How to Get 100% VA Disability Rating Benefits

Achieving a 100% service-connected VA disability rating unlocks the highest level of compensation and benefits for veterans. There are several ways to get a 100% rating and the VA may assign it for a single severe service-connected condition or for multiple combined conditions that significantly impact health and daily functioning.

What Disabilities Are Assigned a 100% Rating?

Achieving a 100% VA disability rating is a major milestone, representing the recognition of severe service-connected disabilities and ensuring you receive the full benefits you deserve. For some conditions, the 100% rating is practically guaranteed, but for most veterans the journey to full benefits is more difficult and may require combining multiple conditions.

Disabilities That Always Qualify for a 100% Disability Rating

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Loss of use of both feet
• Loss of use of both hands
• Loss of use of one hand and one foot
• Anatomical loss of both eyes or permanent and total blindness in both eyes
• Paraplegia or quadriplegia

Disabilities That Always Qualify for a 100% Disability Rating

• Spinal cord injuries with significant mobility loss or paralysis 
• Advanced Parkinson’s Disease with mobility or cognitive decline 
• Advanced degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and inability to walk or work 
• Congestive heart failure with ejection fraction ≤30% 
• Lung diseases such as COPD with very low pulmonary function test (PFT) scores or oxygen use 
• Severe mental disorders (such as schizophrenia with psychosis or hallucinations and major depressive disorder with persistent suicidal ideation and inability to function in daily life) or mental health conditions combined with physical disabilities

Depending on the condition and level of severity, the VA may make the 100% disability rating Permanent and Total. In other situations, the VA may require future exams to determine whether the rating should continue. Mental health conditions often receive periodic re-evaluation, especially in the early years, unless they are deemed permanent. 

Examples of Disability Combinations Likely to Get 100% Ratings

• PTSD 70% + Diabetes 20% + Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity 40%, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Lower Extremity 40% + Diabetic Retinopathy 10% + Hypertension 10%  
• TBI residuals 40% + Seizures 60% + Vertigo 30% + Depression and Anxiety 70% + Hearing Loss 10% 
• Fibromyalgia 40% + Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 60% + IBS 30% + Migraines 50% (for Gulf War veterans) + PTSD 50% 

How hard is it to get a 100% VA Disability Rating?

While the journey to a 100% rating can be hard, with the right approach and support, it’s entirely possible. There are two primary paths for veterans to get 100% benefits: 

1. Standard 100% rating: A single severe disability or a combination of disabilities adding up to a 100% rating based on the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
2. TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability): Even if the combined rating is less than 100%, a veteran can be paid at the 100% level if their conditions prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment (find out what this means).

Getting a Standard 100% VA Rating

Gather Comprehensive Medical Evidence

Medical documentation is the cornerstone of your disability claim. Make sure to get all relevant medical records, including doctors’ notes, diagnostic test results, and any other pertinent information that proves the severity of your conditions.  

In addition to medical records, your claim should include lay statements, personal impact narratives, Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) completed by a medical provider, and nexus letters from physicians or specialists linking your condition to service. Detailed and thorough medical evidence is essential in proving the extent of your disabilities and their impact on your daily life. 

File New Claims for Additional Conditions

If you have other  disabilities that haven’t yet been claimed and you believe these may be related to service, consider filing new claims. Each additional condition can contribute to elevating your combined rating. Keep in mind that the VA does not simply add ratings together. Instead, it uses a “whole person” formula. For example, if you’re rated 60% for one condition and 30% for another, your combined rating is 72%, which rounds to 70%. The VA Disability Calculator helps to estimate their actual total.

Seek Expert Assistance

Navigating the VA system can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Consider consulting with a VA-accredited attorney or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). These experts can provide valuable guidance, help you understand your rights, and assist in preparing and submitting your claims effectively. Their expertise can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Maintain Regular Medical Follow-Ups

Regularly visiting your healthcare providers is crucial for keeping your medical records up to date. Continuous documentation of your conditions ensures that there is ongoing evidence of your disabilities and their progression. Routine check-ups and treatments not only support your claim but also help you manage your health more effectively.

Stay Informed and Proactive

Staying informed about the VA disability process and your rights as a veteran is vital. Keep yourself updated on any changes in VA regulations and benefits that might affect your claim. Being proactive in managing your case, such as promptly responding to VA requests and keeping thorough records of all interactions, can significantly enhance your chances of success.

If the VA denies your claim or underrates your condition, you have several appeal options: file a Supplemental Claim, request a Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Take Advantage of VA Resources

VA offers numerous resources designed to support veterans in their disability claims. Take full advantage of these resources, including counseling services, support groups, and educational materials. Hill & Ponton also has a weekly free newsletter with updated information and advice for disabled veterans and their families. 

Attorney Tips to Help You Get 100% VA Disability

In the video below, Hill & Ponton’s Nate puts together the 3 biggest tips from our VA lawyers that you could use to increase your rating to 100%.

*The video playlist is available here.

**Hill & Ponton’s VA-accredited attorneys are highly experienced in getting maximum compensation for veterans like you and may be able to help you appeal. Get a free evaluation of your claim today.

Free case evaluation

TDIU as a Path to Get the 100% Equivalent

Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) offers 100% disability benefits to veterans who cannot work due to their disabilities, even if they do not meet the 100% rating criteria. If your service-connected conditions prevent you from working full-time, but you don’t qualify for a schedular 100% rating, TDIU may be the solution. There are two main ways to receive 100% through TDIU and veterans should consider both paths based on their circumstances: 

1. One disability rated at 60% OR 
2. Multiple disabilities with a combined rating of 70%, with one disability rated at least 40%. 

The disabilities must prevent substantially gainful employment, which is defined as work that earns above the poverty threshold and is not marginal or sheltered. Get a free case evaluation to see if we can help you win unemployability benefits.

Find out more from our TDIU lawyers→

Compensation and Benefits

How Much is 100% VA Disability Worth in 2026?

As of December 2025, single veterans with a 100% VA disability rating receive $3,938.58 per month, a base rate for those without dependents. This amount increases if you have a spouse, dependent children, or both. Additional details on compensation for dependents can be found within the VA Disability Rates and Compensation tables.

What Additional Benefits Can I Receive at 100% Disability? 

Beyond monthly compensation, a 100% rating offers extensive benefits, including:

• Priority Group 1 VA Health Care: Free health care and medications.
• Increased VA Pension: For those eligible, based on need.
• Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP): No offset between military retirement and VA compensation.
• VA Home Loan Guarantees: Better terms for purchasing, building, or altering a home.
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E): Support for career and education goals.
• Access to Military Bases: Use of commissaries, exchanges, and recreation facilities.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for qualifying survivors of veterans.
• Specific state benefits