50% VA disability pay rate (2026)

Source: VA.gov compensation rates, effective 2025-12-01, retrieved 2026-06-11.

A 50% rating pays $1,132.90 per month for a veteran with no dependents in 2026. With dependents, the amount rises as shown below.

50% and the halfway point that is not halfway

At 50%, monthly pay is $1,132.90 for a veteran with no dependents, compared to $180.42 at 10%. The schedule is progressive: each 10-point step adds a larger dollar increment than the one before it. 50% is not the midpoint of the pay scale.

50% is one of the primary rating steps for PTSD. VA rates PTSD under diagnostic code 9411 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, and 50% requires occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, or difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. For the full criteria and how examiners apply them, see the PTSD VA rating guide. If your current rating is 30% or below and your symptoms meet the 50% criteria, a supplemental claim or higher-level review may be the next step.

Check the math behind your rating

Your combined rating is calculated under 38 CFR §4.25 and §4.26, and the final number is rounded to the nearest 10. Whether you sit at 50% or one band higher can come down to a few points. Run your conditions through the calculator to see your combined value before rounding, and read how the bilateral factor works if you have conditions in both arms or both legs.

If VA owes you money back to an earlier effective date, estimate your back pay or read how back pay is calculated. If your decision letter's rating is lower than the math supports, see what to do after a VA decision you disagree with.