VA Disability With Dependents Explained

At 30% or higher combined VA rating, you receive additional monthly compensation for each qualifying dependent: spouse, children under 18, school children 18–23, and dependent parents.

The additional amounts increase with rating level. At 30%, a spouse adds $74.25/month. At 100%, a spouse adds $400.38/month. Children add $25–$100+ depending on rating and the child's status.

Critical action: notify the VA immediately when you marry, have a child, or add a dependent parent. The VA can backdate dependent additions to the date of the qualifying event — but only if you notify them. Many veterans lose months of back pay by not reporting dependency changes promptly.

Divorce, child aging out of eligibility, and death of a dependent must also be reported. Failure to report decreases can result in overpayment and debt to the VA.