child. Spouses who qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits can get an extra $57 to $191.14 per month.

Remember, if your VA disability rating is 10% or 20%, you don’t need to worry about figuring out extra compensation for a dependent spouse, parent, or additional child.

Current 2024 Rates for VA Disability Compensation

VA disability pay addresses the cost a service-connected disability can have on a veteran’s life. This includes consequences for their employment, relationships, and independence. To get an idea of what your VA disability pay will be, take a look at the current rates.

Monthly VA Disability Pay Rates for Single Veterans

According to the 2024 pay chart, these are the basic monthly payments for veterans who do not have dependents and are not receiving additional VA disability benefits, such as special monthly compensation or Aid and Attendance. 

• 10% rating: $171.23
• 20% rating: $338.49
• 30% rating: $524.31
• 40% rating: $755.28
• 50% rating: $1,075.16
• 60% rating: $1,361.88
• 70% rating: $1,716.28
• 80% rating: $1,995.01
• 90% rating: $2,241.91
• 100% rating: $3,737.85

If you believe the VA needs to increase your VA disability rating, you want to claim another service-related condition, or you have questions about qualifying for special types of VA disability compensation like TDIU benefits, your best course of action is to speak with a veterans disability appeals attorney.

They can leverage your VA medical records, private medical records, service treatment records, and other key documentation to establish your eligibility for VA disability pay.

Additionally, they will be able to help you determine how to factor in an additional child with dependent status, a spouse receiving aid, and other details into your 2024 VA disability pay.

Don’t Wait to Ask VetLaw for Help With Your 2024 VA Disability Claim Appeal

At VetLaw, we want to emphasize how important it is to establish your effective date as soon as possible so that you can become eligible for back pay benefits. That means once the VA has officially denied your disability compensation, you need to move quickly to file an appeal.

Our veterans disability appeals lawyers can provide essential legal support during this time. We know what the VA requires from veterans to grant disability benefits, including special monthly compensation.

Beyond that, we also understand how to prove it in an appeal. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to schedule a free consultation. You can contact us by calling (855) 795-0281 or filling out an online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2024 VA pay chart go into effect for veterans disability claims?

The VA disability compensation rates for veterans disability benefits outlined in the 2024 VA pay chart went into effect December 1, 2023.

How does the VA decide the cost-of-living adjustment percentage?

The VA makes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to the annual pay charts based on the COLA the federal government applied to Social Security benefits that year. For 2024, the VA made a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment to its pay chart for veteran disability claims.

Who can hold a dependent status according to the VA?

The VA limits dependent status to a veteran’s kids, parents, and spouse.

Additionally, if the dependent is a parent, the vet must be responsible for helping support them. Also, the parent’s income/assets must fall below a specific financial threshold for them to hold dependent status.

Dependent children must be unmarried, and either under 18, a full-time student between 18 and 23, or permanently disabled to hold dependent status.