70% VA Disability Rating: Benefits, Pay & How to Get There

2026 monthly compensation at 70%

A 70% VA disability rating provides significant monthly compensation. All VA disability payments are tax-free at both the federal and state level.

For the complete rate tables at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page. To calculate your specific payment with your exact combination of dependents, use our VA disability calculator.

What benefits unlock at 70%

A 70% VA disability rating provides access to substantial benefits beyond the monthly payment:

Healthcare

• VA healthcare with priority enrollment (Group 1)
• No copays for treatment of service-connected conditions
• Reduced copays for non-service-connected treatment
• Mental health services including counseling and medication management

Dependent benefits

• Additional monthly compensation for spouse, children, and dependent parents (see table above)
• CHAMPVA — Healthcare coverage for your spouse and dependents not eligible for TRICARE (requires P&T designation)
• Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) — Up to 36 months of education benefits for eligible dependents (requires P&T designation)

Employment and education

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) — Career counseling, job training, resume help, and education assistance for veterans having difficulty finding or keeping employment due to service-connected disabilities
• Veterans’ preference in federal hiring

Other benefits

• Commissary and exchange access
• State-level benefits vary — many states offer additional property tax exemptions, vehicle registration waivers, and other benefits at 70%+

Common condition combinations that result in 70%

A 70% combined rating can come from a single condition or multiple conditions combined using VA math. Here are realistic examples:

Example 1: Single condition

• PTSD at 70% = 70% combined

Many veterans receive a 70% rating from PTSD alone, as the criteria for 70% PTSD (deficiencies in most areas of life, suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression) align with how many combat veterans experience the condition.

Example 2: Two conditions

• Sleep apnea at 50% + Back pain at 40% = 70% combined

VA math: Start with 50%. Remaining ability = 50%. Apply 40% to remaining: 40% × 50% = 20%. Combined = 70%. Rounds to 70%.

Example 3: Multiple conditions

• PTSD at 50% + Knee condition at 20% + Tinnitus at 10% + Hearing loss at 10% = 67% → rounds to 70%

VA math: 50% → remaining 50%. Apply 20%: 10% added = 60%. Remaining 40%. Apply 10%: 4% added = 64%. Remaining 36%. Apply 10%: 3.6% added = 67.6%. Rounds to 70%.

Important: VA math always combines to less than simple addition. Use our calculator to see exactly how your specific ratings combine.

How to get from 60% to 70%

If you’re currently at 60% and want to reach 70%, you have several options:

File for secondary conditions

Review your existing service-connected conditions and identify secondary conditions — conditions caused or aggravated by your already-rated disabilities. Common examples:

• Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD (weight gain from medications, sleep disruption)
• GERD secondary to medications or PTSD
• Migraines secondary to TBI or cervical spine conditions
• Radiculopathy secondary to back pain

Request a rating increase

If an existing condition has worsened since your last evaluation, file a supplemental claim with new medical evidence showing increased severity. Get a current diagnosis and detailed medical records documenting the worsening.

Claim conditions you haven’t filed for yet

Review your service treatment records for any conditions you didn’t originally claim. Many veterans don’t realize that conditions like tinnitus (10%), hearing loss, and knee conditions are all separately ratable.

Can you work at 70%?

Yes — there’s no employment restriction at 70%. Many veterans with a 70% rating work full-time.

However, if your service-connected disabilities make it difficult to maintain substantially gainful employment (generally defined as earning above the federal poverty level), you may qualify for TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability). TDIU pays at the 100% rate ($3,938.58/month) even though your schedular rating is below 100%.

To qualify for TDIU, you need either:

• One service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher, OR
• A combined rating of 70% or higher with at least one condition rated at 40%+

At 70%, you likely meet the TDIU threshold. If your disabilities prevent you from working, this is worth exploring.

Next steps

• Calculate your combined rating with our free VA disability calculator
• See all 2026 pay rates including dependent additions
• Learn how VA math works to understand why combined ratings differ from simple addition
• Browse condition guides to understand rating criteria for specific conditions
• File a claim if you have unrated conditions

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.