40% VA Disability Pay
Veteran with One Child (No Spouse) — federal monthly benefit, tax-free
Not taxable federal income (38 U.S.C. § 5301). Paid monthly by direct deposit, usually on the first business day of the month for the month before.
Source: VA.gov compensation rate tables (effective December 1, 2025) · Reviewed
Who this applies to
Unmarried veteran with one dependent child under 18 (or a helpless child). A child 18-23 in school is added separately at the school-child amount.
All 40% amounts by dependent status
| Dependent status | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone (no dependents) | $795.84 | $9,550.08 |
| With spouse (no parents or children) | $882.84 | $10,594.08 |
| With spouse and 1 parent (no children) | $952.84 | $11,434.08 |
| With spouse and 2 parents (no children) | $1,022.84 | $12,274.08 |
| With 1 parent (no spouse or children) | $865.84 | $10,390.08 |
| With 2 parents (no spouse or children) | $935.84 | $11,230.08 |
| With 1 child only (no spouse or parents) | $853.84 | $10,246.08 |
| With 1 child and spouse (no parents) | $947.84 | $11,374.08 |
| With 1 child, spouse and 1 parent | $1,017.84 | $12,214.08 |
| With 1 child, spouse and 2 parents | $1,087.84 | $13,054.08 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent (no spouse) | $923.84 | $11,086.08 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) | $993.84 | $11,926.08 |
| With spouse and 2 children under 18 | $990.84 | $11,890.08 |
Added amounts at 40%
VA's basic "with child" rates include one child under 18. Add these amounts for each further child under 18, for each child 18-23 in school, and for a spouse who receives Aid and Attendance:
- + $43.00/mo for each additional child under 18
- + $140.00/mo for each child 18-23 in a qualifying school program (school children are never part of the basic rates)
- + $81.00/mo if your spouse receives Aid and Attendance
Dependent parents are built into the basic rates in the table above (1 or 2 parents).
What a 40% rating means
- The payment is not taxable federal income (38 U.S.C. § 5301).
- Some needs-based programs, such as SSI and SNAP, can count it as income. Check each program's rules.
- A 40% service-connected rating qualifies you to enroll in VA health care (Priority Group 2).
- You can get added pay for a spouse, children and dependent parents. Tell VA about them so they are added to your award.
- Rates change each December 1 with the cost-of-living adjustment VA matches to Social Security.
Other dependent configs at 40%
Other ratings (veteran with one child (no spouse))
How VA disability ratings combine (38 CFR 4.25)
VA uses the "whole-person theory" to combine multiple disability ratings, not simple addition. Two 50% conditions don't combine to 100% — they combine to 75% (rounded to nearest 10% = 80%). The VA Combined Ratings Table is at 38 CFR 4.25. Try the combined rating calculator. If service-connected conditions prevent you from holding "substantially gainful employment," ask about TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability) — paid at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is below 100%.
About this rate guide
These are 2026 rates, effective Dec 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA), copied from VA's published rate tables. VA decides your actual award. Always check the current table at va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates. See all ratings on the VA disability rates chart.