VA BENEFITS, DECODED

Get the VA benefits you earned.Without the confusion.

Plain-English claim guides, 2026-rate calculators, and free AI guidance — built by a service-disabled veteran who has been through the process.

FREE FOR ALL VETERANS BUILT BY A VETERAN 2026 RATES UPDATED NO LOGIN REQUIRED

Two ratings: 50% back + 30% knee

50+30=80%0%
50% OF WHOLE PERSON30% OF WHAT'S LEFT

The VA doesn't add ratings — it rates what's left of you each time. 50 + 30 combines to 65, which rounds to 70%. This math is why most veterans misestimate their pay.

Calculate My Real Rating
4,700+Questions answered by VetClaimAgent
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2026VA rates in every calculator
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QUICK ACCESS TOOLS

The tools veterans use most

Estimate your benefits, find official VA forms, and take the next step fast.

2026 RATES

VA Disability Calculator

Estimate your combined rating using the VA's actual whole-person math, with step-by-step math shown — updated for 2026 compensation rates.

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30%+ RATINGS

VA Dependency Calculator

See exactly how a spouse, children, or dependent parents change your monthly VA compensation — including school-age additions.

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21-526EZ & MORE

VA Forms Library

The most-used VA forms in one place — intent to file, disability claims, appeals, dependents, buddy statements — with direct VA.gov links.

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AI CLAIMS GUIDANCE

Meet VetClaimAgent

Not sure what to file or what comes next? Ask a question in plain English and get guidance tuned to where you are in the process — evidence, ratings math, appeals, dependents, GI Bill, health care.

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VetClaimAgent is not a lawyer, VSO, or VA representative. Always verify with VA.gov.

EXPLORE VA BENEFITS

Learn what to prepare before you apply

Understand eligibility, evidence requirements, and common pitfalls — so you don't file the wrong claim.

Disability Benefits

Eligibility, medical evidence, claim timelines, common denial reasons, and how to increase an existing rating.

Disability hub

GI Bill Education

Post-9/11 Chapter 33, housing allowance, transfer of entitlement, payment rates, and how to apply for education benefits.

GI Bill hub

VA Healthcare

How to enroll, priority groups, copay rates, what's covered, and how to manage your VA primary care.

Healthcare hub
HOW IT WORKS

How VA disability benefits actually work

Four steps, in order. Each one protects money or time. Use the disability calculator to estimate your combined rating before you file.

STEP 01 · ELIGIBILITY

Establish the Three Pillars

A current diagnosis, an in-service event, and a nexus linking the two. The VA requires all three — most denials fail on one of them.

Learn about eligibility →
STEP 02 · VA FORM 21-0966

File Intent to File

Locks your effective date immediately and gives you 12 months to build your case. This is the single highest-value five minutes in the process.

File your ITF →
STEP 03 · EVIDENCE

Gather Evidence

Medical records, nexus letters, buddy statements, DBQs. The Quick Start Guide tells you exactly what to pull and where to find it.

Use the Quick Start Guide →
STEP 04 · VA FORM 21-526EZ

Submit & Track

File through VA.gov, by mail, or with a free VSO. Track status online and answer VA requests fast — delays usually live here.

Filing step-by-step →
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FREQUENTLY ASKED

Common questions about VA disability benefits

Plain-English answers to what veterans ask most. Full list on the Veteran FAQs page.

How do I file a VA disability claim?
Online at VA.gov (fastest), by mail with VA Form 21-526EZ, in person at a regional office, or free with an accredited VSO. Full walkthrough: How to File a Disability Claim.
What is an Intent to File, and why does it matter?
It reserves your effective date for up to 12 months while you gather evidence — approved claims pay back to that date. Details: Intent to File guide.
How does the VA calculate combined disability ratings?
Whole-person math, not addition: each rating applies to what remains after the previous one. 50% + 30% = 70% (65 rounded). The calculator shows every step.
How much does VA disability pay in 2026?
$179.31/month at 10% up to $4,057.13/month at 100% for a veteran alone. Dependents add more at 30%+. Run your numbers in the dependency calculator.
What happens if my claim is denied?
You have one year and three review lanes: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal. Which lane fits your situation: Appealing a Denied Claim.
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