10 Percent VA Disability: In 2025, veterans who have a 10 percent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs are receiving $175.51 every month as part of their benefits. This amount is tax-free and comes with no extra deductions. Even though the payment isn’t a huge amount, it still gives veterans steady money they can count on. For many, this is a helpful boost, especially when the cost of living keeps going up and down.
This monthly payment saw a small increase because of a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment, also called COLA, that started in December 2024. That increase is based on inflation numbers from the Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The $175.51 per month may not change lives overnight, but it’s part of a larger system that recognizes veterans for service-connected conditions that, even if small, affect their daily life.
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What a 10% Rating Means?
A 10 percent disability rating is usually the first step for many veterans starting their journey with VA compensation. This rating mostly applies to conditions like ringing in the ears (tinnitus), light joint pain, or hearing loss issues that don’t stop daily life completely but still bring some level of discomfort or challenge. The monthly check of $175.51 for this rating doesn’t change whether a veteran is single or has a family. It stays the same because additional pay for dependents only begins at 30 percent or higher.
To compare, a veteran with a 20 percent rating gets $346.95 each month. Once the rating moves to 30 percent or more, then the amount starts going up depending on how many dependents the veteran has. But even with a lower rating like 10 percent, there’s still value in that steady check. Over a full year, this adds up to more than $2,100. And since it’s not taxed, veterans keep every dollar.
In some states, veterans with even just a 10 percent rating may get more help too. Some states offer extra benefits like reduced property taxes, lower fees at the DMV, or even help with education costs. These extra savings make that rating worth even more in the long run.
Health Benefits and Future Options
The monthly payment is just one part of the support that comes with a 10 percent rating. Veterans also get access to healthcare through VA hospitals and clinics, often at low or no cost. They can also enroll in the VA healthcare system with priority. For veterans dealing with small but ongoing health problems, that healthcare access might matter more than the money.
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This rating also gives veterans a place to start. If their condition gets worse over time, they can ask VA for a new review. If the VA agrees the condition has become more serious, then the rating and the payment can go up.
