VA Dependent Add-Ons: How Spouse, Children & Parents Raise Pay
At 30% and above, VA compensation increases with dependents. The exact add-on amounts by rating and dependent type, from the 2026 table.
By The VivMetric Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Who counts as a dependent
A spouse, children under 18 (or 18–23 in school), and dependent parents can raise compensation once the combined rating reaches 30%. At 10% and 20% the payment is flat regardless of dependents.
Add-on amounts (2026)
10%: $180.42/mo (veteran alone) 20%: $356.66/mo (veteran alone) 30%: $552.47/mo (veteran alone) 40%: $795.84/mo (veteran alone) 50%: $1132.90/mo (veteran alone) 60%: $1435.02/mo (veteran alone) 70%: $1808.45/mo (veteran alone) 80%: $2102.15/mo (veteran alone) 90%: $2362.30/mo (veteran alone) 100%: $3938.58/mo (veteran alone)
Why dependents change the calculation
Additional amounts for a spouse, children, and dependent parents are added on top of a base rate rather than folded into it, which is why two veterans with the same rating can receive different totals. The additions also carry their own eligibility rules and age-related conditions for children. Because the schedule is adjusted and depends on the household, the useful check is against your own award rather than against a general table.
Source
38 CFR 3.4 / 3.21 dependent allowances, 2026 table. Data retrieved 2026-08-19.