VA Disability Pay With Dependents, Worked Out
From 30% up, VA pays more for a spouse, children and dependent parents; at 10% and 20% the rate is the same for everyone. The amounts below come from VA's table effective December 1, 2025.
- 170% alone $1,808.45
- 2Next step, 80% $2,102.15
VA's own example
VA works through a 70% rating with a spouse who receives Aid and Attendance and 3 dependent children under 18:
- Basic rate: with spouse and 1 child (no parents): $2,074.45
- Additional child under 18: $76.00
- Additional child under 18: $76.00
- Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance: $141.00
- Total: $2,367.45
The basic rate already includes one child, so the other two children are added at $76.00 each.
Four steps to any family's amount
- Find the basic rate for the rating and the row that matches: spouse or not, zero to two dependent parents, and whether there is a child under 18.
- Add the under-18 amount for each child beyond the first.
- Add the school amount for each child aged 18 to 23 in a qualifying program. Under 38 U.S.C. 1115 that amount is paid on account of the child, so a child in school does not also pick the "with child" row.
- Add the Aid and Attendance amount if the spouse receives it.
Families worked out
- 30%, spouse only (VA's other example): $617.47.
- 50%, spouse and two children under 18: $1,322.90 + $54.00 = $1,376.90.
- 100%, spouse and one child in college: $4,158.17 + $352.45 = $4,510.62.
- 60%, no spouse, two dependent parents: $1,645.02.
Why the added amounts are whole dollars
38 U.S.C. 1115(2) sets the amounts for ratings from 30% to 90% in proportion to the 100% amount and rounds them down to the dollar. The school amount at 100% is $352.45; at 60% it is $211.00. The tests behind this site check that relationship for every child amount.
Use the calculator for your own ratings and family, or see every row at a given rating on the pay pages, for example 70% or 100%.
Sources
- VA, Current Veterans disability compensation rates, effective December 1, 2025, checked 2026-10-20.
- 38 U.S.C. 1115, checked 2026-10-20.
Questions
At what rating do dependents increase VA pay?
30%. VA's table pays a single rate at 10% and at 20% whatever the family size.
Does the basic rate include a child?
The 'with child' rows include one child under 18. Each further child under 18, and each child 18 to 23 in a qualifying school program, adds an amount from VA's added amounts table.
What is the spouse Aid and Attendance amount?
An added amount paid when the spouse needs the aid and attendance of another person; at 70% it is the figure in the added amounts table of VA's current rates.