VA Rating CalculatorBlog
Plain-English guides for veterans navigating VA disability claims, ratings, and compensation.
July 9, 2026 · 8 min read
VA Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Disability Benefits: Ratings, Presumptives & Claims Guide
Complete guide to VA disability ratings for hypertension — 10% to 60% criteria, Agent Orange and PACT Act presumptives, secondary service connection for sleep apnea and kidney disease, and how to file a winning claim.
July 8, 2026 · 6 min read
VA Clothing Allowance: Annual Payment for Damaged Clothing from Service-Connected Disabilities
Veterans with prosthetics, wheelchairs, braces, or staining medications may qualify for $1,114.23/year. Most don't know this benefit exists — here's how to claim it.
July 8, 2026 · 13 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Heart Conditions: Ratings, Service Connection & Claims for Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, and Related Cardiac Disabilities
Complete guide to VA disability compensation for heart conditions — rating schedule explained (METs testing, CHF criteria), Agent Orange presumption, secondary service connection pathways, and how to build a strong cardiac disability claim.
June 29, 2026 · 10 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Migraine Headaches: Ratings, Claims, and What Veterans Should Know
Migraines are one of the most commonly underrated VA disabilities. Learn how the VA ratings work, what evidence strengthens a claim, and how to push for the right rating.
June 28, 2026 · 10 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Ratings, Claims, and What to Expect
Hearing loss and tinnitus are among the most common VA disability claims. Learn how the VA rates these conditions, what evidence you need, and how to file a successful claim for hearing-related disabilities.
June 28, 2026 · 12 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Arthritis: Ratings, Claims, and How to Maximize Your Rating
Arthritis is one of the most common VA disability claims. Learn how the VA rates arthritis per joint, the painful motion rule, flare-up ratings, and how to file a successful claim.
June 27, 2026 · 10 min read
VA Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP): Full Retired Pay + VA Disability
Military retirees rated 50% or higher by the VA receive both their full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation. Learn about CRDP eligibility, how to fix offset problems, and how it differs from CRSC.
June 27, 2026 · 15 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Veterans with Respiratory Conditions: Asthma, COPD, and Lung Disease Ratings
Everything you need to know about VA disability benefits for respiratory conditions — from PACT Act presumptive coverage to pulmonary function test ratings.
June 26, 2026 · 11 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Veterans with Sleep Apnea: Ratings, Service Connection, and CPAP Requirements
Complete guide to VA disability compensation for veterans with sleep apnea — service connection pathways (including secondary to PTSD), rating percentages from 0% to 100%, CPAP requirements, and how to file a strong claim.
June 26, 2026 · 10 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Veterans with Diabetes: Service Connection, Ratings, and Secondary Claims
Everything you need to know about VA disability benefits for diabetes — from establishing service connection to claiming secondary conditions.
June 25, 2026 · 16 min read
VA State Veterans Homes and Long-Term Care: A Complete Guide for Disabled Veterans
Nursing home, assisted living, and adult day care for disabled veterans through VA Community Living Centers and State Veterans Homes — eligibility, costs, how to apply, and comparison with private facilities.
June 25, 2026 · 17 min read
VA Life Insurance for Disabled Veterans: S-DVI, VMLI, and VALI Explained
Disabled veterans have access to life insurance programs most civilians cannot get including coverage with no medical exam and premiums that never increase with age. Here is how S-DVI, VMLI, and VALI work, who qualifies, and how to apply.
June 24, 2026 · 8 min read
VA Travel Reimbursement: How Disabled Veterans Can Get Paid Back for Medical Travel
How disabled veterans can claim mileage reimbursement, beneficiary travel, and special mode transport for VA medical appointments — eligibility, rates, and how to file.
June 24, 2026 · 7 min read
VA Individual Unemployability (TDIU): Getting 100% Pay at Less Than 100% Rating
Individual Unemployability (TDIU) allows disabled veterans to receive 100% VA compensation even when their combined rating is below 100%. Learn eligibility requirements, how to apply, and what evidence you need to prove you cannot work.
June 24, 2026 · 10 min read
VA Disability Benefits for Toxic Exposure: How the PACT Act Expands Coverage for Disabled Veterans
The PACT Act is the largest VA benefits expansion in decades, adding dozens of new presumptive conditions linked to toxic exposures during military service. Here's what disabled veterans need to know about eligibility, new presumptive conditions, and how to file a claim.
June 24, 2026 · 8 min read
VA Work-Study Program: How Disabled Veterans Can Earn Money While in School
The VA Work-Study program lets veterans receiving disability compensation earn an hourly wage while attending school — here's how to qualify, apply, and maximize the benefit.
June 22, 2026 · 6 min read
VA Dental Benefits: A Complete Guide for Disabled Veterans
VA dental benefits explained by eligibility class — what's covered, how to apply, and common mistakes disabled veterans should avoid.
June 21, 2026 · 6 min read
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A Complete Guide for Surviving Spouses and Dependents
A step-by-step guide to VA DIC benefits for surviving spouses, children, and parents — eligibility rules, how to file, current rates, and common reasons claims get denied.
June 21, 2026 · 7 min read
How to File Your First VA Disability Claim: A Step-by-Step Guide for Veterans
Everything you need to know to file your first VA disability claim.
June 20, 2026 · 7 min read
VA Needs-Based Pension: Eligibility, Income Limits, and How to Apply
A practical guide for wartime veterans: understand VA pension eligibility, MAPR income limits, Aid & Attendance benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
June 20, 2026 · 8 min read
VA Community Care and the MISSION Act: How Veterans Can Access Private-Sector Health Care
Learn how eligible veterans can access private-sector health care through VA Community Care under the MISSION Act. Covers eligibility, referral steps, appeals, and key contacts.
June 19, 2026 · 8 min read
VA Caregiver Support Program: The Complete Guide to PCAFC Benefits
How disabled veterans and their family caregivers can access the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers — eligibility, monthly stipends, application steps, and what to do if denied.
June 19, 2026 · 6 min read
VA Claim Appeals: A Veteran's Guide to the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA)
The AMA gives disabled veterans 3 lanes to appeal VA denials. Learn which lane fits your case, how long each takes, and common mistakes to avoid.
June 18, 2026 · 10 min read
VA Disability Ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The Complete 2026 Guide
How the VA rates TBI from 0% to 100% across 10 cognitive domains, what evidence you need, how to claim residuals like migraines and depression, and how to appeal a low rating.
June 18, 2026 · 7 min read
VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E): The Complete Guide for Disabled Veterans
Everything disabled veterans need to know about VR&E Chapter 31 benefits: eligibility, 5 rehabilitation tracks, what it pays for, how to apply, and common mistakes to avoid.
June 17, 2026 · 6 min read
VA Adaptive Housing Grants: How to Qualify for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)
A step-by-step guide to the VA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant — eligibility rules, application process, and how to use up to $117,014 to build or modify a home for wheelchair accessibility and independent living.
June 17, 2026 · 9 min read
VA Disability Ratings for PTSD: A Complete Guide to How the VA Evaluates Your Claim
How the VA rates PTSD from 0% to 100%, what evidence matters, how to file a claim, and what to do if your rating is too low.
June 16, 2026 · 9 min read
VA Secondary Service Connection: The Ultimate Guide to Linking New Disabilities to Existing Ratings
Learn how to get VA disability benefits for conditions caused or worsened by your existing service-connected disabilities. Eligibility, evidence, filing steps, and common secondary conditions explained.
June 16, 2026 · 5 min read
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits: A Complete Guide for Disabled Veterans
How disabled veterans can qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits — eligibility criteria, payment rates, application steps, and common mistakes to avoid.
June 16, 2026 · 12 min read
VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): The Complete 2026 Guide
SMC pays disabled veterans thousands above the 100% rate for severe disabilities. Learn every SMC level, 2026 payment rates, eligibility, and how to apply.
June 16, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Get the VA Automobile Allowance and Vehicle Adaptation Grants (2026)
Disabled veterans can receive up to 6,481 for a vehicle and 2,361 in adaptive equipment. Eligibility, application steps, and common mistakes explained.
June 13, 2026 · 9 min read
VA Disability Calculator: How to Calculate Your Combined Rating in 2026
Learn how the VA disability calculator works.
June 12, 2026 · 7 min read
VA Benefits in 2026: What Every Veteran Needs to Know
2026 brings major VA benefits changes — new rating formula proposals, expanded mental health care, community care updates, and a 2.5% COLA increase. Here's what every veteran needs to know.
June 12, 2026 · 10 min read
VA Disability Rating Changes 2026: The Proposed VASRD Overhaul Every Veteran Must Understand
The VA is proposing major changes to disability ratings for sleep apnea, tinnitus, and mental health. Here's what veterans need to know in 2026.
June 7, 2026 · 1 min read
Texas 100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption: What's Actually Covered
Texas offers one of the most powerful property tax exemptions in the nation for 100% disabled veterans—but most guides stop at "your house is free." What happens when you add a barn, a mobile home for family, or a tiny house on your land? The answer lives inside the legal definition of "residence homestead," the 20-acre cap, chattel vs. real property rules, and your county appraisal district's discretion.
June 7, 2026 · 9 min read
How Your Own STRs Can Sink Your VA Claim
Most veterans focus on what they reported during service. But VA raters focus just as hard on what you denied. A single "no complaints" checked on an annual physical can neutralize a buddy statement, a private nexus letter, and years of post-service treatment records.
June 6, 2026 · 6 min read
Secondary Service Connection: The Ultimate Guide to Linking New Disabilities to Existing VA Ratings
Published by DisableVet | Updated June 2026
June 6, 2026 · 9 min read
How Failed TMS or HBOT Boosts Your VA Rating
When TMS, ketamine, or HBOT fails, most veterans move on and try something else. What they don't realize is that treatment failure is evidence — and it could be worth a higher VA rating.
June 6, 2026 · 4 min read
VA AI Scribe: How It Affects Your Disability Claim
The VA launched ambient AI scribe technology in October 2025 and is expanding it to every VA medical center in 2026. Most veterans have no idea that what they say—or don't say—during a routine primary care visit now feeds directly into the medical evidence used to rate their disability claim.
June 6, 2026 · 11 min read
DIC Death Certificate Strategy: What Veterans' Spouses Must Know
Most surviving spouses don't find out until it's too late: the death certificate their husband or wife received is missing the one phrase the VA needs to approve a DIC claim.
June 5, 2026 · 10 min read
NY 100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax: Full Guide
Hundreds of New York veterans are still waiting to see if their local municipality will "opt in" to the new 100% disabled veteran property tax exemption—not realizing the law was already amended to make it mandatory statewide, including school districts, effective October 2026. This guide cuts through the confusion, explains exactly who qualifies under RPTL §458-a, why TDIU veterans are currently excluded, and what steps to take right now.
June 4, 2026 · 8 min read
The 100% P&T Fallacy: Why a Permanent and Total Rating Does Not Negate Medical Necessity
An in-depth analysis of why a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) VA rating does not eliminate the medical necessity of prescribed treatments like CPAP.
May 28, 2026 · 8 min read
How to File a VA Disability Claim: 5 Steps to Apply
A practical, no-BS walkthrough of the five steps every veteran should take when applying for VA disability — without paying a commercial law firm for help.
May 28, 2026 · 12 min read
17 Hidden Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans in 2026
From TPD student loan discharge to CHAMPVA, property tax exemptions, Space-A flights, and TDIU — 17 lesser-known benefits that stack on top of your monthly 100% rate.