10% VA Rating Extra Money: A lot of veterans in the US receive monthly payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when they have injuries or disabilities connected to their military service. But some veterans who are rated at 10% disability may wonder if they can get more money from the VA if they have a spouse, children, or parents who depend on them.
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The answer is no. According to official VA guidelines, veterans who are rated at 10% will not get any extra money for having dependents. Even in 2025, the payment for veterans at this rating is set at $171.23 per month. This amount stays the same whether or not the veteran has a family that depends on them. This rule is clear on the VA’s official website. One well-known law firm that helps veterans, Woods and Woods, also confirmed this. They said, “Veterans with a 10% rating are not eligible for additional compensation for dependents.”
This might feel unfair to many, especially those who are taking care of loved ones. But the VA has explained why this rule is there. The system is built in a way that only veterans with at least a 30% disability rating can start getting added money for dependents.
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That means those who are rated at 10% or 20% will only get a flat amount every month, no matter their family situation. The reason behind this is how the VA sees lower disability ratings. They believe these injuries or health issues are less likely to affect a veteran’s ability to work or take care of a family, so the support remains limited at those levels.
Can you get more Money with a 10% Rating?
Even though the VA won’t give extra money for dependents to someone with a 10% disability rating, there are still some things veterans can do to try and get a higher payment. For example, if a veteran’s condition gets worse, they can ask the VA to take another look and maybe raise their rating.
Or, if they develop a new health problem that is connected to the one they already have, they can file for that too, which might increase their total rating. When the disability rating reaches 30% or more, then they can finally start receiving extra money for dependents.
Veterans who want to do this should try to get help from a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or a lawyer who is trained to work with VA claims. These people can help guide them through the paperwork and make sure everything is filed correctly.
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For more help, veterans can visit their nearest VA office or speak with a VSO from groups like the DAV, VFW, or American Legion. If someone feels stressed or doesn’t know what to do, they can also call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
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