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If you’re an eligible veteran, you may qualify for disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans with a 90% VA disability rating are entitled to significant annual and monthly payments, which can further increase with the inclusion of a spouse, children, or other dependents.
After submitting a claim with the VA, compensation ratings are determined as percentages. Once you receive your rating, this guide will assist you in understanding the precise amount of financial support you’re entitled to. We’ll also explore further benefits available to veterans with a 90% VA disability, such as health care, home loans, and employment opportunities.
What Is 90% VA Disability?
A 90% VA disability rating is an assessment provided by the VA for compensation purposes. It signifies the extent of disability experienced by veterans who incurred injuries during military service and are eligible to receive disability benefits from the VA. These ratings determine the amount of financial assistance qualified veterans can receive.
To be eligible for VA disability benefits, veterans must have a physical or mental illness and have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. Additionally, one of the following conditions must apply:
- The current condition must be linked to an injury or illness sustained during military service (in-service disability claim).
- Military service must have aggravated a pre-existing illness or injury (pre-service disability claim).
- A disability or injury related to military service must have emerged after service ended (post-service disability claim).
VA disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with increments of 10%. A 90% rating indicates a significant level of disability. Veterans with a 90% rating or higher, particularly those with spouses, dependent parents, or children, may qualify for increased compensation.
How Much Can You Get With 90% VA Disability?
Based on 2024 veteran disability compensation rates, someone with a 90% VA rating can get $2,241.91 per month if they have no dependents. Disability compensation figures without dependents are called basic monthly rates. Here are additional VA basic monthly rates:
| 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 |
90% VA Disability With Dependents
If you have a 90% VA disability rating and dependents, you’re 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 90% VA disability pay rates and different dependent situations. Discover your monthly pay rate and see how much compensation you may be entitled to claim.
90% VA Disability Pay Rates Without Children
If you have a 90% 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: $2,428.91
- Veteran with spouse and one parent: $2,578.91
- Veteran with spouse and two parents: $2,728.91
- Veteran with one parent: $2,391.91
- Veteran with two parents: $2,541.91
- Add for a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance: +$172
90% VA Disability Pay Rates With Children
If you’re a veteran with a 90% VA disability rating and have children, you’re eligible for extra compensation. Fixed rates apply to different family situations. Compensation for veterans with more than two children may differ based on the age of the child and their enrollment in a qualifying educational program.
- Veteran with spouse and child: $2,565.91
- Veteran with child only: $2,366.91
- Veteran with spouse, one parent, and child: $2,715.91
- Veteran with spouse, two parents, and child: $2,865.91
- Veteran with one parent and child: $2,516.91
- Veteran with two parents and child: $ 2,666.91
- Add for each additional child under 18: +$93
- Add for each additional child 18+ in a qualifying school program: +$301
Additional 90% VA Disability Benefits
Individuals holding a 90% VA disability benefit rating are eligible for supplementary benefits. In addition to monthly compensation, benefits include health care services, home loans, employment assistance, pensions, and Social Security disability benefits.
VA Health Care Benefits
Veterans with a 90% VA disability rating qualify for placement in VA health care priority group 1, the top priority group for accessing health care benefits. 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
Apart from these services, the VA may provide benefits for vision and dental care. Exclusions include cosmetic surgery, health club memberships, and medications and medical devices not approved by the FDA.
LGBTQ+ Services: For individuals requiring additional support, the VA offers an LGBTQ+ health program. Two available benefits for veterans are PrEP for those vulnerable to HIV and gender-affirming hormone therapy. Each VA facility employs specialized LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinators.
Additional VA Health Care Services
The VA provides veterans with supplementary care services to support their overall health and well-being. If you require aid in reaching appointments, the Veterans Transportation Service is available to assist you. Beneficiary travel benefits are also offered to those who need assistance with travel for treatment.
Other health care services accessible 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 offers support to veterans and service members in acquiring homes. Collaborating with private lenders, the VA ensures a portion of the loan, enhancing approval chances. No down payment is necessary, closing costs are minimal, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI) is required.
Eligibility for a VA home loan is determined by the length of service. Apply for a VA home loan on VA.gov, where you can obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Adapted housing grants are also available for individuals requiring modifications to their current homes.
Veteran Readiness and Employment
The Veteran Readiness and Employment program, formerly known as the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, helps eligible veterans access employment prospects while addressing their education and training requirements to enhance employability.
The program offers various tracks tailored to assist veterans in returning to previous jobs, exploring new career paths, or launching their own businesses. Specifically designed for veterans with disabilities, long-term service and independent living tracks empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives unrestricted by limitations.
VA Pension Benefits
Veterans who meet specific criteria can benefit from the VA’s Pension program. If you meet certain age requirements or have a disability and your income and net worth fall within specified limits, you may be eligible. To qualify for the Veterans Pension program, you must meet the following 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
Veterans can also apply for Social Security benefits such as SSDI or SSI; the disability does not need to be related to your military service to qualify for either.
Nevertheless, each option has distinct criteria for eligibility to apply. To apply for SSI, applicants must have a disability or be 65 years or older with restricted income and resources. To apply for SSDI, individuals must have a qualifying disability and a sufficient work history contributing to Social Security.
Is It Easy To Go From 90% to 100% VA Disability?
As your current disability rating increases, it’s harder to raise it more by adding another condition. So, if you’re already rated at 90%, integrating a new condition into your claim requires evaluating it at 50% or higher to reach a total rating of 100%.
This means that the severity of the new condition needs to be substantial to significantly impact your overall disability rating. If you think your health conditions have worsened and would like to see if you’re eligible for 100% VA disability, here are steps to take:
- Gather medical evidence to prove your symptoms have worsened.
- File claims for any new disabilities you’re experiencing.
- Consult with a VA disability expert to explore your options and ensure you’re getting the benefits you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you hold a disability rating of 90% and are seeking compensation, you might have more questions about the process. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding disability ratings and VA compensation.
How Do I Go From 80% to 90% VA Disability?
If you’re at 80% VA disability and want to increase to 90%, you’ll need to demonstrate to the VA that your medical condition has worsened or that you have developed additional service-connected disabilities since your last evaluation.
What Can I Do If I’m Rated at 90% and Cannot Work?
If you have a 90% 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.
Are Veterans Rated at 90% Eligible for TDIU?
Veterans with a 90% disability rating might qualify for the TDIU program if they have a chronic condition hindering their ability to work. However, veterans with conditions expected to improve over time won’t qualify for TDIU since the program is designed for permanent disabilities.
Is 90% VA Disability Permanent?
A 90% VA disability rating is not always permanent. Disability ratings can change based on the condition’s progress or new medical evidence. However, in some cases, a disability might be considered permanent if the condition is stable and unlikely to improve significantly over time.
Learn More About Your VA Disability Eligibility
Understanding your VA benefits and rating is crucial for improving your quality of life. If you have a 90% VA rating, use our disability calculator to see how much you could qualify for. If you’re unsure about your benefits, take our Benefits Quiz to get started.
