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Receiving a 20% VA disability rating is a significant milestone in your journey; it signifies that the VA has officially acknowledged the impact of your service-connected condition.
A 20% disability rating opens the door to several important benefits, including VA healthcare, vocational rehabilitation, and home loan assistance.
This guide breaks down the 9 BEST 20% disability VA benefits! Find out exactly what a 20% VA rating gets you, and learn the steps to take for a higher VA rating.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- A 20% VA disability rating gives you access to tax-free monthly payments, VA healthcare, and VA home loan benefits.
- Veterans at this level are eligible for vision/hearing care, life insurance options, and job support through the VR&E program.
- You can still work full-time and file to increase your VA rating if your condition worsens, you develop new conditions, or a secondary condition develops.
Did You Know?
According to VBA data reported to Congress, 6.2% of disabled veterans, or 371,627 out of 5,992,967, currently have a 20% VA disability rating.
How Much is 20% VA Disability Pay?
At a 20% VA disability rating, you’ll receive a fixed monthly payment that is tax-free. As of 2025, the monthly amount is $346.95 for a single veteran with no dependents.
Note: You must be rated at 30% or higher before you can receive additional compensation for your dependents.
For the current VA disability pay rates or to estimate your potential VA compensation increase, use our VA Disability Calculator HERE.
List of the Top 20 Percent Disability VA Benefits!
1. Monthly Tax-Free Compensation
If you have a 20% VA disability rating, you will receive over $300 a month in tax-free compensation.
VA disability rates are subject to change annually through a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), so it’s best to review the Current Compensation Rates.
2. VA Health Care Access
At 20%, you’re placed in Priority Group 3 for VA health care. This means you have access to VA medical centers, clinics, and services with no copays for care related to your service-connected condition.
You will generally have to pay copays for outpatient medications, but many critical services, such as mental health counseling, compensation exams, prescription coverage, and special registry exams, are covered without charge.
3. Routine Vision and Hearing Care
If you’re service-connected with a 20% VA rating, you qualify for medically necessary:
- Routine eye exams
- Eyeglasses
- Hearing exams
- Hearing aids
See More: VA Vision Care
Related: Does the VA Supply Hearing Aids for FREE?
4. Veteran Readiness and Employment
If your service-connected condition limits your ability to work, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) can help you prepare for a new career or maintain the one you have.
Services include:
- On-the-job training or apprenticeships
5. VA Home Loan Guaranty
Your 20% disability rating makes you eligible for the VA Home Loan Guaranty program, which helps you buy, build, or refinance a home with key advantages:
- No down payment is required (in most cases)
- Competitive interest rates are often lower than traditional loans
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) required
- Easier qualification standards for credit and income
- Access to VA-backed refinancing, including the Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan
You may also be eligible for an exemption from the VA funding fee, which can save you thousands over the life of the loan.
6. Federal Hiring Preference
With a 20% VA disability rating, you qualify for a 10-point veteran preference when applying for federal jobs.
This gives you a significant advantage in the hiring process by adding extra points to your application score, helping you stand out against non-veteran applicants
7. Life Insurance
Two key life insurance benefits are available to veterans with a 20% VA rating:
- Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI): Offers low-cost life insurance with coverage up to $10,000, plus supplemental coverage options.
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): Converts your active-duty coverage to civilian life insurance with flexible amounts based on your prior coverage.
8. Burial and Plot Allowances
If a veteran passes away, the VA provides a burial allowance to surviving spouses or family members, up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths and $300 for non-service-connected deaths, helping ease financial burdens during difficult times.
9. Commissary and Exchange Privileges (Limited)
With a 20% VA disability rating, you may be eligible for limited access to military commissaries and exchange stores, primarily online.
These privileges give you access to discounted goods and tax-free shopping through platforms like ShopMyExchange.com, offering savings on everyday items and essentials.
Note: In-store access is generally limited unless you meet additional eligibility criteria, such as being 100% disabled.
Can You Work with a 20% VA Disability Rating?
Yes. There are no employment restrictions at this level; you can work full-time or part-time without affecting your VA compensation.
However, many veterans with this rating continue to struggle with physical or mental health symptoms that affect their day-to-day work life. These challenges are real, even if others can’t see them.
How to Increase Your 20% VA Disability Rating
If your condition worsens or you develop a related secondary disability, you can take steps to increase your rating and monthly compensation:
- File for an increased rating by submitting new medical evidence.
- Claim secondary service connection for related disabilities caused by your primary condition.
- Apply for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if your condition prevents you from maintaining gainful employment.
- File an appeal within one year of your decision if you believe your rating is too low.
Related Post: 8 Ways to Increase Your VA Disability Rating
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 20% VA disability rating get you?
A 20% VA disability rating as of 2025 provides $346.95 per month in tax-free compensation (as of 2025 for a single veteran with no dependents).
While this amount does not increase with dependents at the 20% level, it grants access to VA healthcare, vocational rehabilitation services, and federal job preference, among other benefits.
What are some common ways veterans increase their 20% VA disability rating?
Veterans often increase their rating by submitting new medical evidence that shows their condition has worsened, applying for secondary service-connected conditions, or requesting a new VA examination.
You may also file for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if your disability makes it difficult or impossible to work.
Can I work with a 20% VA disability rating?
Yes, there are no work restrictions at this rating. You can work full-time or part-time without affecting your compensation.
Is it worth trying to increase my 20% VA disability rating?
Absolutely. Many veterans later qualify for higher ratings due to secondary conditions, worsening symptoms, or improved documentation. Education and coaching can make all the difference in pursuing a higher rating.
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Author
Eric Webb
Eric has written and worked in the field of Veterans Disability since 2020 and enjoys writing educational content for the veteran population. His prior work has been published in the Official Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He holds a Degree in Health and Exercise Science.
