Guide - 100 Percent VA Disability Benefits Explained

A 100 percent rating indicates that a veteran is completely disabled. If you’re a veteran who qualifies for a 100 percent VA disability rating, understanding and accessing your benefits may feel overwhelming. However, it’s important to know what you’re entitled to receive. Your benefits can provide financial and medical assistance and other benefits to improve your quality of life. Veteran’s Guide can help you learn more about your benefits and how to access them.

The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns eligible veterans a disability rating based on the severity of their service-related injuries or conditions. A disability rating affects your monthly compensation and eligibility for other VA benefits. It’s possible to have multiple VA ratings, which are calculated into a combined disability rating. The highest value you can be assigned is a 100 percent VA disability rating, which means you qualify as completely disabled.

Disability ratings are assigned based on medical records provided by your doctor, the results of a VA claim physical examination, and any other relevant information. For example, a veteran with cancer linked to military service may get a a 100 percent VA disability rating on diagnosis and while receiving treatment.

What Is the Compensation for a 100 Percent VA Disability Rating?

The basic monthly compensation rate for veterans with a 100 percent VA disability rating is $3,621.95. Disability compensation changes based on whether veterans have dependent family members such as spouses, children, or parents. The following information illustrates how your monthly compensation rate is affected based on this information:

100 Percent Disability Rating Compensation Rates Based on Dependent Status

Veteran

$3,621.95

Veteran with spouse

$3,823.89

Veteran with spouse and one parent

$3,985.96

Veteran with spouse and two parents

$4,148.03

Veteran with one parent

$3,784.02

Veteran with two parents

$3,946.09

Veteran with one child only

$3,757.00

Veteran with one child and a spouse

$3,971.78

Veteran with one child, a spouse, and one parent

$4,133.85

Veteran with one child, a spouse, and two parents

$4,295.92

Veteran with one child and one parent

$3,919.07

Veteran with one child and two parents

$4,081.14

Each additional child under age 18 adds another $100.34 per month in compensation. Children over 18 in a qualifying school program entitle you to an additional $324.12 per month.

What Was the 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment?

Effective January 1, 2023, the VA implemented an 8.7 percent cost of living adjustment, increasing the monthly compensation available to eligible veterans.

Permanent Versus Temporary 100 Percent VA Rating

Temporary disability benefits may be granted immediately if you have a service-connected illness or injury that is likely to change or hasn’t been treated yet. In this case, you could qualify for a temporary VA disability rating of 100 percent. For example, a service member diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to military exposure to Agent Orange may be granted a disability rating of 100 percent while undergoing treatment. Once treatment ends, a permanent disability rating would be established based on the veteran’s ongoing needs.

Last Date Modified

September 27, 2023

A member of the Pennsylvania Bar and formerly a partner of a law firm, where he handled a diverse case load, Kevin is the editor of Veterans Guide’s content. He meticulously researches the accuracy of all the information provided by the Veterans Guide website.

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What Other Benefits Are Available to Individuals with a 100 Percent Rating?

In addition to monthly financial compensation, your VA disability rating qualifies you for other benefits and services.

CHAMPVA Benefits

Spouses and children of disabled veterans may qualify for health insurance through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). CHAMPVA benefits cover the cost of some health care services and medical supplies and are available to military dependents who don’t qualify for TRICARE.

VA Health Care Benefits

The VA health care and services you are eligible for depend on your VA health care benefits package. Your priority group, the opinion of a VA primary care doctor, and the treatment standards for your health conditions determine the package you get. With a 100 percent VA disability rating, you fall into Priority Group 1 because you are more than 50 percent disabled. You will be entitled to:

Medical treatment
Preventative medical care
Therapy to help you improve your ability to function
Services to improve your quality of life

Commissary and Exchange Benefits

As a disabled veteran, you and your dependents can continue enjoying commissary and exchange privileges.

Veteran Readiness and Employment Benefits

The Veteran Readiness and Employment program provides access to employment and education opportunities. The program can help you get job training and resume-building assistance if you seek a new employment opportunity. You can also access resources to help you start your own business.

The program also connects severely disabled veterans with independent living and support services, including counseling and medical referrals.

VA Home Loan Guarantee

The VA offers a home loan guarantee program to eligible veterans and military spouses. When you use this program, the VA will guarantee some of your loan, which can help you get better mortgage terms. Some of the benefits of using this program include the following:

Zero down payment
Reduced closing costs
Low interest rates
No need for private mortgage insurance

Free Tax Return Preparation

The Internal Revenue Service provides free tax preparation assistance to disabled veterans. The IRS website can help you find nearby volunteers participating in this program.

Student Loan Forgiveness

If you received a total and permanent disability discharge, you are exempt from paying back some types of student loans. You are also released from grant service obligations.

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay

The Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay program allows retired service members to simultaneously receive military retirement pay and Veterans Affairs compensation. You qualify if you have a disability rating of 50 percent or greater.

Social Security Disability Benefits

In addition to your VA compensation payment, you may be eligible to apply for social security disability benefits as well. Medicaid and Medicare health benefits can also help supplement your VA health care benefits.

Unlike SSI, you don’t have to meet income requirements to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. SSDI is available to disabled persons who can no longer work full-time because of their condition. To receive SSDI, you must also meet certain past work requirements.

Free Space-A Flights

Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability rating are eligible to travel for free or at a reduced cost with Space-A Program flights. The Space-A Program fills extra space on Department of Defense aircraft with eligible passengers.

Adaptive Housing Grants

Housing grants are available for disabled veterans who need to remodel their existing homes or plan to build a specially adapted home to make it handicap-accessible for a service-connected disability, such as the following:

Loss or loss of use of more than one limb
Loss or loss of use of a lower leg with lasting effects of a natural disease or injury
Blindness in both eyes
Some severe burns
Loss or loss of use of a foot or leg after September 11, 2001, that makes it difficult to balance or walk without the use of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair

This is not a complete list of all the benefits you can receive if you have a 100 percent VA disability rating. Contact your local VA for a full explanation of your VA disability compensation package and the benefits you can access.

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