70% VA Disability Rating

U.S. military veterans have an increased risk of developing physical and mental disabilities connected to their service. If you have a service-connected disability, you might be eligible for a VA disability rating, entitling you to monthly disability compensation and other benefits. A veteran with a 70 percent VA disability rating can receive monthly payments of $1,716.28 in 2024.

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Key Takeaways

A 70% VA disability rating indicates significant impairments, often including severe mental health conditions like PTSD or major depressive disorder.
Veterans with multiple conditions and a 70% rating may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), allowing them to receive compensation at the 100% rate.
The base monthly compensation for a single veteran with a 70% rating is $1,716.28.
This rating level suggests that veterans have serious limitations in their ability to maintain employment or perform daily activities.

The VA may increase your monthly benefits if you’re married or have dependent parents or children. In addition, you might also be eligible for programs that include VA health care, educational benefits, and VA home loan guarantees.

What Is the Monthly Compensation for a 70% Rating?

How much is a 70 percent VA rating worth? It depends on your family circumstances. Here’s the schedule for veterans with a 70 percent VA disability rating in 2024.

Dependent Status	Compensation Amount
Single veteran	$1,716.28
Veteran and spouse	$1,861.28
Veteran with spouse and one dependent parent	$1,978.28
Veteran with spouse and two dependent parents	$2,095.28
Veteran with one dependent parent	$1,833.28
Veteran with two dependent parents	$1,950.28
Each child under 18	$72.00
Each child over 18 in a qualifying school program	$234.00
Aid and Attendance	$134.00

Every year, the VA adjusts the monthly compensation rate to account for changes in the cost of living. The cost of living adjustment, or COLA, is set by the Social Security Administration and used for both Social Security and VA disability benefits. In 2024, the COLA was 3.2 percent.

The adjustment raised the monthly VA disability benefit for veterans with a 70 percent disability rating from $1,663.06 to $1,716.28, a $53.22 difference.

VA Benefits That Come With a 70% Rating

Monetary compensation isn’t the only thing you’ll receive with a 70 percent VA disability rating. You’re also eligible for other benefits, such as:

VA health care priority group 1: Free health care and prescription medications through the VA’s network of providers
VA long-term care: Assisted living, residential, and home health care services if you need them
Education/vocational benefits: Veterans Readiness and Employment, or VR&E, otherwise known as Chapter 31 benefits, which help pay for higher education or vocational training costs and can be combined with the GI Bill
VA home loan guarantee: Obtain a low-cost home loan with minimal credit requirements and no funding fee
Commissary and exchange privileges: Shop at local commissaries and exchanges for groceries, clothing, home goods, and other products
Free tax preparation: Receive free assistance to file your annual income tax return through various online and offline resources
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay: Potentially receive both VA disability compensation and military retired pay
Burial and lot allowance: A stipend for your burial and funeral services
Total Disability Individual Unemployability, or TDIU: Eligibility for TDIU compensation and benefits

70% Disability Rating and Total Disability Individual Unemployability

The Total Disability Individual Unemployability program, or TDIU, allows veterans who meet specific requirements to receive compensation and benefits equal to a veteran with a 100 percent VA disability rating.

To qualify, you must also be unable to hold substantial employment due to your condition and meet either of the following criteria:

You have multiple conditions rated a combined 70 percent, with one disability with a rating of 40 percent or higher.
You have one service-connected disability with a rating of 60 percent or higher.

If you meet the requirements for TDIU, you’ll receive the same monthly VA disability compensation as a veteran with a 100 percent VA disability rating. You can also access the same benefits, which include the following:

Dependents’ Educational Assistance: The Dependents’ Educational Assistance program, also known as Chapter 35 benefits, provides monthly payments for spouses and children of disabled veterans who pursue higher education. Payments can be used for tuition, books, school supplies, certifications, career counseling, and other similar expenses.
Special Restorative Training: Spouses and children of vets with TDIU or a 100 percent VA disability rating may receive free special restorative training for physical and mental disabilities. Examples of restorative training include speech and voice correction, lip reading, Braille reading and writing, and other courses.
Civilian Health and Mental Program, or CHAMPVA: CHAMPVA allows veterans to procure medical services outside the VA network of providers. It covers most medically necessary services, including preventative care and hospital stays.
VA Pension Plan: You may be eligible to receive a Veterans Pension, which provides monthly payments in addition to VA disability compensation. You must demonstrate that your income and net worth fall below set limits to qualify.

Mental Health Conditions and 70% Ratings

Military service members often face highly stressful situations, especially in combat situations and war zones. Repeated stress can result in veterans developing mental health conditions. The VA rates many mental health conditions at 70 percent or higher, especially if the veteran demonstrates impairment in work, school, family relations, and other areas.

Some mental health conditions that may receive a 70 percent disability rating include the following:

Anxiety: Excessive worry about the future. Symptoms of anxiety may include panic attacks, difficulty breathing, and muscle tension.
Depression: Ongoing low mood, low energy, and difficulty maintaining relationships. Veterans with depression may also show impairment in thinking and communicating.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD: Veterans with PTSD may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of hopelessness.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD: A need for routine, compulsive behaviors, and intrusive thoughts are a few symptoms of OCD.
Bipolar disorder: Individuals with bipolar disorder may experience periods of mania and depression. They may also experience ongoing depression and anxiety.
Chronic adjustment disorder: Veterans with chronic adjustment disorder may find it difficult to adjust after a major life change, like returning from deployment.

How To Increase Your 70% Rating to 100%

If the VA has assigned you a 70 percent VA disability rating, but you believe your condition warrants a higher rating, you may appeal the decision. The following are the three appeal options:

Supplemental claim: If you have new evidence supporting your original claim, such as medical tests, records, or witness statements, you can file a supplemental claim.
Higher-level review: A more senior claims examiner will review your claim to see if the original claims reviewer made an error.
Board appeal: A Veterans Law Judge from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals reviews your claim with or without new evidence.

You can appeal your claim by applying through the VA’s online portal, by mail, or at your nearest VA regional office. Even if an appeal results in a disability rating of 80 or 90 percent, it can significantly affect your monthly compensation.

Veterans who cannot work and meet the eligibility requirements for TDIU may apply using VA Form 21-8940 and VA Form 21-4192. In addition to completing the forms, you must provide evidence of your inability to work, such as a doctor’s statement or medical tests.

Tips for Increasing Your Rating

Unless the VA made an error in your initial VA disability rating, you will likely need to prove your condition has worsened or you have developed a secondary condition related to your primary disability. New medical records or tests can support your claim. Buddy statements from friends, family members, and others who know you and have noticed a deterioration in your condition may also help.

Veterans Guide regularly assists veterans with their VA disability benefits claims. If you need assistance filing or appealing a claim, contact us for no cost to get started. We have a track record of helping veterans increase their rating.

Want to Increase Your VA Rating?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get SSDI if I Have a 70% Rating?

Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, provides monthly compensation to those who have paid enough payroll taxes into the system and have a disability that prevents them from working. It’s separate from the VA disability benefits program and has different eligibility criteria. Veterans may collect SSDI and VA disability benefits simultaneously.

Are VA Disability Benefits Tax-Free?

Yes, VA disability benefits are tax-free, so you’ll receive the full monthly benefit without any taxes withheld. Some states offer disabled veterans additional tax benefits, including property and vehicle tax exemptions, so it’s worth looking into if you own property or a car.

Last Date Modified

October 14, 2024

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.

On This Page

What Is the Monthly Compensation for a 70% Rating?
VA Benefits That Come With a 70% Rating
70% Disability Rating and Total Disability Individual Unemployability
Mental Health Conditions and 70% Ratings
How To Increase Your 70% Rating to 100%
Frequently Asked Questions

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