Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Answers?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226
Veterans with a 50% VA disability rating, this one’s for you.
Are you maximizing your VA benefits? If you’re even a little unsure, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many veterans don’t realize how much support opens up at the 50% level.
From monthly compensation boosts to exclusive programs and little-known benefits, there’s a lot you may be missing out on.
So, what exactly does a 50% rating get you? We’ll reveal and explain the best benefits available to 50% disabled veterans, some you’ve heard of, and a few that might surprise you.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- The benefits of 50% VA disability include monthly tax-free compensation, full VA healthcare coverage, access to travel reimbursement for medical appointments,
- Veterans with a 50 percent VA disability rating may increase their benefits by pursuing a higher rating through high-value claims & submitting strong medical evidence.
- VA disability 50 percent benefits can open doors to additional opportunities, like TDIU (In certain cases), federal job preference, and waived VA home loan fees.
How Much is 50% VA Disability Pay?
In 2025, a 50% VA disability rating for a veteran with no dependents provides $1,102.04 in tax-free monthly compensation.
The VA adds extra compensation for each eligible dependent, including minor children, dependent adult children, or parents living in your household.
For example, in 2025, a veteran with a 50% VA rating, a spouse, and one child under 18 receives around $1,287.04 per month.
You may qualify for additional compensation if your spouse requires Aid and Attendance due to a medical condition.
Note: Dependent children must meet age and marital status requirements to qualify.
How many veterans have a 50% VA rating?
According to VBA data reported to Congress, 4.78% of disabled veterans, or 286,718 out of 5,992,967, currently have a 50% VA disability rating.
List of the Top 50 Percent VA Disability Benefits
If you’re rated at 50% by the VA, you are eligible for far more than VA monthly tax-free compensation. From healthcare and tax exemptions to Veteran Preference in Federal Hiring, and more, these benefits can significantly improve your quality of life.
Here are the top 15 benefits available to veterans with a 50% VA disability rating—and how to make the most of them!
1. State Property Tax Exemptions
Many states offer full or partial property tax exemptions to veterans with a 50% VA disability rating. These exemptions can significantly reduce or even eliminate your annual property tax bill, depending on where you live.
Eligibility and amounts vary by state, so it’s essential to check with your local tax authority or state veteran affairs office.
If you haven’t applied yet, you may need to submit your VA disability rating letter along with a state application or verification form.
Related Post: Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption by State
2. Tax-Free Monthly Compensation
As a veteran with a 50% VA disability rating, you’re entitled to tax-free monthly compensation.
The amount is adjusted annually for inflation and can increase if you have dependents. Since it’s not taxed at the federal or state level, it offers more financial value than taxable income from a traditional job.
Check out the entire 2025 VA pay chart
3. VA Healthcare
If you have a VA disability 50 percent rating, you are eligible for full VA healthcare benefits.
This includes access to VA hospitals, primary care, specialists, and mental health services.
Depending on your assigned Priority Group, you may qualify for no-cost care beyond your service-connected conditions.
This benefit helps reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket healthcare costs, making quality care more accessible.
Related Post: VA Health Care and Other Insurance
4. Free Medication
At the 50% VA disability level, you qualify for free prescription medications through the VA for your service-connected conditions.
This benefit can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year, especially if you rely on regular medications to manage chronic conditions related to your service.
5. Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)
If you’re a military retiree receiving retirement pay and have a VA disability rating of 50% or higher, you’re eligible for CRDP.
This benefit allows you to receive both your full military retirement pay and your VA disability compensation without any offset.
CRDP was created to correct the unfair practice of subtracting VA payments from retirement pay. Now, qualifying veterans can receive both, significantly increasing their overall monthly income.
- Did you know? You don’t need to apply for CRDP; it’s automatically awarded to eligible veterans.
Related Post: Can You Receive 100% VA Disability and Military Retirement Pay?
6. Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)
The VBBP helps veterans access reliable and safe financial services through participating banks and credit unions.
VBBP is especially useful if you’re receiving monthly VA payments and want secure, low-fee options to manage your money.
The program partners with trusted financial institutions that understand the unique needs of veterans, offering features like early access to direct deposit.
7. Travel Allowance for VA Medical Appointments
Veterans with a 50% VA disability rating may be eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses to and from VA medical appointments. This includes mileage, parking, tolls, and in some cases, public transportation.
If you live far from a VA medical facility or require frequent care, this benefit can help alleviate the financial burden of transportation costs.
Note: You must file a travel claim through the Beneficiary Travel program.
Related: The Veterans Travel Pay Guide
8. Waiver of VA Funding Fee for Home Loan
The VA home loan program typically includes a funding fee, but this is waived for veterans with a 50% disability rating or higher. This can save you thousands of dollars when buying, building, or refinancing a home.
The funding fee waiver makes homeownership more affordable by lowering upfront costs, allowing you to use more of your money toward your home or savings.
Related Post: 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Veterans Home Loans
9. Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
The VR&E program provides education, training, and job placement assistance to help you prepare for and maintain suitable employment. With a 50% disability rating, you qualify for this valuable benefit.
You can receive support for tuition, books, career counseling, and even self-employment assistance.
If returning to your old job isn’t possible, VR&E can help you explore new opportunities that match your abilities and interests.
10. Additional Compensation for Eligible Dependents
At the 50% VA disability rating level, you qualify for extra monthly compensation if you have qualifying dependents, such as a spouse, children, or dependent parents.
This additional payment is added to your regular disability compensation.
The amount varies based on the number and type of dependents, but it’s a meaningful way to help support your family’s financial needs.
Related Post: Who Qualifies as a VA Dependent?
11. Up to $5,000 Per Year Folds of Honor Scholarships
Folds of Honor provides up to $5,000 annually in educational scholarships for eligible dependents of veterans with service-connected disabilities. Children and spouses of veterans rated 10% or higher may qualify.
These scholarships can be used for tuition, books, or other educational expenses.
Related Post: Scholarships for Dependents of Disabled Veterans
12. Burial and Plot Allowance
If you pass away from a service-connected condition, your family may be eligible for a burial allowance and reimbursement for funeral and plot expenses.
The VA may also help with headstone placement, national cemetery burial, and a presidential memorial certificate to honor your service.
13. Use of commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) retail facilities
Veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating can access commissaries, military exchanges, and MWR (morale, welfare, and recreation) facilities. These benefits extend to your dependents, too.
These privileges offer discounted shopping on groceries, clothing, and household goods, plus access to base recreational facilities like gyms, golf courses, and libraries.
14. 10-Point Veteran Preference in Federal Hiring
With a 50% disability rating, you receive a 10-point preference when applying for federal jobs under Compensable Disability Preference (CPS). This gives you a competitive edge by boosting your application score.
Veterans’ preference helps level the playing field and opens the door to stable, rewarding careers in government service across a wide range of fields.
15. Direct Hire Authority
The federal government also offers “direct hire authority” for certain positions, allowing agencies to expedite hiring for qualified disabled veterans. This bypasses traditional hiring steps to get you in the door faster.
This streamlined process helps reduce delays and increases your chances of landing a federal job, especially in high-demand roles or hard-to-fill positions.
7 BONUS Tips to Increase Your VA Rating!
- Use VA.gov to Document Symptoms: Make sure your current symptoms are consistently recorded in your VA medical records to support a higher rating.
- File for High-Value Claims: Focus on conditions like mental health, migraines, sleep apnea, or other impactful disabilities that often receive higher ratings.
- Submit DBQs for Service-Connected Conditions: Have a private doctor fill out Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) to provide detailed medical evidence.
- File Secondary Claims with Nexus Letters: Link new conditions to existing ones using strong medical nexus letters from qualified providers.
- Write a Strong Personal Statement: Describe in detail how your disability affects your daily life; VA raters want specifics.
- Be Prepared for Your C&P Exam: Don’t minimize your symptoms. Your C&P exam is a key part of the rating decision.
- Consider Applying for TDIU: If your disabilities keep you from working, TDIU may qualify you for compensation at the 100% level, even if you’re rated at 50%.
Other VA Disability Benefits Guides (by VA Rating Percentage)
0% VA Disability Benefits: >> 0 Percent VA Disability Rating: What It Means and How to Make the Most of Your 0% Benefits <<
10% VA Disability Benefits: >> 8 BEST 10% VA Disability Benefits <<
20% VA Disability Benefits: >> The 9 BEST 20% VA Disability Benefits! <<
30% VA Disability Benefits: >> The BEST 30 Percent VA Disability Benefits! <<
40% VA Disability Benefits: >> 40 Percent VA Disability: The 20 BEST Benefits! <<
60% VA Disability Benefits: >> 60% VA Disability Benefits Explained <<
70% VA Disability Benefits: >> Veteran’s Guide to 70% VA Disability Benefits <<
80% VA Disability Benefits: >> Top 20 VA Benefits for Veterans with 80% VA Disability <<
90% VA Disability Benefits: >> 90 Percent VA Disability: The 15 BEST Benefits! <<
100% VA Disability Benefits: >> The 50 BEST 100 Percent VA Disability Benefits <<
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
What does 50 percent VA disability get you?
A 50 percent VA disability rating unlocks several important benefits, including over $1,000 in monthly tax-free compensation, eligibility for additional dependent compensation, and enhanced healthcare options through the VA.
What do I get with 50 percent disability VA health benefits?
50 percent disability VA health benefits provide full access to VA healthcare, including free treatment for both service-connected and non-service-connected conditions, no copays for most services, and additional support like prescription coverage and travel reimbursement. (50% VA disability rating places veterans in Priority Group 1.)
Can I work with a 50 percent VA disability rating?
Yes, you can work with a 50 percent VA disability rating.
How do I increase my VA rating from 50 percent?
To increase your VA rating, you can file an increase claim for a worsening service-connected condition, file for secondary service-connected disabilities, or new disabilities tied to your service. Submitting strong medical evidence, including DBQs and nexus letters, can strengthen your case.
Want Expert-Level Support for Your VA Disability Claim? WE GOT YOUR SIX!
- VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.
- Work directly with a VA claims coach who can educate you to VA claim victory.
- 25,000+ disabled veterans have served in our membership programs since 2016.
- 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our #1-rated Elite program.
- 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 6,000+ total reviews; over 5,000 5-star reviews.
Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
