50% VA Disability Rating
If you are a veteran who has developed a service-connected injury or disability, you can apply for a VA disability rating and receive benefits, including monthly compensation. Your VA disability rating depends on how severely your condition affects your overall health and determines your disability compensation. In 2025, you are eligible to receive $1,102.05 in monthly compensation for a 50 percent VA disability rating.
- Veterans with a 50% VA disability rating are eligible to receive $1,102.04 per month in tax-free compensation.
- Conditions such as PTSD, sleep apnea, and migraines are commonly rated at 50% by the VA.
- Veterans with a 50% rating are eligible to receive VA health care benefits, vocational benefits, the VA home loan guarantee, and more.
The VA also provides additional compensation for individuals with a spouse, dependent children, or parents. In addition, you may also be eligible for other benefits, including VA health care, educational benefits, and a VA home loan guarantee.
How Much Does a 50% VA Disability Rating Pay?
A 50 percent VA disability rating entitles qualifying veterans to a base amount of disability compensation. Monthly benefits increase depending on whether the veteran has a spouse, dependent parent, or children.
Here are the 2025 VA disability compensation amounts for a 50 percent rating, depending on the veteran’s family status:
| Dependent Status | 50% Disability Rating Compensation |
|---|---|
| Single Veteran | $1,102.04 |
| Veteran and Spouse | $1,208.64 |
| Veteran and Spouse and One Parent | $1,293.71 |
| Veteran and Spouse and Two Parents | $1,378.79 |
| Veteran and One Parent | $1,187.11 |
| Veteran and Two Parents | $1,272.19 |
| Veteran and One Child | $1,481.00 |
| Veteran and Spouse and One Child | $1,286.54 |
| Veteran and One Child and One Parent | $1,257.84 |
| Veteran with One Child and Two Parents | $1,342.91 |
| Veteran and Spouse and One Parent and One Child | $1,371.61 |
| Veteran and Spouse and Two Parents and One Child | $1,456.69 |
| Each Additional Child Under 18 | $52.28 |
| Each Additional Child Over 18 in a Qualifying School Program | $171.18 |
| Aid and Attendance | $97.38 |
Compensation for children is added to your base monthly check. For instance, if you are unmarried with one dependent child and have a 50 percent VA disability rating, you’ll receive $1,102.04 plus $52.28 monthly for your child, for a total of $1,154.32.
COLA Adjustment
The VA makes periodic adjustments to VA disability compensation for cost-of-living, known as a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. The COLA increases monthly benefits so veterans don’t lose part of their compensation to inflation, and is equal to the same percentage as the COLA for Social Security benefits.
In 2025, the COLA is 2.5 percent. That increased the base monthly benefit amount for veterans with a VA disability rating of 50 percent from $1075.16 to $1,102.04, or by $26.88.
Benefits for 50% VA Rating
Besides monetary VA disability compensation, veterans with a 50 percent VA Rating may access other valuable benefits.
VA Health Care
Veterans with a 50 percent VA disability rating may receive access to VA health care. You may receive preventative health care services and treatment for injuries or illnesses through your VA health care coverage. As a veteran with a 50 percent VA disability rating, the VA may assign you a Priority Group 1 rating, which means you’ll pay less in copays—if you pay anything—for medical treatment.
Another benefit is VA long-term care. You may qualify for assisted living, residential care, or home health care services through the VA if needed.
Education/Vocational Benefits
The Veterans Readiness and Employment program, or VR&E, provides educational and training assistance to veterans with a service-connected disability rating. Veterans can access the program, otherwise known as Chapter 31 benefits, if they have a 20 percent or higher VA disability rating or meet certain other medically related conditions.
You can combine VR&E benefits with the GI Bill to help pay for tuition, books, and monthly living expenses while enrolled in a qualifying educational program.
VA Home Loan Guarantee
A VA home loan guarantee makes it easier to purchase a home. You’ll receive favorable financing terms, including lower credit score requirements and little to no down payment. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating are exempt from funding fee requirements, which typically range from 1.4 to 3.6 percent of the loan amount.
Commissary and Exchange Privileges
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating can shop at local commissaries and exchanges, which offer reduced prices for groceries, clothing, home goods, and other items.
Space-A Flights
As a veteran with a service-connected disability, you may qualify for low-cost travel on space-available flights throughout the continental U.S. and overseas.
Free Tax Preparation
Disabled veterans may access free tax return preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
Increase Your 50% VA Disability Rating
If you receive a 50 percent VA disability rating but believe you qualify for a higher rating, the VA offers an appeals process with the following three decision review options:
- Supplemental claims
- Higher-level reviews
- Board appeals
In a supplemental claim, you provide additional evidence to support your initial disability claim. Evidence may include medical records, tests, or a witness statement. You’ll submit the new evidence through the VA’s online portal, by mail, or at a local VA regional office.
A higher-level claim is appropriate for veterans who believe the initial reviewer made an error but have no new evidence to support their claim. In a higher-level claim, a more senior claims examiner will review the initial claim and make an assessment. You may also schedule a call directly with the reviewer to discuss your case.
In a Board Appeal, your case goes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. A Veterans Law Judge will review the case and make a decision. You may request a hearing to explain your circumstances and review the evidence.
Secondary Ratings
It’s not uncommon for veterans to suffer from multiple disabilities. If you have several disabilities or injuries arising from your military service or a secondary condition stemming from your primary disability, you may be eligible for an increased rating.
The VA uses a combined rating table to determine your overall disability rating from primary and secondary disabilities. Your overall rating may not exceed 100 percent.
50% VA Rating and TDIU
Total Disability Individual Unemployability, or TDIU, provides disability compensation benefits equal to a veteran with a 100 percent disability rating. Veterans who are unable to work due to their condition and who meet either of the below criteria may qualify for TDIU:
- Have one service-connected disability with at least a 60 percent disability rating
- Have multiple service-connected disabilities with a combined rating of at least 70 percent and one condition with at least a 40 percent disability rating
If your current VA disability rating is 50 percent, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for TDIU. However, you may appeal your rating through the decision review process.
Contact Veterans Guide if you have any questions about how to increase your VA rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Conditions That Often Have a 50% VA Rating?
Several disabilities often result in a 50 percent VA rating, including the following:
- Migraines: The maximum disability rating for migraines is 50 percent. The VA provides higher disability ratings to veterans who suffer from debilitating migraines that impact their ability to work.
- Mental Health Conditions: Veterans who suffer from mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, may receive a VA disability rating of up to 100 percent.
- Flatfeet: Service members may develop flatfeet, a condition that causes the entire sole of their foot to touch the ground when standing up or walking. The maximum disability rating for flatfeet is 50 percent.
Can I Work if I Have a 50% VA Disability Rating?
No restriction prevents veterans from working if they receive VA disability compensation benefits. If your condition doesn’t impact your ability to do your job, you can continue to work and receive monthly VA disability checks.
SSDI and Veterans
If you can’t work due to a service-connected disability, you may be able to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, in addition to VA disability compensation. SSDI is an entirely separate program administered by the Social Security Administration. To qualify, you must have a disabling condition that prevents you from substantial gainful employment and have earned enough work credits through paying Social Security taxes.
What Is the Difference Between a 50% Rating and a Higher Rating?
The higher your VA disability rating, the more you’ll receive in VA disability compensation. For instance, an 80 percent VA disability rating provides $2,044.89 in base monthly benefits, while a 100 percent disability rating entitles the veteran to $3,831.30 monthly.
A higher rating may also allow you to qualify for TDIU. Under TDIU, you receive monthly disability benefits equal to those of a veteran with a 100 percent disability rating, even if your combined rating is lower.
Other benefits available to veterans with a higher disability rating include dental care, caregiver support, and special monthly compensation.
What Tax Exemptions Are Available for a 50% Disability Rating?
All VA disability benefit compensation is tax-free. That means you won’t pay income taxes on the disability compensation you receive. Some states also offer special property and vehicle tax exemptions for veterans with disabilities.
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