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You may be able to claim disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if you are a qualifying veteran. Veterans with an 80% VA disability rating can receive substantial annual and monthly payments. You can also acquire additional benefits for having a spouse, children, or other dependents.
Compensation ratings are calculated as percentages after filing a claim with the VA. Once you have a rating, this article will help you determine precisely how much money you can get. We’ll also review additional 80% VA disability benefits, including health care, home loans, and employment opportunities.
What Is 80% VA Disability?
An 80% VA disability rating is a compensation rate determined by the VA. The VA provides disability benefits for veterans who suffered injuries while serving in the military. The VA offers veterans a disability rating, representing the amount of disability assistance they can claim.
To be eligible for VA disability compensation, a veteran must have a current mental or physical illness and have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. Additionally, one of the following statements must be true:
- You must be able to connect your current condition to an injury or illness that you sustained while in the military (in-service disability claim).
- Your service in the military worsened an existing illness or injury you had before joining (pre-service disability claim).
- After ending service, a related disability or injury appeared (post-service disability claim).
An 80% VA disability rating on the compensation chart is relatively high; the VA disability rating ranges from 0% to 100%, increasing by 10% increments. An 80% rating enables you to take advantage of higher compensation rates, particularly concerning having children, dependents, or a spouse.
How Much Can You Get With 80% VA Disability?
Based on 2024 veteran disability compensation rates, an individual with an 80% VA rating can obtain $1,995.01 monthly ($23,940.12 yearly) if they have no dependents. Disability compensation figures without dependents are called basic monthly rates. Here are additional VA basic monthly rates:
| 2024 VA Disability Rating Breakdown | |
| 10% | $171.23 per month |
| 20% | $338.49 per month |
| 30% | $524.31 per month |
| 40% | $755.28 per month |
| 50% | $1,075.16 per month |
| 60% | $1,361.88 per month |
| 70% | $1,716.28 per month |
| 80% | $1,995.01 per month |
| 90% | $2,241.91 per month |
| 100% | $3,737.85 per month |
80% VA Disability With Dependents
If you have an 80% VA disability rating and dependents, you are eligible for additional compensation. The rate may increase or decrease depending on your dependents, such as children, parents, or a spouse.
Below are breakdowns for veterans with 80% VA disability pay rates and different dependent situations. Discover your monthly pay rate and see how much compensation you may be entitled to claim.
80% VA Disability Monthly Pay Rates Without Children
If you have an 80% VA disability rating and no children, you may be eligible for additional compensation. The VA provides veterans with dependent parents or spouse compensation at a higher rate.
- Veteran with spouse only: $2,161.01
- Veteran with spouse and one parent: $2,294.01
- Veteran with spouse and two parents: $2,427.01
- Veteran with one parent: $2,128.01
- Veteran with two parents: $2,261.01
- Add for a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance: +$153
80% VA Disability Monthly Pay Rates With Children
If you have an 80% VA disability and children, additional compensation is available. Set rates are available for a variety of family scenarios. Compensation for veterans with more than two children may vary depending on whether the child is under or over 18 and in a qualifying school program.
See how much additional money you may qualify for and learn how to add a dependent to your benefits.
- Veteran with child only: $2,106.01
- Veteran with spouse and child: $2,283.01
- Veteran with spouse, one parent, and child: $2,416.01
- Veteran with spouse, two parents, and child: $2,549.01
- Veteran with one parent and child: $2,239.01
- Veteran with two parents and child: $2,372.01
- Add for each additional child under 18: +$82
- Add for each additional child 18+ in a qualifying school program: +$267
- Add for a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance: +$153
Additional 80% VA Disability Benefits
Additional benefits are available for individuals with an 80% VA disability benefit rating. Beyond monthly compensation, additional services provide health care, home loans, employment, pension, and Social Security disability benefits.
VA Basic Health Care Benefits
The VA provides basic health care services for veterans. Benefits cover preventative, inpatient hospital, urgent care, and emergency services. Here are some of the basic medical health care services covered by the VA:
- Health exams
- Health education
- Immunization
- Genetic disease counseling
- Surgeries
- Kidney dialysis
- Acute care
- Specialized care
- Mental health
- Assisted living and home health
- Prescriptions
- Blood work
- X-rays and ultrasounds
- Physical therapy
- Prosthetics
- Audiology
- Oncology
In addition to the services noted above, the VA may offer coverage for vision and dental care. Services not covered include cosmetic surgery, health club memberships, and medicines and medical devices not approved by the FDA.
LGBTQ+ Services: For those who might need extra assistance, the VA provides an LGBTQ+ health program. Two benefits accessible to veterans include PrEP for those at risk for HIV and gender-affirming hormone therapy. Every VA institution has specialized LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators on staff.
VA Additional Health Care Services
The VA offers veterans additional care services for their overall health and well-being. If you need assistance getting to appointments, the Veterans Transportation Service can assist. Beneficiary travel benefits are also available if you require help traveling for treatment. Other health services available to veterans in need include:
- Substance use treatment
- Military sexual trauma (MST)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and suicide prevention
- Infertility due to service-connected conditions
- Women’s health care needs
VA Home Loans
The VA can assist veterans and service members in obtaining homes. The VA works with private lenders, guaranteeing a portion of the loan to help increase your odds of approval. You won’t require a down payment on your home, and there are limited closing costs; additionally, you will not need private mortgage insurance (PMI).
The VA determines eligibility by a service member or veteran’s length of service. Apply for a VA home loan at VA.gov, where you can obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Adapted housing grants are also available for those needing modifications to their existing homes.
Veteran Readiness and Employment
The Veteran Readiness and Employment program, formerly known as the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, can help eligible veterans connect with potential employment opportunities. Benefits also cover education and training needs that increase employment desirability.
Multiple track programs are available, helping veterans return to former jobs, find new careers, or start a business. For veterans with disabilities, long-term service and independent living tracks are available to help you live your best life without limitations.
VA Pension Benefits
Eligible veterans can take advantage of the VA’s Pension program. If you are over a certain age or have a disability and fall within the outlined income and net worth limits, you may qualify. To qualify for the Veterans Pension program, you must pass these requirements:
Both of these statements must be true:
- You have not been dishonorably discharged.
- You have an income and net worth that falls within limits set by Congress.
One of these statements must be true:
- You began active duty before September 8, 1980, and served at least 90 days with at least one day during wartime.
- You served active duty after September 7, 1980, for at least 24 months or the entire period for which you were called with at least one day during wartime.
- You were an officer on duty after October 16, 1981, and have not been on duty for at least 24 months.
One of these statements must be true:
- You are 65 years old or older.
- You have a permanent disability.
- You’re in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability.
- You receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
Social Security Disability Benefits
For veterans seeking disability insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and VA Disability are two options. Veterans can qualify for VA Disability if they acquired an injury or illness from military service. You can acquire SSDI if you have an impairment that prevents your ability to work; it does not need to be related to your military service.
In addition to SSDI, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Comparing SSI vs. SSDI, the former was designed to help individuals with disabilities and older persons with limited income and resources. The latter was intended to support those with disabilities based on their work history and Social Security contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have an 80% disability rating and want compensation, you may have additional questions about the process. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions concerning disability ratings and VA compensation.
What Can I Do if I’m Rated at 80% and Cannot Work?
If you have an 80% VA rating and cannot work, you may be eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits. As a result, your compensation may increase to that of a 100% VA rating.
Is It Easy To Go From 80% to 100% VA Disability?
A rating may increase from 80% to 100% if your condition worsens; however, you must reapply to the VA to see if your rating needs to be adjusted. The VA may offer additional benefits equivalent to a 100% equivalent level if you cannot work via the TDIU program.
Are Veterans Rated at 80% Eligible for TDIU?
Veterans rated at 80% may be eligible for the TDIU program if they have a long-lasting condition that prevents them from working. Veterans with conditions likely to improve over time will not qualify for TDIU, as the program focuses on permanent conditions.
Learn More About Your VA Disability Eligibility
Learning about the VA benefits available to you and understanding your percentage rating is critical to living your best life. If you have an 80% VA rating, use our VA disability calculator to determine your disability pay and ensure you aren’t leaving any money behind.
If you’re unsure of your benefits, take our Veteran Disability Rating quiz to learn more and get started. You fought for our freedom; let us take care of your benefits.
