40% VA Disability Rating
At the 40% rating, a veteran alone receives $795.84 per month in tax-free compensation under the official 2026 VA rates (effective December 1, 2025).
A 40% VA disability rating pays $795.84 a month in 2026, and a single 40% condition matters later: combined with a 70% overall rating, it meets the threshold for TDIU.
What 40% VA disability pays in 2026
Rates effective December 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA), verified against VA’s published tables on 2026-09-14.
| Household | Monthly pay |
|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $795.84 |
| With spouse only | $882.84 |
| With spouse and 1 child | $947.84 |
| With 1 child only, no spouse | $853.84 |
| With spouse and 1 dependent parent | $952.84 |
| With spouse and 2 dependent parents | $1,022.84 |
| With 1 dependent parent only | $865.84 |
| With 2 dependent parents only | $935.84 |
| With spouse, 1 child, and 1 dependent parent | $1,017.84 |
| With spouse, 1 child, and 2 dependent parents | $1,087.84 |
| With 1 child and 1 dependent parent, no spouse | $923.84 |
| With 1 child and 2 dependent parents, no spouse | $993.84 |
- Each additional child under 18: $43.00
- Each child 18–23 in school: $140.00
- Spouse receiving Aid & Attendance: $81.00
What 40% unlocks
- VA health care Priority Group 2
- Federal 10-point hiring preference
- One leg of the 70/40 rule for schedular TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16(a))
The 40% rating and TDIU
A single condition rated 40% or more, combined with an overall rating of 70% or more, meets 38 CFR § 4.16(a)’s schedular threshold for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) — pay at the full 100% rate even though your schedular rating is lower. Disabilities from a common cause, or both arms or both legs counted with the bilateral factor, count as one disability for this rule.
How veterans reach 40%
Generated from the calculator’s own engine — every two-rating and three-rating combination that produces 40%, not a hand-picked example.
A single condition rated 40% reaches this tier on its own.
3 two-rating combinations reach 40%: 20% + 20%, 30% + 10%, 30% + 20%.
3 three-rating combinations also reach 40%
20% + 10% + 10% · 20% + 20% + 10% · 30% + 10% + 10%
What it takes to reach 50%
What you need depends on your exact combined value before rounding, not just your rounded 40% rating:
| Your raw combined value | New rating needed |
|---|---|
| 39-44 | 10% |
| 35-38 | 20% |
Moving up to 50% is worth $337.06 more a month ($4,044.72 a year) for a veteran alone.
Common combinations that reach 40%
- 20% + 20%, 30% + 10%, or 30% + 20% (3 pairs reach 40%)
- Lumbar strain with radiculopathy
Full 2026 pay chart with every dependent combination →
A VA-accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you appeal at no upfront cost through a VSO. Find an accredited representative.
FAQ
How much does 40% VA disability pay?
$795.84 a month for a veteran alone in 2026, or $882.84 with a spouse, plus more for children and dependent parents.
Does 40% VA disability qualify for TDIU?
Not on its own — you need a single condition rated at least 40% and a combined rating of at least 70% to meet the schedular threshold for TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a).