Pay rates · effective 2025-12-01
20% VA Disability Pay (2026)
A 20% rating pays $356.66 per month ($4,279.92 per year) for a veteran with no dependents, with or without dependents. Amounts below are parsed directly from the va.gov rate tables.
By Mario Bailey — U.S. Air Force veteran · current Air National Guard member. Data updated 2026-06-10.
Monthly (alone)
$356.66
Per year (alone)
$4,279.92
No dependent increase below 30%
The va.gov rate tables add dependent amounts only at ratings of 30% and above. At 20%, the monthly rate is $356.66 regardless of family size. If a second condition would push your combined rating to 30% or higher, the dependent amounts start applying.
SOURCE: VA compensation rate tables, va.gov · retrieved 2026-06-10 · effective 2025-12-01
What a 20% rating means beyond the check
- VA loan funding fee: $0. Any compensable rating exempts you from the funding fee — worth thousands on a purchase. Details and calculator.
- This is per-rating, not per-condition. Multiple conditions combine under 38 CFR 4.25 — see what your conditions actually combine to.
- Rates change every December 1 with the COLA; this page regenerates from va.gov automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How much is 20% VA disability pay in 2026?
Effective 2025-12-01, a 20% rating pays $356.66 per month. At 10% and 20%, the rate is the same whether or not you have dependents, per the va.gov rate tables.
Is 20% VA disability pay taxable?
No. VA disability compensation is not taxable income at the federal level, per IRS guidance and va.gov.
Why doesn't 20% pay more with dependents?
The va.gov rate tables only add dependent amounts at ratings of 30% and higher. Below 30%, the monthly rate is flat.
What if 20% isn't my only rating?
Multiple ratings combine under 38 CFR 4.25 — they don't add. Use our combined rating calculator to get your true combined percentage and payment.
Other rating levels
10% · 30% · 40% · 50% · 60% · 70% · 80% · 90% · 100% · full chart