Understand Your VA Disability Benefits
Free tools and guides to help veterans navigate VA disability ratings, calculate monthly payments, and file successful claims.
Rating Calculator
Calculate your combined VA disability rating and your 2026 or estimated 2027 monthly pay.
2027 Pay Chart (Estimated)
Estimated 2027 pay for every rating at the 3.6% COLA. Official 2026 rates apply until VA publishes.
Conditions A-Z
Rating criteria, evidence requirements, and C&P exam tips for every condition.
File a Claim
Step-by-step guides for initial claims, supplemental claims, and appeals.
Benefits
Health care, home loans, CHAMPVA, education, and dental benefits for veterans.
Popular Condition Guides
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder ratings based on social and occupational impairment.
Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears. Maximum schedular rating is 10%, the most commonly claimed condition.
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea ratings based on need for CPAP, oxygen therapy, or respiratory failure.
Back Pain (Lumbosacral Strain)
Up to 50%. 100% only if the whole spine is unfavorably ankylosed.
Migraines
Migraine headache ratings based on frequency, duration, and economic impact.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss ratings determined by audiometric testing using Table VI and Table VII.
Veteran Voices
Veterans' VA disability stories, retold from published sources with our notes on the claims process. Built for vets, with vets.
Claude Boushey
U.S. Army · 70%
"If it wasn't for somebody on my side, advocating for me, I don't know if I could have continued this fight."
Retold from Wounded Warrior Project · Read the story →
Dwaine Esch
U.S. Army · 100%
"I was getting so frustrated. I was ready to throw my computer through the window."
Retold from VA Claims Insider · Read the story →
David Barry
U.S. Navy · 60%
"It was tears of joy to finally get my rating improved."
Retold from VA Claims Insider · Read the story →
Meet the Team
VA Disability Hub is built and maintained by a small team that includes veterans and software engineers committed to keeping VA disability information free, accurate, and accessible.
Kory Kehl
Founder & Engineer
Kory Kehl is a software engineer and entrepreneur who builds real-world systems, from internet infrastructure to hardware and software, including this site.
Read full bio
Chase Gustman
Infantry Marine (2002–2006)
United States Marine Corps
An Infantry Marine veteran with three deployments to Iraq and a Deputy Fire Chief, Chase has dedicated his career to public service and community safety.
Read full bio
Dustin Homan
U.S. Army Veteran (2011–2015)
United States Army
Former U.S. Army paratrooper turned software engineer. Dustin saw how hard the VA system is for veterans to navigate and joined VA Disability Hub to help.
Read full bio
How VA Disability Claims Work
File Your Claim
Submit your disability claim through VA.gov, by mail, or with help from a VSO.
Attend C&P Exam if Requested
If VA needs more information, it schedules a Compensation & Pension exam to evaluate your conditions. When the medical evidence is sufficient, VA may use a records review through the Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) process instead.
Receive Your Rating
The VA assigns your disability rating and begins monthly compensation payments.
Last updated / Correction — October 21, 2026: Clarified that VA requests a C&P exam when needed and may use an ACE records review when the evidence is sufficient.