Can You Get More Than 100% VA Disability?

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Yes, you can get more than 100% VA disability compensation—but not in the way most veterans think.

The VA does not assign schedular ratings higher than 100%. However, you can be paid above the standard 100% rate through Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) or through certain combinations of disabilities that qualify for additional statutory compensation.

So while you can’t be rated 110% or 140%, in some cases, you can receive compensation above the base 100% VA disability rate.

Summary of Key Points

Technically speaking, the VA’s rating schedule can’t exceed 100% schedular disability because of ‘VA math.’

Veterans can, however, receive additional compensation above the 100% rate through SMC, which may be awarded for circumstances such as anatomical loss, loss of use, the need for Aid and Attendance, housebound status, or certain severe combinations of disabilities.

TDIU pays at the 100% rate and, in some cases, can serve as the qualifying single disability for entitlement to SMC.

Payment above 100% is based on severity and functional impact, not “extra percentage points.”

Why the VA Doesn’t Go Above 100%

The VA assigns disability ratings under 38 CFR Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities).

Under 38 CFR § 4.25 (Combined Ratings Table), disabilities are combined using “VA math,” which is based on the concept of remaining efficiency.

Here’s the logic:

The VA starts with the presumption that you are 100% efficient

Each disability you rate for reduces your remaining efficiency

Once your efficiency reaches 0%, you’re considered 100% disabled

There is no legal mechanism to exceed 100% schedular

That’s why even if your combined ratings “add up” to 140%, VA math will still cap the rating at 100%.

>> Use the VA Rating Calculator

How Veterans Get Paid More Than 100%

Even though the schedule caps at 100%, the U.S. Congress created additional compensation categories for veterans with exceptional levels of disability.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

SMC is governed by 38 USC § 1114 and implemented under 38 CFR §§ 3.350–3.352.

SMC pays above 100% when a veteran has:

Loss or loss of use of limbs

Blindness

Deafness

Loss of reproductive organs

Need for regular Aid & Attendance

Housebound status

Certain combinations of severe disabilities

For example, a veteran rated 100% for PTSD plus additional separate disabilities combining to 60% may qualify for SMC-S (housebound), which pays more than the standard 100% rate.

TDIU (Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability) + SMC

Under 38 CFR § 4.16, veterans who cannot maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected conditions may qualify for TDIU.

TDIU pays at the 100% VA disability rate even if your schedular rating is less than 100% but requires proof that your service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment.

Note: TDIU does not technically exceed 100%. It pays at the 100% level but can combine with SMC in certain cases.

Multiple 100% Ratings + Additional Disabilities

In some cases, a veteran may have one disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities rated separately.

If those additional disabilities combine to at least 60%, the veteran may qualify for SMC-S under statutory housebound rules.

This is often misunderstood as “getting 160%,” but legally:

The schedular rating remains 100%

SMC increases the payment level

Common MYTHS

“My ratings add up to 140%, so I should get paid for 140%.”

No. VA math does not work like regular math. Ratings are combined using the table in 38 CFR § 4.25 and capped at 100%.

“If I’m 100% permanent and total, I can’t get more.”

Not necessarily true. Even veterans who are 100% Permanent & Total may qualify for SMC, Aid & Attendance, or higher SMC levels (SMC-L, M, N, O, R).

“SMC is automatic.”

Sometimes, but not always. The VA is required to maximize benefits, but SMC is frequently overlooked unless:

The evidence clearly supports it

It is specifically claimed or argued

A knowledgeable advocate identifies eligibility

Real-World Example

A veteran is rated 100% for PTSD, 70% for sleep apnea, and 40% for a back condition. Under VA math, the combined rating stays 100%.

However, because there is a single 100% disability (PTSD) and additional disabilities combining to more than 60%, the veteran may qualify for SMC-S, which pays above the 100% compensation rate.

This is how veterans legally receive VA monthly compensation above the base 100% rate.

Next Steps for Increasing VA Compensation

If you’re wondering whether you can get more than 100% VA disability:

Review Your Current Ratings: Look for a single 100% rating, additional separate ratings, and functional loss (loss of use, blindness, need for care).

Evaluate for SMC Eligibility: Ask yourself, Do I need help with daily activities? Am I housebound due to service-connected conditions? Do I have loss of use of limbs or organs?

Consider TDIU (If Not Already 100%): If you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, TDIU may be an option.

Get a Professional Strategy Review: SMC and TDIU claims require precise evidence and legal framing, which means you might want to reach out for help before you file.

Conclusion

So, can you get more than 100% VA disability? Yes and no. You can receive more compensation, but you cannot exceed a 100% rating.

Compensation above the standard 100% rate may be obtained through SMC, which includes statutory housebound status, Aid & Attendance, and certain severe combinations of disabilities; TDIU pays at the 100% rate but, in some cases, can serve as the qualifying single disability for SMC-S.

The key is understanding that VA compensation above 100% is based on severity and special circumstances, not extra percentage points.

See What Your Combined VA Rating Could Be

Think your ratings might qualify you for more? Run your numbers and see your true combined VA rating instantly.

See My VA Disability Pay

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get 200% VA disability?

No. The VA rating schedule caps at 100%. However, SMC can increase compensation beyond the 100% rate.

Can you get SMC if you are already rated at 100% VA disability?

Yes. Many SMC levels require a 100% rating plus additional qualifying conditions.

Does TDIU pay more than 100% VA disability?

TDIU pays at the 100% rate; it does not exceed it. However, as with a 100% rating, TDIU can sometimes be combined with SMC for higher overall monthly compensation.

Is 100% VA disability the maximum benefit?

It is the maximum schedular rating, but not necessarily the maximum compensation. Special Monthly Compensation can pay significantly more.

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Quality Assurance Team

The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.

About the Author

Katie McCarthy

Katie McCarthy is a writer and editor with experience in daily news and digital and print magazine publishing. She honed her editorial (and firearms) skills at Guns & Ammo before helping launch Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine as the managing editor. She holds degrees in English (BA) and public administration (MPA). Katie is a military spouse and word nerd who enjoys reading, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.

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