VA pay by rating / 70%
Effective December 1, 2025 · checked 2026-10-20
70% VA disability pay
A 70% VA disability rating pays $1,808.45 a month to a veteran with no dependents and $1,961.45 with a spouse, under the rates effective December 1, 2025. Over twelve months that is $21,701.40 for a veteran alone. The previous table, effective December 1, 2024, paid $1,759.19, so the 70% rate rose $49.26 (2.8%).
- 170% alone $1,808.45
- 2Next step, 80% $2,102.15
70% pay for every dependent row
| Dependent status | Monthly | Above alone |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone (no dependents) | $1,808.45 | — |
| With spouse (no parents or children) | $1,961.45 | +$153.00 |
| With spouse and 1 parent (no children) | $2,084.45 | +$276.00 |
| With spouse and 2 parents (no children) | $2,207.45 | +$399.00 |
| With 1 parent (no spouse or children) | $1,931.45 | +$123.00 |
| With 2 parents (no spouse or children) | $2,054.45 | +$246.00 |
| With 1 child only (no spouse or parents) | $1,910.45 | +$102.00 |
| With spouse and 1 child (no parents) | $2,074.45 | +$266.00 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 1 parent | $2,197.45 | +$389.00 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 2 parents | $2,320.45 | +$512.00 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent (no spouse) | $2,033.45 | +$225.00 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) | $2,156.45 | +$348.00 |
Added amounts at 70%: $76.00 for each child under 18 beyond the first, $246.00 for each child aged 18 to 23 in a qualifying school program, and $141.00 when the spouse receives Aid and Attendance. A spouse alone adds $153.00 to the 70% rate. For example, a veteran rated 70% with a spouse, two children under 18 and one child in college receives $2,396.45: $2,074.45 (basic rate: with spouse and 1 child (no parents)) + $76.00 (additional child under 18) + $246.00 (child over 18 in a school program).
Next step and previous step
Moving from 70% to 80% adds $293.70 a month for a veteran alone ($2,102.15). Dropping to 60% would pay $1,435.02, $373.43 less.
Ways to reach 70%
5 of the 45 two-rating pairs from 10% to 90% combine to 70%: 70% and 10% (73), 60% and 30% (72), 60% and 20% (68), 50% and 40% (70), 50% and 30% (65).
A single condition can also be rated 70%: on this site, PTSD (DC 9411), Hip replacement (DC 5054), Carpal tunnel (median nerve) (DC 8515), Upper radicular group (C5-C6 nerves) (DC 8510) have a 70% level. For Carpal tunnel (median nerve), Upper radicular group (C5-C6 nerves), 70% is the highest level the schedule offers.
38 CFR 4.124a, diagnostic code 8510, Upper radicular group (C5-C6 nerves), at 70%: “Complete paralysis: all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected.”
38 CFR 4.130, diagnostic code 9411, PTSD, at 70%: “Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood, due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.”
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5054, Hip replacement, at 70%: “Markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion following implantation.”
One disability rated 70% meets the single-disability threshold of 60% in 38 CFR 4.16(a) for a total rating based on unemployability; a combined 70% from several disabilities meets it when one of them is at least 40%. The TDIU guide explains the rest of the test.
To check how your own ratings combine, and what they pay with your dependents, use the calculator. To ask VA for a higher rating, see how to request an increase.
Source: VA, Current Veterans disability compensation rates (effective December 1, 2025) and VA, Past rates: 2025 Veterans disability compensation rates, both checked 2026-10-20.
Rating Ledger is not part of VA and does not file or decide claims. Amounts are VA's published monthly rates effective December 1, 2025 for a veteran, before any deduction or special monthly compensation; ratings follow 38 CFR 4.25 and 38 CFR 4.26. Last checked 2026-10-20. Only a VA rating decision sets a rating or a payment. See the methodology.