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40% VA Disability Rating

If you are a veteran suffering from a disabling condition connected to your military service, you are eligible to apply for a VA disability rating.  In 2025, the maximum monthly compensation a veteran with a 40 percent disability rating can receive is $1,057.06, which is payable to veterans who support a spouse, two parents, and two children as dependents. The maximum monthly amount for an unmarried veteran without other dependents is $774.16.

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Content Reviewed by: Matt Coveney
Last Modified Date: February 4, 2025

Veterans with a 40 percent disability rating are eligible for a range of benefits, including free health care, employment services, and increased financial compensation for additional dependents. However, increasing a rating to 50 percent or higher unlocks additional benefits that can substantially improve a veteran’s quality of life and financial stability, such as Priority Group 1 health care.

If you have questions about your 40 percent VA disability rating, want to increase your rating, wish to apply for an initial rating, or think you may be eligible to receive a combined disability rating for multiple conditions, Veterans Guide can help.

How Much Compensation Do You Get for a 40% VA Disability Rating?

The monthly compensation for a 40 percent VA disability rating depends on whether the veteran has a spouse, children, or dependent parents.

40% Compensation Rates 
Veteran Alone+No Children$774.16
Veteran w/ Spouse+No Children$859.24
Veteran w/ Spouse+No Children+One Parent$926.89
Veteran w/ Spouse+No Children+Two Parents$994.54
Veteran Alone+No Children+One Parent$841.81
Veteran Alone+No Children+Two Parents$909.46
Veteran Alone+One Child$830.54
Veteran w/ Spouse+One Child$921.76
Veteran with 1 Parent and 1 Child$898.19
Veteran with 2 Parents and 1 Child$965.84
Veteran with Spouse, 1 Parent and 1 Child$989.41
Veteran with Spouse, 2 Parents and 1 Child$1,057.06
Each Additional Child Under 18$41.03
Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 in School$136.33
Additional for Spouse on Aid and Attendance$77.90

For veterans with a 40 percent disability rating, the additional monthly compensation in 2025 for each dependent child under 18 is $41.03.  The additional monthly compensation for each dependent child over 18 enrolled in school is $136.33. 

Contact Veterans Guide if you have questions about how to add dependents to your VA compensation.

What a 40% Disability Rating Means

A 40 percent disability rating entitles a veteran to more than just monthly financial compensation. Additional VA benefits include the following:

No-Cost Healthcare

Veterans with a 40 percent disability rating are generally entitled to free health care from the VA, qualifying for Priority Group 2 health care benefits. Thus, veterans with 40 percent ratings will not pay copays for most forms of medical care and will generally pay no or low copays for prescription medication. Care related to service-connected disabilities is never subject to a copay with VA health benefits.

Vocational Rehab and Employment Services

Veterans with a 40 percent disability rating have access to the VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment program, commonly called VR&E. After the VA receives your application for VR&E benefits, you are assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, or VRC. The VRC conducts an initial evaluation to determine your eligibility for VR&E benefits.

VR&E benefits are only available to veterans with at least a 10 percent disability rating and a “serious employment handicap,” or SEH. Having an SEH means that the service-connected disability that resulted in your VA rating “significantly limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment.” The VA defines suitable employment as a stable job that matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests and doesn’t worsen your disability.

Additional Compensation for Eligible Dependents

Veterans with 30 percent or higher VA ratings are eligible to receive additional monthly compensation for each additional eligible dependent beyond the first two children accounted for by typical VA pay rates. For veterans with 40 percent ratings, this additional monthly compensation amounts to $41.03 per child under 18 and $136.33 per child over 18 who is actively in school.

You can contact the VA to update the number of dependents on your VA disability rating. If you need help adding dependents to your rating, Veterans Guide can help ensure your information is current.

How To Increase Your VA Disability Rating From 40%

Increasing your VA rating by even as little as 10 percent can unlock additional benefits to improve a veteran’s quality of life. Monthly compensation for a single veteran without dependents increases from $774.16 for a 40 percent disability rating to $1,102.04 for a 50 percent rating.

Veterans with disability ratings of 50 percent and above are also moved to Priority Group 1 for VA medical benefits, meaning they generally do not have to pay copay fees for almost any type of medical treatment or prescription medication. Ratings of 50 percent and above also entitle veterans to benefits such as low-cost space-available air travel and free tax preparation services.

Depending on your condition, you could increase your VA rating to up to 100 percent disability. Veterans who are totally disabled because of their service-connected conditions are entitled to the maximum level of compensation and benefits that the VA offers. You can obtain a 100 percent VA rating by proving that one condition or a combination of conditions is totally disabling. Veterans Guide can help you increase your disability rating to obtain the compensation that accounts for the full measure of your disability.

How To Appeal a 40% VA Disability Rating

If you believe your VA disability rating does not accurately reflect your actual disability, you can appeal your rating to try to increase it.

Reasons To Appeal

Veterans might appeal VA disability ratings for reasons such as the following:

  • Errors in medical evaluations
  • Missed evidence or documentation of conditions
  • Failure to account for multiple conditions in the initial review process

The VA Appeal Process

The VA disability process provides three appeal options: requesting a Supplemental Claim, requesting a Higher-Level Review, and submitting a Notice of Disagreement to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. 

The Supplemental Claim process allows you to request that your regional VA office review your claim again with new and relevant evidence. 

The Higher-Level Review process allows you to request that your regional office have a higher-level rating specialist review the claim you originally submitted without new evidence. 

Finally, submitting a Notice of Disagreement to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals allows you to bypass your regional office and have your case reviewed by a Veterans Law Judge. You have three options for Board review of your claim:

  • Direct Docket: A Veterans Law Judge reviews your claim with no new evidence and no hearing.
  • Evidence Docket: A Veterans Law Judge reviews your claim with new evidence but no hearing.
  • Hearing Docket: You will appear at a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

Frequently Asked Questions About 40% VA Disability Ratings

Some questions we commonly receive from veterans about 40 percent VA disability ratings include the following:

Yes, you can work with a 40 percent disability rating. No eligibility rule prohibits veterans from working while receiving VA disability benefits. However, if you also intend to collect SSDI benefits, keep the Social Security Administration’s substantial gainful activity income limit in mind.

Unless your condition is deemed “static” by the VA, you can typically expect a benefits reevaluation every two to five years. The VA can also call for a reevaluation at any time if they suspect fraud.

If your condition worsens, you may be eligible for an increased disability rating. You can either appeal your initial determination if your condition has worsened within one year of receiving the decision or file a claim for increased benefits. A veterans’ benefits attorney can help you either appeal or file for an increase if necessary.

Veterans Guide Is Here To Help

If you believe you may qualify for a higher VA disability rating, Veterans Guide can help. We’re proud to serve those who have served our country. We can connect you with an experienced veterans’ benefits attorney. Whether you are looking to appeal a denied claim or are seeking an increase in adisability rating, a knowledgeable and skilled attorney will build the strongest case possible and pursue the compensation you deserve. 

Call (888) 982-1009 or contact us online for your free legal consultation.

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Matt is a VA-accredited attorney who co-founded NAVDA in 2023. Matt has helped veterans with the VA disability appeals process since he became accredited in 2021.