If you are rated 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 percent, you are in an odd spot. You are past the point where people tell you "it's not a big deal," but you are not at 100, so a lot of the content out there either ignores you or talks past you straight to the biggest benefits, the ones that mostly require a full Permanent and Total (P&T) rating. That is not this page. Here is what actually applies to you right now, in plain terms, so you know what to check and what to expect. This is education, not advice, and it is not legal, tax, or investment guidance.
Starting at the 30% rating, your monthly VA compensation goes up if you have dependents (spouse, children, sometimes a dependent parent). Below 30%, dependents don't change the payment. If you're 50 to 90 percent and added a spouse or had a kid and never updated your dependent status with the VA, that is worth checking. A free accredited VSO can help you file the update at no cost.
This compensation is tax-free. That changes the math on things like how much pre-tax salary it would take to replace it, which is useful to understand as you plan. It is not investment advice, and this page won't tell you what to do with the money.
If you are a military retiree, ask about CRDP (Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay), which restores retired pay that gets waived against VA compensation. It generally applies at a 50% combined rating or higher with the right years of service, and for most who qualify it is automatic. "Automatic" doesn't always mean "right on your statement," so it is worth confirming. Combat-related conditions may also open up CRSC, a separate tax-free payment you have to apply for. A free accredited VSO can walk you through either one.
VR&E (Chapter 31), VA's vocational rehab and employment program, is available well below 100 percent. It can fund training or education plus a monthly living stipend while you work a plan with a VA counselor, aimed at getting or keeping suitable work, or living more independently if working isn't realistic right now.
VA health care enrollment doesn't require any specific rating, but your rating helps set your priority group, which affects how fast you're seen and whether you owe copays. A rating of 50% or higher generally lands you in the top priority group with the broadest copay relief. Enroll even if you also have other insurance.
The VA home loan funding-fee waiver is one of the cleanest wins at any rating in this range. If you're receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, at any compensable rating, you typically pay zero funding fee on a VA loan. The fee is normally charged as a percentage of the loan amount, so the waiver is real money. Confirm the current amount and your exemption with the VA, and check that your exemption shows correctly on your Certificate of Eligibility and your closing paperwork before you sign.
Many states offer disabled veteran property-tax relief below 100 percent, but the structure varies a lot. Some give a partial exemption, some give a tiered break tied to your rating, some cap it by home value, some tie it to income, and some barely move the needle. There is no single national rule, so treat your state's version as a real planning variable, not a footnote. Verify the exact amounts directly with your state department of veterans affairs and your county tax assessor, since the specific dollar figures and caps change and differ by state.
I'll be straight with you. The biggest prizes, a full property-tax exemption in most states and CHAMPVA health coverage for your family, generally require a 100% Permanent and Total rating, not just a high percentage. If you're not there, don't plan your budget around benefits you don't yet qualify for. Plan around what you actually have, and know what the next tier unlocks.
Pull up your current VA rating decision and your latest benefits statement, and confirm your dependents are listed correctly. If they aren't, that is likely money you're owed.
If you're a retiree, check whether CRDP (or possibly CRSC) applies to you, and confirm it is actually reflected in your pay.
Look up your state's disabled-veteran property-tax rule and note whether it's a full or partial break, and whether there's a rating threshold, a home-value cap, or an income limit. Write down the questions you still have.
For anything involving a claim, a rating change, or exact current dollar amounts, take your questions to a FREE accredited Veterans Service Officer (DAV, VFW, the American Legion, or your county VSO) and start at VA.gov. Accredited VSO help is always free, so never pay anyone to prepare or increase a VA claim, and be wary of anyone pushing an annuity or a "benefits" product tied to your rating. And if this was useful, subscribe so the next tier's checklist lands in your inbox.
This page is general education for rated veterans, written from my own experience, and reflects my understanding as of 2026. It is not legal, tax, financial, or investment advice, and I am not affiliated with the VA or any government agency. Benefit rules, dollar amounts, caps, and income limits change and vary by state, so confirm your specifics with a free accredited VSO (DAV, VFW, American Legion, or your county VSO), your state department of veterans affairs, your county tax assessor, and VA.gov before you act.